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D3 is 73 but if you can post the date code that'll tell you the exact date it was cast. Below the oil filter adapter pad you'll see a small angled part fom the block. That's where the date code is. It'll be a number/letter/number example... 3J13. First number is the year ending. So 2 for 72, 3 for 73 etc.. Next letter is the month A-M Jan-Dec skipping the letter I. So A for Jan, B for Feb and so on.... Last numbers are the day of the month cast.
Here is a freak story concerning a D3TE; pulled the ID tag off the intake and it was from a Jan '67 Merc 410. Removed the heads, they were C3AE ('63 automotive engine) w/ 80900A or H cast into them. The block is a D3TE with the reverse 105 on the drivers front side of the block. When we pulled it apart, all the reciprocating parts were from late '66-early '67 and 428 pieces. Moral of the story? Always double check and measure- I almost walked away from this motor when I saw all the mix-matched parts, but since it was only $100 for the shortblock, I decided to stay with it, ask questions on this forum and to Ford guys I know, and now I have one helluva torque motor being built for my truck on the cheap. May even go back and double check those heads...who ever originally built the motor obviously knew what to put together! Education doesn't come cheap (I threw the Mercury valve covers off to the side, they are now scrapped).
Here is a freak story concerning a D3TE; pulled the ID tag off the intake and it was from a Jan '67 Merc 410. Removed the heads, they were C3AE ('63 automotive engine) w/ 80900A or H cast into them. The block is a D3TE with the reverse 105 on the drivers front side of the block. When we pulled it apart, all the reciprocating parts were from late '66-early '67 and 428 pieces. Moral of the story? Always double check and measure- I almost walked away from this motor when I saw all the mix-matched parts, but since it was only $100 for the shortblock, I decided to stay with it, ask questions on this forum and to Ford guys I know, and now I have one helluva torque motor being built for my truck on the cheap. May even go back and double check those heads...who ever originally built the motor obviously knew what to put together! Education doesn't come cheap (I threw the Mercury valve covers off to the side, they are now scrapped).
Was this engine with the D3TE cast actually a 428?
So I have the head off my old engine and the new engine. I decided to check the stroke between the two blocks. So at the bottom of the stroke I put the darker end of the push rod on top of the cylinder and drew a line with the sharpie. The first line is from the newer engine, and the longer line is from my old engine. I think I'm just going to get the new engine going so I can get my daily back on the road. When I get my baja bug up and running, I think I'm going to find out my issues with my old block, and try and build it up into something a little more fun. Does anyone have any suggestions for a rear end that would get me going a little more than 60mph? My truck is a '66 F100.
