Thread: SB 302 question?

Tweet

Ok, so what your saying is I'd have to take the "complete" bottem end out of the 68 block(crank, balancer, flywheel, etc..) and install it in the post 81 engine? or are you saying I cannot use anything from the 68 on a post 81?

I am thinking of buying new bearings and possibly doing just that depending what this 1983 302 engine looks like when I get it home on Saturday.. I mean if its cleans and looks good I may just run the 83 in my Torino all together, I've been told my bottem end on the 68 block is stronger as its a heavier crankshaft correct? and thats why I would have to use the complete bottom end from it on the 83 block.

I mean all in all, a 1968 302 block is pretty much the same as the 1983 block right?

funny thing is I got 3 ford buddy's who all give me different information on what I can do, I dont think theres a solid brain cell between them, hence why I am here. lol I just dont want to mess it up and find out the hard way.

Thanks again

If you want to use the '83 block, you either have to use it 'as is' or change the internals - crank, rods, pistons, harmonic balancer, and flex plate or flywheel using the '68 innards. Any 302W block up to '81 is virtually identical with any other. Post '81 - blocks remain the same, rotating components changed balance.

Weight wise - first I've heard that one. Your buddies might have figured that the 50 in oz vs the 28 in oz balance is the weight difference in the crank - it isn't. They physically weigh the same. You can mix and match between the engines internally, but you will have to do a total rebalance.

Fords, regardless of the source are confusing since most folks seem to only understand Chevies. They really are not any different as far as confusion once you understand that there are year to year changes plus changes to fit an application. For instance, I can take the cylinder head from my '31 and bolt it on your '68 - fits right up. The intake, same thing. Exhaust, ditto. Starter, yep. You get into confusion when you start looking at accessory brackets and front timing covers with water pumps. Balance is another, but as long as you know what you have, even that's no problem.