I'm going to look at at a 1979 F-? thats for sale this weekend with a GVW of 26000 lbs. The guy that owns the truck doesn't know if the truck is a F-600, 650, 700 etc... and only knows that the engine is a 300 hundred some cubic inch V-8. Anyone know what engines were available in 1979? Thanks, Dave.

 

It will most likely be a 370 unless something has been changed. You can look at the first 3 digits of the vin and tell what series it is. Should start with an F and two numbers after it. Second number 6-F600 and so on.

 

It could have a 330 engine or 361 or 391. I don't think it would be a 370 the truck is too old.

 

i think there were 477 and 534 super duty v8's also. i have seen alot of 370 engines in them too.

 

I went to look at the truck today. It is a 1979 F-700 4X4 dump truck with the 370. I did not take notice if it was 2 or 4 barrel. It had body rot around the fenders and the bed was in pretty poor shape. The brake pedal would go to the floor and barely stop the truck, the carb needs tuned up or replaced, and the tires were rotted and cracked. The guy said he would take $1500.00 for the truck but it would still take me another 1500.00 to put it on the road. I think I'll offer him 500.00 and see what he says.

 

1979 was the first year for the 370.

 

Not too many old gas pot medium duty Fords around here especially in that vintage.

I didn't realize the 370 was offered in 79.

The engines are still " Industrial Fords " you had the big gas pig 534 it would burn 5 gallons of gas like nothing

 

According to the '79 Ford engine manual the engines available in an F600 were: 300c.i. 6cyl ( engine code B), 370 2V (engine code C w/ cast crank) and 370 4V ( engine code M w/ forged crank)

 

No FT engines (330/361/391) after 1978.

1979's were available with...among others...the 370 2V, 370 4V and the 429 4V.

Thru 1980, the engine code is the 4th digit of the VIN.

1979: A = 370 2V (EXCEPT F600) / C = 370 2V (F600 ONLY) / C = 429 4V / M = 370 4V.

Info source: 1973/79 Ford Heavy Truck Parts Catalog - General Info Section - VIN Engine Codes.

 

O.K., now I'm confused. A "C" code engine is a 370 2V if it's an F600 but it's a 429 4V if it's in anything exept an F600. Am I correct in my understanding of this?
Also, my manual mentions the "B" code 6 cylinder. My source is the 1979 Ford Truck Shop Manual. Does the Parts Manual not mention the 6 banger?

 

Never question Ford's logic on things like this because there is NONE.

 

I didn't list the 300 I-6 or the DSO engines that were available in 1979.

All I did...was point out the fact that there were no FT engines after 1978, and that the 429 4V was also available in 1979.

 

Aah... After reading your post a little closer I saw the "among others" which I didn't notice the first time around. Still, it seems odd that they use the same code for two different engines, depending on wether it's in an F600 or not.

 

Lemme know when you figure out...why Ford did what...with VIN engines codes....I haven't a clue, and I did this parts jazz for 35 years.

1979 VIN Engine Code C

370 2V (F600 only)

429 4V

893 cid 6 Cylinder Caterpiller Diesel - Model 3408.

In the 1960's, there could be one VIN engine code for SIX different engines.

And...the VIN engine codes used in 1965, were different in 1966...for the same engines.
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And...lemme know when you figure out why Ford did the following:

1953/78 F100/350 / 1966/78 Bronco / 1961/78 Econoline:

Ford used the G Transmission Code on the Warranty Plate for ALL Automatic Transmissions. Every single one a them:

2 & 3 Speed Ford-O-Matic's, FX & MX Cruise-O-Matic's, FMX, C4, C6.

One had to know which trans came with what engine. If they didn't...

They'd be up scheiss creek without a paddle!
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But wait...there's more!

1948/79 Warranty Plate Axle Codes. Ford used a specific code for one type of rear axle one year. The next year, the code could be for an totally different axle.

1957/72 Warranty Plate M/T Trans Codes: Ford used the letter A for "the" 3 speed manual, and for the NP435 4 speed.

Which 3 speed manual was it? There were three different types.

 

Wow!...