460 Block ID
- Thread starter elwood
- Start date
rotorwrench
Well-known member
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:
streetdreams
Well-known member
1971 Lincoln
rotorwrench
Well-known member
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
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
Well-known member
Never heard of a 460 high nickel block or any Ford "high nickel" block . Only ones I've ever heard of were Hudson.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
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.
39deluxecp
Senior Member
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
Well-known member
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.