Mexican block questions

[RYC CUKR]

I have a chance to get a mexican block but I have a few questions before I make my decision.

First, the engine has just come out of the machine shop and is bored .060" over. I know that on a thinwall block casting block this is kind of a but is it ok with a mexican block.

Also what needs to be done to convert it to run a roller cam and roller lifters. Will I need to use the link bar retrofit lifters or can stock style be retrofitted into the engine?

Thanks for any info.

 

[DocZG]

i think there are only 2 ways to convert to roller lifters. The first is to buy retrofit linkbar lifters from crane they are like $400 without a cam. you can also use a reduced base diameter cam and tap the valley so you can bolt a stock spider down and use the stock dogbones.

 

[RYC CUKR]

Cool. Thanks for the info.

Anyone with any info on the .060" overbore?

 

[304billet]

try over on nmraracing.com.

The Mexican has thicker webbing around the mains but I don't know what the limit on the bore is. the max bore on a 302 safely is .040 over. If it is OK, there will not be anything left to bore if u ever have an issue.

 

[caseywan]

If your interested I have a set of the Crane retrofit link-bar lifters for sale. PM me if interested.

 

[poneypower89]

RYC, I currently have a mexican block that im turning into a 331.

As far as the roller cam issue there are two ways.

A) Use the retro-fit crane kit which is somewhat expensive.

B) Use the dogbone and stock lifter. This will require you to tap the block AND use a special small circle base cam.

Either way you cut it... you will end paying around the same amount due to the cost of either the retro-fit kit OR the needed small circle base cam.


As far as .060 over. thats a tad much. The mexican block is a little stronger than the stock 5.0l. However, its NO dart block! You could and CAN get away with that bore. But if you heart is set on a mexican block you might as well wait it out till you find one untouched or just at a .030 bore.

Cool?

ps. dont forget the other issues.. such as the block having no provision for the oil dipstick... (you need a pan that has one) and etc.

 

[Silvers]

I have what I call an X block. It has 3 xs in the oil valley. It supposedly has thicker cylinder walls. I was told it was bought as a ford crate engine for a 95 GT and it was .060 overbored from the factory. It ran hot in traffic last summer with a bad clutch fan and underdrives with the AC on. I fixed the fan, if that don't keep it cool i'll go back to stock pullys in the summers. Can anyone confirm the X block having thicker walls?