302/5.0 ID Help

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Sep 5, 2019 | 06:33 PM

#16

52 Merc

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 16,175

Likes: 4,782

From: Burbank, WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieLed

I did find a date "tag"...7M4
Since this is a roller block is it safe to assume that the year is 1997?

That would be my take on it. 1997, December 4. That would make it a '98 model year engine, and the Explorer was the only Ford vehicle still using the 5.0 for '98.

re; the vin stamp missing, it's possible Ford used a different method of id'ing the engine by them, but time has passed me by on that info.

Sep 5, 2019 | 07:01 PM

#17

Last chance 53

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 433

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I would measure the bore, .040 over is about the limit and that is pushing it on some blocks. If it has been rebuilt in the past its not going to be worth much.

Sep 5, 2019 | 07:16 PM

#18

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 88,826

Likes: 785

From: Simi Valley, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieLed

I did find a date "tag"...7M4
Since this is a roller block is it safe to assume that the year is 1997?

7M4 = Block cast December (M) 4, 1997 (7).

Sep 5, 2019 | 11:38 PM

#19

CharlieLed

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Joined: Aug 2006

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From: Brentwood, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last chance 53

I would measure the bore, .040 over is about the limit and that is pushing it on some blocks. If it has been rebuilt in the past its not going to be worth much.

Bore is std at an even 4.00. Here is a pic of the underside of a piston...this whole short block is pristine. Tops of the pistons have almost no carbon and there is only a little discoloration at the top of the cylinder walls...no carbon build up. The guy I got it from had it in a 65 Mustang and was going to a stroker. I got the impression that he knew little about this engine and has more cash than sense. I was thinking that this may have been a crate engine since it's in such good condition and there is no VIN stamping.

Sep 6, 2019 | 07:00 AM

#20

51dueller

Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 6,682

Likes: 12

From: Saskatoon SK Canada

Not every block has the vin stamped in it. My engine block is out of a 1988 Crown Victoria and there is no stamping.

Sep 6, 2019 | 12:30 PM

#21

EBEAR

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2016

Posts: 3,650

Likes: 816

From: Swan River Valley M.B Can

By the looks of that I'd put it back together .

Sep 6, 2019 | 03:02 PM

#22

CharlieLed

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Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 8,093

Likes: 653

From: Brentwood, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBEAR

By the looks of that I'd put it back together .

My thoughts exactly...got my eye out for a set of heads now.

Sep 6, 2019 | 05:02 PM

#23

allout5151

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2019

Posts: 250

Likes: 16

From: Vancouver Island, BC

Nice score. You can still see cross hatch pattern on the cyl walls.

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Sep 6, 2019 | 08:42 PM

#24

CharlieLed

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Joined: Aug 2006

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From: Brentwood, TN

Yes it was a nice score...I am almost embarrassed to admit that I got it off C/L in the "Free" section. The guy tried to sell it but had no takers and his new engine was soon to be delivered so he needed the space and the stand it was mounted to. Even for free it was on the C/L site for a week before I claimed it.