I bought a 390 that was not in a vehicle and am in the process of rebuilding it to put in my truck. All I can get out of the guy I bought it from is that he "thinks" it was a '68 or '69 year engine. I'm concerned that I may need to know for sure what year the engine is in order to get the correct parts for it. Is it an issue? Are they all compatible? Or if not, is there a number on the engine that will give me more information, and how would I interperate that number?
You are so knowlegable about these things that I'm hoping you can give me some good advice.

Thanks to any and all that will respond : )

 

there are 3s on the block behind the starter, you may have to remove it to see them.....post on here

 

Hope this helps.
See if you can find a Engine iD number.
There should be a sticker on your engine,somewhere on your valve cover.
Below I have put links to pictures to help you locate the ID tag thingy...
http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/p...ive/7d20_3.jpg
http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/p...ive/aec5_1.jpg
http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/p...rdTruck014.jpg
http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/p...cks/201b_3.jpg

--On Edit--
I thought she bought the whole thing...

 

The OP stated she is buying a 390 that's already OUT of a vehicle. Meaning, she's only buying the block, nothing else. The information supplied above by 76retardspecial does NOT apply here!

Fruitpunch: There are NO way to ID the engine other than its series (FE in your case) and when it was produced.

When you find the stamps, the first two letters/digits matters. C = 1960's. D = 1970's. The second represent the last digit of the year it was produced. Example: D1. D1 = 1971.

 

Thanks Jermafenser, that seems to be exactly what I was after for info. One more question tho is.....where would I find those numbers - on the block? Where might they be?
And 76spercamprspeal, I had remembered Number Dummy's post from another thread too and was going to backtrack and look until I realized (as I should since I was the stinking buyer!) that I bought it off of a trailer and not in the truck itself! So don't feel bad. Even I was tracking the same as you......

BTW, I had a blast tearing that engine apart (with the help of my wonderful "personal mechanic" - Orange Juice) and cleaning the parts up in my shed after work. Reminds me of being a kid in the garage with my Dad.....except it was just the two of us, in spirit : )

Any other suggestions for me would be appreciated....I also am having some heartburn over knowing exactly what to do about putting a 390, which ended factory in 1976, as I understand, into my 1977. I know the motor brackets and all are supposed to be different, but not sure what that means (sorry, a girl talking here....trying to learn). Also I am having some pushback about headers and exhaust fitting in there between the different years. My truck looks the same to me as Orange Juice, a 1976, but the local shop here is thinking they're different body style wise. Any feedback there too???

 

The numbers can be found where the starter would be mounted. I don't know of any other areas. FEs hardly ends up with me to mess with that often.

Although the '77 never came with one, you can use 1973/76 engine mounts to plant a 390 in it. 1977 had many items changed during its model year run.

What does his truck have that's different? Details of yours?

 

look on th block below the passenger side head behind where the started would be

 

projectbad78.....sounds like you original post was the right spot to check! Thanks much....we'll definately be looking there for the numbers. I happen to have the heads in the shop, but OJ has the block in his garage, so we'll be able to check that out. Thank you guys for all of your help. Believe it or not - this forum is exactly why I thought this truck was a good buy. You are all awesome! I'm always waitning for more good stuff from y'all to come along.

 

Oh, BTW....unless the G-friend is actually projectbad78.....she's awful cute and is hopefully as into this as I am!!! (keep her....heheheh)

 

well, thank ya, yeah shes my g/f.....shes not too much into it, but im tryin

 

heheheh ; ) well, I hope for the two of yoursake that you get into this together - it's really fun. I know it's been really incredible for my relationship! AND!!!.....I get to learn tons of stuff from you guys! I really like that part.

 

I just wish some-one would give me a chance to prove that I can give out help-ful info...
I know this is off-topic.

 

What will casting numbers and date codes tell you when found on FE engines?

NOTHING.

1965/76: ALL the FE 352/360/390/410/428 bare blocks were cast as 352's.

Only when these blocks were finished could they be something else.

The 352 cast on the drivers side of these bare blocks is a foundry mark. It does not mean this is the engine size.

As original, there was a metal engine ID tag mounted on the coil bracket or the intake manifold with the engine size, and etc. listed on it.

Most of these ID tags are missing today, and even if you do find one, considering all the parts swapping that could have occured, who knows if it matches the engine?

Emission stickers on valve covers with engine sizes listed on them are suspect, because any FE valve cover will bolt up to any 1958/76 FE engine.

So...how does one know if the valve cover with its emission sticker is original to the engine? There is no way to know.

The dates codes only refer to when the BARE block itself was cast. Date codes will not tell you diddly squat inre to what size the engine is.

If the date is after 8/1967, the finished bare block will not be a 352 or a Merc 410, as these two engine were cancelled after the 1967 model year run ended.

If the date is after 8/1970, the finished bare block will not be a 428, as this engine was cancelled after the 1970 model year run ended.

The 360 & 390 bare blocks have the same bore: 4.05"

I've typed the following over 1000 times here on FTE:

BARE BLOCK CASTING NUMBERS ARE ABSOLUTELY WORTHLESS FOR ID'ING WHAT SIZE THE ENGINE IS.

CASTING NUMBERS CANNOT BE CROSS REFERENCED TO ACTUAL FORD PART NUMBERS.

 

Thank you, Number Dummy, for having the patience to share that for the thousandth time. I guess I'm new to this and it appears I need to learn how to search for things better. I'll post a new question for a little different angle then. This one still hasn't helped me with what parts to buy for the engine.

 

What parts do you need?

I can type every FE bearing, every ring, every gasket, dang near every engine part number you can think of...most of them from memory, but what good does that do, until I know what parts you are looking for.

What has been done to the engine so far, has it been torn down and inspected? Are you going to need to bore it out?

How's the crankshaft, does it need to be turned?

You will need all the gaskets and seals, main and rod bearings, new oil pump, piston rings and etc.

With the exception of the rings, these parts are the same 360/390.

But until you tell us what the condition the engine is in, and what your plans are, how can anyone help you?