Bought a 394, need help with identification

[joetx]

Bought a 394 that ran in a '47 Ford coupe 15 years ago. It rolls and has been cleaned up and looks good outside. Need some help with id on this engine. Guy thought it was a 63-4. I'm thinking it's a '61-2 according to some info I found on this site.

The casting # on the back of the engine is 577476 4 1/8 and a number on the head is G404323. This info was provided by the previous owner and I haven't verified it as I'm going to pick it up next week.

Engine has had an adapter put on to move the starter to the passenger side and has a remote oil filter. One exhaust manifold has be modified for steering clearance. I see that it doesn't have the breather down tube in back like my '60 394 has and it also has two large gussets on the bellhousing that my '60 394 doesn't have. Valve covers are different. Other than that if looks a lot like my '60 394. Bought this engine for $500 and decided to take a chance on it. I also got what is supposed to be a "4 sp hydro" trans and rearend that were running in this '47 coupe which are possibly from a '56 olds---according to the seller. Paid $100 more for the trans/shifter/rearend. Maybe my luck will hold out. Any help is really appreciated.

Here's the pictures provided to me of this engine. Thanks, Joe.

[rocketraider]

Simplest way I know to tell is to look at the timing cover and water pump. An aluminum cover indicates 63-64. Cast iron with a round w/p is 59-62. Those valve covers are 61-63 and pass side will accommodate the road draft tube if used; otherwise a PCV connection goes there. Looks like a LH exhaust manifold on passenger side, probably for clearance in the Ford chassis.

[59-59-59]

The casting # on the back of the engine is 577476 4 1/8 and a number on the head is G404323.

That 4 1/8 is telling me the bore size which works out to be a 394. The letter G is telling me its a 1962 (well the cylinder head at least) and the 404323 is telling me the production sequence number. Thats a cool engine except for the alternator mount!!

[joetx]

Thanks for the info. I thought it might be a '62 with '63 valve covers. As for the alternator mount, you have to consider that it came out off an old '47 ford hotrod that was probably built 20-30 years ago!!!! It's going into my '26 dodge altered---or "street freak"---as the traditionalists on the HAMB prefer to call it. Have a dual quad set up and a '56 4 sp hydro for it. Rearend is a '60 olds.

Originally Posted by 59-59-59

The casting # on the back of the engine is 577476 4 1/8 and a number on the head is G404323.

That 4 1/8 is telling me the bore size which works out to be a 394. The letter G is telling me its a 1962 (well the cylinder head at least) and the 404323 is telling me the production sequence number. Thats a cool engine except for the alternator mount!!

[citcapp]

That engine will give it a great period look. The 394's have great style

[Dean O' Banion]

This made my day! I've always wanted to build a classic 1920's-1930's body rat rod with a 394, it's a beast engine! A huge coincidence has to do with a story I never tire of telling, that of my old math teacher who had a 1949 Olds hot rod with a hopped up 394 and an old four speed steel hydramatic. So, it was pretty much the same as yours but with a 49 olds body instead of a 26 dodge, but your 26 is cooler. His motor had a six pack, but still...His was one of the fastest cars in town when he was a kid.
Once you're done I'd like to hear about 1/4 mile times!
I'm glad to see someone actually building something classic like this, too many "hot-rods" these days are just fiberglass bodies with a small block chevy, yawwwwn....but you're doing it RIGHT!