hey, I bought a 1977 powerwagon plow truck, the motor has been replaced and was told that it is a 440 but, the 440 has the distributor in the front, right???
And the 318 and 360 are in the back by the firewall, which is what I have in this truck. But how can I tell if it's a 318 or 360??
thanks

 

The CID is cast into the side of the block.

 

It's also stamped into the block right below the front of the driver's side head. Just scraper 'er clean, and read the numbers. 318, 360, will be in that number string in the first few numbers.

440's are a "raised big block" and like all BB engines, yes, has the distributor in the front.

 

yeah, the motor is dirty, I'll scrape off the grime and see what we gots.

Thanks.

 

You could post the VIN but that will only tell you what the truck came with for a motor. Wouldn't really help if someone swapped it out for another.

Although, you can post the numbers cast into the block and we can tell you production year of that block. They should also be on the passenger side of the block.

 

you could even have a 340

 

Hell it could EVEN be a 273

If you don't feel like crawling under, look at the head/ block parting line on the drivers side, front of engine. There will be a long stamped number there, and the CID will be right in that number string.

 

Easy way to tell if it is a 360 is by the thickness of the vibration dampener. 360 about 1 1/2" 318 1" -- 340 would need to check the engine #s up by the starter

 

Nobody wants to listen, and you do NOT even have to crawl under the truck.

LOOK on the FRONT driver's side of the block directly below the head/ block parting line. Scrape it clean, there's a number string right there.

The CID of the engine is stamped right there in the first few numbers.

Should take you 1 minute, tops.

 

I have a 1973 roadrunner that originally had a 318. When I purchased it it was sporting a 3. I looked for the number under the driverside head because I was told the same and it wasn't there. Turns out it was a 1977 360 thanks to the casting number. So it may not be there. You can look under the valve covers some heads are stamped 360.