429 block ID

[mnm99]

This is the number I was given--- 8a8W--- Does it make sense? I was told it came out of a 68 Thunderbird

[Tom Wells]

mnm99,

I don't recognize the number. If it did come in a '68 it might have had a power steering pump on the nose of the crankshaft as did many of the '69 models.

You may need to publish some photos, or better have someone who knows the blocks lay eyeballs on it with you.

Tom

[FWB]

Agree with Tom, it could be a date code that was written wrong.
68 was the first year for the 385 series but my knowledge stops at the lincolns.
in 68 the 460 in the lincoln (optional) did have a crank mounted ps pump.
so i suppose the t-bird would have been similar.
pics and a better read on the casting date

a little birdie in my head is telling me there weren't any 429's in 68, only the 460, could this be a 428 your looking at

[wkooiman]

We had a 68 T-Bird when I was in high school that had a 429.

The engine was original, and I am positive it was a 429. We rebuilt it, or actually replaced it with a 429 from a 69 T-Bird.

I think the 460 came later. A friend that lived a few doors down had a Lincoln Continental with a 460. I don't recall the year model of his car, but I'm guessing 1970.

[Bernica]

My reference materials show the following for casting numbers:
C8VE = 1968 429 and 460, all applications
C9VE = 1969 429 and 460, all applications

[cycleguy55]

Here's how to read Ford part numbers: How to Decipher FoMoCo Part Numbers - Overview - FORDification.com

It is my understanding both engines rolled out in 1968, with the 429 in Thunderbirds and 460 in Lincolns.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_385_engine

[Paul Kane]

Originally Posted by mnm99

This is the number I was given--- 8a8W--- Does it make sense? I was told it came out of a 68 Thunderbird

The cylinder block's engineering revision is on the outside of the engine block, behind the starter motor, and reads vertically. For a 1968 429 or 460, the block's engineer revision should be either C8VE-A or C8VE-F.

The actual casting date of the cylinder block is in the the lifter valley and is alphanumeric, such as "8B27" (which would indicate a casting date of February 27, 1968), or "8A8" (which would indicate a casting date of January 8, 1968).

The casting date in the lifter valley is really just a curiosity, and frankly 429/460 blocks regardless of engineering revision will sustain more power and abuse than most people would every consider imposing upon them.

[Paul Kane]

Originally Posted by Tom Wells

mnm99,

...If it did come in a '68 it might have had a power steering pump on the nose of the crankshaft as did many of the '69 models.

Tom

The crank-driven power steering pump was on 460 engines in Continentals only, from 1968-1970. All 429 powered Thunderbirds had the standard front accessory drives.

[Paul Kane]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

Here's how to read Ford part numbers: How to Decipher FoMoCo Part Numbers - Overview - FORDification.com

It is my understanding both engines rolled out in 1968, with the 429 in Thunderbirds and 460 in Lincolns.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_385_engine

In addition to the above and for a brief overview of the different 385 Series passenger car blocks, click here:

http://www.highflowdynamics.net