C7ME-A engine block numbers, not a 428 ???

[airbusflyboy]

Can anyone here explain to me why I have this engine block number, but when we took it over to local engine rebuild shop and they took a micrometer to measure the cylinder bores and it looks like we have 4.05 bore, waiting to find out about the stroke length. I am very sure about the engine casting numbers. The engine shop does not believe that the crank is 428 either due to not being a "steel crank". We also have checked out the casting numbers for the heads, they are showing C8AE-H, which I believe is 427. Is it possible that this engine block was picked off the shelf and bored to a 360 or 390 because they needed those at the time ? Also, just wanted to mention that those engine cylinder bores are not sleeved, and there is a "X" on the backside of the block but there is not an "A" or any other type of letter back there and it does have 352 cast next to the "X". Any idea what the 427 heads might be worth ? Thank You, Mark in Memphis,Tennessee.

[averagef250]

FE casting numbers mean virtually nothing for most blocks/heads.

Sounds like you have a regular old 68-71 360 or 390. C8AE-H are regular crappola car/truck heads.

Don't get excited over FE casting numbers. Measure the bore and stroke, read the crankshaft numbers.

428's do not have steel cranks unless SCJ.

If you spy an FE with crossbolt mains or adjustable rockers or a 3.98 stroke you have something.

[airbusflyboy]

OK, this is good to know information ......................... but there had to be a reason that casting numbers are on the parts !!! References on the internet and books that can be bought in auto parts stores, they seem to tell a different story than what is proposed. I find it hard to believe that casting numbers don't mean a hill of beans, there has to be some validity to the numbers. In our case, we bought the engine although we were told it might be a 360 or 390, but the numbers on the block don't jive with it. I am still looking for more information on this, if anyone else out there has other explanations .................. Thank You, Mark in Memphis

[DuckRyder]

Block casting numbers don't mean a thing on an FE. Its possible you might rule something out with them, but that is about it.

Head casting numbers are somewhat more reliable but most of the books are absolutely riddled with errors, for instance anything written by George Reid pertaining to the FE is very subject to be erroneous.

C8AE-H heads are very common on trucks and they are also 428 passenger car heads. There really aren't any completely bad FE heads but those are not hi performance heads.

[FORDification]

The lists of casting numbers on the internet show what the engine COULD be, NOT what it is. Ford used the same block on many different engine CIDs, so the only way of identifying the engine for sure is to measure the bore/stroke, and read the stamped number on your crankshaft. A 428 crankshaft will have 1U, 1UA or 1UB stamped into one of the crank throws. A 360 crank will be stamped 2T or 2TA, and a 390 crank will be stamped with 2U, 3U or 2UA.

You need to understand that Ford, for example, did not just underbore a 428 block to make a 390...the casting cores are different. The real problem is that Ford used the same outer mold cores to make all the different size engines and so the numbers are useless for identifying the engine.

The C7ME casting ID on the block outer wall molds appears on 352, 360, 390, 410 and 428 blocks in Ford, Mercury and Ford light truck FE applications. It has no particular significance except that it means you have a 1967 model year or later block. The C7ME marking was only used for a year or two, pretty much gone by the end of '69 model year.

[FreakysFords]

Something else to note.

SOME, again SOME FEs with the 428 mark with 405 bore had the very thick walled sleeves. These (provided corrosion hasn't killed them) can usually be bored to stock for a fresh 428 build. Some say this is true, some say it isn't. I say my own (and a couple built for others) engines over the years say it is true, just not very common.

I have 2 428s and have had many more. Only one came as a 428 from the factory. I used to pop a freeze plug and measure between the sleeves back in the day and if it was the thick sleeves, I'd bore away. Thing is, these days many, many are corroded, so if it you find one that does have the thick sleeves, you need to pay to have it checked and only bore if it checks good (to full stock that is).

This make sense I hope? it's easier to show than tell.

[FORDification]

Measuring the cylinder wall thickness is actually pretty easy. I just put together an article for the BumpWiki regarding this:

Drill Bit Test

[convincor]

428's do not have steel cranks unless SCJ.

SCJ's don't have steel either. http://www.428cobrajet.org/id-crank.html
The only FE steel cranks were the 391 truck, 427 NASCAR, or 427 LeMans.

[fordman]

the best way to tell is to get the bore and stroke measurements to use and any crankshaft numbers and then we can tell for sure what you have. the drill bit test can be a good indicator of what you might be able to make out of your block but sonic testing is the best way to tell for sure because of possible core shift during the casting process.

[sideoilerfe]

The only FE steel cranks were the 391 truck, 427 NASCAR, or 427 LeMans.

391 is an FT engine.

[Wes]

I have a c7me-a block that is 4.05" bore w/ a 2t 360 crank in it. That casting number got me all excited too.

[convincor]

The only FE steel cranks were the 391 truck, 427 NASCAR, or 427 LeMans.

391 is an FT engine.

ya, you right. But it's a Ford steel crank with the same journal sizes as the FE. Only snout is different.

[averagef250]

My mistake, I was under the impression they were. Wasn't there some sort of difference with the SCJ? Were they internal balance?

[convincor]

the SCJ crank has heavier counter weights and uses the "hatchet" behing the balancer.
click on the link I posted above. It shows the pics.