For those of you who're into 302 strokers, looking for Mexican blocks............

baddad457 · Aug 28, 2011

I picked up 4 302's yesterday, one was a mexican block, one was a D8VE-6015-A3A casting, which turned out to be a clone of the Mex block after I dis-assembled it. The only difference between the two is the absence of the two bolt bosses on the front of the block that help to I'd a Mex block. I weighed both, the Mex block was 136 lbs, the D8VE was 135 lbs, but it's also a 60 overbore vs the Mex's std bores. Of the other 2 blocks, one is a C8OE casting, the other I suspect is an early 80's block as it's got an aluminum 2 bbl intake. When I get the C8 block torn down, I'm going to weigh it and see how it compares to the Mex/D8VE blocks. Both blocks will go up for sale as soon as I can get em both mag'd. Although the D8VE block is 60 over, the walls are thick enough to go another 20, and make a 356 inch stroker with a 3.4 crank.

originalnitro · Aug 29, 2011

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bearsrngr · Aug 29, 2011

I wondered how thick the walls were on the D8VE's I've got one that was a marine engine. It's currently .030 with rust pits but will clean at .050.

baddad457 · Aug 29, 2011

bearsrngr said:
I wondered how thick the walls were on the D8VE's I've got one that was a marine engine. It's currently .030 with rust pits but will clean at .050.

Does yours have the thick main caps ? I wish I'd have gotten the casting suffix off the first D8VE block I had, but it definately had the smaller main caps. Even so, the std main caps (I don't think) were ever a weak link. Anyway I was surprised to see this one had the big caps when I pulled the pan off.

85_Ranger4x4 · Aug 29, 2011

What does a standard 302 block weigh?

I have a D8VE-6015-A3A block all greased up sitting in a plastic tote waiting for me to decide what to do with it. Even have a set of E7 heads for it.

baddad457 · Aug 29, 2011

85_Ranger4x4 said:
What does a standard 302 block weigh?

I have a D8VE-6015-A3A block all greased up sitting in a plastic tote waiting for me to decide what to do with it. Even have a set of E7 heads for it.

That's the same casting I have now. 86-2001 roller blocks weigh 126 lbs. 1980 to 85 blocks weigh 120. Take that block punch it 60 and stroke it with a 3.4 crank and you've got Ford's fifth 352 motor.

bearsrngr · Aug 30, 2011

baddad457 said:
Does yours have the thick main caps ? I wish I'd have gotten the casting suffix off the first D8VE block I had, but it definately had the smaller main caps. Even so, the std main caps (I don't think) were ever a weak link. Anyway I was surprised to see this one had the big caps when I pulled the pan off.

Yes, mine has the heavy main caps and the quality of cast is much better than most, not as pourros and less casting edges.

baddad457 · Sep 21, 2011

Here's an update to this thread: I just picked up that D8VE block I gave away a couple years ago with the std main caps. The suffix for this block is 3A where the suffix for the Hi-po main capped D8VE blck is A3A. So there is a way to I'd the Hi-po main block without removing the oil pan.

rotarystud · Sep 22, 2011

what does the explorer's have for a block? i have that engine in my truck now. i want to go get another engine stroke and build it up. any suggestions ?

baddad457 · Sep 23, 2011

The Explorer's have a roller cam block that weighs 10 pounds less than the D8VE/Mexican/289 Hi-po block. I'm running an 89 roller block with my 331, zero problems with it for 7 years now. But I do not abuse it, it's been to 7,000 rpms a few times, 6500 more than a few times. But it gets run about once a month now and has been for quite a few years. If you're going to do some serious racing with a stroker motor, the D8VE/Mex/289 Hi-po blocks should be used at a minimum to build one. Otherwise the late roller blocks are fine for most purposes.

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For those of you who're into 302 strokers, looking for Mexican blocks............

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