Hi all, I come from the strict land of cali emissions. I've got a 78 bronco. I've already done my homework for a 460 swap. It's perfectly legal so long as I grab a 460 from a vehicle with the same or less weight rating as my own (6105 or less) and it's the same year or newer as my truck.

well, 80+ didn't see 460's for a while, especially not in an f150, so all that leaves me with is a 78/79 block from an f150, or lincoln, etc.

However, I've been digging around some, and it seems like the exact year may not be cast on the engine after all.

If this is the case, the referee will have no clue whatsoever the actual year of the block, and he'd have to "take my word" that it's a 78/79 block........

so that's the question, is there a way to tell the year on 460 blocks? if so, what id's the various year blocks??

thanks all

 

The date code on the block will bite you from behind on this.

 

that's just the thing, from what I'm researching, there doesn't really seem to be a date code on the block so to speak.?

 

Ok first off the 78 and 79 blocks are different (79 was the break year for internal vs external balance) next for the 78 well externally (as in you have to tear the engine apart to find the date code that really makes a difference) the 73-78 engines are the same as far as casting codes go, they will have D1VE blocks and D3VE heads. Now the issue MIGHT come up that it's cast with a 71 revision code, if so the guy doesn't understand how ford worked things in the 70s and no matter what you do your going to be in trouble. if you have an engine with a D9TE cast into it, well all is good cause they are 79 and later blocks. Basically they will look for an emissions sticker on the VC and not look further unless you put on aftermarket valve covers so to get past the emissions leave the stock VCs on it showing an emissions date of 78 or later and your good to go most times.
Oh and to find the actual date casting code you have to remove the intake, it's cast in the lifter valley.

 

fantastic, so say for example I get an 84 motor, it's still going to say d9te on it???


The emissions label on the valve covers would likely say 84 I'm guessing though, so I'd either have to nab a 79 emissions sticker, or go with aftermarket valve covers, and show them the d9 on the block and tell them it's a 79 block and all would be well eh?

 

well now you got to watch some things like the intake might have a later casting code if you have one that wants to get technical on it, but yes a 84 engine would have a block casting of D9TE, and heads cast D3VE.

 

My block and heads casting is D0VE.

Is this a good engine?