How can we find out what year a 302 block is,is there any special casting number to go by.........or a code or something.thanks.

 

on the casting number of the block the first letter is the decade. starting at C=60's, D=70's, E=80's,F=90's then the 2nd number behind it is the yr. for a 302 starting at 68. so it would be C8****** and say a 75 302 would be D5******* and like a 5.0 roller block would start at 85 and be E5******

hope this helps. heads and intakes are the same way.

 

Thanks for the info I will check it out.

 

You won't be able to determine the exact year since they only change the part number when they make changes to the casting. In other words, a 93 mustang 5.0L will have an E7 block.

 

which could be a real pain if you wanted forged pistons (assuming it's an assembled short/long block) and end up with hyperusucktics

 

I am 99% sure it was in 86 that they went to the better, heavier duty, stock block. I think that the 86 and up blocks are all the same, and then in 87 all they changed were the pistons [still forged but w/ valve reliefs] and went to the E7 heads. So, I guess you'd look for "E6", then if whatever you're looking at, has pistons, look for valve reliefs or not.. to determine if its 87 - newer.

 

I think I've read every change they've made for the 86s and a new block wasn't one of them, I knwo they made the new block for 85 and newer, 86 had flat top forged pistions, that changed in 87 for the valve relief, right up until the 90s when they went to hypereutectics....

 

No, I'd have to dig it up here, but the 86 had a better as cast block than the 85s. 85s were the first year for roller cam shaft and forged pistons [8.4:1 I think].

 

I found it...

 

I guess according to that article I'm wrong...forgive me. then again it also calls the high swirl heads useless for performance, and I'm almost running 12s with them lol

seriously though, I've never heard of the block changing from 85-86, i'm glad it did though