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Original Message
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| Unexpected new info. |
| By Dave Shoe - 03/14/2003 10:48:27 PM; IP 216.243.176.34 |
I was completely unaware that DIF would be making FE blocks once MCC took over.
DIF seemed to have "washed it's hands" of the FE, in favor of newer engine familys, once FE engine machining moved completely off-site to Clifford Manufacturing (Clifford, Michigan) from 1973 to the end, but we now see this is not entirely correct.
That DIF was retasked (or still tasked) with casting the FE so late is unexpected, and great info to learn. It adds dimension to the complexity and versatility of the operations at Ford.
The D2TE maincaps make good sense, as the FE was no longer available in cars in 1972. Since FEs only went into trucks in 1972, the truck number was the only possibility for a casting number.
I'm also interested in seeing a D2TE-AA head made somewhere other than MCC, as I presently suspect (with reasonable doubt) that ALL D2 heads were MCC heads.
It does sound like a great block you've got. I suspect that many FT 361/391 blocks got water jackets with the "428" marking in it, but I suspect none were from MCC, as MCC just didn't deal directly in the 352/428 era, having opened it's doors in 1971 for supplying steel billets and ramping to castings in 1972, making MCC blocks dedicated to the "105" marking for every block FE or FT.
Later 428 blocks cast for industrial apps seem to have inherited variations on the "X" theme, where they may be "X", "XX", or "CX" blocks, as well as the occasional "C" lholdover. I remain approximately clueless as to the purpose of the rear-face text scratchings, but they are developing a neat personality as time marches on. I've got a great FT casting, sonics to 428 plus, so rear-face markings are not necessary for the "good" stuff.
There is one theory that all MCC blocks got the three cranksaddle ribs. I don't know that I buy this, but it's an interesting though. I need to check the garage sometime, to be sure.
Maybe "industrial" FEs were still contracted at DIF, and only the truck (pickup and heavy) FE/FTs went to Clifford, MI, though the SCJ goodies in your shortblock indicate maybe there was a narrower focus at DIF to produce only CJ service shortblocks.
Food for chewing on. Thanks for the info.
Shoe. |
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This thread, so far...
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