Thread: Do I keep a 302 ford engine

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Have had a 302 stock ford engine in my barn for 22 yrs. It
was in an old trk i bought, ran good but smoked some. It's
probably late 60 early 70 motor my guess. Cleaning things
out. Was going to haul it to scrap yard. Would it bring more
than scrap? I'm a Chevy guy. thanks

Can't say what things are like over your way but, over here people are stealing manhole covers as metal prices are so high! On another board I frequent, they're complaining how "people" are stealing any metal laying around. Having said all that. A lot of people are after the roller motors. So after 85 (I think) is preferred.

If it's been sitting for 22 years your not going to get much for it! It's probably easier to just scrap it. My two cents.. ymmv/imho/fwiw LOL..

i have a stock 81 in my chevy.

If that is a early 60's or 70 motor, it will have the good old closed chamber heads on it.
I would keep it, and would not give it up.
If you see the letter C it is for the 60's decade and a D is the 70's.
Anything in the mid 60's is great hang on to it.
If you see C7 that is 1967 and is the small chambered head good for about 10.5 to 1 compression.
Kurt

You need to look up the block codes, many earlier 302's had a heavier block casting than the later 5.0 motors and are preferred for a build.If you get real lucky and find you have a "Made in Mexico" block they will bring some bucks.The Ford 289 and 302 Engine Block A builder long block should bring on an average $200+ on craigslist,check it out.Scrap would bring $25 - $30

I'm Ford stupid. Where is the casting # located on the block? thanks

Originally Posted by rdobbs

I'm Ford stupid. Where is the casting # located on the block? thanks

Behind the starter, RHS. You may have to dig through crud and rust to see it tho

Originally Posted by JeffB2

You need to look up the block codes, many earlier 302's had a heavier block casting than the later 5.0 motors and are preferred for a build.If you get real lucky and find you have a "Made in Mexico" block they will bring some bucks.The Ford 289 and 302 Engine Block A builder long block should bring on an average $200+ on craigslist,check it out.Scrap would bring $25 - $30

And over my way, because of the roller cam block, it is more desirable! Any average old short block is worth 50 bucks here in New England. Just saw one in CT. with a new overbore and the new pistons NOT sell and they wanted 100 bucks!

Last spring I sold 2 early 351W blocks('73 and '76), a much more desirable, IMO, engine. I asked $50 each and ended up with $50 - for both. An early 302(a '78) went in the transfer station dumpster. This was after dragging them to swap meets and occasionally advertising on Craigslist for over three years. People would call and ask if they were roller blocks (my usual wiseazz answer was - "Did you actually read the ad?"). Yeah, a 302/351W non roller block/engine is worth something if you need one, same as a garden variety 350 Chevy.

Sounds like I would get more scrapping it out with the rest of
the medal I'm hauling off. Thanks for the good info

Originally Posted by rdobbs

Sounds like I would get more scrapping it out with the rest of the medal I'm hauling off. Thanks for the good info

I don't know about getting more for it but it'll sure be easier than trying to sell it and all that entails.

Try Craigslist just for laughs, it's free. At 14-18 cents a pound, you wont get much for it anyhow (450lbs x .14 = $63) - and who knows, maybe someone will "like it" for $50-$75 bucks. You wont have to lift it or use the gas to haul it to the scrap dealer and maybe it will find a new home in a rod

Originally Posted by rdobbs

Sounds like I would get more scrapping it out with the rest of
the medal I'm hauling off. Thanks for the good info

Got a bit of experience in scrapping... If you have the block and heads all taken apart, you can sell it as 'clean cast iron'--pays higher then just taking the total weight at scrap price. Also, the yard I use here has a higher price for 'prepared sheet metal' which means no pieces bigger then 3' X 3". Then of course aluminum, brass, and copper is also a separate rate. Kind of depends on how much you have to haul. I sort all mine, last haul was a bit over 2 ton, sorting paid an extra $35.00. This is the same place I buy all my sheet metal, so I never even take a check home, just have them put it as a credit on my account. Helps a little on the expense of building a car. Check with the place you're hauling it to and see what they pay if it's sorted....