Fe Block Identification

[rabbithunter2005]

I picked up this 390 that was seized up for 50 bucks just for the rear sump oil pan several months ago. I used the pan to put a 390 in my 85 pickup so all went well there. Now that that project is done i'm looking at starting another one. I still have this 390 block and i was looking at it the other day and i noticed that it had ribs going up and down the outside of the block. The 390 i put in my truck doesn't have this and i've never seen this on any other blocks. Is this a special block or somethin. Any insight is greatly appreciated Thanks.

[fordman]

the ribs denote that it is a factory service block or factory replacment block. it not speical. i have one of them its worth less than a regular block. hurray for me. im not rich im even poorer since it takes up space.

[DuckRyder]

Later FE blocks had that.

[sideoilerfe]

How late? My D3TE and D4TE blocks do not have that. I've been wondering about that myself as I have a block with those ribs and without date code castings.

[DuckRyder]

Intresting, It was my understanding that they started around 71, are your D3 and D4 blocks cast at MCC or DIF?

Of course where FE castings are concerned, you just never know...

[fordman]

the ribbed block i have is DIF. that is all it says on it.

[sideoilerfe]

Intresting, It was my understanding that they started around 71, are your D3 and D4 blocks cast at MCC or DIF?

I'm not sure. I no longer have the D4TE block but i still have the D3TE. It is in the truck.

[DuckRyder]

Then I am not sure. I know it has been said that MCC produced cleaner castings so perhaps they were deemed no longer needed for whatever purpose they were to serve. It has been a few years since I did much study on it but I do think that I have even heard of blocks that had them on one side and not the other.

They do not indicate any thing "special" about the block though I am sure of that.

[DuckRyder]

Here is just one thread on it at FE Forum.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/th ... d+Block---

I would go with Dave Shoe on this; he has done a lot of FE research.

[sideoilerfe]

Interesting. My "ribbed" block is out of my '72 Camper Special so what Dave says makes sense to me.