Ford's big block V8 lineup includes the FE-series and the 385-series — two distinct engine families that are often confused. Casting numbers help identify which engine you have.
WHERE TO FIND THE CASTING NUMBER: The block casting number on Ford FE and 385-series engines is located on the front of the block, below the water pump. Clean the area before reading.
FE-SERIES (332–428 CI) CASTING NUMBERS: C6ME-6015-F: 390 ci FE — 1966 (common in F-series trucks and full-size cars) C8VE-6015-B: 428 Cobra Jet (CJ) — 1968 (the performance version of the 428, used in Mustang, Torino, and Fairlane) Note: The FE series (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428) all share the same block architecture. The 427 is a high-performance variant with larger bore.
385-SERIES (429/460 CI) CASTING NUMBERS: D0VE-6015-A: 429 or 460 ci — 1970 (the 429 and 460 share the same basic block; confirm displacement by bore and stroke) Note: The 429 was used in high-performance muscle car applications (Boss 429, CJ, SCJ). The 460 was a truck and luxury car engine, prioritizing torque over high-RPM power.
FE VS. 385 SERIES — HOW TO TELL THEM APART: • The FE engine is wider and lower, with a distinctive wide block appearance • The 385-series is taller and narrower, with a more modern appearance • They are not interchangeable — different mounts, different bellhousing patterns for some applications, different accessory locations • If you have a 429 or 460, you have a 385-series engine; anything in the 332–428 range is an FE
For help confirming your engine, contact us at 1-844-XPARTS-1 or support@expediaparts.com.
