1982-1985 5.0 Blocks are Junk.

[Realmongo]

After a lot more research, the 1982-1985 (including first year roller blocks) are junk. The cylinder walls, bulkheads, and decks are too thin and they suffer from unstable bores (corrected by the semi-siamesed 1986 E6SE roller blocks) that can actually start wavering when pushed hard under a heavy load making for poor compression sealing. The Ford Racing rep I talked to yesterday said they are supposed to hold up to a .030" overbore, but in practice due to their soft grey iron, might not even hold up to only a .020" overbore.

Guess I'm going block hunting after work today for something worth putting money into.

 

[$uperstang]

Yes these ar bad blocks that were updated to roller in 86 which are the good ones. I would get an 87 or higher block if it were me. I bored my stock block .030 over with my stroker install.

 

[rd]

I doubt I will get to a high enough power level to have any problems with any of them.

However I seem to have had good luck with 1968 blocks and have 2 of them.

 

[PuterAmI]

I doubt I will get to a high enough power level to have any problems with any of them.

You may want to rethink that thought.
Mine cracked at the stock 175HP level with only a dual exhaust upgrade at 175K miles.

 

[8950HO]

All of the factory 5.0L roller blocks are Mickey Mouse junk.Ford took out a lot of metal compared to the blocks of the 60`s and early 70`s..

 

[FourEyed85]

You may want to rethink that thought.
Mine cracked at the stock 175HP level with only a dual exhaust upgrade at 175K miles.

damn. that's horrible.

 

[5.0 Nostalgia]

The only good 302 Ford blocks are the 4 bolts. Even the Sportsman is only recommended to 450hp.

 

[dastang2]

i had a 68 block for sale but nobody want it, go look in the scrapyard for it now, got a 79 351w one now

 

[Realmongo]

I doubt I will get to a high enough power level to have any problems with any of them.

However I seem to have had good luck with 1968 blocks and have 2 of them.

Those were a thicker casting, don't lose them.