Those who underestimate the mexican block

ms93gt · Sep 27, 2005

Read this thread, http://www.turbomustangs.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=23254&perpage=20&pagenumber=1

Also, if I used the lifter kit would I be able to use my afm b-31 cam? Is the bellhousing bolt pattern the same?

Thenemesis · Sep 27, 2005

ford may not always put out the strongest and best stuff in the mustangs every time.. but that definetly shows they've put out some damn good blocks through the years.. i thought i landed one of those blocks one time but sadly it was a 80's stang motor

mattkimsey · Sep 27, 2005

I wonder how the sportsman block compares to the mexican. From reading about the sportsman over the years, most say dont bother with it because it's only slightly stronger than stock. Maybe the mexican is the same.

I think that barry guy on there was running low 10's or high 9's with a stock block....so maybe he just has skills...?

Lyncher · Sep 27, 2005

..either way that is pretty damn impressive...I would definatly like to see how many peopel have actually done something like that... nice find though

Rick 91GT · Sep 27, 2005

Sportsman 302 is JUNK, a glorified stock block.

The Mexican blocks have been known to hold 800HP+. If you use the linked bar lifter kit you can use the B-31 cam, bolt pattern on all smblk fords are the same.

mattkimsey · Sep 27, 2005

question is...how expensive are they and how hard is it to find one. Seems like it would be very difficult seeing that it would be in demand by those not wanting to spend 2k on a dart.

Daggar · Sep 27, 2005

ms93gt said:
Read this thread, http://www.turbomustangs.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=23254&perpage=20&pagenumber=1

Great thread!

ms93gt · Sep 27, 2005

mattkimsey said:
question is...how expensive are they and how hard is it to find one. Seems like it would be very difficult seeing that it would be in demand by those not wanting to spend 2k on a dart.

I've seen them from $100-$400. A place on ebay sells them for cheap, just search for 302 block.

ms93gt · Sep 27, 2005

I think this should be made a sticky. Hey bitches make this a stick!!!!! The debate over the stock blocks vs the mexican vs the sportsman is huge. More into the thread I believe he compares the sportsman to the mexican.

Dbeck002 · Sep 27, 2005

Makes me want some nachos... mmmm nachos....

mattkimsey · Sep 27, 2005

ms93gt said:
I've seen them from $100-$400. A place on ebay sells them for cheap, just search for 302 block.

I did a search for "Ford Mexican block" and I only found one-- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-302-Mexican-Bare- it's only at $127 though

mattkimsey · Sep 28, 2005

I found this:

The 302 block is probably the easiest to find, in cars ranging from the 1968 and up Mustangs, Cougars, Mavericks and Comets, to fullsize sedans, and many pickup trucks. Most 302 blocks are largely the same, with some exceptions. Mid-70s "Mexican block" 302s are the gem of junkyards. Found in vans and midsized trucks, this extra-strong casting has "hencho en mexico" (made in mexico) cast somewhere in the lifter valley. These have been used in applications as high as 700 horsepower, due to a higher nickel content and larger main bearing caps. Any 302 block prior to '78 will be stronger then a '78+ or roller-cam block. Another quick way to spot these at a junkyard is an additional unmachined boss poking out of the front of the driver side cylinder bank.

http://budgetperformance.com/articles/ford_tips/

mattkimsey · Sep 28, 2005

and then I found this...

So far, this is where I'm at:
Mexican block............................................................$300.00
Race prep block.........................................................$500.00
Retrofit kit................................................................$370.00
Canton 1/2" Main Girdle.............................................$200.00
Scat forged internals (including pistons & rings)............$1400.00
Balance components..................................................$150.00
F-303 cam (used)......................................................$100.00
Bearings...................................................................$200.00

Estimated Total for the shortblock = $3220.00

So, I guess it really isn't all that cheap to do a mex. block.....I don't know if thats all you'd need either...I heard something about a 2 piece rear main seal..not setup for emissions, dipstick in wrong location, some say it's not that strong...etc etc. Plus, you've gotta put everything together...or pay to have it done..

You can pick up a Dart shortblock like this http://www.treperformance.com/Block/Ford306331347Dart8second.html for $4295 and have no worries.

Dark Knight · Sep 28, 2005

Rick 91GT said:
bolt pattern on all smblk fords are the same.

the early 289 blocks were 5 bolt..

the mexican block is the same as the hipo 289 block pretty much.

why spend the money on a retrofit, just use a good hyd cam

Rick 91GT · Sep 28, 2005

Dark Knight said:
the early 289 blocks were 5 bolt..

the mexican block is the same as the hipo 289 block pretty much.

why spend the money on a retrofit, just use a good hyd cam

I should have clarified 302W smblk

Most Mexican blocks I have found in good shape are $500+ some very nice virgin blocks are $700. Although they are strong they are still nowhere near the technology of a DART, oiling, 4 bolts caps, bore diameter, etc

A 2 piece rear seal done right will work just fine...

ms93gt · Sep 28, 2005

mattkimsey said:
and then I found this...So, I guess it really isn't all that cheap to do a mex. block.....I don't know if thats all you'd need either...I heard something about a 2 piece rear main seal..not setup for emissions, dipstick in wrong location, some say it's not that strong...etc etc. Plus, you've gotta put everything together...or pay to have it done..

You can pick up a Dart shortblock like this http://www.treperformance.com/Block/Ford306331347Dart8second.html for $4295 and have no worries.

Thats with buying everything new. It's easier this way
Block = $200
(Most are already magnuflaxed and line honed)
Bored = $200 which is prob alot cause I've seen it for $100
Stock crank = $150 (You don't need an aftermarket one as the crank will last as long as the block will)
Good rods = $300
Good pistons + rings = $500
Used cam = $150
Balanced = $200
Retro lifterkit = $400
Total price = $2100
Of course theres other parts like the timing chain, oil pump etc but I just didnt add them because you could buy stuff used such as your pistons and rods from the corral and use the money you saved on them.

For me though, I have a shortblock in my garage which has everything new so alls I gotta do is have the mexican block machined and I can switch blocks. So say $500 for me. $500 is a lot better than having my stock block poop out and break everything in its path.

Black1987Stang · Sep 28, 2005

My friend made 614rwhp on the stock block haha All hes got is a main girdle and he was pushing 15psi+ through a T-trim, afr225 heads, etc. but that was only for one time, after that he detuned it to 510 rwhp for streetability. He only did this until he could build up a 331.

ms93gt · Sep 28, 2005

87stangdiddle said:
My friend made 614rwhp on the stock block haha All hes got is a main girdle and he was pushing 15psi+ through a T-trim, afr225 heads, etc. but that was only for one time, after that he detuned it to 510 rwhp for streetability. He only did this until he could build up a 331.

Shut up sean no one cares, lol.

Rick 91GT · Sep 28, 2005

I made over 540HP and 740FTLB of TQ to the TIRES, with a stock block, stock bottom end...but it doesn't matter it would be on borrowed time with that kind of power.

ms93gt · Sep 28, 2005

Hey Rick how much power could the stock internals hold. If I got a mexican block and made 600rwhp would my stock crank and rods with arp bolts be able to handle it?

Those who underestimate the mexican block

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