"2" casting where 352 is typically found.

[Jackal]

63.5 Galaxie 500XL Louisville ordered, built, (7/20/63) and sourced Z-code. The intake is a 63 correct 4v intake from Feb. 63 and the heads are the supposed late 63 406 / high alt. 390 casting with small combustion chambers and larger valves. The only thing I have found on the block so far is a small raised bump to the left of a perfectly clear "2" at the top right where the "352" casting is typically found. Doesn't appear to have been ground off, but never know. The next time I get under it I intend to check behind the starter. I didn't see anything near the oil filter adapter. It has the crossbolt mains drilled and tapped, but only the fronts have bolts in them best I can tell. I haven't checked stroke or comp yet, but I plan to get to it "soon". Has anyone seen this "2" casting before?

[cammerfe]

Hi 'Jack'---

Cross-bolt holes in the block aren't tapped. The threads are in the main-caps inside. On the other hand, there ARE fixture holes in the sides of the block that were, most likely, a part of the block machining process. They're tapped, and when drilling the block later for crossbolts, the holes actually remove almost all the threaded holes. Luckily, the threaded holes don't go clear through into the inside so there is no problem.

KS

[Jackal]

Well played.

Thanks for the info. I'm guessing my "*2" casting is supposed to appear above the "352" casting that I don't seem to have. I found a pic showing both that I have since misplaced.

[Drew Pojedinec]

Jackal,
When I tore this block down in 2010 I asked some of the same questions.....
I was informed I think by RodC that the holes in the side are for something called a J hook which moved the block around in the casting plant.



C4AE blocks like this one come ready for cross bolts, I mean the knobs are cast, it isn't machined, fit or drilled for them.




Ohh and mine doesn't say 352 or anything on the front of the block.  Aside from the C4AE mark you see in the first picture and a date code it lacks any other marks.

[Jackal]

Thanks Drew!

[chris401]

I have a 61 352 that has only 31 in that spot and the date as yours.

[fekbmax]

I have a couple of these blocks. Up side is that its a good beefy block with the exstra webbing and cast bosses for the cross bolts. Down side is both of mine have thin and inconsistent cylinder wall thickness, even thinner than alot of standard garden variety 390's.  .030 over bore max for the ones I have and unfortunately its going to take much more than that to clean one of them up. 

[Jackal]

Thanks fekbmax! Not sure why I never replied to this. I just wanted to post a pic and confirm with you and/or see if anyone else has seen one of these / has any additional info. There is no "35" to the left of it and there is a small bump to the upper left of the "2". The "2" also sits higher on the block than the typical "352" casting I have seen pics of. I don't believe the motor has ever been messed with and heads likely never removed. Just curious what I am working with so I can plan my next moves. I don't believe it is anything special and I am not trying to sell it. Just very curious. Thanks all!

[chris401]

63.5 Galaxie 500XL Louisville ordered, built, (7/20/63) and sourced Z-code that supposedly had an engine swap due to 1st. owner locking it up before storing for 25 years. The intake is a 63 correct 4v intake from Feb. 63 and the heads are the supposed late 63 406 / high alt. 390 casting with small combustion chambers and larger valves. The only thing I have found on the block so far is a small raised bump to the left of a perfectly clear "2" at the top right where the "352" casting is typically found. Doesn't appear to have been ground off, but never know. The next time I get under it I intend to check behind the starter. I didn't see anything near the oil filter adapter. It has the crossbolt mains drilled and tapped, but only the fronts have bolts in them best I can tell. I haven't checked stroke or comp yet, but I plan to get to it "soon". Has anyone seen this "2" casting before?

I cycled through a couple of 58 blocks that had hole through the crank case where typically the ground strap is attached. From my guess it could have been an oil dump line for industrial use or an application that used an oil driven vacuum pump like a MEL. Could that maybe one of the tapped holes you see?

[TomP]

Maybe there were hipsters at Ford back then that in the same manner as people calling a Boss 429 a "Boss 9" just called a 352 a "2". No idea otherwise.

Is there a date code on the angled surface between oil filter and the oil pan? Casting number is usually behind the generator and ahead of the motor mount.

[FERoadster]

I just checked 7  of my FE blocks (a lot more I can check) but from what I found.
The C4 block that has been cross bolted and has a casting glob above the 352. Other blocks have a 88 43 or 9 above the 352. Others are clean above the 352. The 43 and 9 are close to  the 2 on your block but both have the 352 below them.
The 88 is a later block with the ribs down the sides. Checked 3 of my 105 blocks and one has a 22 vertical (parallel) to the TC cover and two others have the 105.
I'd image the numbers ID the front mold # for casting. 
 Just FYI I'll look at a few others tomorrow.
Richard >>> FERoadster

[wsu0702]

Thanks fekbmax! Not sure why I never replied to this. I just wanted to post a pic and confirm with you and/or see if anyone else has seen one of these / has any additional info. In the pic it is clearly a "2", however in person it looks like it could also be a reverse "S". There is no "35" to the left of it and there is a small bump to the upper left of the "2". The "2" also sits higher on the block than the typical "352" casting I have seen pics of. I don't believe the motor has ever been messed with and heads likely never removed. Just curious what I am working with so I can plan my next moves. I don't believe it is anything special and I am not trying to sell it. Just very curious. Thanks all!

Jackal does this engine have a pipe plug in the block on the passenger side skirt just above the pan rail?

Also I have attached a pic of the "J-bar" overhead assembly line fixture that Drew mentioned above.  This is why there are (2) 7/16" blind tapped holes in the passenger side skirt on all FE/FT blocks.

[wowens]

Wow, over 4 years and no progress. We must be identical twins

[Jackal]

First of all, THANK YOU for all of your assistance and time spent looking over old cast iron.

After jacking the front end up and spending some quality time applying elbow grease, I have some new / accurate info to go off of in addition to the bump-2 casting at the driver's side front. No, there was no hidden 352 or mirror 105 casting hiding unfortunately.

I do not seem to have any cross bolt main bosses whatsoever.

The block doesn't seem to have the ribs on it as I have seen elsewhere.

The pass. side has an upside down "4" toward the front of the block, down low. There is a threaded hole for the trans coooler lines, and just behind that, next to the large starter, is a 1" deep threaded hole as you inquired about.

The driver's side has a 3B18 (Feb. 18th '63 matching the intake) casting near the oil filter, as well as a large "V", and another upside down "4" up higher on the block, toward the front. There are no other threaded holes on the driver's side, just the petcock that sits up higher off the oil pan and toward the middle-rear.

[Jackal]

Bump.