Engine Identification
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Engine Identification
I hate to keep bothering you folks but you know so much about these old trucks, its hard not to.
I just finished de greasing my 68, F-100 that I think has a 360. Now I'm not so sure.
On the left front of the block I found the numbers 352. I looked around for the engine number but haven't found it yet. I don't know of any way to identify the engine. The air cleaner says 360 but who knows what could have happened in 40 years.
Can anyone help me locate it and refer me to some source to determine if this is a 360 or a 352. I want to be sure before I start buying engine parts.
I just finished de greasing my 68, F-100 that I think has a 360. Now I'm not so sure.
On the left front of the block I found the numbers 352. I looked around for the engine number but haven't found it yet. I don't know of any way to identify the engine. The air cleaner says 360 but who knows what could have happened in 40 years.
Can anyone help me locate it and refer me to some source to determine if this is a 360 or a 352. I want to be sure before I start buying engine parts.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 260
From: Piney Woods of East Texas
Welcome to the forum, you will find a endless amount of knowledge here.
If internals have been changed it could be a 390 too. There is a 1/4" diff between a 360 (3.5") and 390 (3.78"). The 352 had a different cylinder bore. Can be determine by using a wooden dowel through the spark plug. And the 360 were very low compression 8:1. ~120psi.
It's highly possiable it has never been into, depending on mileage. These were work horses, and just seam to keep going.
The users in the FE section https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum51/ can give you the finer details.
If internals have been changed it could be a 390 too. There is a 1/4" diff between a 360 (3.5") and 390 (3.78"). The 352 had a different cylinder bore. Can be determine by using a wooden dowel through the spark plug. And the 360 were very low compression 8:1. ~120psi.
It's highly possiable it has never been into, depending on mileage. These were work horses, and just seam to keep going.
The users in the FE section https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum51/ can give you the finer details.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
bigriver, The 352 on the outside has nothing to do with the makeup on the inside.
While I don't disagree with blue on it could be a 390, it is very very likely a 360 like is indicated. Worst case, it has been rebuilt and a 390 rotating assembly installed.
Other than rotating assembly parts, crank, connecting rods, and pistons, anything for a 360 will be the same for a 352 or 390. They are pretty much identical on the outside.
I have tried the wooden dowel and found that a white covered electrical house wire is smaller and worked better when I do this test. I have also found that a slight curve in the wire aids in the ease of use. You need a friend to help. Take a ratchet and socket that will fit the nut in the crank pulley, and have a bud turn it a couple revs while you have a Sharpie resting on the manifold marking the wire as it moves in and out of the spark plug hole.
For safety sake pull the coil wire from the coil or dist. so that it will not start.
John
While I don't disagree with blue on it could be a 390, it is very very likely a 360 like is indicated. Worst case, it has been rebuilt and a 390 rotating assembly installed.
Other than rotating assembly parts, crank, connecting rods, and pistons, anything for a 360 will be the same for a 352 or 390. They are pretty much identical on the outside.
I have tried the wooden dowel and found that a white covered electrical house wire is smaller and worked better when I do this test. I have also found that a slight curve in the wire aids in the ease of use. You need a friend to help. Take a ratchet and socket that will fit the nut in the crank pulley, and have a bud turn it a couple revs while you have a Sharpie resting on the manifold marking the wire as it moves in and out of the spark plug hole.
For safety sake pull the coil wire from the coil or dist. so that it will not start.
John
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Hedgesville WV
only 3 factory engine options from ford in '68: 240 6 cylinder was standard, 300 6 cylinder or the only optional v8 352. The 390 wasnt offered til '69 and 360 til '70
Last edited by gnwalker; Nov 4, 2007 at 07:25 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 260
From: Piney Woods of East Texas
gnwalker, 360 was offered in 68 for trucks, engine code Y Not the 352. Not sure when the 390 came over, think 70 is correct. The 390 was offered in the galaxie in 68, my mom had one.
NumberDummy will have the break down.
NumberDummy will have the break down.
Last edited by blue68f100; Nov 4, 2007 at 07:59 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
A FE was available starting in 65, and I am thinking 68 for the change from 352 to 360. The 390 was always a option engine for the truck and not certain of the first year that it could have been ordered.
These vin readings that everyone is going gaga over, will only tell you how it was built and left the factory. Many things could have been swapped in the 40 years since delivery. IMHO
John
These vin readings that everyone is going gaga over, will only tell you how it was built and left the factory. Many things could have been swapped in the 40 years since delivery. IMHO
John
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
68 was the first year for 390's in trucks-
Another way to verify 352,360 vs 390 are buy the rear crank flange. You can see it buy removing the clutch/flywheel inspection cover. 352/360 cranks have a 1/2 moon machined in them that was required in order to machine the crank. A 390 will not have this...
Another way to verify 352,360 vs 390 are buy the rear crank flange. You can see it buy removing the clutch/flywheel inspection cover. 352/360 cranks have a 1/2 moon machined in them that was required in order to machine the crank. A 390 will not have this...
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Hedgesville WV
I was just speaking on trucks. All sources I've found sayjust those three engine options, 240, 300, 352
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I don't want to sound too dumb here but I'm still not sure what I've got. If the basic parts will interchange, I guess I'm not too concerned, but if I have to buy rings and things, I'd like to know before I open it up. I was just very suprized to see the 352 cast into the block. Are the 352 and 360 the same block? Is it possible that Ford used the 352 block in the changeover to the 360 in 1968? If I find the engine number can I research it back to the size? I don't know how Ford engine numbering systemworks but I've got a 79 vette and I've gone all the way back to the date of manufacture off of the engine number.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento, CA.
Hey BR,
Most FE blocks are stamped 352. For the most part the blocks are the same.
From all the people in the engine parts business like myself, take your engine apart and get it to the machine shop before you order your parts or better yet let the shop order your parts. You would not believe the returns I take back because someone assumed they knew what oversize they needed for their engine.
Mike
Most FE blocks are stamped 352. For the most part the blocks are the same.
From all the people in the engine parts business like myself, take your engine apart and get it to the machine shop before you order your parts or better yet let the shop order your parts. You would not believe the returns I take back because someone assumed they knew what oversize they needed for their engine.
Mike
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
br, I concur with Mike, You don't want to order parts before you know what it is you need. Most 40 year range engines have been rebuilt once, some twice. If it is already 60 over you might want to look at another block.
Having a spare block and rebuilding it could be a better choice.
John
Having a spare block and rebuilding it could be a better choice.
John
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by bigriver13
I don't want to sound too dumb here but I'm still not sure what I've got. If the basic parts will interchange, I guess I'm not too concerned, but if I have to buy rings and things, I'd like to know before I open it up. I was just very suprized to see the 352 cast into the block. Are the 352 and 360 the same block? Is it possible that Ford used the 352 block in the changeover to the 360 in 1968? If I find the engine number can I research it back to the size? I don't know how Ford engine numbering systemworks but I've got a 79 vette and I've gone all the way back to the date of manufacture off of the engine number.
Pistons, rings, rods, crankshaft, are different between 352-360-390. So is the 352's intake manifold, which uses a larger thermostat than the 360/390's use (the housing and gasket are the same 352/360/390). The vibration damper and the camshaft are either 352, or 360/390.
352/360/390: Gaskets and seals, coreplugs, cyl. heads, valves, pushrods, rocker arms and shafts, cam, rod and main bearings are the same, as is the oil pump and shaft, oil filter and adapter, timing cover, timing gears, fuel pump, waterpump, oil sending unit, temp sending unit, points, condenser, rotor, sparkplugs and wires, heater hoses, and heater hose fittings. The 2V carb kit is the same, as is the paper air cleaner element.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Nov 7, 2007 at 03:36 AM.
