Identifying motor type?

BritStang1 · 2025-03-11T20:47:22-0400

Greetings,

I am trying to identify if I have the original motor in my recently acquired 72. I can't access the back of the block to confirm the VIN, so I hope there is another way. On the top of the head is the casting shown in the picture. Does that help me ID the motor?

From what I've found on the VIN search, it should be a 302 but the engine has " powered by Cobra" rocker covers, which I know could not be original.

I tried searching through the forums and couldn't find a hit. If there is already a thread on this, please let me know (and kindly show me the way).

Thanks!

Jon

giantpune · 2025-03-11T21:12:42-0400

The only way to say if its the original motor is gonna be to check for the vin on the block. Otherwise, whats to say somebody didn't blow the motor up in 1974 and have one swapped in? Even if the motor is the correct year casting and everything, it still may not be the original. Its over 50 years since that car left ford.

On the windsor motors, the VIN should be visible from above. Wipe off the years of crud on the back of the block just above the transmission and snap a bunch of photos. You can see it just by sticking your head in the engine bay. On the clevelands, the VIN is stamped on the back of the driver's side.

Here's a shot of one of my 302 from above. Red arrow is my transmission, green arrow is my intake manifold, and the purple arrow is what you're looking for.

BritStang1 · 2025-03-11T21:57:34-0400

Does this look like the Block VIN? I only ask because it doesn't match anything on the host vehicle's VIN.

BritStang1 · 2025-03-11T22:01:14-0400

giantpune said:
The only way to say if its the original motor is gonna be to check for the vin on the block. Otherwise, whats to say somebody didn't blow the motor up in 1974 and have one swapped in? Even if the motor is the correct year casting and everything, it still may not be the original. Its over 50 years since that car left ford.

On the windsor motors, the VIN should be visible from above. Wipe off the years of crud on the back of the block just above the transmission and snap a bunch of photos. You can see it just by sticking your head in the engine bay. On the clevelands, the VIN is stamped on the back of the driver's side.

Here's a shot of one of my 302 from above. Red arrow is my transmission, green arrow is my intake manifold, and the purple arrow is what you're looking for.
View attachment 98259

Steve McMahan · 2025-03-11T23:59:35-0400

Well, it’s two digits too long. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will chime in in. It should be 6 digits, the same last 6 of the VIN.

BritStang1 · 2025-03-12T00:18:03-0400

Steve McMahan said:
Well, it’s two digits too long. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will chime in in. It should be 6 digits, the same last 6 of the VIN.

That's why i'm a bit confused. It's definitely not the VIN so that leaves me wondering where the motor came from and what model it is exactly. I plan on pulling it to get the engine bay cleaned and painted, so maybe once it's out on the stand I can get a bit more info on it.

Challenges of a 50 year old car I suppose.