How to tell years on Ford blocks

VeNuM · 01-06-2003, 11:18 PM

Pretty much explains itself. I'm going out to a shop to noisy through 351w blocks and want an older one (they're stronger, right?) and just was wondering how you tell the different years apart with the casting numbers and all. ~Brian

Capri306 · 01-07-2003, 01:49 AM

Check the boss by the starter mounting place. There should be a cast-in tag that has a whole bunch of letters and numbers in it. This will easily and quickly tell you the year of the block. For example, if the casting tag starts out with "D8CS-xxxx-xx", the first letter is the decade. "C" is for 1960's, "D" is for 1970's, etc. The second character is the year in the decade. So in the example I just gave, the year would be 1978. The "D" corresponds to the 1970's, and "8" is the exact year in the 70's. Very simple, no? BTW, if you find older than 1974, email me ASAP!!!

VeNuM · 01-07-2003, 02:19 PM

Alright thanks, I'll let you know tonight what I find. ~Brian

VeNuM · 01-07-2003, 10:34 PM

BestI found was a '79 so I guess that's going to have to do it. There was a '74 out there but it was taken already. If I find one in the future I'll let you know. Still stronger than a roller 302 so I'm going to make use of it

~Brian

BLACK85GT · 01-09-2003, 07:19 PM

I got a 74 351 block out of a salvage yard but when i took it apart it has alot of rust in the water jackets. Is it still safe to use? It was in a 75 LTD.

VeNuM · 01-09-2003, 10:26 PM

I think so, just have your local machine shop bake it, clean it, and glass bead it. That's how the machine shop I volunteer at does it. I've them completely turn around a lot of blocks. ~Brian

01-06-2003, 11:18 PM	#1
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	How to tell years on Ford blocks Pretty much explains itself. I'm going out to a shop to noisy through 351w blocks and want an older one (they're stronger, right?) and just was wondering how you tell the different years apart with the casting numbers and all. ~Brian __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

01-07-2003, 01:49 AM	#2
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	Check the boss by the starter mounting place. There should be a cast-in tag that has a whole bunch of letters and numbers in it. This will easily and quickly tell you the year of the block. For example, if the casting tag starts out with "D8CS-xxxx-xx", the first letter is the decade. "C" is for 1960's, "D" is for 1970's, etc. The second character is the year in the decade. So in the example I just gave, the year would be 1978. The "D" corresponds to the 1970's, and "8" is the exact year in the 70's. Very simple, no? BTW, if you find older than 1974, email me ASAP!!! __________________ Capri306, Moderator The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri 1987 5.0L Mustang LX Notchback 1993 5.8L Eddie Bauer Bronco

01-07-2003, 02:19 PM	#3
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	Alright thanks, I'll let you know tonight what I find. ~Brian __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

01-07-2003, 10:34 PM	#4
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	BestI found was a '79 so I guess that's going to have to do it. There was a '74 out there but it was taken already. If I find one in the future I'll let you know. Still stronger than a roller 302 so I'm going to make use of it ~Brian __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

01-09-2003, 07:19 PM	#5
BLACK85GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tampa,FLORIDA Posts: 340	I got a 74 351 block out of a salvage yard but when i took it apart it has alot of rust in the water jackets. Is it still safe to use? It was in a 75 LTD. __________________ 5.0, Holley heads, 1.7 Scorp Rockers, Stealth intake, Holley 600 carb, Holley Mech. Fuel pump, MSD 6Digital, MSD distributor, Hotchkis upper/lower rear control arms, FMS B Springs, 3:73 (8.8) rear. Production # 9,377

01-09-2003, 10:26 PM	#6
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	I think so, just have your local machine shop bake it, clean it, and glass bead it. That's how the machine shop I volunteer at does it. I've them completely turn around a lot of blocks. ~Brian __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

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