Engine ID

[roadshowbob]

my dad was just given a solid looking ford engine and I wonder if someone can help id it. By the starter mounting point there are the following numbers:

OD30
D7TE-33

these are the only numbers he has found in that area.

I think the D7TE is a 1977 truck engine, but the 33 and the OD33 have me baffled. Can anyone help?

 

[mtflat]

How many bolts holding down the valve covers? That's the best indicator of engine family. 351M/400 use 8 per cover. 302/351W use 6 and 429/460s have 7 per cover.

There should be a sticker on one valve cover that has the engine info. You're right about the 77 truck engine.

 

[blackhat620]

my dad was just given a solid looking ford engine and I wonder if someone can help id it. By the starter mounting point there are the following numbers:

OD30
D7TE-33

these are the only numbers he has found in that area.

I think the D7TE is a 1977 truck engine, but the 33 and the OD33 have me baffled. Can anyone help?

D7TE = 351M/400 block (without checking the crank you will not know the displacement)
FYI:
D = 1970's
7 = 1977
T = Truck
E = engine
(Best guess on 33 is a revision number. You sure it is not A3A?)

http://web.archive.org/web/20080403001115/home.earthlink.net/~bubbaf250/parts/parts02.html

0D30 = This is casting date; April 30,1980
0=1980
D=April
30 day of month

351M 1975-1979 used in cars
351M 1977-1982 used in trucks/broncos/econolines
400M 1971-1979 used in cars
400M 1977-1982 used in trucks/broncos/econolines

 

[roadshowbob]

thank you for the information. the latest information I have is that it has 8 valve cover bolts and the thermostat housing mounts to the passenger side of the intake manifold.

 

[mtflat]

Take another look. 8 bolts would be the 351M/400 but it has a dry intake manifold. The T-stat housing bolts to the block in front of the intake.

As blackhat indicated, with an '80 casting date it likely came out of a truck. In my experience the odds are on it being a 351M. But, we'll cross our fingers and hope it has the 4" crank and gives you 50 more cubes.