Engine 302 production block selection

Even though I really don't wanna spend the money, right now, I've been pretty obsessed with trying to find another mexican block after the one I found and sent to a machinist in Ohio turned out to be cracked. I got my $$$ back for that one, but I've kept my eye on the market, ever since. I'll probably end up with one I already know about, but in the meantime, I wouldn't wanna miss a great opportunity if one came up.

What I'm seeing on the FB marketplace lately includes in-box Dart SHP blocks for ~$2,250, while they're listed on summit for like $2.6k. I came across a NOS '71 Boss 302 block that I posted about here.

Here's an assembled Man o' War 347 block asking $5,500. That's probably worth it if it matches the build you're going for, and is in good shape.


Here's a guy that wants $3.5k for an R302 block, which is an awesome block, but from reputed sources doesn't stand up to anything from Dart. Couple that with what I posted about Dart SHPs above, and I couldn't see paying more than maybe $1,500 for one that still needs to be machined. And, unlike the Boss 302, which is a platform with the occasional desperate and rich collector that might actually pick up the $6k NOS above, I don't see any collector value to an R302, at all. This one comes with some Eagle Crank & rods, though I've come to understand that Eagle does not enjoy the same reputation as other companies from the machinists and engine builders out there. And, I could demonstrate brand new forged Eagle 302 crank for $500 on FB marketplace right now. So, I think he's really over listing this one, but time will tell.

I saw those last night for around $6k along with a convo with Noobz different about options. Got me to thinkin'...

If I wanted to build a 302-310 out of a bare block I picked up cheaply but that requires machining and all parts from the balancer to the flywheel, then I'd be into it for about $5k -- I've priced what I want in a Mexican block, for example. If I'm going to build a $5k shortblock, I might as well go Dart SHP for $6k, like from the shop you mentioned. If I go Dart SHP, then for the same price, I might as well build a 363. But, and here's the problem: if I put the 302 heads on a 363, well, that's foolish. So, conclusion: either spend even more money reworking the combo I already have the top end for, or stop the snowball and use 'em on the stock block as originally intended.

So, I'm going to put my 302 top end on a 302 without spending a ton more money. I do NOT want Black Jack to be another hugely expensive project. I already have 2 of those. So, I'm just gonna slap 'em on Black Jack, as is... maybe with new bearings. If I start to hear things sounding or acting funny when the motor wears, then I can refresh what I have or just pick up an assembled shortblock for $1-2k. This slippery slope would've snowballed me into many, many thousands of dollars more, and it's not the original vision for keeping Black Jack affordable.

AeroCoupe said:

I see a junkyard turbo and intercooler for it down the road….just saying.

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Wherever the winds may carry me...