hey all,

when I purchased my 83 f150, the guy threw in a 302 that he had to get rid of, so I figured I'd try to rebuild it for several reasons (fun, education, fun) then replace my 300/6 with it if I'm actually able to rebuild it successfully.

He claims its out of a 91 Mustang. I know during the rebuild process I'm going to need to replace things like gaskets so i want to be able to definately identify this engine so I know what parts to get. There are also a few things I may want to upgrade as well.

is there a way by looking at the block, or anything to figure out what year/model the engine is out of?

Side note, what reference materials or guide would you recommend for the rebuild? so far I'm just disassembling it and following the Haynes Manual.

thanks!

 

For the FORD guys that don't know, Simply put, FORD part number/casting numbers (ONLY FORD has been kind enough to do this for their customers and has been doing it since about day one).
For instance (by the way I am an X-Obsolesence engineer for FORD, fancy words for I identify parts) Part number C4AZ 9510 A.
"C" is the decade (1960)(a "B" would be 1950, "D" 1970, "E" 1980 and so on).
"4" is the FIRST run of this part in THAT decade (1960+4= 1964, were it a 6 it would be 1966, were it B4AZ, it would be a 1954)).
NEXT, "A" is big size Ford (i.e. Galaxie, LTD, etc.). ("T" is truck, "D" Falcon/Comet, "Z" Mustang/Capri, "O" Fairlane/Torino, "M" Mercury, and yes there are more but these are your IMPORTANT ones.
By the way, there is also a designation for a strickly hi-performance part too but dam if it doesnt escape me at the moment, sorry, but I THINK it was "X", for example C4XZ or C4XE.)
So the first 4 designations (C4AZ) are called, the "PREFIX". (Most numbers/letters ON the part will have an "E" instead of a "Z", C4AE, this is the ENGINEERING identification and doesnt need to be concerned with, just add a "Z" where the "E" is and you have your part number).
NEXT, 9510 is a carburator, this is called the 9000 "GROUP", also refered to as the "NORMINCLATOR" (or "number"). All 9000 numbers are FUEL SYSTEM related, 7000's are transmission (Manual), 7A000 is Automatic's, 6000's are for engine parts.
Tailights, wiring, bumpers, interior parts, etc., all have a "GROUP" number.
And lastly, the "A" is the "SUFFIX", It can be up to 3 letters, this tells you it's absolute use (i.e. 4-speed and WHICH 4 speed, hardtop, a performance part, a particuliar interior or special application, a 4 barrel, a two barrel, fuel injection, I think you get the point).
This is failsafe and yes it REALLY gets involved but I felt this info would make working with your FORD vehicle and friends, a bit easier and a little more fun.
By the way, your casting # for block I.D. is located right above your starter on that small block.
The Cylinder head I.D. is located at the center lower exterior (but sometimes the underside of the head) of the head. Happy Motoring.

 

Unfortunately the casting numbers will not identify what vehicle it came from, starting back in the early '70 Ford began to streamline prodution and model specific engines were phased out. As a result by the time you get to a late model Mustang you will find it has the same 302 block in it that all trucks and other cars had, there are some internal parts differences between these motors but there is nothing to identify them on the outside. So the only way to know what you got is dismantle it an measure, a true HO motor of this vintage will have forged poistons with valve eyebrows and a HO roller cam(0.444" lift on both intake and exhaust), but it got the same E7TE heads as the trucks.

 

Good info, thanks for the replies guys. I'll check the numbers later today.