1977 f250 motors

jake1118 · Apr 1, 2008

ok so i know this is a question i should know the answer to but i dont.
i just bought a 1977 f250 4x4 for $350!!!! the guy i got it from dident know anything about it but for $350 how could i walk away from a highboy?!? i know that the highboys came with 351,360,390,400,460 but i dont know witch one i have. he said he thought it was a 351m or a 400 but not sure. i think its a 360 or a 390 but im not sure ether so hell i cant fix her up till i know what it is right??
how can i tell what motor it is FOR SURE not just guess?
is there a sereial # i can type in to find out?
it has no markings on the motor its self so can any one help me on this one???

thanks jake...

FormulaLerms · Apr 4, 2008

jake1118 said:
ok so i know this is a question i should know the answer to but i dont.
i just bought a 1977 f250 4x4 for $350!!!! the guy i got it from dident know anything about it but for $350 how could i walk away from a highboy?!? i know that the highboys came with 351,360,390,400,460 but i dont know witch one i have. he said he thought it was a 351m or a 400 but not sure. i think its a 360 or a 390 but im not sure ether so hell i cant fix her up till i know what it is right??
how can i tell what motor it is FOR SURE not just guess?
is there a sereial # i can type in to find out?
it has no markings on the motor its self so can any one help me on this one???

thanks jake...

the motor could have been swaped at some point in the trucks life, so i suppose the identivicaton code may not help. but i would go that route first. also, i dont remeber to well but when i changed out the intake on my old bronco i remember seeing a stamp saying 302 in that valley. you may be able to pull the valve covers and see a stamp aswell. if your gonin to start work on her you may aswell get a look. good luck, have good one.

cmfansher · Apr 12, 2008

jake1118 said:
ok so i know this is a question i should know the answer to but i dont.
i just bought a 1977 f250 4x4 for $350!!!! the guy i got it from dident know anything about it but for $350 how could i walk away from a highboy?!? i know that the highboys came with 351,360,390,400,460 but i dont know witch one i have. he said he thought it was a 351m or a 400 but not sure. i think its a 360 or a 390 but im not sure ether so hell i cant fix her up till i know what it is right??
how can i tell what motor it is FOR SURE not just guess?
is there a sereial # i can type in to find out?
it has no markings on the motor its self so can any one help me on this one???

thanks jake...

You should be able to tell if it's a big block or a small block by the amount of space you have in the engine compartment. This would elliminant some of the engines. On the original valve covers they had stickers half way back on them that gave the engine info. You might clean them off and get lucky it was still there. Other than this you can tell from the water pumps and the shape of the motor. A 360 or 390 will have more of a Y shape to it than a 400 or 460. If it is the original motor I would think it's a 400.

highboy73 · Apr 12, 2008

how about a pic and I'll get it close.
the 289,302,351W all look alike with the 351w a little wider and taller.
the FE engines 360,390 have a one off bellhousing,a large intake that covers the head alittle.once you see it you'll know what I'm saying.
the 351m 400 have a bb bellhousing as the 429 460 have.count your valve cover bolts and get back to us.

InfoFord · Apr 14, 2008

1976 was the last year for the FE series engine 360/390

1977 you got either a 351M/400 in the 4x4

460 didn't see 4x4s until 1983

all 2wds from 1973-79 F150s F250s F350s could get the 460