Engine size question
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Engine size question
I just bought a Ford F-100, I was told that it has a Big Block in it but the person I bought it from didn't know what engine was in it. I think its probably either a 429 or 460 but I am not sure. Thats what the guy I bought it from said. Anyone here know?
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That is an FE series engine, of which the 429 and 460 are NOT members.
I see D3...in the castings, which is 1973. The most common flavor for '73 would be a 360. If you are lucky, it's a 390. Since the PO didn't know, that usually points to a 360.
It could be almost any FE, as they all look alike, and a rattle can and some other do-dads can make a 352 look the same from up top as a 427.
My guess is 360.
***********See below, this is wrong, it is a 385 series***********
I see D3...in the castings, which is 1973. The most common flavor for '73 would be a 360. If you are lucky, it's a 390. Since the PO didn't know, that usually points to a 360.
It could be almost any FE, as they all look alike, and a rattle can and some other do-dads can make a 352 look the same from up top as a 427.
My guess is 360.
***********See below, this is wrong, it is a 385 series***********
Last edited by 85e150; Jan 29, 2010 at 12:16 AM. Reason: Got it wrong.
Post Fiend
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From: Union, Washington
You can't tell with most FE series engines what the CID is from the outside. You need to measure the stroke and that will give us a clue to start with. A 3.50" is either a 352 or a 360. A 3.78" is a 390. A 3.98" stroke is a 410 or a 428. A 427 also has a 3.78" stroke but you can tell them from the outside block differences.
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No, the heads do not have to come off. Set engine to TDC. Pull plug #1, use a dowel and feed it into the hole until you find the piston. Mark the dowel. Now turn the engine over 1 revolution (by hand is best with a wrench on the damper bolt) and measure and mark the dowwl again. Now measure the distance between the marks. That is your stroke.
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Umm...guys? That IS INDEED a 385-series, not an FE. Easiest external clue: look that the exhaust manifolds. An FE has the bolts above and below the exhaust port (unless you're talking about the late-'60s GT heads...those had either three or four bolts per port). In the middle pic, you can see clearly that the manifold bolts are on either side of the port. Also, look at the spark plugs...those in the pics are all parallel, while on the FE, the spark plugs are angled toward the middle of the cylinder head.
The shape of the water pump is wrong for an FE, too. Can't describe it accurately, but a water pump for an FE vaguely reminds me of a Ch*vy pump.
Having said that, I don't know of any way to tell a 429 from a 460 externally. But since we're talking about trying to measure stroke, the 429 is 3.50", and the 460 is 3.85".
Pat
The shape of the water pump is wrong for an FE, too. Can't describe it accurately, but a water pump for an FE vaguely reminds me of a Ch*vy pump.
Having said that, I don't know of any way to tell a 429 from a 460 externally. But since we're talking about trying to measure stroke, the 429 is 3.50", and the 460 is 3.85".
Pat
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Thanks PatsPOS, I can tell that you know your Ford blocks. 
I was pretty sure that they guy I bought the truck from was not lying to me. He said it was either a 429 or 460. I will pull the plug measure my stroke and figure it out.
Thanks again!
I was pretty sure that they guy I bought the truck from was not lying to me. He said it was either a 429 or 460. I will pull the plug measure my stroke and figure it out. Thanks again!
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Umm...guys? That IS INDEED a 385-series, not an FE. Easiest external clue: look that the exhaust manifolds. An FE has the bolts above and below the exhaust port (unless you're talking about the late-'60s GT heads...those had either three or four bolts per port). In the middle pic, you can see clearly that the manifold bolts are on either side of the port. Also, look at the spark plugs...those in the pics are all parallel, while on the FE, the spark plugs are angled toward the middle of the cylinder head.
The shape of the water pump is wrong for an FE, too. Can't describe it accurately, but a water pump for an FE vaguely reminds me of a Ch*vy pump.
Having said that, I don't know of any way to tell a 429 from a 460 externally. But since we're talking about trying to measure stroke, the 429 is 3.50", and the 460 is 3.85".
Pat
The shape of the water pump is wrong for an FE, too. Can't describe it accurately, but a water pump for an FE vaguely reminds me of a Ch*vy pump.
Having said that, I don't know of any way to tell a 429 from a 460 externally. But since we're talking about trying to measure stroke, the 429 is 3.50", and the 460 is 3.85".
Pat
http://www.123engines.com/engines/wp...s-460-ford.jpg
Clearly, the plugs and the other items you mention should have jumped off the page.....time to hit the eye doc, I guess....
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From: Coal country
D3VE casting numbers indicate the year of design, not the year of manufacture. Those heads were used from '73 to early 1980 460s, and on 429s (used in the heavier trucks) as well.
429s were used in heavier trucks up to 1996.
And, I will add, that looks like a very well done installation, too. Nice find!
429s were used in heavier trucks up to 1996.
And, I will add, that looks like a very well done installation, too. Nice find!
Post Fiend
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