Engine Displacement Help - 1978
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: fargo, nd
it could even possibly be a 460... but not likely considering a 58 tbird is a pretty small car... the quickest way to check if its a 460 is look at the cylinder head just below the valve cover... there should be a casting number there- like a D3VE-A2A
if it was out of a 78 pickup it wouldnt be an fe block because ford quit them in 1976... but the easiest way to id an fe block is to look at the intake... if the edge of the intake is under the valve covers its an fe- if it isnt its not
if it was out of a 78 pickup it wouldnt be an fe block because ford quit them in 1976... but the easiest way to id an fe block is to look at the intake... if the edge of the intake is under the valve covers its an fe- if it isnt its not
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That number is a part design code.
I suggest it's a 400 but could be a 460.
In 1978 they re-designed the 400 slightly so it would have the D8TE prefix.
BTW, that isn't a JUST a 1 after D8TE- It should be a letter or have letters after the 1.
or
It could be A1A or A1B
Check it again
Funny no one mentioned the valve cover bolts
If there are 8 valve cover bolts, the engine is a 400.
Is there 7 valve cover bolts per valve cover it's a 460 .
I suggest it's a 400 but could be a 460.
In 1978 they re-designed the 400 slightly so it would have the D8TE prefix.
BTW, that isn't a JUST a 1 after D8TE- It should be a letter or have letters after the 1.
or
It could be A1A or A1B
Check it again
Funny no one mentioned the valve cover bolts
If there are 8 valve cover bolts, the engine is a 400.
Is there 7 valve cover bolts per valve cover it's a 460 .
Last edited by Mil1ion; Oct 11, 2006 at 01:26 AM.
New User
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Read post #4 again
He said it was a 78 engine.
No FE's in 78 light trucks
they may be in F600's or L-N series possibly
That's why I question the D8.
The T means truck.
The 352 was in 67/68,etc
This thread should be in the GAD forum because it is about an engine & 58 a T-Bird.
He said it was a 78 engine.
No FE's in 78 light trucks
they may be in F600's or L-N series possibly
That's why I question the D8.
The T means truck.
The 352 was in 67/68,etc
This thread should be in the GAD forum because it is about an engine & 58 a T-Bird.
Last edited by Mil1ion; Oct 12, 2006 at 01:16 PM.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Spokane, Washington
ok here is a picture of the casting number, tonight hopefully when I get home from work I will get some pics of the spark plugs...and the engine
here is the casting number pic, i tried to make it out the best i could, I'll clean it up
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Reply to Topic
see now when you look at it looks like D8TE-1 with no A1A or A1B
so im so confused ?
here is the casting number pic, i tried to make it out the best i could, I'll clean it up
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Reply to Topic
see now when you look at it looks like D8TE-1 with no A1A or A1B
so im so confused ?
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I copied it and flipped it to try and see better but I can't make out the 2nd character (alleged 8)
If I stare at it long enough I think it is a 6.
Can you use a wire brush on it and take another pic?
sometimes using a bar of soap drawn acoross it will highlight it better as well.
also, look for another 3 or 4 digit casting number with * Number | Letter | Number | (possibly another number) *
If I stare at it long enough I think it is a 6.
Can you use a wire brush on it and take another pic?
sometimes using a bar of soap drawn acoross it will highlight it better as well.
also, look for another 3 or 4 digit casting number with * Number | Letter | Number | (possibly another number) *
Last edited by Mil1ion; Oct 12, 2006 at 03:27 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: fargo, nd
i had meant the 58 tbird would have had an fe block 352 originally... so it would probably be an fe block that replaced it otherwise the transmission would have had to be replaced at the same time
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ok idk if this helps but its a 4bbl carb wasnt only the 390 or 460 a 4bbl?
`````````````````````````
The 390 was used in cars first so the casting design number would be different.
The Letter T would be an A or O designating a Galaxie.
The T makes it a engine designed for a Truck.
This is why I think it is a 330 or 361.
I need a positive ID on that 2nd character.
I also need those other casting numbers.
`````````````````````````
The 390 was used in cars first so the casting design number would be different.
The Letter T would be an A or O designating a Galaxie.
The T makes it a engine designed for a Truck.
This is why I think it is a 330 or 361.
I need a positive ID on that 2nd character.
I also need those other casting numbers.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,955
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From: Quesnel, BC, Canada
using D8TE as an example the 3rd position (letter T) could be any of the following.
A= Ford
D= Falcon
G= Comet, Montego, Cyclone
J= Marine & Industrial
K= Edsel
M= Mercury
O= Fairlaine, Torino
S= Thunderbird
T= Truck
V= Lincoln
W= Cougar
Z=Mustang
The 4th position (E in this case) could also be the following:
A= Chassis
B= Body
E= Engine
Z= Ford Division
Y= Lincoln-Mercury
X= Origional Muscle Parts program
M= Ford Motorsport SVO
A= Ford
D= Falcon
G= Comet, Montego, Cyclone
J= Marine & Industrial
K= Edsel
M= Mercury
O= Fairlaine, Torino
S= Thunderbird
T= Truck
V= Lincoln
W= Cougar
Z=Mustang
The 4th position (E in this case) could also be the following:
A= Chassis
B= Body
E= Engine
Z= Ford Division
Y= Lincoln-Mercury
X= Origional Muscle Parts program
M= Ford Motorsport SVO
Last edited by pud; Oct 13, 2006 at 01:01 PM.