best year for the 302 block?

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steel1212

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Jun 24, 2004

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Frankfort, Ky

Jul 13, 2004

#1

• Jul 13, 2004

• #1

Which years do you think was best for the 302 block? I'm talking about everything in it the block, pistons, crank ect. just not heads and all the other bolt ons.

 

allcarfan

The Answer Man

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Apr 8, 2001

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North Atlanta

Jul 13, 2004

#2

• Jul 13, 2004

• #2

a few choices.....it depends on what you are looking for....

Boss 302 is always a good one
the 69 block or mexican block are good, strong blocks
87-92 engines had a roller cam, stock forged pistons and rods

 

SadbutTrue

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May 1, 2002

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Jul 13, 2004

#3

• Jul 13, 2004

• #3

i would say the roller 87+ with forged internals... thats me though

 

1

10secgoal

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Dec 1, 2003

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#4

• Jul 13, 2004

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If you can't get your hands on a boss 302 (good luck), I would start at the 289 's. Not a 302, but close enough, they are pretty strong. The early 302 are also stronger. The roller blocks are about the weakest. BUT you don't have to have the expense of converting the block to a roller cam. I did read that the mexican block theory of higher nickel content is junk. What in one mag. you read one thing, and another in next months.

 

D

D.Hearne

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Sep 29, 2000

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#5

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If you want the absolutely best 302 block, then you have to go outside, to Dart. Next would be the R302 Ford block, followed by the 69-70 Boss blocks.

 

V

VictorII

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Jun 19, 2004

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#6

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'68 and '69 had the best power. Maybe even '70. After that it started to drop due to smog regulations, etc. IIRC. I am assuming that you are talking a stock engine here as a start point. If you are going to pump it up, you can add performance heads, have the rods drilled for ARP bolts and then have then shot peened and that will increase the power handling capability and RPM capability of the short block. The aftermarket heads will let it breath better. It is not inconceivable to get 320 HP out of the early ones. I don't know about the 5.0s. They have roller cam setups and are built pretty well I understand. Of course, you can get a roller setup for the earlt 302 as well. Kinda depends on what you are after and how much you have to spend.

 

blue66tang

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Jan 20, 2001

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Jul 13, 2004

#7

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I have always thought 68-69 blocks were the strongest because they had the highest nickel content. The 85ish + are the weekest i believe, but for almost all of us any block will be strong enough for power we are putting out.

 

1320stang

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Nov 13, 1998

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Edmond, Oklahoma

Jul 13, 2004

#8

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VictorII said:

It is not inconceivable to get 320 HP out of the early ones.

My race 289 pushed a 3000# '69 Mach I with a Jerico and 5.67 gears on 9x30 slicks to an 11.08@119. '65 block, '65 crank, Howards Aluminum rods, heavy TRW 12.7:1 pistons, Schnieder solid roller cam, 1.6 RR, '69 351W heads with some prt work, Offy 360 T/R with stock Holley 660's. It takes more than 400HP to get that done. I'm not saying your wrong Vic, but you can get more out of it. BTW, that motor has changed heads to some Canfields and the intake to a Funnel Web and is still running on the same shortblock and bearings, changed out the oil pump, but the bearings looked good, over 150 passes on the shortblock.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

 

A

AustinCobra

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Jul 13, 2004

#9

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While we're on the subject, I've got a 302 2bbl in a 71 doner coupe I'm using on a 72 convertible project. the Vert has a 351c and I'm wondering what to do with the 71 302. Would this year block be worth anything to anyone? Or should I just scrap it with the rest of the spear parts?

 

1320stang

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Jul 14, 2004

#10

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It's not like its worth a bunch, but its a better block than a late 70's block. Good foundation.

 

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66coupe306

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Feb 1, 2004

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#11

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I am guessing the question is which is the most durable production block? They typically are late 60's 302's/289's. They have the heaviest castings especially around the mains where the late model blocks fall short. I have also heard and early 80's truck block is good as well.

 

Pakrat

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Currently: NH Originally: Rhode Island (and all po

Jul 14, 2004

#12

• Jul 14, 2004

• #12

Also note worthy regarding the whole mexican Block thing. I have one and have heard that first it was only on San Hose cars, and the desirable part is not the nickel content so much as it is the thicker mains and webbings than a block from another location. I believe due to the less than perfect method of their casting process, but only repeating what I have heard or gathered info wise in the past. I guess because of this you can bore it more with less fear or something, but it certainly doesn't seem anything to bow to.

 

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69pony302

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Apr 3, 2003

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Jul 14, 2004

#13

• Jul 14, 2004

• #13

the question is do u want to go with carb or efi. u can a 90 302 at 400rwhp with pistons, cams, heads, exhaust, intake mani, port and polish job on everything. the carb will take a power adder. maybe u should go with a 351w. 69 was the best year for that and u can get a long block for around a grand.

 

D

D.Hearne

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#14

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• #14

Regarding the theory that Ford used nickle in their blocks----- got to the Ford FE big block forum, on Network54. There's a guy there named Dave Shoe that's done extensive research into Ford's engine casting techniques and he's found NO evidence of Ford ever using nickle in their blocks. The late 70's D8VE 302 block is also a heavy weight, it weighs 10 lbs more than other 302 blocks at 135 lb's. According to Ford, this is a thick walled casting. The late model roller blocks have semi-siamesed bores which the earlier ones don't. They may also have less iron in them, but this doesn't mean they're weak, they were cast using better techniques, requiring less iron to do the same job. I noted a late 80's 5.0 cranks casting quality, damn thing looks almost like a steel forging, the casting quality's so good. No sharp edges, all counterweights have smooth contours.