Hello Guys, My 36 ford had a 1968 289/302 motor in it. I'm thinking of rebuilding it. The block casting is: C8OE 6015 9B7 So, the date code is 1968, and in the block 's lifter valley and the heads they are both stamped/cast .... 302 Here is where I need some help: Trying to decipher the heads. Casting number: C8OE Cleveland Foundry Casting Stamp. Valves are: 1.78 & 1.45 Here is my mystery....where there should be a 2V or 4V It is stamped/cast: E What does the "E" stand for ? Thanks,
To the best of my knowledge, there was never any 289/302 wedge heads produced with 2V or 4V on them. Only 351 Cleveland heads had those markings and even they only had them for a few years. There was no difference in the heads of 2 barrel and 4 barrel. Only the 289 hipo had different heads.
Don't get too wrapped up in Ford casting numbers. The casting number is just that, a casting number. There are many different finished machined parts that can be and were made from the same casting. "352" FE blocks are a classic example.
The E represents " engine group". more information here if your curious http://www.mustangtek.com/FordDecode.html#Table22
'68 was another odd year for Ford small blocks; the first year of the 302 and the only year for a 4V 302 (until the 5.0 Mustang came later). If the block isn't identified as a 302, it's a 289, but some 289s were built using 302 blocks due to shortages of 289 blocks, so you do need the check the crank/stroke. 'True' '68 heads can be identified by their adjustable rail rockers, later heads (even with the same numbers) didn't have them. Look for a 'straight shank' rocker stud, the non-adjustable used a stepped stud. Note that neither should be used for any serious high-performance work. All heads used the same valve/port sizes, but there was three combustion chamber sizes ranging from about 54CC to 63CC, with the smallest chamber being the so-called '4V' head and only used in '68 on the 302 4V. In terms of performance, there's very little difference between these heads. If you're planning on bumping the compression up with different pistons, you probably should CC the chambers to see which ones you have. The 302 4V had a 'nominal' compression ratio of 10.5-1, the 2V motors usually were 9 or 9.5.
one year only '68 302 4V head, had 4V cast on the bottom side of the intake port C8OE-F casting number, nominal 53.5 cc chamber. as Steve says, other than the smaller chamber, nothing special about them. I rebuilt a numbers matching '68 4v 302 in a '68 GTA notchback a couple decades ago. I remember the "4V" cast into the bottom of the intake port because it was unusual.
yep, even the guys that live'n'breath Ford Motors are the first to warn about just going by cast numbers on parts
Thanks everyone ! Just rec'd this afternoon, 12/22/15 Vol's. I & II of the Small Block Ford Book for years: 1962 - 1969 Book is by Bob Mannel. He lists every part number and year designated. A lot of great and interesting parts and history of the SBF. Specs, Casting Numbers, why changes took place in each year and the reasons for Fords' modifications each year. In this book, he states that in early 1969, Ford stopped using the 2v & 4v on the Cylinder Heads. In its place they just used the Engine Code Letter. Which in this case is a E-Code Car engine ...... Fairlane / Torino One of the best parts about this book....some of the original Ford Advertisements from the 1960's. For you guys who are old enough to remember going to the dealerships back then to drool and dream about the showroom cars, you will find yourself looking at the pictures of the Advertisements and saying, "I remember that ad!" Another cool item in the back is a Ford advertisement from the dealer: An Upgrade for your 289.......A Cobra Engine Kit Upgrade. A Complete Top End Kit: Pistons, Cam, Lifters, Cylinder Heads with springs & valves. ALL for the price of: $ 342.72 I wonder what all of that will cost you now ? Another cool Upgrade shown is: A 3X2 Set Up for your 289. Special Aluminum Manifold, 3 2 Barrel Carbs and linkage with a 3X2 Chrome Air Cleaner. All for the amazing price of: $ 210.00 !! Please ! Somebody bring back the 60's .................
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