390 460?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Goodrich IL
390 460?
Just picked up a 1974 F350 dually with a dump bed.
Runs good but I have no clue how to tell which engine it has.
I do know it's a big block & has a 2 bl carb.
Not even sure it's the org motor.
Can someone tell me how to ID a 390 from a 460....or what ever it could be.
TIA
Gene
Runs good but I have no clue how to tell which engine it has.
I do know it's a big block & has a 2 bl carb.
Not even sure it's the org motor.
Can someone tell me how to ID a 390 from a 460....or what ever it could be.
TIA
Gene
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Kingsport, TN
Not sure about the 460 - the 390 (FE) will have 5 bolts holding the valve covers on. There may be a specific thread in the respective Forums about the ID's. The VIN # will have the ISSUED engine listed, which could be eigher engine.
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From: Cab of a truck
The 390's valve covers go on top of the intake AND the heads, and have a spark plug pattern like this \ \ / / The 460 has 7 valve cover bolts and all the spark plugs on each side come out at the same angle.
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From: Goodrich IL
Thanks men!
Well I got 7 VC bolts so I now know to buy parts for a 460.
VIN # F37MLU74451
I might add this old truck runs well no knocks or valve train noise.
Had a complete valve job done a few 1000 miles ago.
4 sp trans makes some noise, gonna check and change the gear oil,
same time I do the rear axle, besides I'd like to know what gear ratio it has.
But that maybe in the VIN also?
Turns over hard when hot, I checked the timming with a old mark someone
else had made, I'm thinkin it just needs a starter or
truck had sat for a few years maybe the thermostat needs replaced...
Anyway not a bad old truck for $800 with very good tires.
I got a lot of heavy wet clay to move and now have the tool
Gene
Well I got 7 VC bolts so I now know to buy parts for a 460.
VIN # F37MLU74451
I might add this old truck runs well no knocks or valve train noise.
Had a complete valve job done a few 1000 miles ago.
4 sp trans makes some noise, gonna check and change the gear oil,
same time I do the rear axle, besides I'd like to know what gear ratio it has.
But that maybe in the VIN also?
Turns over hard when hot, I checked the timming with a old mark someone
else had made, I'm thinkin it just needs a starter or
truck had sat for a few years maybe the thermostat needs replaced...
Anyway not a bad old truck for $800 with very good tires.
I got a lot of heavy wet clay to move and now have the tool
Gene
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 1
From: Cab of a truck
For the hard turning when hot, try replacing the cable that goes from the solenoid to the starter with a heavier gauge cable. I cant remember the size I used on my 390 and 460, but Im thinking 1 gauge, but not sure. It was about double the size of stock. It helped out alot.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
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From: iowa
if it is a 460 it's probably not original to that truck, and second it doesn't have the original carb and intake. Tanman is correct all 460s had 4bbl carbs, it could be a 429 which definatly is not original since they were never used in pickups upto F350 (usedin medium duty after 1979 only) and those did come factory with a 2bbl carb in some apps. couple other things where is the thermostat housing mounted? thats a biggie too.
Last edited by monsterbaby; Sep 15, 2006 at 07:36 PM.
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That's weird, Code M is for a 390 in a light truck and a 361 in a medium duty truck.
That must be have been a 390.
Code J is a 460.
Your axle code is on the rating plate attached to the door.
That must be have been a 390.
Code J is a 460.
Your axle code is on the rating plate attached to the door.
Last edited by Mil1ion; Sep 15, 2006 at 07:47 PM.
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From: Goodrich IL
Well now you guy's got me thinkin.
The guy told me it was a 429 when I bought it...not that he seemed to know much.
Thing is when I went to get a oil filter parts guy said no 429 in that truck.
And seeing how it's got a 2bl carb...?
The door plate is missing...? Dont look like the org door.
The termo housing is just to right (pass side) of the dist.
Gene oh?
The guy told me it was a 429 when I bought it...not that he seemed to know much.
Thing is when I went to get a oil filter parts guy said no 429 in that truck.
And seeing how it's got a 2bl carb...?
The door plate is missing...? Dont look like the org door.
The termo housing is just to right (pass side) of the dist.
Gene oh?
Hotshot
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From: iowa
passenger side of dist, and on the intake, manifold, 2BBL carb, 7 bolt valve covers, alum timing cover, and the intake doesn't sit partially under the valve covers, then I would say it's probably a 429, but you are going to have to ask for parts for a 460 or the parts guys will get confused. Unless your buying internal engine parts in which case tell them you have a thunderbird with a 429. if you can find a casting number on the intake manifold or on the block right above the starter adn I can give you an approx year possibly.
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Post the casting numbers off the intake (on top)
Heads (along the ridge near the sparkpugs)
You're looking for a C8(9)VE-A or D1VE-A type number
and block (down near the starter) C9VE-6015-B type number.
Also if you take a valve cover off ..in the oil galley you will casting numbers like this ie:*2B24* ..
These numbers also appear on the other parts I mentioned ......post all the casting numbers and we'll go from there.
Heads (along the ridge near the sparkpugs)
You're looking for a C8(9)VE-A or D1VE-A type number
and block (down near the starter) C9VE-6015-B type number.
Also if you take a valve cover off ..in the oil galley you will casting numbers like this ie:*2B24* ..
These numbers also appear on the other parts I mentioned ......post all the casting numbers and we'll go from there.
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