Big Blue's Transformation

[Gary Lewis]

Forgot the clean pic.  But, I did clean.  A LOT!

However, I did see the water/oil cooler on Huck's engine, so I removed it and installed it on Big Blue's engine.

Anyone see something that raises questions in this pic?

[grumpin]

Oil filler cap or whatever that is seems odd. Whatever it is will stick out like a sore thumb when you point it out.

[Gary Lewis]

Oil filler cap is unusual.  But who writes on valve covers?

[grumpin]

Oh, people used to write compressions on piston aircraft engine rocker box (valve) covers. Drove me nuts!

[Gary Lewis]

A buddy of mine walked in and had he same thought I'd had - salvage.  So, did just the valve covers come from there?  Or did they .......

[85lebaront2]

Supposedly there is a partial VIN stamped on the engine, usually the block, this was mandated to try to stop the chop shops from parting out stolen vehicles. If nothing else your state law enforcement agency should know the location or your DMV should. If it doesn't match the truck VIN, I would say Vernon might have a good case against Larry Moe and Curly.

[Steve83]

Gary Lewis wrote

But who writes on valve covers?

Junkyards.

[salans7]

Can't speak for a 460, but on my old 302 a partial vin was stamped on the back of the motor by the intake flange.

[Gary Lewis]

Steve - Bingo!  So, we know the valve covers came from a salvage.  How much of the rest of the engine came from there?  Did they clean it up and paint it?

Jim - I'll check tomorrow to see if I can find a VIN.  Usually above the starter on the engines that have them, if I remember correctly.

[Gary Lewis]

Shaun - I'll check there as well.  Thanks.

[Steve83]

Gary Lewis wrote

So, we know the valve covers came from a salvage.  How much of the rest of the engine came from there?  Did they clean it up and paint it?

They certainly didn't paint the engine black with those gray valve covers on it.  Does the paint on the VC bolts match the VCs'?  Does the cork gasket look factory (no silicone or other goopy adhesive, and blue paint on one side)?  Does the info on the calibration label match the engine?  That red crap on the intake was certainly painted off the engine.  The more pics you post of the engine & what you find inside, the more accurate our guesses will be.

[Gary Lewis]

I'll post more pics of the outside today.  But I don't plan to tear into it as I want to sell it outright.  

[Gary Lewis]

Ok, you asked for pics.  Here they are, and y'all tell me what you think.

And, to save you the effort, Bill/NumberDummy says "D9TE-6015-AB = midyear 1979 thru 1987 460 / This engine uses a weighted spacer behind the harmonc balancer."

Notice the transmission listed on the tag, which is on salvaged valve covers.

EDIT: That # is D8TE, and I'm trying to figure out what that means....  

[ArdWrknTrk]

Rattlecan rebuild...  Shady Crackers.

[Gary Lewis]

Jim - Raises lots of questions, doesn't it.

As for the block casting #, here are two more pics.  But everything I read says there was/is no D8.  

[ArdWrknTrk]

I think it's a 9
Eight would be bigger on the bottom.

Or they turned an eight upside down because the foundry didn't have enough nines.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Did you look for a stamped number behind the intake, near the oil pressure sender?

[Gary Lewis]

Gotta be a 9.

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, that was the first pic, above.  I can't see anything, but perhaps it is below the paint?

[salans7]

In the picture of the red plug, you need to look roughly five inches over to the right. Look at the flat surfaces at the back of the engine where the upper transmission mounting bolts go. If the date is stamped on the engine, it will be on a flat and smooth surface.