ConcoursMustang Forums
Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Drivetrain => Topic started by: ceswert on March 08, 2013, 11:53:07 AM
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Did Ford use Mexican made blocks for 289 Hipo engines?
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No.
Jim
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What engine size(s) were built using Mexican blocks?
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What engine size(s) were built using Mexican blocks?
Think they were 302 cu. Popular for a time with the open track guys (weekend road racers ;).
BTW don't be talked into using Mexican main caps on a US block- the us and Mex main caps are different though they will work.
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Thanks Jeff!
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I always heard that some of the 69 302 blocks made in Mexico are better than the U.S built one. What is the difference and how do you identify one from the other? Anyone know the time frame FORD used this plant?
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I always heard that some of the 69 302 blocks made in Mexico are better than the U.S built one. What is the difference and how do you identify one from the other?
Yes the Mexican 302 was more HD than the regular 302 built (little thicker walls if I recall correctly and the bigger hipo style main caps) in the US but not when compared to the Boss 302
If I remember the valley casting and markings as well as the front the front exterior casting. Easy to notice the differences when someone tries to slip one in a car and tries to pass it off as a regular small block ;)
Sorry no pictures in my files since they didn't come in any of of the US built Mustangs though have seen tons of them at swap meets and wrecking yards over the years.
Anyone know the time frame FORD used this plant?
The mexican plant? Not sure when it opened but they built Mustangs through 65-69 at least if I recall correctly. Though I believe that some of the sheet metal was shipped from the US for the build but often countries set up percentage of what has to be from their country and what can cam from outside. No aware of any US built vehicles that used mexican V8 block's back in the 60's for their original engines
The plants in South America were around for a number of decades (see below) not sure what those V8 blocks look like if they even cast those there or made a V8 car. Venezuela plant was opened in 62 till today, and there was one in Argentina - guys use to go down there an buy up allot of model A and early V8 sheet metal in the 70's and 80's.
Also found (not sure what periods they operated) additional mexican plants that are now closed
Cuautitlán Engine in Cuautitln, Izcalli Mexico
Cuautitln Tool and die in Cuautitln, Izcalli Mexico
La Villa Assembly in La Villa, Mexico (closed in 84)
Information taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_factories (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_factories)
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Some pictures from a posted add
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f49/firetrainer/ConcoursMustang/D1ZM-6015-AA_13_zps783b08c8.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f49/firetrainer/ConcoursMustang/D1ZM-6015-AA_15_zps05e35c8f.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f49/firetrainer/ConcoursMustang/D1ZM-6015-AA_16_zpsdaad2c22.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f49/firetrainer/ConcoursMustang/Mexican302block_zps0d5ed57a.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f49/firetrainer/ConcoursMustang/P7120002_zps0b56db84.jpg)
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Informative, thank you...
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Jeff,
My Dearborn built fastback has a mexican block (numbers matching) I will post some photos. I found it strange how it would have made it's way to Michigan. Did I understand correctly you said these typically were not in US made cars.
David,
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Jeff,
My Dearborn built fastback has a mexican block (numbers matching) I will post some photos. I found it strange how it would have made it's way to Michigan. Did I understand correctly you said these typically were not in US made cars.
David,
Yours would be the first I've heard of - will be interested in the casting and assembly dates - ;)
IF the casting dates don't line up maybe its a service/warranty replacement - since those often had the car's VIN added. Will wait and see what you report back with
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Here are some photos Jeff, I had to pull the starter, I couldn't read the date code in any of my photos from rebuilding. I'm not sure how to read this date code it doesn't show up in my Mannel book anywhere. The date code is 23J8 kind of hard to read with the flash.
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/0/thumb_460-120313200544.jpeg) (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=759)(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/0/thumb_460-120313200302.jpeg) (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=758)(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/0/thumb_460-120313195912.jpeg) (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=757)
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Here are some photos Jeff, I had to pull the starter, I couldn't read the date code in any of my photos from rebuilding. I'm not sure how to read this date code it doesn't show up in my Mannel book anywhere. The date code is 23J8 kind of hard to read with the flash.
Looks like it was cast about 9 months prior to your car being built. - Sept 23 68
Can you make out the assembly date through the paint (small block extension just in front of the drivers side head)?
Thanks for the effort
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I put a piece of paper on it and rub with a pencil, looks the first three digits is all I can make out.
9F2 hope this is enough. I looked at some pictures of the rebuild and can clearly see the first two digits are 9F, I could hit the paint with a little steel wool if need be.
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I put a piece of paper on it and rub with a pencil, looks the first three digits is all I can make out.
9F2 hope this is enough. I looked at some pictures of the rebuild and can clearly see the first two digits are 9F, I could hit the paint with a little steel wool if need be.
That should do - indicates the engine was assembled June 2nd 69
Looks like it fits the picture and you might have the only Mexican block I've seen in a classic US built Mustang. Thanks for sharing
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That coincides with the build date (June 10) Thanks for the info Jeff that is pretty cool to know.
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I'm new to the forum so go easy. I have sitting in my workshop a Mexica 289 short motor. So it appears they made both and not just 302's. Not sure how rare/ unusual this is but it's a standard bore which is a bonus. I can take more pics if nybody wishes to see and I also have an early 5 bolt HIPO 289 to compare side by side.
Phil
(http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff358/bad-ass-67/null_zps1a09d06e.jpg)
(http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff358/bad-ass-67/null_zps15805b0d.jpg)
(http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff358/bad-ass-67/null_zps3fb7879a.jpg)
(http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff358/bad-ass-67/null_zps59a05625.jpg)
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I'm new to the forum so go easy. I have sitting in my workshop a Mexica 289 short motor. So it appears they made both and not just 302's. Not sure how rare/ unusual this is but it's a standard bore which is a bonus. I can take more pics if nybody wishes to see and I also have an early 5 bolt HIPO 289 to compare side by side.
Welcome to the site - like most places were a forgiving group unless someone new jumps out and wants to make a bunch of claims right out of the shoot.
What's the casting date on your block.... might be for one of the early Mustangs that was made in that country
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Thanks for the welcome Jeff. I took some more pics today so you can confirm the date. Both pics are the same but one is using flash.
Phil
(http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff358/bad-ass-67/null_zps71d04b12.jpg) (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/bad-ass-67/media/null_zps71d04b12.jpg.html)
(http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff358/bad-ass-67/null_zpsb2055590.jpg) (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/bad-ass-67/media/null_zpsb2055590.jpg.html)
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Difficult to read for me - am I seeing 14F6?
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Yes, I believe that's what it say's, it certainly appears that way to me.
Phil