Verifying a 426 wedge
Is there a visual difference between a 440 and a 426.. where would I look for numbers on the the 426 engine
Other than differences in things like early/late water pumps, valve covers, intake manifolds and exhaust manifolds, pretty much no visual difference. A 426 wedge will look more like an early 440 than the early 440 will look like a late 440. (Edited in response to question below.)
If the motor is out of the car, the casting number will tell you. If in the car, look for the RB raised pad between the water pump and the intake gasket front hold down, opposite side of the motor from the distributor. Cubic inch will be stamped on the pad.
According to my little white book, 426 casting numbers are 2205697, 2406730, and 2532230. From the book, looks to me like the first is street wedge only, while the latter two can be either street wedge or max wedge. But someone more knowledgeable than me will have to clarify if that is correct.
