Recently purchased a 1972 f100 that has what I was told to be a 390 engine. The engine has tubes above the exhaust manifold that make it appear to be a non-original engine. My question is where do I look to find date codes on this engine? I know it is an FE because it has the 352 cast in the front. Any help to identify what year the engine is? Also it has an aftermarket edelbrock intake, so I can't look there.....

-Welder

 

There should be casting #s on both the heads and the block. Don't remember where on the FE. But if it has air injection tubes it is most likely a 75 or 76.

 

Not so.

The Thermactor Emission (T/E) System (smog pump) was first installed in 1966 on cars and trucks, used thru 1968, then dropped on trucks till 1973.

Most, if not all 1973/76's have (had) a smog pump.

Many have been removed, because most states no longer require smog tests for these older vehicles.

The holes in the heads for the smog manifolds nut and ferrules (4 per side) are plugged up. **

Casting numbers will not ID what size the engine is, will tell you little else.

The 1965/67 352/390 / 1968/76 360/390 engines were all cast as 352's, only when finished could they be something else.

The same heads were used on both 360 & 390's. There are at least 8 different heads (2 = 1965/67 / 2 = 1968/72 / 4 = 1973/76), depending on whether the T/E system was installed...or not.

1973/76 heads are not the same as the earlier heads due to emission requirements.

In 1968, Ford replaced the 352 heads used 1965/67 with the 360/390 heads used 1968 /72 for use as service part replacements = parts sold by dealers and authorized Ford rebuilders.

What size in the engine? Casting numbers cannot be cross referenced to part numbers.

Then there is this > > On sale day, 352/360 engines magically turn into 390's.

Stroke: 352/360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78. Measuring the stroke will at least tell you whether it's a 390...or not.

** Heads with drilled and tapped smog pump manifold holes:

Ford sold a special tapered plug to fill in the holes. The plug is still available:

8) C6AZ6052A .. Cylinder Head Exhaust Air Supply Plug / 1/2" -20 x 1 11/32 hex head.

MSRP each: $5.10 / FTEpartsguy.com price each: $3.67

Fits: 352/360/390/410/427/428 all with T/E.