Is it a 289 or 302? (2nd try to post)

[stangbuilder66]

Sorry if this is a DUP post, the first try gave me a server error.

Hey guys, I am not sure if my mustang has a 289 or 302 in it. Can someone help me figure it out. The car was originally a 6 banger, the original guy dropped a V8 in it. Then he sold it to the guy I bought it from. That guy didn't do a lot to it, tore it down mainly. When I got it, he said it had a 302 in it, but I seriously am doubting that. The heads are stamped 289, the intake looks stock (2 bbl, blue) and is stamped 289. Last night I pulled the starter (PITA by the way, i still can't get it all the way out, will have to pull the steering rod or the exhaust manifold) and got the casting numbers off the block. I stupidly forgot to bring the whole number in, but it is C9OE for the first 4. Not sure if I need the other digits. From that I found that it is a 1969 Engine out of a Fairlane/Torino models. BUT, that doesn't help me any. What can I look for that will help figure this out. I am 99% sure it is a 289, as I don't figure it would be very likely that someone would get a 302 block and put 289 heads/intake on it, but you never know! Is there a water neck or something that will tell me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[stangbuilder66]

Gotta love the wife! Got the rest of the number off my paper at home. It is C9OE-6015-C

Above it was stamped 9H4, but I don't think that means anything.

I also have been looking online and it looks like the '69 Fairlane/Torino only ran 302 and up, so maybe it IS a 302. I have bought a set of 302 heads off of a early 90's GT that I am going to put on either way, but would be nice to buy the right parts for the engine

 

[302 coupe]

its a 302 block at least. Don't get too worked up about it, they're practically the same engine. The only difference is the 289 rods are slightly longer and the crank stroke is 0.13" shorter. Everything else interchanges.

 

[allcarfan]

I am pretty sure that it is a 69 302 block. That should be a good, strong block.

C= 60s
9= year
O= fairlane, Torino, LTDII or LN7
E= Engine

The "O" part number you see on a lot of mustangs, even though that particular letter is for the vehicles that I listed. They were interchangeable and were used at the factory as such. Thats what I am told by my grandfather (retired from Ford)

 

[stangbuilder66]

Cool guys, and thanks for the quick replies. I just found a website that might explain what happened. It seems in 68 and 69 the Cleveland plant ran out of 289 blocks and started using the 302 blocks with 289 guts and parts. That might explain why the 289 heads and intake are on the car. Now i am wondering if I should put all 302 stuff in or just stay with the 289 and replace pistons and such as long as the crank and rods don't need replacing. Oh well, at least I know what I have and what to order.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[BobV]

The block, head, and intake #'s aren't really going to tell you anything, since the 289/302 parts are basically interchangable to rebuilders.

Look at the crankshaft for a stamped number - 1M = 2.87 stroke (289) and 2M = 3.00 stroke (302). As mentioned, the rods need to match the crank unless you've got non-standard pistons. A rod # starting with C3 is a 289 rod, C8=302 rod.

 

[Great68]

Cool guys, and thanks for the quick replies. I just found a website that might explain what happened. It seems in 68 and 69 the Cleveland plant ran out of 289 blocks and started using the 302 blocks with 289 guts and parts. That might explain why the 289 heads and intake are on the car. Now i am wondering if I should put all 302 stuff in or just stay with the 289 and replace pistons and such as long as the crank and rods don't need replacing. Oh well, at least I know what I have and what to order.

Thanks again everyone.

Yep, I have a 289 with a 302 block because of that.

 

[stangbuilder66]

Yep, I have a 289 with a 302 block because of that.

So are these pretty common engines? I hadn't come across this before.

 

[golf4283]

It id definately possible to put 289 heads on a 302. The 302 that came in my car had 289 heads on it. Very misleading but once the intake came off the block clearly stated 302.

 

[84convertablegt]

the 289 and 302 are the same engine essentially, like mentioned above, so it doesnt matter if u use 289 or 302 parts, all the heads, intake etc. are the same thing. the only difference is the stroke and the rod length. no one except u will ever know the difference.

 

[Great68]

So are these pretty common engines? I hadn't come across this before.

A friend of mine with a 68 coupe also has a 302 block 289, so it is pretty common and in no way a bad thing.