Topic: Mexican Block Sizes

[ceswert]

Did Ford use Mexican made blocks for 289 Hipo engines?

[jwc66k]

No.
Jim

[ceswert]

What engine size(s) were built using Mexican blocks?

[J_Speegle]

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.

[ceswert]

Thanks Jeff!

[cobrajetchris]

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?

[J_Speegle]

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

[J_Speegle]

Some pictures from a posted add

[cobrajetchris]

Informative, thank you...

[Stangly]

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,

[J_Speegle]

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

[Stangly]

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.

[J_Speegle]

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

[Stangly]

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.

[J_Speegle]

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