I was just wondering if there was a way to tell the difference between a 289 and a 302 by looking at the complete engine.. my friend recently got ripped off when he bought a 289 thinkin it was a 302.
The early 302 used the 289 block as there were plenty still in stock at the plant. Aside from the casting numbers the blocks are the same. Please, as Lman stated, how did he get ripped off? Or why does he think he got ripped off.
There is NO easy way to tell after all these years...
They were hard to tell apart just by looking when they were virgins way back when.
Now most have been into and the parts swapped up.
If it has a 5 bolt bellhousing or you KNOW FOR SURE the engine has never been into, then it can be done with some research.
Otherwise, you just gotta get in there and check all the individual parts.
If he got a 289 or 302, it doesn't really matter unless it was a 5 bolt block or late model with 50 oz balance that doesn't match his accessories. However, even then, it is a matter of "buyer beware".
Dave
Really isn't an absolute method, but if it's an original engine, you might look at the top of the head after taking off the valve cover to see if the number 302 is stamped on the head. Of course, it still could've been a head swap.