Telling engine year
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Idaho
Telling engine year
I purchased a 390 for 250 (running). the number on the side of the block is 03TE. Does anyone know what year it is, or should i be looking for a different number and where. Thanks
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Is it a 390?
On sale day, 352 and 360 engines magically become 390's.
Measure the stroke: 352/360: 3.50" / 390: 3.78."
Running? Was it in a truck?
While there are no guarantees today with all the engine swapping, the VIN's 4th digit is the engine code.
1968/76: H = 390 2V / M = 390 4V (1974/76) / Y = 360 2V
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The casting number of D3TE is on the bare block...when the rough block was first cast, that number was included.
But, when the bare block is finished, it could be either a 360 or a 390.
FORGET the casting number, it cannot be translated to an actual part number.
In this case, it only refers to the year when the block was first cast.
C8TZ-6010-G .. 360 Bare Block - Fits: 1968/76 360 2V
C8TZ-6010-H .. 390 Bare Block - Fits: 1968/76 390 2V or 4V
The block was cast in 1973, but as you can see, the same two bare blocks were used from 1968 thru 1976.
The heads are not the same.
The 1968/72 360/390 head is the same for both engines: C8AZ-6049-M.
1973/76 360/390's used the same head (D5TZ-6049-N), but the 1973/76 head is DIFFERENT than the one used 1968/72.
The difference has to do with smog emissions.
Now, you have to determine what the heads casting numbers are.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Idaho
NumberDummy,
Thanks. I want to make sure i have this down. The head casting number will tell me what year. I was told that some 390s had different parts depending on the year. That's why i'm trying to ensure i have the right year. Is there anything esle i need to look at? Again, thanks. I will post the head numbers when i get home.
Thanks. I want to make sure i have this down. The head casting number will tell me what year. I was told that some 390s had different parts depending on the year. That's why i'm trying to ensure i have the right year. Is there anything esle i need to look at? Again, thanks. I will post the head numbers when i get home.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
NumberDummy,
Thanks. I want to make sure i have this down. The head casting number will tell me what year. I was told that some 390s had different parts depending on the year. That's why i'm trying to ensure i have the right year. Is there anything esle i need to look at? Again, thanks. I will post the head numbers when i get home.
Thanks. I want to make sure i have this down. The head casting number will tell me what year. I was told that some 390s had different parts depending on the year. That's why i'm trying to ensure i have the right year. Is there anything esle i need to look at? Again, thanks. I will post the head numbers when i get home.
The matching heads should also be D3TE...but there was one or two other head casting numbers used 1974/76.
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