when did ford start using hardened valve seats

[662doorgalaxie]

on the FE engine? I am getting a '74 f100 with a 390 and I am wondering if is going to have hardened seats, thank you

I did a web search but to no avail, sorry

[jerry clayton]

the 74 probably wouldn't have them as they came about as an issue with UNLEADED gasoline---which wasn't an issue until starting about that time with cat converters--altho leaded gas was around for many more years and the trucks didn't have cats if they were above a certain gross wt rating

[HOSS429]

if the truck has been used much in the past 30 years i`d suspect hardened seats have already been installed

[Lord Antagonism]

If you have the D2TE-AA or D4TE heads on your 390, they came from the factory with induction hardened valve seats.

[662doorgalaxie]

I'll check the casting numbers as soon as I get the truck.