Ford 302 Mexican block

Anyone have any experience with these? I'm going the v8 route and was searching through craigslist and found this --> http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/pts/1840235614.html

I would like a mild built engine and my Mav is more of a weekend driver. Would this Mexican block be a good candidate for what I want? Now I don't know if this is a full complete engine but I will ask him if it is.

Right now the car is a 200/C4, column shift and 2.79 rear. I only do cruising highway speed and drive around the city for most of the time.

If it's just the block, what kind of parts would you guys suggest I start collecting to build up a nice mild motor? Any machine work suggested? Thanks!

 

Thats what just the blocks go for. For your build its a waste of money. Just pick up a roller block.

 

Its a good price for the block, but like pointed out probably more than you need for a block. Thats a good block for forced induction or on the bottle pushing around 5-600 to the wheels.

 

The funny this is that most people dont know that mexican blocks were used on US cars.

There might be a couple of guys that have them in their maverick/comets and dont even know!

 

That is kind of funny
I came back to the states with a 302 mexican 302 and Maverick Maniac and I checked it out and found out the bottom end is a much stronger one than the American 302 judgeing by the crack shaft journals.
This is a Mexican for Mexican market applications. He is talking about building a nice stroker 302.

 

That's a great deal for a Mexican bottom end. But like it has been said, you really don't need it. If you can find one pick up an engine from a V8 Explorer. They have GT40 heads. A good rebuild, clean up the heads (match port, a clean up cut), a good intake and then you will have a great combination.

I know this will open a can of worms but a Mexican block is basiclly a 289 HIPO block or a 2 bolt BOSS 302 block (sort of).

Jon

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Reason why I considered that block was because I found another craigslist ad that is a machine shop cleaning house and they had a lot of 302 stuff. I don't know if it would fit the Mexican 302 block but if they do, parts would be on the cheap.

Here is the ad for the place : http://cnj.craigslist.org/pts/1830510065.html

 

The 302/351W parts will fit. I didn't see anything major though. The 351W heads are OK. The thing with the older heads is that is a good idea to put hardened valve seats in for the unleaded gas of today. That will add to the cost of course. That's why I suggest the GT40 heads from an Explorer. They have hardened seats and flow pretty well for a modern iron head. You can always go for a seat of aluminum heads. You can get a decent set that wil bolt right on without any work and will work very well. Ford Racing and Edelbrock have a few good choices.

What are you looking to do as far as a combination? I have a cam that may interest you. I also have a Ford racing crate engine that I am looking to sell. It's the M-6007-Z50Z. 390 HP. $4000.

 

Well like I've said, my car is more of a weekend/cruising summer. I don't use it as a daily driver but would finally like the added power of a 302. I'm not a racer/drag person at all but I would still like a nicely mild built 302. Which is why I thought that Mexican block would be a good candidate.

Although I kept searching around and found what is according to the seller a complete running 95 302. --> http://longisland.craigslist.org/pts/1805690422.html

Oh and I've seen a lot of those GT40 heads being sold around my area as well.

 

With that being said I recomend the Explorer V8. Roller block and GT40 heads. Get a decent cam, intake and carb and you should be good. A good rebuild and it will do everything you need. My brother has one in his 65 Falcon wagon and it's great.

 

Is the Explorer intake is too tall to fit under the stock hood? I'm just wondering if you have to replace it or if it just isn't that good.

 

The Explorer is fuel injected. I'm guessing that you want to carb? I would put a good duel plane intake on. The Edelbrock Air Gap is a good intake.

 

like jkc302 said

Judging by your posts I would recomend you a explorer long block with gt-40heads, b-cam, and some 1.7 roller rockers, upgraded valve springs, along with your choice of intake, headers, and 600-650 carb.


It be a fun little combo, and an old school muscle car sound.


Also you can throw that explorer intake setup back on CL, the throttle body, intake, and injectors are all things the 5.0 mustang guys want. Get some of your money back

 

My 73 had a mexican block in it

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll go along with those. BTW, will keeping the column shift be a problem? I'm sure I will have to get a v8 C4 to accommodate the more powerful engine. will an AOD fit right up?