302 block id help please

[Kingspeedy2]

I have a fully machined 302 Roller block that doesnt have numbers cast in the usual spot behind the starter
it does have what appears to be the "CASTING DATE" 9DI6 cast into it .It may be 1979 April 16 but i am not sure .Extensive internet and book searching doesnt reveal anything espesially without the casting number by the starter..yes i have triple checked for the number by the starter :)Thanks all

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[65clevorcyclone]

Does it say f1ce in the one pic?

[Rocket989]

If stamped F1....then it's April 16th 1999. If E7TE, than 1989...roller blocks were intro'd in '85.

JH

[poboyjo65]

I clicked on the code ,,looks like FICE , which would be 1991.

[Comechero65]

At some point in time ford moved the casting numbers from the side of the block behind the starter to the rear flange where the bh bolts on. My 5.0 built in 97 has it's number up on the edge of that lip facing the starter. Don't have the numbers written down but i know it was built in 97 so where ever the casting number is it should be F7xx
The 9D16 has to be the build date. 9 would be the year, D April, 16 day of the month. But the year could be 89, 99 or even 2009. Find any other casting numbers such as the heads if they are original to the engine as a better definition of the year. Or the intake if it hasn't been changed.
Ron

[Rocket989]

I didn't think there was a later 5.0 casting than the F1; could be wrong! Also, 2001 was (sadly) the last year of production.

JH

[Comechero65]

I didn't think there was a later 5.0 casting than the F1; could be wrong! Also, 2001 was (sadly) the last year of production.

JH

You are probably right no 2009 5.0s. so that narrows it down to 89 or 99.
Ron

[Kingspeedy2]

Yes it appears to say LO in large letters adjacent to FICE or FIDE (less likely but its hard to read ) aswell as 11352118 in the front right corner on the oil pan surface.This may be a partial Vin
I do not have the original heads or manifold.If need be i will upload better pictures when I can as i am away working
Thank you all for your response.
I guess Wether its a C or D is just March or April ? Which doesnt matter

[Kingspeedy2]

SO at risk if beating a dead horse here
apparently the 302 has a design year of 1991 and a cast date of 1999 then it must be for a vehicle 1999 or later.
I know a 302 is approximately 5.0 litres but is there a windsor block 302 and then another block style known as the 5.0 ?
Some info on the net says the 302 blocks after 1985 with roller lifters are called 5.0 litres
where it causes me concern is when shopping for parts. I havent seen any listing for parts for a 1999 302

[poboyjo65]

Looking at this chart;
http://www.mustangtek.com/FordDecode.html#Table21
3rd digit C says remanufactured part 66-75. so it could be for an earlier car but made at a later date. a service block

what are your concerns?

if certain parts will fit? if so just ask, someone on here has probably tried it or done it.
if it is a roller block it will have bolt holes in the lifter valley for the spider clamps that hold the roller lifters in place. most if not all major parts will fit both blocks afaik, except for the roller parts

[Kingspeedy2]

i Poboy thanks for your input,
Sounds Like Rocket 989 is correct with the FICE as being F 90,s and 1 being X1 so 1991 which coincides with your link
as the design year and the 9DI6 Casting number being 99 April 16 as the year it was cast.
as you can see by the picture the FICE is not clear and may be FIDE or FIBE
this block does have the threaded holes for the roller lifter spider.
Besides the obvious wanting to know exactly what i have
I guess my biggest issue is Camshaft selection and to be honest I havent contacted any cam mfg yet.
The external bits are really not a problem. The heads,valve train timing gear etc either fit or they dont.
some manufactures Say
FORD 289-302 63-85 (GROUPED I ASSUME BECASUE THEY ARE NON ROLLERIZED)
FORD 5.0 1985-1995 (GROUPED I ASSUME CAUSE THEY ARE ROLLERIZED)
From what i can see most manufactures Stop at 1995.
Are there 2 different blocks ? 5.0 litre and 302 and if they are all the same and i dont need to worry why do they stop at 1995 whats the difference after that?
Thanks again .I am inspector and i obsess about these things signed WINDSOR WORRY WART LOL
http://rs1374.pbsrc.com/albums/ag407/ki ... g~c100[img]

[poboyjo65]

I believe it was around 1980 when they started calling them 5.0s,I parted out an 80 model truck & it had 5.0 on the door tag ,but weren't rollerized until 85. I suppose after 95 is when the 4.6 was born.
I know how you feel, my car came with a different door & tag .I would like to know the build date. I'd like to find a car with the vin # really really close to mine,otherwise I'll never know. no particular reason,just curious.

[Rocket989]

Roller blocks were the same - just buy any standard (you don't need or want a reduced base circle, or "retrofit" cam) 302/ 5.0 roller cam with the specs your looking for…good to go!!

JH

[sursmilie64]

Looks like a block I had years ago and don't remember the numbers. I took it to a ford race guy and he said it was a replacement block from ford. So I don't know . Just build it with good parts and abuse the heck out of it. a 302 can take it for a long time.