Engine build date?

[jvencius]

Is there an easy way to tell what the build date of my engine is? I was reading over on TDS (yes, I still lurk there from time to time) that some of the 7.3 engines that went into 2K2 model year trucks might have forged rods and not PMR's, based on when the engine was built. Since my truck was built in the first week of November 2001, I figure the engine was built 2 or 3 months before that and so it might fall into the forged-rod window. Is there a sticker on the engine with the build date or do I have to look up build date by engine serial#? If so, where is the engine serial number located?

 

[DaveBen]

The only way to be certain of your build date is to get an Oasis report on your truck from your dealer. That will show the build date and other stuff. It can not be found in the VIN.

Dave

 

[95_stroker]

I did a little research on this subject. I found conflicting info......... some say Oct 2000 was the cut off date and some say Oct 2001...............

Heres a link to DI's site and they have a pictorial of how to check for PMR's.

PMR inspection hole.

 

[jvencius]

The only way to be certain of your build date is to get an Oasis report on your truck from your dealer. That will show the build date and other stuff. It can not be found in the VIN.

Dave

Would the OASIS report say engine build date as well as truck build date?

 

[jvencius]

I did a little research on this subject. I found conflicting info......... some say Oct 2000 was the cut off date and some say Oct 2001...............

Heres a link to DI's site and they have a pictorial of how to check for PMR's.

PMR inspection hole.

It's not like I have plans to try for 500+ H.P. anytime soon, but it would be nice to know for sure if I've got forged or PMR rods. Honestly, for as little as I really work the truck, PMR's are perfectly acceptable, but if I ever want to make my truck into a hotrod, I'd like to know where to cut off the HP goals so I don't make a new window in the block. I saw that link on DI's website but I'm curious what they used to look through the inspection port. I don't have access to a borescope but it seems like one would be just the ticket for looking through the inspection port.

 

[DaveBen]

Ford does not build the engine, so they don't know when exactly it was built.

Dave

Would the OASIS report say engine build date as well as truck build date?

 

[jvencius]

Ford does not build the engine, so they don't know when exactly it was built.

Dave

Is there a serial # stamped on the block anywhere? I suppose with the serial number, the IH dealer might be able to look up a build date...

 

[95_stroker]

Yes there is JV........... two places. There should be a sticker on your HPOP reservoir that has the engine serieal number on it and if that is missing it will also be cast into the block. Either above the oil filter OR above the starter, I cant recall right now.

 

[jvencius]

Yes there is JV........... two places. There should be a sticker on your HPOP reservoir that has the engine serieal number on it and if that is missing it will also be cast into the block. Either above the oil filter OR above the starter, I cant recall right now.

Cool--I'll have to give it a look tomorrow.

 

[95_stroker]

Cool--I'll have to give it a look tomorrow.

Check that JV,I may have given you OBS info. Look at the sticker on your valve cover............. engine serial number and build date will be listed there. Sorry for the confusion.