Im going to be trading my 302 longblock that came out of my mustang for a 351W, a friend of mine is building a truck and his friend owns a junkyard so he can get me what i want What casting numbers am i looking for and what years are the good ones...what can these blocks handle?
69-71 are the strong ones. I think the 69's have a slighty shorter deck height but im not sure if its big enough to cause a problem that u have to tend to. But realize all the blocks prior to 93 or 94 are non roller, so that means u're best option are $450 linked bar lifters to use a roller cam. U'll have to research the early blocks HP but i wanna say 6-700hp isnt unheard of with them. Some argue the later roller blocks arent any better than the 302 block.
the late model roller blocks have a "f4te" on them. there aren't very many of them though. but they are plenty strong enough for a 600 flywheel hp naturally aspirated application.
the older blocks, while stronger, are not roller blocks, so you will need link bar lifters in order to use a hydraulic cam with them. not a big deal, but the lifters run around $500-600
the late model roller blocks have a "f4te" on them. there aren't very many of them though. but they are plenty strong enough for a 600 flywheel hp naturally aspirated application.
the older blocks, while stronger, are not roller blocks, so you will need link bar lifters in order to use a hydraulic cam with them. not a big deal, but the lifters run around $500-600