• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

302 surprise

  • Thread starter Thread starter 68conv4sp
  • Start date Start date Mar 18, 2008
6

68conv4sp

New Member
Oct 24, 2005
270
0
0
Mar 18, 2008
#1
  • Mar 18, 2008
  • #1
I just pulled the heads on my 68 C code (should be a 289, 2V) to put on new heads and cam. Surprise! The block said 302 and the stroke measured 3 inches. The block code was C8oe and the heads were '68 302 2V heads. I know the engine was rebuilt several years ago, but I'm surprised that the components are all 68 vintage. Could my C code have gotten a 302 2V from the factory?

Also, it had Ford stamped valve faces, an original timing chain (very worn), original balancer, orig engine mounts, and so on. The cross hatching on the cyl walls is clear and the bore is 40 over. The heads have new looking springs. Anyway, whatever the history, it is getting alum Edel heads and a stump pulling bumpstick.
 

LMan

Founding Member
Aug 10, 2002
1,246
0
0
Mom's basement
Mar 18, 2008
#2
  • Mar 18, 2008
  • #2
68 was the changeover year from the 289 to the 302. No surprise to see what you found there, IMO.
 

golf4283

Active Member
May 30, 2003
1,253
1
39
Orland Park, Illinois
Mar 18, 2008
#3
  • Mar 18, 2008
  • #3
In 68 the C code was a standard 302 2bbl. It's a sweet surprise for you cause you have an extra 13 cubes you weren't aware of, but it's a standard feature in the 68's

EDIT: Come to think of it though I don't know if in 1968 the cars were still designated C codes. I know there were J codes that came with the 302 4bbl. So there must have been C code 2bbl 302's. Maybe someone else can shed some light on that subject.
 

68keyblr

20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 17, 2003
946
20
49
Arizona
Mar 18, 2008
#4
  • Mar 18, 2008
  • #4
golf4283 said:
EDIT: Come to think of it though I don't know if in 1968 the cars were still designated C codes. I know there were J codes that came with the 302 4bbl. So there must have been C code 2bbl 302's. Maybe someone else can shed some light on that subject.
Click to expand...

Yep, they were C-code 302 for 2 bbl.
 
D

danny clemens

Member
May 4, 2005
728
0
16
Mar 18, 2008
#5
  • Mar 18, 2008
  • #5
I'd have to check and make sure but I thought the 68 289 2 bbl engines were C code and the 302 2bbl was an F code. I've been wrong before though.
 

golf4283

Active Member
May 30, 2003
1,253
1
39
Orland Park, Illinois
Mar 18, 2008
#6
  • Mar 18, 2008
  • #6
I know for a fact though that the 289 was abandoned in 68. 1967 saw the last of the 289's
 
M

mr-fixit

Founding Member
Jul 19, 1999
466
0
17
Malvern,Pa.
Mar 18, 2008
#7
  • Mar 18, 2008
  • #7
golf4283 said:
I know for a fact though that the 289 was abandoned in 68. 1967 saw the last of the 289's
Click to expand...

Part true, the 289 was abandoned in 68. There are plenty of 68 Mustangs with the 289 2bbl. engine installed from the factory. and I have seen 68 Mustangs with 302 blocks that had 289 rotating assemblies in them, from the factory. It seems they used up the 289 stuff first.
 
B

bnickel

Founding Member
Aug 21, 2002
5,640
3
77
lubbock, texas
Mar 18, 2008
#8
  • Mar 18, 2008
  • #8
c code would have been a 289 and f code would have been a 302 2v. the 289 was only offered for the first part of 68 and when the supply ran out they switched to the 302 whether the car was ordered with the c-code 289 or not, so it's totally possible your c-code was either in the changeover period from the 289 to the 302 or they had simply already run out of 289's at whatever plant your car was built.

i had a friend in high school who had a c-code 68 fairlane coupe that was one of those cars that got the 302 instead of the 289 it was ordered with, same deal it had all the correct casting numbers and date codes and was the original engine it came with from the factory
 

zookeeper

Founding Member
Aug 25, 2001
3,415
63
109
Rogue River, Oregon
Mar 18, 2008
#9
  • Mar 18, 2008
  • #9
golf4283 said:
I know for a fact though that the 289 was abandoned in 68. 1967 saw the last of the 289's
Click to expand...
Wanna put some money on that? My '68 had a 2 barrel 289 (even had 289 fender badges) and is a C-code.
 

65ShelbyClone

Founding Member
Sep 9, 2000
4,675
38
119
Antelope Valley, SoCal
Mar 19, 2008
#10
  • Mar 19, 2008
  • #10
zookeeper said:
My '68 had a 2 barrel 289 (even had 289 fender badges) and is a C-code.
Click to expand...

+1 here. C8 block even(or was....it was .060 over and .020 under and badly rusted up).
 
R

RedGTvert

Founding Member
Nov 21, 1999
3,129
1
58
Wellington, FL
Mar 19, 2008
#11
  • Mar 19, 2008
  • #11
zookeeper said:
Wanna put some money on that? My '68 had a 2 barrel 289 (even had 289 fender badges) and is a C-code.
Click to expand...

Can I get in on some of that as well. Plenty of '68 C code 289's out there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
689
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 28, 2026
Noobz347
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1996–1998 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
675
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
Engine 302 production block selection
  • FastDriver
  • May 19, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
48
Views
7K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 1, 2025
FastDriver
S
what would you do? sell the project and buy completed or finish project?
  • STANG32
  • Feb 8, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
574
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 16, 2025
rusty428cj
Progress Thread H/C Swap Problems/Ideas
  • sav22rem22
  • Mar 31, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 10, 2024
AeroCoupe
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?