Need some identification help
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Need some identification help
Last year i purchased a supposedly 390 engine and trans from someone. However, im not 100 percent convinced its a 390. I haven't measured the stroke, but since i pulled the heads off last week, i plan on measuring it and the bore this weekend. The only clues i have are that it has 427 stamped on the back of the block on the drivers side and it has (what i describe as) ribs, there somekind of ridge casted into the sides of the block, traveling down the sides of the block vertically. Anyone ever seen this? I bought it for cheap, the man told me it smoked some and probably needed some headwork. It was sitting in his driveway under the weather, and when i pulled the heads off i found water in the cylinders. Any help is much appreciated.
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Check these FAQ:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...questions.html
Are there bolt heads on the lower sides of the block? IIRC, all 427s are cross-bolted mains. Maybe some marine blocks didn't have them? The ridges might mean something--maybe 428. Bore and stroke will tell the tale, though, as after all this time, it is possible you have mix and match....
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...questions.html
Are there bolt heads on the lower sides of the block? IIRC, all 427s are cross-bolted mains. Maybe some marine blocks didn't have them? The ridges might mean something--maybe 428. Bore and stroke will tell the tale, though, as after all this time, it is possible you have mix and match....
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Read the FAQ before i posted, didn't help me any with the info i had. All the pictures i find on this website of 390's, dont have the ridges i described. And don't hold me to the statement on the numbers that were on the back of the block, i can't really remember them now, its a weekend project.
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I plan on fixing this one, luckily i got to it in time before the water did to much damage. If i can figure out what kind it is, i've searched the internet looking at ford blocks of all sizes, and i cant find one with those ribs running down the side of the block. They are about a half inch wide with about half inch spacing in between them.
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From: CT
The vertical ribs were added from 69 and up blocks. Most 70's era service and production blocks had them no matter the bore size. Sometime in 75 they were dropped. Speculation was 2 fold on the ribs. Some say to add block strength. Some say to help repair and add rigidity to the aging FE block molds.
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The vertical ribs were added from 69 and up blocks. Most 70's era service and production blocks had them no matter the bore size. Sometime in 75 they were dropped. Speculation was 2 fold on the ribs. Some say to add block strength. Some say to help repair and add rigidity to the aging FE block molds.
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I cant find 352 stamped on my block, theres the 427 stamped on the driver rear of the block. Stroke measures 3 1/2 :/ time to find a crank and some rods lol. Got some pics if any one has any comments or more info. Best place to get rods and crank anyone?
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The ribs i was talking about.
The 427 casting number and what looks like a P casting mark when the engine is upside down.
The casting number beside the oil filter the top is a W and the bottom is A23.
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From: CT
It sounds like the rear face of the sideoiler mold was used. If you see a 8 shaped boss on the lower left side on the back of the block that's it. They are blind and don't go to anything on std blocks. The 427 and the P would explain it. The P was added to the new 427 "high phosphorous" blocks in late 71 for the 72 production run. That same P can also be found on earlier blocks too so who's knows for sure? But the 72 literature decribes the P 427 blocks as high phos units. After the 427 batch on a certain line was cast they'd simply leave the rear face of the mold as it was fine for 360-390 and FT blocks and saved time.
On your date code there looks to be either a 2 or 3 before the A23. It may have 2 dots under that first number making it hard to read. But 2 for 72, 3 for 73 etc... A23 is Jan 23rd.
Yep those are the vertical ribs.
On your date code there looks to be either a 2 or 3 before the A23. It may have 2 dots under that first number making it hard to read. But 2 for 72, 3 for 73 etc... A23 is Jan 23rd.
Yep those are the vertical ribs.
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It sounds like the rear face of the sideoiler mold was used. If you see a 8 shaped boss on the lower left side on the back of the block that's it. They are blind and don't go to anything on std blocks. The 427 and the P would explain it. The P was added to the new 427 "high phosphorous" blocks in late 71 for the 72 production run. That same P can also be found on earlier blocks too so who's knows for sure? But the 72 literature decribes the P 427 blocks as high phos units. After the 427 batch on a certain line was cast they'd simply leave the rear face of the mold as it was fine for 360-390 and FT blocks and saved time.
On your date code there looks to be either a 2 or 3 before the A23. It may have 2 dots under that first number making it hard to read. But 2 for 72, 3 for 73 etc... A23 is Jan 23rd.
Yep those are the vertical ribs.
On your date code there looks to be either a 2 or 3 before the A23. It may have 2 dots under that first number making it hard to read. But 2 for 72, 3 for 73 etc... A23 is Jan 23rd.
Yep those are the vertical ribs.
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