I have a 302 in my 56. Are there numbers anywhere on the block that can give me the info on the motor?

 

They're cast in down by the starter. Doesn't matter much - a 302 is a 302 is a ........

 

were all 302 built the same? I am most familiar with chevy small blocks where you have variations of cams, pistons, cranks etc. but all are 327's.

I would assume a 302 from a Boss Mustang is different internally than one from a Bronco but curious if there were engine stampings that told you a bit about the year and internals.

 

For the most part they are very similar, and parts interchange is excellent. But no they are not identical for 30 years. A boss Mustang is very different. Later models have roller cams in them. The cylinder heads vary some through the years. Post your head and block casting numbers here and someone can give you a clue what you have.

 

I didn't say all the engines are the same - I thot the original question was about blocks. They are - for all practical purposes - the same, including 289's before the 302/5.0L version. It's the inside stuff that makes them different.

Sorry........

 

You can definitely see a difference in the head size, manifold etc on a Boss 302. The standard 302 is often confused with the 289 which looks similar, especially with aftermarket valve covers. The 289 has a shorter stroke, than the 302. Actually that's the only difference. They did make a Mexico 302, that had large main caps similar to the hipo 289. I had one out of Cougar once. As for differences, yes there were differences in the years. Some years Ford played with the compression ratio of the engine (thank you smog laws). Usually you can find the numbers stamped on the block underneath the exhaust. To see if the engine is a 2 barrel or 4 barrel, look at the front corner of the heads, they usually have either a 2 or 4 on the corner. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks guys. I have only had the truck a short time and my first ford. It will take a little time to educate myself. The chevy's numbering scheme can give you info on the hp, compression, carb, etc.

I want to do some work on the ford and figured i'd research the engine since it was added at some point in the ole 56's career.

I'll look for some numbers on the block and heads and report back.

Thanks again.

 

Here's the numbers by the starter, D2OE 6015 AB

My research indicates 72 302 from a Torino.

Yes?

 

I loaned out my ref book, but going from memory that sounds about right on the Torino. D is 70 decade, 2 year, E is engine, 6015 is block, and AB would refer to minor changes during the run (a bolt hole tapped to a different dimension or something equally mundane)

That's about all the info you get from Ford casting marks. Henry was practical and farsighted when building cars and trucks. His early V8s had serial numbers on the tranny instead of the block 'cause he knew the engine would eventually be changed out but the tranny would be more likely to stay with the original car. Only thing he overlooked was the creativity of hotrodders.

By the way, welcome to Fords.

 

Do any of the 302's have 4 bolt mains?

On another subject, I have a 600cfm square nlock Edelbrock carb which has an open gasket. The previous owner used a 4 port spacer under the carb not a square block spacer, I hope this description makes sense, is this correct?

 

I found my Carter AFB (now called the Edelbrock) likes the 4 port spacer and gaskets. Boss 302 is the only 4 bolt 302 I am aware of. Your engine is a standard '72 car engine. The "O" was used widely.

 

4 bolt mains are not needed to a 302 unless you are aiming for 500+ hp.