How to ID a 289 vs. 302

289 - 351 cid Small Block Performance
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joswald
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How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by joswald »

Hello every one. I'm considering installing a 289 in my 1964 Comet. My problem is I cant tell the difference between it and the 302. What do I need to look for in identifying the 289? I know a 302 is more plentiful but I'm old school and I want a 289. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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poboyjo65
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by poboyjo65 »

the assembly date of the motor would be the easiest to see. if it hasn't ever had the block re surfaced it should be on a little pad in front of the driver side head.
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my old 289 decodes as 4M26B = 4 =64 M= november 26=26th day & B I think is second shift. so if it is after 1968 it will be a 302
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joswald
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by joswald »

Thanks for your help.

DesertRat
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by DesertRat »

Those numbers on my block are L 1 8 F
Anyone have any thoughts?
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poboyjo65
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by poboyjo65 »

DesertRat wrote:
Mon Jul 13, 2020 8:36 pm
Those numbers on my block are L 1 8 F
Anyone have any thoughts?
sounds like they missed with the stamp.Yours is a 65 so it would have been a 4 . they must have missed with the year number & isn't showing & you only have the L for dec & 18th day . so if it is the original motor the build date on the door tag would be (later) within a couple months of dec 18.

& to Joswald, I meant to tell you there is also a cast date code of the block behind the starter too.
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DesertRat
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by DesertRat »

My door tag reads 63E J H5 18J f4 1 5.
The stamping on my left inner fender reads 5H27A511744 and that matches the vin# on the door tag.
I am convinced I do not have the original A-Code 289 motor I was hoping for. :(
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poboyjo65
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by poboyjo65 »

DesertRat wrote:
Tue Jul 14, 2020 9:54 am
My door tag reads 63E J H5 18J f4 1 5.
The stamping on my left inner fender reads 5H27A511744 and that matches the vin# on the door tag.
I am convinced I do not have the original A-Code 289 motor I was hoping for. :(
You know that last letter may be the month & the first letter could mean something else. :? if so that would make mine about right to be the original motor & yours would be still plausible to be orig. I was hoping comethead would look in that book of his by Bob Mannel & chime in. I know he said it was the date but I'm not exactly sure how to decode it.
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lavron
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by lavron »

DesertRat wrote:
Mon Jul 13, 2020 8:36 pm
Those numbers on my block are L 1 8 F
Anyone have any thoughts?
I am no expert but I have books that claim to be :roll: according to it the first digit is a number, second a letter and the next two are numbers. It only shows a 4 digit code so John might be right on the extra number being a shift code.

So the 4 digit code should be like, in example, 3L18 (I made that number up) which would make that number be year - 1963, Month - November, Day - 18; November 18, 1963.

I guess in that case L 1 8 F makes no sense or that is not the stamped casting date but something else, you might check behind the starter like John suggested.

Not sure that helps but take it for what it is worth.

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Mike
Mike's build thread
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13058
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Johnnydarkgt350
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by Johnnydarkgt350 »

Mine has 289 cast into the intake valley and under the starter it’s casting date id “5J9” ; ( 1965 September 9th ) my 65 Cyclones car build date Is 5J19 ; ( 1965, September 19th ; I believe that April of 68 was the first “302,s . So s “C(1960’s) 8 ( 1968) would be. First 302,s , unless special hi nickel castings for racing might be sooner? I’m thinking that I possibly have the last known 65 cyclone built ? Anyone have one past September 19th, 1965? I think they were already building the 1966 cyclones by then.
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Maine Pilot
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by Maine Pilot »

I thought I had a 289 when I bought my '66 Comet 7 years ago. A couple of years later, the engine was gulping oil and smoking like mad. I made the decision to have it overhauled/rebuilt by a local shop. They contacted me after a few days and told me: "Surprise, you have a 302!). Needless to say I was disappointed as my intention was to restore it as much as possible to an original configuration. So much for that idea.

As I've kept the engine I'm curious what the major differences are between the 289 and the 302 besides 13 cu's? Is there much of a performance increase?
My wife says I only have 2 faults. I don't listen...and something else

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poboyjo65
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by poboyjo65 »

In stock form a 289 will run all over a later 70's smog 302, (JMO)
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popscomet
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Re: How to ID a 289 vs. 302

Post by popscomet »

As I've kept the engine I'm curious what the major differences are between the 289 and the 302 besides 13 cu's? Is there much of a performance increase?
[/quote]

a 289 has a 4in bore with a 2.87 stroke////while a 302 has a 4in bore with a 3in xtroke,,,,POP likes a high rev ing 289 over the 302...jmo,,,both are great little engines....I just prefer the 289...but if you have a good 302...leave it alone and drive and enjoy it...it ain't worth the work to swap out...….good luck !! OL POP
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