EOD

I just bought a 1948 Ford Truck with what I think is a 69 W-31 motor and TH-400 trans. From everything I've read, this engine is awesome. It sounded great before I pulled it out of the truck. I pulled off the valve covers and it looked perfect, (At least according to my friend who knows what he's doing). The motor is gold in color. I think they clipped the the same vehicle they took the motor from. Also I'm trying to ID the rear end. I know a lot about concrete but just decided it was time to learn something about being a mechanic..haha Any help would be greatly appreciated. If I ask stupid questions it's because I really know very little about working on cars but am in the process of changing that. Here are the numbers that I found:

Block-395558 2 38M202626
Heads-5
Exhaust Manifold-417755
Quadrajet Carb-7045504 TM 1405
Oil Filler Tube-8196401
Trans-OC-68-136156
Rear End Axle Tube-PA 11 16 W L3 stamped just right of cover
Picture 1083.jpg

Picture 1101.jpg

I have other numbers but don't have my notebook with me right now. Let me know what else you guys need. Thanks again in advance

gearheads78

Post a picture of the motor with a good shot of the balancer.
Clip looks like Fbody or Nova with rear steer like that.

EOD

I'm not at home right now but I'll try to post the pics of the motor that I have. I know the balancer is very thick.

joe_padavano

Sorry, it's just a run of the mill 1968 350 (The second digit of the VIN derivative is "8", not "9"). Still a good motor, but not a W-31. The W-31 balancer looks like this:



Yours is this:

EOD

I have more pics but this computer is running slooooooooooooooooow. Let me know what you guys need

EOD

What I read was the W-31 was only produced in 69 and 70 but the same motor was produced in 68 and called the Ram Rod 350. Is that right?

joe_padavano

Yes. As noted, both the VIN derivative and oil tube number show yours is a 1968. Yours is not a W-31/Ram Rod balancer.

joe_padavano

By the way, that rear axle is a Chevy 10 bolt. It didn't come from a W-31 either.

EOD

Thanks Joe, with your info I was able to find everything. Clip is from a 68 Camaro along with the rear end. The trans came from a car with a 396. Guess I'm going to have to do something with those springs to use them on the truck. One last question, is there any way to find out the rated HP for the motor I have? Thanks again