302 block identification help
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 531
Likes: 8
From: Bakersfield, CA
302 block identification help
I bought a rebuilt 302 roller motor. The motor is pretty heavily painted and the numbers are pretty hard to read but here goes....Inside the bell housing in large print are the numbers 2380, of that I am sure. On the passenger side close to the lowest bolt hole for attaching the trans to the block are the numbers E5AE and I am pretty sure I have those right. Near those are the numbers C3B or C38. Also near those is a large 8. Finally there is a tag attached to the bottom with 5812. If these numbers are right can someone decipher them or give me a site? Are there any numbers to help me determine what year and model of car this was in. I get a lot of parts from local stores and without a year and model you might as well buy some wax and leave. Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,174
Likes: 4,782
From: Burbank, WA
Nothing in the casting numbers will tell you what vehicle the engine originally came from. It's an engineering code that tells you when the block was engineered, and which internal group was responsible for paying for said engineering. In your case, E5AE Says it is at least a 1985 block, paid for by the full size engineering group. I'm going out on a limb and say the "tag" you saw underneath is your date code, which may actually say 5B12, which is year, month, day of casting. That would say 1985 February 12. Beyond that, if you could find the partial vin stamped behind the intake valley, that would give you the assembly plant, and give a hint as to what it was built for based on what was assembled in that plant at the time.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Bakersfield, CA
Thanks 52Merc. I was on Google a while back. Saw where someone was saying the vin# was stamped in the bell housing. Showed a picture and everything....That's Google. I would like to get that paint off and photograph my numbers once and for all just because I am a little OCD. What do you guys think would get the best "localized" results for removing the paint while keeping the numbers in tact?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,174
Likes: 4,782
From: Burbank, WA
Paint thinner or chemical stripper will remove the paint, depending on how hard it is. The numbers are part of the iron the block is cast from. Unless you go crazy after them with a grinder, they're not going anywhere.
Based on what you've described and my explanation, the block was cast in the middle of February, 1985. it would have been assembled within a few days, and installed in something by the end of March that same year. Tell your counter moron you have an 85 Ford and you need ____ for it. Does it have a factory roller cam? I believe only the Mustang HO engines had that in 85. If not, it's more likely from a generic Crown Vic or other such vehicle that had the 302 installed. Nothing special.
Based on what you've described and my explanation, the block was cast in the middle of February, 1985. it would have been assembled within a few days, and installed in something by the end of March that same year. Tell your counter moron you have an 85 Ford and you need ____ for it. Does it have a factory roller cam? I believe only the Mustang HO engines had that in 85. If not, it's more likely from a generic Crown Vic or other such vehicle that had the 302 installed. Nothing special.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 531
Likes: 8
From: Bakersfield, CA
Almost positive it is a factory roller cam but H/o was never brought up. it seems like it would have if it was. I have access to the guy I bought the motor from. He is an old time Ford guy and he is legit. He is not a talker and I always feel as if he thinks I am questioning his integrity. I appreciate getting info from you guys so I can ask better questions of him. Is there a way I can determine if it is a H/O motor on my own?
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 11
From: paradise, northern calif.
Thanks 52Merc. I was on Google a while back. Saw where someone was saying the vin# was stamped in the bell housing. Showed a picture and everything....That's Google. I would like to get that paint off and photograph my numbers once and for all just because I am a little OCD. What do you guys think would get the best "localized" results for removing the paint while keeping the numbers in tact?
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