what year is my motor???
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
There are a couple of ways. The block casting number will tell you, it's on the bottom side under (above) the starter. It usually requires that you pull the starter to see it. Next to that is the block casting date code.
There is also an engine assembly date code. It's on the top side so is easier to get to than the casting number and casting date codes. Here's how to find it:
On the front driver's side of the block, look for the seam where the head on that side mates with the block. There is a very small machined pad there that sticks out right above where the water pump water passage goes through the timing cover on that side. That small machined pad has the engine assembly date code stamped into it, and paroabaly has grease and paint on it so it's hard to read. If the engine has ever been rebuilt and the block decked, then that date code would have been machined off but there's a chance it's still there. Look for that first, and if you find it let us know what it is and we can decode it for you or you can find that info yourself with a search of the site. (Or a search of this forum...I know it's been covered here before)
If it's gone, then you'll have to take a look down by the starter and go from there.
There is also an engine assembly date code. It's on the top side so is easier to get to than the casting number and casting date codes. Here's how to find it:
On the front driver's side of the block, look for the seam where the head on that side mates with the block. There is a very small machined pad there that sticks out right above where the water pump water passage goes through the timing cover on that side. That small machined pad has the engine assembly date code stamped into it, and paroabaly has grease and paint on it so it's hard to read. If the engine has ever been rebuilt and the block decked, then that date code would have been machined off but there's a chance it's still there. Look for that first, and if you find it let us know what it is and we can decode it for you or you can find that info yourself with a search of the site. (Or a search of this forum...I know it's been covered here before)
If it's gone, then you'll have to take a look down by the starter and go from there.
Last edited by TigerDan; Dec 10, 2005 at 10:27 PM.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
I thought the casting code only showed the original date of the use model of the part used. I am unfamiar with the 302's and 351's casting codes, but i know that on my 460 my heads say D3TE-73 Truck Engine, but my truck is an 87, and although not the original engine, this didnt come from a 73.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
Correct, the casting number contains the year for the original design specification of the part but it was usually updated every year or two. I'm not too familiar with 460 stuff, so they may very well have stayed with those heads for a few years before updating them.
More important in F250DOOOK's case is the casting date code and engine assembly date code, those will indeed pin down the year for him as well as the month and day.
More important in F250DOOOK's case is the casting date code and engine assembly date code, those will indeed pin down the year for him as well as the month and day.
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