So I have this 1977 Ford ranchero GT with a BBF in it . Just going to junk the car because nobody wants it . What do I look for to know if this is a good start for my dream boats motor "winger" if I ever find it . My plan is to tare down the whole thing and start from scratch. BTW I'm a Chevy guy .. and dont have said dream boat yet so not in any hurry . Thanks for any advice. 

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Are you asking about what casting numbers you want to see on the engine rather than the ahh numbers? Do you know if it’s a 385 series, either a 429 or a 460 cubic inch motor, only difference between the two is the crank if I recall correctly.

Yes . I was just wondering where I could identify what it actually is before pulling it . Or I'll just junk it with the car . It came with my house ...lol and wife wants it gone .

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Once you identify what you have via the vin# or casting numbers (minus the crank) let us know what you have and people will chime in. The 385 series blocks is all I know about, if it’s a FE series I have no clue what’s good or bad, heck not even sure if there worth building. As for the 429 or 460 the difference between D1 block and D8 blocks is the D8 is externally balanced, also better suited for a stoker setup for clearances of crank & block. The heads are the make or break the bank deal, D2’s are boat anchors, D3’s are decent up to .5ish” lift & can make 400HP without spending $ to machine them for studs so that you can get a more aggressive cam but then they don’t flow very well so might as well port them at the same time getting machine work. All in cost is a smidge less than buying some decent aluminum performance heads or finding a pair of slim picking D0VE or similar heads. You want to see D0 or a C8 on head casting, if so you will wanna pull it prior to scraping (I would say any 429 or 460 would be worth pulling out but I’m a borderline hoarder .

Thanks for all the info . So I've been reading from your guys information and the fifth number on the vin is an "S" . This is a California car and it ran when parked just a few years ago . So thanks very much for the info .. I guess I need to do some better research.

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Couple pics

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Yep it is a 400

Scrap it. The 400 was/is a complete wheezer. Something like 185 hp. I had one in a 79 f150 and the only thing that resembles a 460 is the fuel consumption.

If that truck is equally as straight all the way around as shown on the driver's side, then somebody wants it. In the very least, take a few pictures and put them on Craigslist, under "Cars and Trucks," as "1977 Ranchero come and get it." I'd hate to see that vehicle go to the junk yard or scrapper. Frankly I think it's worth a some money, and will likely increase in value over the next few years

Any year 429/460 engine from the entire production run (1968-1996) is a fine candidate for a hot boat engine build. How you approach the build might depend on the year of the engine. For a pump gas jet boat engine to about 500 hp, a 1968-1987 is best suited because you can use the factory iron heads. (1988-1996 460s have FI heads and would usually get replaced anyway.)