I have in my possesion a "rebuilt" Small Block Ford motor that I got from a guy who seemed to know very little about it. "It's got a cam in it and stuff", he told me. Whatever. It does have the common Edlebrock Performer/Holley 600cfm combo up top. Anyways, I'm wondering if there's an easy way to figure out if it's a 289 or 302(obviously the guy had no idea). I've been told to look for a number by the starter motor, but I couldn't find anything(it's a tight squeeze!) Is there any other tell-tale ways of solving this mystery? Thanks in advance!
Thanks guys, if that is in fact true, I would guess this must be a 302. The front of the block is tapped out in a few places for what I'm ***uming would be "extras" (AC, P/S, smog BS, ect), which would indicate a later model engine... maybe '70s or '80's... maybe beyond. I'll try and get some pics together and post 'em up, but it's a bit ugly FOR NOW... Cobra valve covers(yuk) and a "289" stickered chrome air cleaner a**** other things. She needs some cool bolt-ons quick!!! newstranger
How many bolts hold the crank pulley onto the dampner? If it's 3 you have a 289 or early 302. If there's 4 then it has to be a 302. FYI the last year for the 289 was 1968. Not many were built but some were as ford was getting rid of their inventory. As for the numbers above the starter look for the first two letter/number C5, C6, C7, C8 and so forth. C5 is a 1965, C6 is a 1966..ect You get the hint. Even still if you have a C8 block it is still hard to tell what crank is in it with out opening up the motor. Pull a valve cover and see what it says in the middle of the head. Of course heads can be moved from motor to motor.
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