The Ford Barn

elwood · 01-23-2019, 06:05 PM

Hey guys, I was told this was a 1971 high nickel block ..
Any idea about this number, or is this not the right number to look for ?
Thanks ...

rotorwrench · 01-23-2019, 07:53 PM

D1 would be 1971 but that is the year of design. The other letters of the prefix are application. V is a Lincoln designation since that was the original use of the block. These 385 blocks were made for a number of years through the 70s. The suffix A2B is a later suffix. It should have the wide pan rails (narrow webs). You will have to find the date code on the block to find the year it was cast.

streetdreams · 01-23-2019, 07:55 PM

1971 Lincoln

elwood · 01-23-2019, 10:53 PM

Thanks guys, for the help..
Where would I find the date code on the block rotorwrench ?

rotorwrench · 01-24-2019, 02:13 PM

The date codes for blocks were usually above the starter near the back of the block. Here is a link. http://fordclassics.com/date-codes

40 Deluxe · 01-24-2019, 03:17 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by elwood

Hey guys, I was told this was a 1971 high nickel block ..
Any idea about this number, or is this not the right number to look for ?
Thanks ...

Do you have the 'back story' on this? Is the 'high nickel' block thing documented, or just another 'urban myth'? Why were only some blocks 'high nickel' (if any were)?

streetdreams · 01-24-2019, 10:18 PM

Never heard of a 460 high nickel block or any Ford "high nickel" block . Only ones I've ever heard of were Hudson.

elwood · 01-24-2019, 11:26 PM

thanks for the link rotorwrench .
I have a friend who has 7 factory big block, 460, cars, he told me this.
Me << not a clue, lol ..

rotorwrench · 01-25-2019, 10:35 AM

385 blocks went through a more than few changes in their run. Some two bolt main blocks had architecture that would allow for a 4-bolt main cap to be installed. Some had 4-bolt mains. 429 & 460 motors were common back in the late 60s & early 70s but they became less popular as the price of gas got higher & higher. The Boss designs are the ones most folks look for in the high end market. After that are the 4-bolt main sets ups and so on. They are all hell for stout but some are more so than others.

elwood · 01-25-2019, 01:19 PM

Thought you might get a kick outta this,

39deluxecp · 02-11-2019, 11:51 AM

the 1984 and later 460 blocks had longer cylinders at the bottom of the clinder and are very good for 4 1/2" stroker cranks. the earlier blocks with shorter cylinders let the piston rock a lot at the bottom of the stroke.

rotorwrench · 02-11-2019, 02:14 PM

I think the deck height was changed to reduce compression a bit in the later 385 blocks. It wasn't change a lot but it was changed.

01-23-2019, 07:53 PM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,418	Re: 460 Block ID D1 would be 1971 but that is the year of design. The other letters of the prefix are application. V is a Lincoln designation since that was the original use of the block. These 385 blocks were made for a number of years through the 70s. The suffix A2B is a later suffix. It should have the wide pan rails (narrow webs). You will have to find the date code on the block to find the year it was cast. Last edited by rotorwrench; 01-25-2019 at 07:40 PM.

01-23-2019, 07:55 PM	#3
streetdreams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan, USA, The Peoples Slightly Overspent Demodependancy of Michigan Posts: 638	Re: 460 Block ID 1971 Lincoln

01-23-2019, 10:53 PM	#4
elwood Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,053	Re: 460 Block ID Thanks guys, for the help.. Where would I find the date code on the block rotorwrench ?

01-24-2019, 02:13 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,418	Re: 460 Block ID The date codes for blocks were usually above the starter near the back of the block. Here is a link. http://fordclassics.com/date-codes

01-24-2019, 10:18 PM	#7
streetdreams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan, USA, The Peoples Slightly Overspent Demodependancy of Michigan Posts: 638	Re: 460 Block ID Never heard of a 460 high nickel block or any Ford "high nickel" block . Only ones I've ever heard of were Hudson.

01-24-2019, 11:26 PM	#8
elwood Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,053	Re: 460 Block ID thanks for the link rotorwrench . I have a friend who has 7 factory big block, 460, cars, he told me this. Me << not a clue, lol ..

01-25-2019, 10:35 AM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,418	Re: 460 Block ID 385 blocks went through a more than few changes in their run. Some two bolt main blocks had architecture that would allow for a 4-bolt main cap to be installed. Some had 4-bolt mains. 429 & 460 motors were common back in the late 60s & early 70s but they became less popular as the price of gas got higher & higher. The Boss designs are the ones most folks look for in the high end market. After that are the 4-bolt main sets ups and so on. They are all hell for stout but some are more so than others.

02-11-2019, 11:51 AM	#11
39deluxecp Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: s/w Iowa Posts: 111	Re: 460 Block ID the 1984 and later 460 blocks had longer cylinders at the bottom of the clinder and are very good for 4 1/2" stroker cranks. the earlier blocks with shorter cylinders let the piston rock a lot at the bottom of the stroke.

02-11-2019, 02:14 PM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,418	Re: 460 Block ID I think the deck height was changed to reduce compression a bit in the later 385 blocks. It wasn't change a lot but it was changed.

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