A friend gave me a 302 block the only numbers I found on the block is or should I say looks like 8 H 5 1 5 5 7 0 . He also gave me the tranny which is a C 6. What year is the block. Thanks

 

Look for a casting number directly above the starter motor. You probably have to remove the starter or peer pretty carefully between it and the block.
Where was the 8 H 5 1 5 5 7 0 number?

 

the number is on the top part of block on the back. there is a flat spot I will look around the starter area thanks. I found the casting number by the starter area which is C80E-6015-A

 

The C8OE means the block was designed for 1968 model year. This basic casting was used for a few years, so your block could be 1968 to early 70s. The 8 H 5 1 5 5 7 0 number is a little mysterious, but if it were 8 H 5 it could be a date code and thus would indicate the block was cast in 1968, August (H), 8th day.

 

thank you very much. That gives me better idea what I am going to build with it. You have been helpful

 

I believe he posted the VIN number, nothing more. That's where it was stamped when it was done. The date code is next to the casting numbers. It's a number/letter/number(s) combo. These are the year/month/day of the month. Month runs alphabetically starting with "A" for January thru "M" for December, they skipped the letter "I"

 

Good clarification from Baddad. I didn't know that Ford put the VIN number on its blocks. Anyhow, hopefully from his instruction you can get the real date code. It still will probably be dated 1968-early 70s. So it will be 28oz-in balance, two piece rear main seal.

Does it still have the crankshaft in it? This will help date the motor (assuming it's all original) because 1969 and earlier will have the crank pulley held on with 3 bolts while 1970 up uses 4 bolts.

 

There should also be an assembly date code stamped in the pad at the front of the driver's side cylinder bank. This tells when the engine was actually assembled:



This would only be visible if the block has never been decked. Decking the block machines the pad clean, removing the number.

 

Hey, that's a good way to tell if the block's been decked.