block Identification

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Feb 9, 2008 | 10:23 PM

CaptainIPSC

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 245

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From: Ponca City, OK

block Identification

I yanked the engine out of my old pickup ( 1973 F250 4x4 ) It's supposed to be a 390. Anyway I can't read the casting code on the block ( or haven't cleaned the right spot yet ). It's has two bolt engine mounts but has ribs on the outside of the block. I've been reading HP ford interchange book they say two bolts is pre '65 and ribs go on 427's so I'm real confused now.

I spun a rod bearing and am trying to figure out exactly what it is that I have. Any ideas on how I could find out?

Thanks

Jim

Feb 10, 2008 | 07:28 AM

FFR428

Needsmorecoffee.

Joined: Oct 2004

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From: CT

Some of the interchange books can be sorta misleading. Ribs can be found on blocks from 68 into the 70's. Casting numbers might be on the right side of the block or in the lifter valley. And they are generic and really don't mean a whole lot as the same number can be found on different bore blocks. Since your doing a teardown your best bet is to measure the cyl bores. Look at the pistons to see if they are std, .010, .020 etc.... 390 was a 4.05 bore std. You can look at the date code of the block to timeframe it. It's below the oill filter adaper on a small angled part of the block. It's a number/letter/number(s) sequence. The first number might have 2 dots under it if it's a 70's casting. You can also check the crank numbers. 2U, 2UA or 3U were the common 390 cranks to find. It would be stamped on the side of one of the counterweights.

Feb 10, 2008 | 08:59 AM

jowilker

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 1999

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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

Jim, I would suggest that you suspect it to be a 360, and be surprised if it's a 390. While there are a few factory 390 truck engines out there, and we know that they all are 390s on sale day the loins share were 352s and 360s.

John

Feb 10, 2008 | 09:11 AM

CaptainIPSC

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 245

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From: Ponca City, OK

The valve cover says "390" which I know doesn't mean a darn thing but the old truck is 35 years old! According to the vin# it came with a 360. Again that's why I'm trying to figure out exactly what it is that I have!!! Hopefully this afternoon I can check on what FFR428 said and bring back something useful.

Feb 10, 2008 | 09:21 AM

FFR428

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From: CT

360 crank numbers are 2T and 2TA with a 3.50" stroke. Long rods in the 360 would be C7TE-A.

Feb 10, 2008 | 10:37 AM

baddad457

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From: south louisiana

Two bolt mounts with the ribs sounds like the late 50's to early 60's block. Seen someone post a pic of one around in the last month. 390 crank will be 2U, 2UA, 3U or the earliers were C1 THRU C4AE'S multiple suffixes. The one book I have lists 13 different castings in these years.

Feb 10, 2008 | 10:54 AM

FFR428

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From: CT

[QUOTE=baddad457]Two bolt mounts with the ribs sounds like the late 50's to early 60's block. Seen someone post a pic of one around in the last month. QUOTE]

Really??? I've never seen or heard of those. You remember where?? The very early FE blocks from 58 had 2 core plugs in the back of the block.