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Old May 25, 2006 | 11:13 PM
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engine sizes available

i am considering buying a 78 f150 custom, and i was wondering what engine sizes were available on this truck, and how i can tell which one it is... there is no markings that i can see, but i do know that is a small block
 
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Old May 25, 2006 | 11:20 PM
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Engine Identification Huh ?

Ford has what they call engine series'.

See the forum list in the engine section. No mention of small blocks or big blocks


Count the valve cover bolts

8 = 351M/400 (My Guess of what you have)
7 = 460
6 = 302


If it has 8 , you have to look for the red/white sticker on DS valve cover

or

the white sticker on the other (PS) valve cover.
Then post the info from it.

Also get the 4th digit of the VIn#

If it is still all original.

H= 351M
S = 400
J = 460
 

Last edited by Mil1ion; May 25, 2006 at 11:40 PM.
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Old May 25, 2006 | 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by gvsu141
but i do know that is a small block
might be on the wrong website, SB and BB are chebbie trash ford never had SB or BB.
 
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Old May 27, 2006 | 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
might be on the wrong website, SB and BB are chebbie trash ford never had SB or BB.
Your statement made me curious since I have heard the term big and small block for Ford, Chevy and Chrysler all my life.
Do a web search, there are a lot of people who use those terms for Fords.
 
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Old May 27, 2006 | 10:10 PM
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Yes people use those terms but that doesn't make it correct

People use many Non-words of the English language as well

example: Is the Ford 400 a big block or small block.

Remember..... the GM 396 is considered a BB

Why do people say Posi when they mean both wheels turn in gearing?
A: Because It is a well known term.

But, Ford's term is Traction Lock or Limited slip.

This is a FORD site so we use Ford terms
 

Last edited by Torque1st; May 28, 2006 at 02:43 AM. Reason: typo
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Old May 28, 2006 | 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Mil1ion
Yes people use those terms but that doesn't make it correct

People use many Non-words of the English language as well

example: Is the Ford 400 a big block or small block.

Remember..... the GM 396 is considered a BB

Why do people say Posi when they mean both wheels turn in gearing?
A: Because It is a well known term.

But, Ford's term is Traction Lock or Limited slip.

This is a FORD site so we use Ford terms
Edelbrock sells heads for "small block ford's".
Popular Hot Rodding uses the term "small block Ford", in many articles.
The 400 is a small block according to wikipedia.
I do agree however that the general designations do not work very well on Ford engines since the parts are not as interchangable as they are on Chevrolet's.
 
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Old May 28, 2006 | 08:09 AM
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Bill Beyer, moderator of the 335 series (351C/351M/400) forum posted one of the better descriptions regarding big/small block I've seen. I quote as follows:

"Avoid speculation on whether the 351M/400 is a "big block" or "small block". These are generic terms which generally apply to Ch*vy motors not our beloved blue oval mills so they really have no place in this group. The 351M/400 has elements relating to both the 385 series and the Windsor series and attempting to categorize them is futile, especially when using monikers which FoMoCo never adopted."
 
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Old May 28, 2006 | 09:18 AM
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sometimes if there's no sticker on the valve cover, look up on the driver's side of the hood, on the inside of the rounded down part.
 
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