Identifying a 430

[Guest]

Anyone know an easy way to identify a 430 in my 59 convert.
code say's it's a J model.Not shure if the motor has been changed.
Thanks

[Alexander]

Your first letter is J on your VIN?

It is easy to identify a 430, the expansion tank is positioned at right angle from the position on a 352. The valve covers are blank and do not say FORD on a 430. The Fuel pump is on top of the engine next to the expansion tank. You can see the valley of the engine through the 430 intake manifold. The 352 intake manifold is solid.

This a 352 engine:

[Guest]

easiest way to tell is by looking at the intake its unmistakeable and also check out the MEL forum there are really good pics of the mel!!

[Guest]

Its a J car!

My vin is j9yj
However my block is c1ae3019c
I'm assuming the block is out 390 out of a 61 Galaxie
is this correct?
How can I tell if it had a manual transmisson?
The brake pedal is small,console has been cut for a stick and a new steering colum has bben installed.
I know these shifted on the tree and that the console probally has been modifyed.

[Alexander]

Your block is from a 1961 to 1962 Ford according to the Steve Christ Big-Block Ford book.

No 430 engines were mated with manual transmissions other than the few that Holman-Moody converted for NASCAR use.

Your car was a 430 equipped car by the first digit being J. The mounts are different for the 430(MEL) and 352(FE). Fords are different than Chevy V-8's, where all the motor mounts on the chassis are the same. You will probably see evidence of mount modification to fit the 390 into that car.

[Guest]

Figured that out.Had to to buy parts.
Birds nest sent me the wrong exhaust manifold told them the # but still sent a 59.250 used!!! sent it back
Luckly a friend had a perfect match and a stock filler bottle.
Good thing my b day is monday!!!