I may have run across a deal on a 302 short block. Actually, I believe it's a 289. The engine casting number is C8AE-6015 B, which I believe is from a 68 Galaxie, Ford factory miss-match. Do you all think this would make a suitable block for a 302 (ditching the 289 parts)? I’m thinking $50-$75 max, am I in the right ball park? It's been stored under a tarp and he says it will rotate, no lip on the cylinders. Comes with block, pan, crank and pistons (short block). They did however, design and produce a 302 block that was used on 289s after the stock of 289 blocks was depleted. The number was C8AE-6015-B with 302 marking in the lifter valley. At the very end of the model year some additional 289 blocks must have been discovered as the older C6AE-6015-C blocks appeared again. In 1969 Cleveland continued with 302 production. Windsor dropped 289 production and took up the 351. In 1970 Cleveland came out with its newly designed 351. In short: C8AE-6015-B is a 302 block from the Windsor plant that was used in 1968 on a 289. http://www.classicmustang.com/casting_numbers.htm http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6766007_decode-ford-302-casting-number.html
All depends on what your final plans are, sometimes you'd be better off starting with a newer roller block.
Thanks, appreciate the input. I think I got a little excited at the thought of building a motor.... that’s fading rapidly……
True, but the 302 was the base V8 in the '68 full size Fords, has to be from a Fairlane/Torino/Mustang etc, I have one from a '68 Cougar... Assuming it isn't already overbored past .030 and not eaten away by rust, those old blocks are stronger than a late 5.0 block(also heavier)...
In a 68 short block the only way to know what you have is to look at the casting number on the front crankshaft counterweight to see if it's a 289 or 302 crank. Ford mixed and matched parts until the 289 rotating assemblies were used up.
It's not a mistake, but you're making a mistake in assuming it's an engine from a 68 Galaxie. You're dealing with the Engineering (commonly called the casting numbers) numbers here, which in no way are an indicator of what vehicle the motor (or part) was originally installed in at the factory. The C8 blocks were used for three years in production (68, 69 and 1970) in all Ford & Mercury vehicles that were equipped with a 289 or 302. The date code found next to the casting numbers will tell you exactly when it was cast. And unless the whole engine is present and the ID tag is still attached to the intake or carb, there's absolutely no way to tell what vehicle the engine came from. All in all it's a good casting, weighing in at 135 lbs (bare with main caps) same weight as the Mexican blocks, only difference is the smaller main caps.
If you've read Bob Mannel's small block Ford guide you'd know in '68 all 289s were built in Windsor with the "B" block and all 302 were built at Cleveland using the "A" block... This isn't some thrown together work, it's the size of a large city telephone book(about 1½" thick) and Bob included hundreds of pictures of casting numbers on blocks, cranks, heads etc... http://fordsmallblock.com/ As far as originality of the block, there is a portion of the original VIN stamped on the rear of the block behind the intake(was Fed law as of 1/1/68), early '68 production probably won't have the stamp... So depending on what the plant produced, some idea can be gotten of engines origin... IF said number was 8A123456 would indicate '68, Atlanta, 123456 vehicle serialized(not necessarily built, that's another subject)... In the example, Atlanta built Fairlane & Torino as well as full size Fords, if said block is a "B" was a 289 from a Fairlane/Torino, if was a "A" version would have been in a full size Ford or maybe Fairlane/Torino(the 302 was optional in the intermediates)and is a 302...
All well and good but makes no difference at this point in time. And Ford wasn't above installing "non standard" engines in vehicles on the assembly line. I've seen quite a few of these anomolies. Still in all, the blocks are the same as far as weight and strength go, this is true for all 289/302 blocks from 69 to 1979. This includes the Mex blocks, which is the same as the 289 Hi-Po and the D8VE-6015-A3A, with the only exception being the bosses cast into the front on the Mex casting
My cousin's 289, seems heads and block have 302 on them *somewhere*. Been too long, but I think the heads have 302 cast and the block has 302 stamped below the rear intake gasket. 289 is no slouch. I'd love to cross breed a 289 bottom end, bore it and have a late model roller cam. The shorter stroke moves the power band up a few hundred RPM, which makes more hp with less torque.
