So I found a 302 mexican block for $300. Is that a good price what are they going for. The block is clean with no cracks but It will need a .030 over bore, because the bores have very slight ridge. thanks

 

In my very personal opinion; don't bother.

The roller block ('85+) complete motors go for way cheaper than that...

And I believe not having to purchase a retro-roller set up will be cheaper in the long run then adding a stud girdle to create the Mexi blocks supposed lower end strength advantage. (if you're so inclined)

 

The sets are not that much from comp cams and I can do the machining. And its not just the bottem end that is stronger its the entire block because it has higher nickel content. I just need to no how much are they going for.

 

300 is about what people sell those blocks for. Make sure you get particulars like if the deck height is 8.206 or 8.299. The 8.206 blocks are desirable. It will make a difference as to what pistons you use and what compression ration you will have.

Just FYI you probably could get an early engine for 100.00 if you have a cheapo junkyard. Some of the older engines they will part with for a song.

 

Oh no, another "higher nickel content" allegation. Saying this about an engine sounds so cool that it just keeps getting repeated with no substantiation.
The advantage of the Mexican block is the large Hipo 289 style main bearings.

By the way, it's a High Tin block.

 

The thing I always think about is, if your gonna build an engine that's gonna make enough power to crack a stock block why are you using a stock block?

 

is this enogh proof for you "The 302 block was virtually unchanged through 1975. In your search for a 302 block, we suggest
the use of the high nickel content blocks produced from mid-1967 through the early 1970s. One
alternative, though not always easy to find, are the 302 blocks cast in Mexico. A number of these
blocks found their way into U.S.-built Fords and Mercurys. These Mexican blocks weigh more, but
they offer strength in a heavier casting, thus being more suitable for high-performance use."
from...http://www.mre-books.com/interchange/interchange2.html

 

Are these Mexican blocks easily identifiable by looking at them in an installed condition in a running truck? Say a '73 F100?

 

The kits are reasonable.....it's the cam that ends up costing the $$$.

All the good roller grinds are made out of the small base circle roller cams which don't fit the older blocks.



What level (HP) are you attempting to build to?

The "perceived" strength difference is not gonna make any difference at levels below 500HP.


Anything over that, like already said, you should be looking at after market blocks. (Yes, we've all read about the 600 HP stock block freaks....but those are grenades IMHO.)


All I'm trying to say is $300 seems like a lot for a bare block for minimal, if any, gains............especially if you're ending up in the 300-400HP range.

 

Main webs are larger.(I knew what you meant )..........and I agree with you, have read many a write where the Mexi block is hype.

 

Well, responding to the quote from George Reid's book,

"The 302 block was virtually unchanged through 1975. In your search for a 302 block, we suggest the use of the high nickel content blocks produced from mid-1967 through the early 1970s. One alternative, though not always easy to find, are the 302 blocks cast in Mexico."

He says (with no references cited) that the early 302s are "high nickel", then suggests the Mexican blocks as an alternative, implying they are not "high nickel". I still remain skeptical about this "high nickel" claim, and await reliable Ford published information or actual chemical testing of the metal before accepting this allegation.

These hobby press books are notorious for errors (see recent posts in this forum), as an example, on the same page of Mr. Reid's book he says the following:

"Though 302 blocks looked virtually identical to the 289 block, the cylinder bores had extended skirts to handle the 302’s .019-inch longer stroke."

Hmmm...stroke of 302 is 3". Stroke of 289 is 2.87". My subtraction gives .13" longer stroke.

Any amateur chemists out there willing to assay the borings from rebored blocks?

This site has a picture of a Mexican block,

http://www.wrljet.com/fordv8/small.html

It also lists casting numbers C8AM-B, 75ZY-AA, D1ZM-AA, for the Mexican blocks. The picture shows "Hecho En Mexico" cast in the lifter valley. An extra unmachined boss protruding from the front of the driver's side cylinder bank can be easily spotted at the junkyard (others claim that these bosses are missing on some Mexican blocks).

 

I'm not implying Mex. blocks were higher in nickle, just that these (higher nickle) blocks do exist, Ive come across it in several publications...some of them implying nickle was reduced in the cast to save $ beginning in the early '70s. When I have some time I will see if I can find them and post. BTW this applied to all of the manufacturers

 

No, but the OP is....

 

here's an interesting read
http://www.erareplicas.com/engines.htm
also if you look up boss 302 in wikipedia

 

Well I plan on building a 347 stroker. And I would like to build it to 450 HP and still be able to run pump gas.