Q&A for How to Identify a Ford Motor

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What does the number atop the motor mean?

Community Answer

That is a part number, not the motor number which is stamped on the block. You may get a clue by googling the part number. The letters indicate a part from the cooling system. The easy way to identify the motor, if it's the original, is by the VIN (vehicle identification number). Using that, you can get all the information (including manuals) from Ford.

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Question

Does Ford make a V8 with a rear distributor?

Community Answer

Yes, they do, but they are pretty hard to find.

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Question

I have a Ford 460 engine. The only number I can find on it is D3TE-AE. What year is this?

Community Answer

It's a 1973 engine. D = '70s; 3 = year; E = engine. It's probably a Galaxy.

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Question

My e-block casting number is D2AE-6015-BA13. Could you tell me what the engine is?

Community Answer

According to Google, it's a 1972 351W small block.

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Question

How do I find out what engine my Ford has?

Community Answer

You could ask the dealer, check your owner's manual or check online.

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Question

What can I do to figure out what year the heads on my 460 are from?

Community Answer

C7VE would be a 1967 engine, C8 a 1968, D0VE would be 1970, and D3VE is a common head used from 1973 up to 1979. D2VE is an odd duck; not a good part, discontinued after one year for detonation problems of trying to reduce compression and emissions. Light trucks use the same head; 460 was not used on a truck until 1972 and was rare. 429 uses same heads and block, but crank and piston are different.

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Question

How can I tell what year the motor is if I know the model number and the type of truck it was in?

Community Answer

The VIN number can be given to a Ford dealer. They have manufacturing dates, specs, everything for the car. The VIN is found by looking on the left side dash through the windshield.

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How can I figure out where my motor was made if I have the engine type and number?

Community Answer

Go to an auto shop, it can be faster and easier than trying to figure that out by yourself.

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Question

I have a Ford block engine that has the number JG 224271 over the bell housing, but on the passenger side of the block up front it has the number 5F1C. Can anyone help me identify the motor?

Community Answer

The numbers you list are date codes. 5 is for the year, e.g. 85. F is for June the 6 h month of the year and 1 is the day, e.g. June 1 1975-85. Or, whatever decade the vehicle was built.

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Question

How can I figure out what type of motor is in the vehicle?

Community Answer

Count the spark plugs and take not of where they are, if they are in a "V" pattern from looking directly at the engine. For example if you have 4 on each side and the engine has 2 heads in a "V" shape, you have a V8. I4s exist, engine is in a straight pattern with 4 spark plugs on the top or side in total.

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