strength of the early 302 blocks compared to the 5.0 roller blocks

DarkoStoj

Founding Member

Sep 4, 2002

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Detroit

Apr 24, 2008

#1

• Apr 24, 2008

• #1

I know the stock 5.0L roller motors out of fox bodies tend to split at around 550hp with all stock bottom end. I have heard in the past that the early (late 60's) 302 blocks were built with more beef throughout them. I was wondering if these early blocks would be able to handle more hp reliably than the later roller blocks...

 

iskwezm

10 Year Member

May 24, 2005

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Rowland Heights,California

Apr 24, 2008

#2

• Apr 24, 2008

• #2

A stock block will split when it wants to, theres no magic number of how much hp it can live with.

 

brianj5600

Active Member

Sep 19, 2003

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Middle TN

Apr 24, 2008

#3

• Apr 24, 2008

• #3

If you want 1001rwhp you need an after market block. There is no way around it.

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

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tucson,az

Apr 24, 2008

#4

• Apr 24, 2008

• #4

all 289/302/5.0 blocks are quite similar in strength, with the exception of the boss 302 block. the early blocks will handle a bit more power before they split apart, but not enough to try and find an early block in good enough shape to build.

 

65fastbackresto

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Apr 13, 2007

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Apr 24, 2008

#5

• Apr 24, 2008

• #5

Not to start an arguement but...

My engine builder highly recomended a pre 1982 block because of strength. Knowing nothing about the subject I asked Ed Curtis about it, he is a cam builder (real good one) and he agreed with my builder that the older blocks are stronger.

I used a 78 bronco block myself.

They quit making the 2 peice rear main seals in 1982, supposedly thats the last year of the heavier blocks.

 

mrmustangman357

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Feb 11, 2007

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Apr 24, 2008

#6

• Apr 24, 2008

• #6

blocks stamped "mexican" are beefier as well

 

enferno

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Jun 20, 2006

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Apr 24, 2008

#7

• Apr 24, 2008

• #7

the older blocks had a higher nickel content (i think) which is what makes them stronger.

if you are going with your really high HP goal as you stated, there are many after market blocks that are much stronger than stock ones.

 

Reactions: Jesse Hayes

rbohm

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Apr 12, 2002

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tucson,az

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#8

• Apr 24, 2008

• #8

enferno said:

the older blocks had a higher nickel content (i think) which is what makes them stronger.

Click to expand...

i wish this myth would go away.

 

enferno

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Jun 20, 2006

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Apr 24, 2008

#9

• Apr 24, 2008

• #9

rbohm said:

i wish this myth would go away.

Click to expand...

that's why i said i think.

i've heard both sides of the story, but i've heard the nickel content way more frequently.


so, are the older blocks not stronger, or are they stronger, but not because of the nickel?

 

Reactions: Jesse Hayes

65fastbackresto

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Apr 13, 2007

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Apr 24, 2008

#10

• Apr 24, 2008

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My builder referred to mass

as in lbs of steel, said the crank was 10 or 15 lbs heavier too. Thats only thing I was informed about.

 

12sec67

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Oct 6, 2003

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San Diego, Ca

Apr 24, 2008

#11

• Apr 24, 2008

• #11

I won't lie, its not for wussies....being WOT on a 500hp+ stock block is scary

you know how it is Iskwezm


I really don't want an aftermarket block because I know once I do- its going from 9psi to 15-20psi and I don't think i'll ever be ready for that.

 

mrmustangman357

Member

Feb 11, 2007

763

3

18

Apr 24, 2008

#12

• Apr 24, 2008

• #12

make sure you buy a diaper, cuz that oils going on the back tire

 

D

D.Hearne

New Member

Sep 29, 2000

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south louisiana

Apr 24, 2008

#13

• Apr 24, 2008

• #13

The best older block behind the Boss 302 and the Mex block is the 78-up D8VE casting. That one's got 10 lbs more iron than the earlier and later (80-85 block) The 1980-84 blocks are junk. Ditto for the early 50 oz cranks. The best roller blocks are the E6SE & later castings. They have 6 lbs more iron than the 85 roller blocks. Ditto on the "high nickel myth" Nickel makes iron harder to machine, hence the unlikelyhood more nickel was added to any production block. Special application castings? Yea, that's a definate possibility.

 

HookandLadder

Founding Member

Feb 17, 2001

261

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17

St Louis

Apr 24, 2008

#14

• Apr 24, 2008

• #14

Anything over 450-500 and it could go. There is not enough beef in the cam valley and it splits from there on. Guys have run 600 before, but it was a rarity. Been there done that.

 

iskwezm

10 Year Member

May 24, 2005

4,159

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79

Rowland Heights,California

Apr 25, 2008

#15

• Apr 25, 2008

• #15

12sec67 said:

I won't lie, its not for wussies....being WOT on a 500hp+ stock block is scary

you know how it is Iskwezm


I really don't want an aftermarket block because I know once I do- its going from 9psi to 15-20psi and I don't think i'll ever be ready for that.

Click to expand...

I know right now, im getting on it more and longer but my foot starts twitching to let off

 

6

66forfun

Member

Feb 25, 2006

260

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Pittsburgh

Apr 26, 2008

#16

• Apr 26, 2008

• #16

My 347 ford shortblock came with a sportsman "b" block, it looked to have the heavier webbing like the old mexicans. They sold the 347 longblock "z cam" rated @ 450hp when I bought mine, this was pre boss blocks. Now no shortblock from ford and the longblock comes with the boss block. Mine should carry 450hp (without boost or juice) for a long long time before any problems with the block.

 

G

grumpy150

Active Member

Dec 12, 2017

125

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Mid michigan

Dec 16, 2017

#17

• Dec 16, 2017

• #17

12sec67 said:

I won't lie, its not for wussies....being WOT on a 500hp+ stock block is scary

you know how it is Iskwezm


I really don't want an aftermarket block because I know once I do- its going from 9psi to 15-20psi and I don't think i'll ever be ready for that.

Click to expand...

Lmao