"352" casting
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
When the Dearborn Iron Foundry (DIF) was shut down is when the "352" castings stopped. It was during 74 when they finally shutdown. The Michigan Casting Center (MCC) came on line in the early 70's and all (except the 427 and 428) FE block castings were then cast there and had the reverse "105" on the blocks. Both the 427 and 428 blocks were cast at DIF until they were no longer produced. The Cleveland Foundry (CF) was used for FE blocks for a short period of time and it's where most FE service heads were cast well into the late 70's.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
FE's are big blocks, but there are lots of those. You have to ID the series. If FE, then you have to find the bore, then the stroke, as they all pretty much look the same from the outside. As per previous post, you will find "352" on all of them up to a point. It does not mean it's a 352.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Maybe you should look at the red disclaimer at the bottom of the forum.
Can you direct me to a Ford doc. that declares the FE a big block, maybe I overlooked it.
John
Can you direct me to a Ford doc. that declares the FE a big block, maybe I overlooked it.
John
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
To better answer your Q there were still 428 blocks cast into 74 at DIF. Many of these were still used in industrial apps. These have the "352" on them. So 1974 was the last year for DIF. The rest of the numbers like the 28-25 are part of the mold numbering system. As far as the E1 goes I've heard there were both East and West casting lines. So E1 would have been cast on the #1 East line. This was done to pinpoint mold and casting flaws and pull the offending molds offline for repair or replacement. 8E4 is the date code of 68-May-4th. As far as what block it is measure the bore size.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
While it may have started with the Chev engines, it is a generic term. Both GM and Ford sites--corporate sites like Ford Racing--use the term and it is not trademarked or copyrighted.
It's generally an engine with a deck height over 10". Purists that you are, I suppose you would never concede that a 289 is a small block, a 390 a big block, and that many many many people used the terms in the day when, for example, those were the only two V8s in a Mustang or Cougar.
So when someone asks if an FE or a 385 is a "big block", you would tell them "No, they are large blocks?", or "Size doesn't matter with Ford."
It's generally an engine with a deck height over 10". Purists that you are, I suppose you would never concede that a 289 is a small block, a 390 a big block, and that many many many people used the terms in the day when, for example, those were the only two V8s in a Mustang or Cougar.
So when someone asks if an FE or a 385 is a "big block", you would tell them "No, they are large blocks?", or "Size doesn't matter with Ford."
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I believe that I read some doc. that Ford declared the FE a medium size block, while some of the Lincoln/Mercs were considered big or large blocks.
I will have to give you that both the FE & 385s are large, heavy buggers.
John
I will have to give you that both the FE & 385s are large, heavy buggers.
John
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
To reach another point of agreement, it is almost useless with the variety of engine series used by Ford.
Anyway, the OP question about "352" cast on the block--another Ford feature that has had heads scratching for 50 years, and will continue to confuse and confound for years to come.
Anyway, the OP question about "352" cast on the block--another Ford feature that has had heads scratching for 50 years, and will continue to confuse and confound for years to come.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frosty67
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
4
Jun 14, 2015 11:13 AM
wildwindjerry
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
2
Apr 24, 2015 09:56 AM
7283-F250
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
3
Jun 27, 2014 02:23 PM
672wd72highboy
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Jun 16, 2014 07:12 PM
