i had a few extra minutes this morning, and decided to actually check the numbers on the 302 block i've been trying to re-home. as the title of the thread suggests, i found D8VE on the block. no big deal, it came out of my 78 F150, then it occurred to me that it should have been a D8TE if it was original to the truck. the V code actually shows as being a lincoln part. supposedly, it's a heavier casting, thick wall design. as to the truth behind that, and what they were actually used in, i was hoping someone could jump in and clarify.
The casting numbers in no way and have never been an indication of what vehicle any Ford part was used in. Ford has always used castings(or parts) in many other vehicles than those that are indicated in the casting number (actually this is the engineering number) of the part. Another prime example of this is the E7TE heads, which were used in the 87-95 Mustangs. The D8VE casting was intended to be used in Lincolns with an electronic feedback carb, but can also be found in any other Ford/Merc car or truck from late 1977-on. The block is indeed heavier than the later (1980-85) blocks by a full 16 pounds. And is ten pounds heavier than the 86-2001 blocks. This info can be found in Ford Racing's book, "The Official Ford Mustang 5.0" by Al Kirschenbaum. These blocks also have an crankshaft position sensor boss cast into the rear of the block above the rear main saddle. Basically you have a better casting compareable in weight to the Mexican blocks, but with the smaller std main caps. Good candidate to build a 352 (.60 overbore instead of ,030) stroker using a 347 crank.
