I'm a new convert from gm to ford, i have a 74 ranger supercab(f250). The problem is I don't know what engine I have, and worse yet...i don't believe it's the original engine even though if it is a swap, it was done right. I recently bought plugs, thinking it was a 390, but they were too small. Is there a publication or a website where engine serial numbers can identify a engine?

 

The stock engines for that year would have been 360 or 302. My 351M and the 351C run small plugs, I don't know about the 351W of that year. If you describe the engine there's somebody here that can help you figure it out.

Trail Rider

 

The pugs for a 360/390 are too big to fit anything else. What was the thread size, brand and catalog number of the spark plug you were given?

<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>

 

if anyone can help me, the plugs are all angling toward the center of the head, the head appears to be part of the intake manifold...the truck vin nos are f25mku70310

 

Your vin decodes as follows:


Model Year: 74
Series: F250 - 4x2 Pickup
Engine: 8 Cyl, 390ci, 4bbl
Assembly Plant: Kansas City

<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>

 

You've described a "FE" engine. This would be consistent w/ stockman's vin decipher. The 360,390 were availible in 74. Earlier in the 60's 352's were used. The "FE" family includes: 332,352,361(edsel),360(truck only),390,406(very rare),410(merc),427(rare),428. Other V8's in a 74 pickup would have been 302,460,maybe 351W. These engines have all the plugs angled to the rear. The intake manifold underlapping the valve covers is another dead giveaway. You won't be able to positively identify whether you have a 360 or 390 without measuring the stroke unless you trust the vin and engine decals to be the original motor. I know that my 302 plugs are much smaller than my 390 plugs. There is a fair amount of interchangibility between the "FE" motors although you must use caution because there are some instances like the 410 and 428 cranks being externally balanced where there isn't. Other pickup related engine families: Windsor: 302 (289), 255 (early 80's debore), 351W
Cleveland/Modified: 351C, Boss 302, 351M, 400
Lima (385): 429,460
Six Cylinder: 240,300
Even within the families there is some non-interchangibily like:
- 351W has very limited interchange with 302.
- 302Boss,351C have small block bellhousing,351M,400 have "big Block bellhousing like Lima family but not FE family.
Welcome to Fords. May I suggest HP books #708 How to rebuild Big Block Fords by Steve Christ.

BBT
69 F100 390/T18 LWB 2wd
76 F100 302/C6 LWB 2wd
89 Camaro RS 305TBI/5sp

 

I have an engine ID section on my web site which discusses the Autolite.html" title="Click Here to go there. It's a great way to tell the difference between the different FE's and the 240/300 I6 by taking a rough bore measurement.

Also to BBT: I think the older 302's did use an 18mm plug same as the 360/390. As you noted, this particular engine is an FE from the description.


<FONT COLOR="#ff0000" SIZE=" 2" FACE="Bassett">Stock Man</FONT>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd LWB Styleside</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flareside</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>

 

Click here:
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee/page/Autolite.html">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee/page/Autolite.html</a>



<FONT COLOR="#ff0000" SIZE=" 2" FACE="Bassett">Stock Man</FONT>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd LWB Styleside</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flareside</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>

 

 

Thanks everybody, i appreciate the information..the more info i get, the more i believe i may have the original engine. thanks again.

 

Stockman: My 302 heads are a 1985 casting, I'll have to scour my smallblock book to see about differences.

BBT

 

I have a '66 289 that has the big plugs like Stockman said. I'm not sure what year Ford switched to the small plugs.

 

I think the large 18mm plugs were used through 1975, then they went to the smaller variety.

<FONT COLOR="#ff0000" SIZE=" 2" FACE="Bassett">Stock Man</FONT>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd LWB Styleside</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flareside</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>