I've got a question for all you casting number gurus. I'm just starting to tear down my first
390 engine out of my '76 F250 (original engine).
The VIN number indicates 390 motor. The casting number on the block (in the lifter valley) is
"D4TE" with no other numbers in the area. Also
at front of block, #5 cyl, there is a mirrored "105" along with an "18" below it.
According to my new book "Rebuilding Big Block Ford Engines" by Steve Christ, this should be
a 391 block. Am I missing something here or is this common? And if it does turn out to be a 391 block, are there any problems I need to be aware of?
The heads match the expected 390 numbers (D2TEAA).
I haven't taken the pan off yet so I don't know what the crank looks like.
Thanks for any help,
Alan.

p.s. This is the cleanest, most friendly forum I've ever seen! I spend TOO much time reading all the great info. Thanks to all.

 

Looking at Steve's book, I also see a 360 with a casting number of D4TE-AC. It's a 74 to 76 service block with reinforcement webs on the mains. Same goes for the D4TE-AC 390 service block. Also, all FT (MD and HD big truck) blocks have this casting number. This includes the 330MD, 330HD,359, 361, 389, and the 391.
Measure the diameter of the crank where the balancer slides on. FE cranks have a diameter of 1.375", while the FT's have a diameter of 1.75"
The valves on your heads will be 2.02" intakes and 1.55" exhaust.
What you have is a highly desirable block because of it's reinforced bottom end and higher nickel content.(makes it wear less, stronger than plain cast iron)
Wanna trade blocks?[img]/dcforum/Images/happy.gif[/img]




>I've got a question for all you
>casting number gurus. I'm just starting
>to tear down my first 390
>engine out of my '76 F250
>(original engine). The VIN number indicates
>390 motor. The casting number on
>the block (in the lifter valley)
>is "D4TE" with no other numbers
>in the area. Also at front
>of block, #5 cyl, there is
>a mirrored "105" along with an
>"18" below it. According to
>my new book "Rebuilding Big Block
>Ford Engines" by Steve Christ, this
>should be a 391 block. Am
>I missing something here or is
>this common? And if it does
>turn out to be a 391
>block, are there any problems I
>need to be aware of?
>The heads match the expected 390
>numbers (D2TEAA). I haven't taken the
>pan off yet so I don't
>know what the crank looks like.
>Thanks for any help, Alan.
>p.s. This is the cleanest, most friendly
>forum I've ever seen! I spend
>TOO much time reading all the
>great info. Thanks to all.

 

390fe wrote:
>Looking at Steve's book, I also see
>a 360 with a casting number
>of D4TE-AC. It's a 74 to
>76 service block with reinforcement webs
>on the mains. Same goes for
>the D4TE-AC 390 service block. Also,
>all FT (MD and HD big
>truck) blocks have this casting number.
>This includes the 330MD, 330HD,359, 361,
>389, and the 391.

390fe,
I'm getting ready to check the shaft dia as you suggested. I was wondering though, if it is a D4TE-AC shouldn't the "AC" part also be cast into the block?
Alan

 

390 fe wrote:
>Measure the diameter of the crank
>where the balancer slides on. FE
>cranks have a diameter of 1.375",
>while the FT's have a diameter
>of 1.75" .

390fe,
I checked the crank and it is 1.375".
Alan.

 

Alan the 391 is a big truck motor, so yours being original......

John

 

Ford did some weird things with their casting numbers in the 60's and 70's. Just because the block has one number doesn't mean that's what it is. I have some 289 heads that are supposed to be hipo's, but they're were machined for standard passenger usage.
According to your 1.375" crank, you've probably got a 390.

 

Wasn't 1976 the last year for the FE engine? If so, it wouldn't surprise me if FoMoCo wasn't drawing down inventory by substituting whatever was stockpiled, i.e., an HD block in your "LD" truck.

 

The last year for FE's was 1976, and the FT's were discontinued in 1978.