do I have a 352 or 360?
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From: Wyoming
do I have a 352 or 360?
I just picked up a 1972 F-100. The previous owner who is actually the second owner of the truck told me that it has a 352 engine in it and that it is the original motor. From my research and running the VIN that is not possible. The vin code "Y" tells me that the truck came factory with the 360 right? And the 352 was not an option in that year. Is there any way to tell the difference between the 352 and 360 without measuring the stroke? Thanks.
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'67 was the last year for the 352. All FE blocks up to a point in the early '70s have "352" cast on the driver side front of the block, regardless of size.
The stroke is the same as the 352, it's the bore that's different. The 360 uses the 4.05 bore, same as the 390.
If it is original, it's a 360.
Usually they tell you it's a 390.....
The stroke is the same as the 352, it's the bore that's different. The 360 uses the 4.05 bore, same as the 390.
If it is original, it's a 360.
Usually they tell you it's a 390.....
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So measuring the bore is the only way to tell the difference? There are still many unknowns about this truck right now but the price was too good to pass it up. Thank you for the info, I am sure I will come up with many more questions along the way.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: The hills of No. Calif.
The only way it would have a 352 would be if it were swapped in, and if it's the original motor, than that's not too likely. Sounds like the previous owner simply didn't know the difference.
Take a look at the date code cast into the block, that should provide a clue. It's very easy to see, it's located on the driver's side, right at the base of the oil filter mounting block, between it and the oil pan rail. It's upside down and probably covered with grease but easy to reach and clean off.
If the last 352 rolled off the line in '67, then it should have a '67 or earlier date code. '68 through '76 360/390 blocks would most likely have a date code closer to the year the truck was actually built...for example, my '68 360 has a date code of 8C7, which indicates that the block was cast in 1968 (the 8 being the year) on March 7th (March being the 3rd month of the year, C being the 3rd letter of the alphabet).
So if the engine in your truck is indeed the original one, it should have a date code showing the block was cast around 1972, possibly '71. Unless it's a 352 from ten years earlier, which I don't think is very likely...
Take a look at the date code cast into the block, that should provide a clue. It's very easy to see, it's located on the driver's side, right at the base of the oil filter mounting block, between it and the oil pan rail. It's upside down and probably covered with grease but easy to reach and clean off.
If the last 352 rolled off the line in '67, then it should have a '67 or earlier date code. '68 through '76 360/390 blocks would most likely have a date code closer to the year the truck was actually built...for example, my '68 360 has a date code of 8C7, which indicates that the block was cast in 1968 (the 8 being the year) on March 7th (March being the 3rd month of the year, C being the 3rd letter of the alphabet).
So if the engine in your truck is indeed the original one, it should have a date code showing the block was cast around 1972, possibly '71. Unless it's a 352 from ten years earlier, which I don't think is very likely...
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From: Wyoming
Thank you very much for the advice, i will check the engine code tonight and post what I find out. My suspicion is that it is indeed the 360 its supposed to be which came stock in the truck and the previous owner was a bit confused. Thanks again for the help!
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I just picked up a 1972 F-100. The previous owner who is actually the second owner of the truck told me that it has a 352 engine in it and that it is the original motor. From my research and running the VIN that is not possible. The vin code "Y" tells me that the truck came factory with the 360 right? And the 352 was not an option in that year. Is there any way to tell the difference between the 352 and 360 without measuring the stroke? Thanks.
Since all 352/360/390/410/428's were originally cast as 352's, that's why FoMoCo cast that
352 foundry mark on all these engines thru circa 1972.1967 was the last year for the 352. The 360 (and 390) introduced in F100/350's in 1968, used thru 1976.
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From: Wyoming
I checked the date stamp at lunch time and it appears to be 8A29. Of course the first number is hard to read (go figure) but im almost sure its an 8. I will hit it with some cleaner this evening and see if I can get a better look at it but, would it be possible to have a January 29th 1968 stock 360 in a 1972 F-100 truck? That seems like kind of a long span to have that engine sitting around before using it.
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From: The hills of No. Calif.
I suspect it's possible. Be interesting to see what the actual assembly date of the engine is... the short block assembly date is stamped into the engine block on the small metal boss at the very front of the driver's side of the engine block, if you can get to it and clean it off. It's a stamped-in date, rather than cast like the block casting date.
At least we know that it's not a 352...so there's that, anyway...
At least we know that it's not a 352...so there's that, anyway...
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From: Wyoming
I will check out the date on the front of the block when I get home from work tonight. I did call the previous owner and he talked to the original owner last night. The first owner said he bought it new off the lot and never changed a thing on the truck. The second owner (who I bought it from) put in a new oil pan and new hubs but no one has swapped the engine. So.... after talking with all the owners, they swear up and down it is the original engine in that truck, a 360. They were confused by the 352 casted stamp on the front of the block. I will still check the assembly stamp tonight and let you know what that says. Thanks again for all the help.
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new to site, already learning something. previous owner of my 68 truck evidently made this same mistake and put standard rings in that would have been for a 352. smokes a LOT, fouls plugs regularly. i finally gave up and ordered a reman 390
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From: Simi Valley, CA
8A29 = January (A) 29, 1968 (8).
68kyford: The 352 has a 4" bore, the 360 has a 4.05" bore. How could someone install the smaller diameter 352 rings on the larger 360 piston?
68kyford: The 352 has a 4" bore, the 360 has a 4.05" bore. How could someone install the smaller diameter 352 rings on the larger 360 piston?
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Aw, c'mon Bill.....That's what those pliers for expanding the rings are for! He told the guy at the parts counter that the engine said 352 right on the block, so they must be the right rings.......They fit them pistons tight, just like they're supposed to!
0.050" isn't much difference. The story sounds sadly believable.
0.050" isn't much difference. The story sounds sadly believable.
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that's all i can figure happened. the previous owner insisted it was a 352 and that he had "rebuilt" the engine and kept telling me the rings just needed to seat.
Moral of my story: just because he SAYS he's a Ford man...
Moral of my story: just because he SAYS he's a Ford man...
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