Big Blue's Transformation

[Gary Lewis]

I'm not seeing any numbers there, although there is the "C" that you can see in the pic below about 2" from the red plug.  But, as I was looking and sanding I kept coming up with blue paint that is well and truly STUCK!  So I doubt it is rattle can.

When did Ford go to the gray?

Anyway, I'm running out of steam finding any #'s.  Not sure I want to know.  But thanks.

[1986F150Six]

Gary Lewis wrote

I'When did Ford go to the gray?

The engine in my son's 1984 is gray.

[ArdWrknTrk]

My '87 is Gray all the way from day one.

[Gary Lewis]

Yeah, I thought they went to gray before '85 for sure.

Doesn't that look like Ford paint showing through?  If so, it isn't the original block.  

[ArdWrknTrk]

Gray '82 up to '95
Black '95-->

[85lebaront2]

Darth's engine is gray as was the new engine, which is now Ford blue.

I would love to know what that sticker is from, 16° BTDC? that's double what it should be, even the EFI is only 10° BTDC.

[Gary Lewis]

Do you guys agree that it looks like there's Ford blue under the rattle can paint?

If so, then the block is prior to '82.  IOW, it isn't original.

[salans7]

It appears to have been painted. The 302 in my truck was gray.  

[85lebaront2]

Yes, it can be prior to 1982, but, all 460 blocks after 1978 are D9TE-AB on the casting. Here is the starter side of the new engine for Darth, it is a 1990 F250 short block with F3TE heads.

[Gary Lewis]

Shaun - I has been painted, but I'm asking if it looks like the Ford blue is original.  Maybe you answered that, but I didn't understand.

Bill - You are building much the same engine I am.  Who will have it running first?  

[ArdWrknTrk]

Yeah, it's really odd.

You'd think a blue block would be C8VE, but then it would be internal balance, and depending on the crank, could be a 429.
(no saying Florida Man didn't put an external crank in a lower deck, clearanced block)

The valve covers are grey, so definitely post '82.
What was running that much advance?

Maybe marine, or stationary?
Could the calibration code define it for us?

[Gary Lewis]

I don't think we have the calibration code.  At least I haven't seen it, although it might be on the other end of that sticker - and I can't read it.

Also, I forgot to mention it but expected someone to pick up on it, the sticker on the valve cover says that valve cover came on an engine w/an automatic tranny behind it.  But Big Blue has been a manual from Day 1.  So those covers aren't original to the truck, and maybe not to the engine.

[85lebaront2]

Mine will be running once I have time to put it in. Right now the front part of that side is sort of full of Ford 10.25" DRW axle and disc brake conversion.

[Steve83]

Gary Lewis wrote

Do you guys agree that it looks like there's Ford blue under the rattle can paint?

I don't get that impression - it doesn't seem dark enough to me; wrong shade of blue IMO.

[ArdWrknTrk]

It should be on the lower left of the sticker.

But of course they're not from that engine.
They're from a salvage yard.

If you ever did buy those OMC valve covers, you ought to clean them up and slap them on.
Would make it easier to sell and you'll never need them

[ArdWrknTrk]

If it's that tough, maybe some lunatic (other than Gary) powder coated the block?

[salans7]

Can you possibly read the lower left corner of that decal? It's hard to tell from your pictures if it's legible or not. If so, it should have the "This engine conforms to blah blah blah for model year 19?? vehicles". That may help give you a model year.

[Gary Lewis]

Shaun - I'll look at the sticker tomorrow.

Jim - I sold those valve covers at the show a year ago.

Steve - It does seem too light.

All - I think I'll just go with "it is worn" and not worry about it.  Thanks.

[Steve83]

Gary Lewis wrote

I think I'll just...not worry about it.

OK, who are you, and what have you done with the REAL Gary?

[Gary Lewis]

He got tired and I put him to bed.  And now, in the dark of morning, he still thinks "it is what it is".  So I guess I'll let him go with it.