New block Casting Number Help

[TwoToes]

Hello there,
I Just joined these forums and could not find anything really relating to my problem, so I figured I would ask.
I recently bought a Ford 302 shortblock from a friend, and now I am about to disassemble the block and slowly rebuild her. However I would like to know what year she is, and what she came from.
My friend thinks its a 94 from a Ford Explorer, but my '94 Explorer has a V6, not a V8.
Now my question to you is, where are the casting numbers? I spent about an hour searching the block for some kind of lettering, or numbers, but I have failed to find what I seek.
If you can give me a general location, or what they look like (Striaght line, or maybe they are circular, I dunno) that would be great. She is covered in a little bit of grease and rust, but she looks great on the inside.

Thanks again

 

[joel5.0]

Check the block in the starter area....

 

[TwoToes]

Oh come on, not to sound like an ass, but if it were that simple do you really think I would be asking this question?
Ok any way, sorry about that, but my block looks a little different than that, it doesn't have that little shelf that the numbers are sketched on. I'm starting to wonder if I have a different block than what I thought.

Let me ask this, are the numbers raised out of the block, are they painted on, are they set into the block? Can you be a little more descriptive, maybe I'm looking at it, but its covered in grease and I just need to scrape it away.

I have pictures, but am not able to get them onto this post, any ideas?

Thanks again

 

[TwoToes]

Well here are 2 pictures of the markings on the left side of the engine where the starter would be. This does not look like the 4 digit casting number that I'm looking for, any ideas?

 

[Fast63]

Oh come on, not to sound like an ass, but if it were that simple do you really think I would be asking this question?
Ok any way, sorry about that, but my block looks a little different than that, it doesn't have that little shelf that the numbers are sketched on. I'm starting to wonder if I have a different block than what I thought.

Let me ask this, are the numbers raised out of the block, are they painted on, are they set into the block? Can you be a little more descriptive, maybe I'm looking at it, but its covered in grease and I just need to scrape it away.

I have pictures, but am not able to get them onto this post, any ideas?

Thanks again

Maybe you should stop screwing around, scrape the grease off and open your eyes to look for the numbers before you ask. He gave you a very good picture and description of where the casting number is. It IS that easy, so not only do you sound like an ass, but.... you fill in the rest.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

It IS that easy, so not only do you sound like an ass, but.... you fill in the rest.

And what exactly do you sound like, making statements such as those? If you're not going to provide any help, don't bother replying.

 

[TwoToes]

Alright, we got off on the wrong foot here, sorry about that.
Lets try to start over shall we?
The pictures I posted about should be where the starter is located, that means that the casting numbers should also be there. I was lead to believe that the casting number was a 4 digit number with a 5 digit number following. The posted picture seems to only have a 2 digit number with some sort of other markings. Let me ask this: can we decipher the year and model car this block was from just from those two digit numbers? Is there a chance that what I'm looking at is not a Ford 302?

I understand that the casting number is suposed to be there, but it doesn't look like it. All I'm looking for is another lead, and any information you can pass on to me.

Thanks again

 

[joel5.0]

Check along the ridge where the transmission bell housing is bolted. You should see the casting number that starts with E6SE ('86 roller block), E7TE ('87 - '90 roller block), F1SE ('91+ roller block)

 

[TwoToes]

Excellent I can try that.

But you know what, I feel stupid, I just dug through the older threads and found a picture of a block just like mine, with less grime and grease. Turns out what I was looking at is very likely to be the casting number. I thought the numbers would be in a striaght line, but turns out they are like this:
1234
5678

So, sorry for being a retard, and off to the hardware store I go to get a wire wheel.

 

[Fast63]

And what exactly do you sound like, making statements such as those? If you're not going to provide any help, don't bother replying.

I don't know, what do I sound like?

And I did provide help. I made it very clear and simple, the casting number is exactly where the previous poster said it was. Since the original poster didn't believe it, I reiterated it, and lo and behold he found the casting number.

And how ironic, your post really did not provide anything while mine did, so if you're not going to provide any help, don't bother replying.

So TwoToes, you shouldn't need a wire wheel. Get some degreaser and a parts brush first (you'll need these items for your build anyway) and if after that you absolutely can't get anything off, get a wire wheel. I suggest if you really plan on using the block, you get it pressure washed once it is all taken down. And I mean really pressure wash everything, including all the oil galleys.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

I take it you failed to notice one little item in my signature?

I'll point it out for you, just in case you hadn't noticed:

Moderator:
5.0 Mustang Forums

I can post in any thread here that I choose to, at my discretion, if I feel from a moderator's standpoint that my intervention is necessary. I don't have to provide any help, thanks.

 

[TwoToes]

Well turns out I did need a wire wheel to get the rust off, and I am able to see some thing now.

When I first did some research, I found that picture of the block with the numbers on it, just like posted above, but when I realized that my bock didn't look like that, I assumed it could be located somewhere else. I continued to look on the internet, but found nothing like my block, so I assumed it was somewhere else. This is why I responded saying it does not appear to be there. If some one had said, 'well it doesn't have to look like that, it may look like bla bla bla' then I think this would have gone much smoother.

Now that I have located it, it seems quite hard to read. The number is 'letter,number,letter,letter' correct? I can make out F##E and it looks like the number is a 1. A 1991 block? would that be the 302 I hope I had?
I will post a pic when I get home tonight.

Thanks again for your help again guys, I would be stuck in the mud with out this forum.

 

[Fast63]

I can post in any thread here that I choose to, at my discretion, if I feel from a moderator's standpoint that my intervention is necessary. I don't have to provide any help, thanks.

I still fail to see what the problem is. I am helping the user but poking him for being an ass.

Anyway, you don't have a 302 block if it's not where Joel said it would be. Post some pics and we'll be able to tell what it is most likely. My guess is a 4.0 V6.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

Maybe you should stop screwing around, scrape the grease off and open your eyes to look for the numbers before you ask. He gave you a very good picture and description of where the casting number is. It IS that easy, so not only do you sound like an ass, but.... you fill in the rest.

* While debating and discussion is fine, we will not tolerate rudeness, insulting posts, personal attacks or purposeless inflammatory posts. Our decision is final in these matters.

That's where the problem lies. It was also settled three days ago, so why keep bringing it up? I made my point as to where we stand on this issue on the 4th. We're done debating it.

 

[FoxChasis]

Explorers didn't get a V8 until '96. Anything before then it's a 4.0L V6 only.

An engineering number ("casting number") will not tell you the model year and model the block came out of. Engineering numbers do not change from year to year, and they'used in more than one model line when possible.

A partial VIN is supposed to be stamped on the top-rear of 302 blocks, right behind where the intake would bolt down. It's stamped by hand and is very light, and sometimes covered with paint or rust. It will tell you the model year, assembly plant (which can help in determining the model line), and production sequence number. I've decoded several of these "serial numbers" elsewhere on the 'net.