1968 gt350 with a mexican block?

[gt350hr]

Randy, is there any way to tell a service block from a regular Mexican truck block ?

      No , they were all the same except for date codes like any block. The Mexican block does have some very obvious "extra" casting bosses versus a USA style block. There were also Mexican 351W blocks.
  Randy

[shelbydoug]

Here in the "east", the first that I recall was that there was some talk with the LA guys about a Mexican block around 1976 or 1977.

It was my impression that they were "discovered" in junkyards and not in service blocks but there definitely was a process of discovery going on for sure about them.

I'd take a guess and say that probably the Boss 302 blocks were sucking all the oxygen out of the room v HP blocks around then?

[98SVT - was 06GT]

I'd take a guess and say that probably the Boss 302 blocks were sucking all the oxygen out of the room v HP blocks around then?

Yes - was the HiPo even still available or had it been replaced by the Boss? A friend bought one OTC for his 65 Coupe after scattering his 289. The Mexican blocks got a lot of "likes" at the time with people thinking cheap HiPo. Lots of rumors of them being the same. But as time has proven they are not 25% thicker/heavier nor stronger. They are just low grade cast iron not the same as the HiPo mix. I remember going to the Pomona Fairgrounds and every time there were more dirty Mexican 302s freshly yanked out of TJ wrecking yards all with $150-200 price tags touting "HiPo Block". They were probably buying them for $25-50.

[427heaven]

Yes- back then a Hipo block was around 750 bucks a Hecho block about 75 bucks. Hot Rodders found away to save money.

[shelbydoug]

I think that maybe the Mexican blocks lack of historical high performance reputation is your answer as to it's value as a high performance part.

Personally I'd classify it as fools gold. $50 is about right.

You would actually need to look into the engineering data to determine if the alloy actually varies.

[J_Speegle]

      No , they were all the same except for date codes like any block. The Mexican block does have some very obvious "extra" casting bosses versus a USA style block. There were also Mexican 351W blocks.
  Randy

A few pictures to support the discussion

[427heaven]

The poor mans HIPO... I have been using them from the 70s and they spin to 6500- 7000 rpm with the typical engine building techniques. No troubles just a solid engine from down south in OL- MEH- HIKO

[427hunter]

Randy, Bob, coralsnake, J, thank you !

Maybe the rest of you should read what Randy wrote again and realize that you don't need to chime in if you don't know anything about the subject.

I get you want to share your opinions, but not liking something was not any part of this thread.

The question was about SA and a hipo mexican 302, now we all know it was planed but didn't happen, we now also know that ford was selling the mexican 302 over counter to replace the hipo 289, with boss rods, a 289 cast crank and pistons - thanks to Randy.
 

[s2ms]

When a rod in 6S1757's original engine decided to take a peek outside during a road race in 1974, the Ford supplied replacement was a D1ZE Boss block which is still in the car today. What I don't know is if Mexican blocks were available then, or if it was offered as an option, I can try to find out...

[Royce Peterson]

I remember hearing that rumor in the 1980's. Junk yards around Kennedale Texas and in North Ft. Worth were packed with Hecho En Mexico 302's that could be had - whole and running - for $125. I didn't buy any of them. Who wants a low compression 302-2V?

[427hunter]

I remember hearing that rumor in the 1980's. Junk yards around Kennedale Texas and in North Ft. Worth were packed with Hecho En Mexico 302's that could be had - whole and running - for $125. I didn't buy any of them. Who wants a low compression 302-2V?

What does this have to do with the topic?

[TA Coupe]

A few more pictures for the discussion, C8ZE Heads and NOS HD 302 rods:

        Roy

[shelbydoug]

I remember hearing that rumor in the 1980's. Junk yards around Kennedale Texas and in North Ft. Worth were packed with Hecho En Mexico 302's that could be had - whole and running - for $125. I didn't buy any of them. Who wants a low compression 302-2V?

What does this have to do with the topic?

You are the OP. You can lock this thread if you don't like where it is going.

I don't think any of the comments are irrelevant. They explain the considerations others have had in the decision to use or not to use that block.

It would seem that the decision to use the Mexican block though is simply a way to cheap out BUT I don't see a lot of Boss 302 short blocks with special pistons built to use Windsor heads either. So all is fair here.

This isn't an abstract discussion at all. I don't understand why you feel slighted by it?

[427hunter]

I remember hearing that rumor in the 1980's. Junk yards around Kennedale Texas and in North Ft. Worth were packed with Hecho En Mexico 302's that could be had - whole and running - for $125. I didn't buy any of them. Who wants a low compression 302-2V?

What does this have to do with the topic?

You are the OP. You can lock this thread if you don't like where it is going.

I don't think any of the comments are irrelevant. They explain the considerations others have had in the decision to use or not to use that block.

It would seem that the decision to use the Mexican block though is simply a way to cheap out BUT I don't see a lot of Boss 302 short blocks with special pistons built to use Windsor heads either. So all is fair here.

This isn't an abstract discussion at all. I don't understand why you feel slighted by it?

What does a 2v Mexican 302 out of a tuck have to do with the SA planed project or the Mexican service block Ford sold over the counter to replace the hipo? The question was about the SA project and Randy answered it and then we learned about Ford using them as a service block to replace the hipo 289. That's all good information, a better question for you guys is why you feel the need to chime in when you don't know anything about the subject?  . 

It always the same people that have nothing to add about the subject,  you guys redirect threads and make them a mess. I don't think you guys even read what member like Randy or Bob write.

The forum is dominated by you guys, just about every thread get redirected in to an opinion sh!t show and the good information / subject gets lost.
 
 
   

[shelbydoug]

Tisk, tisk! Take your meds and go sit in the corner now and be quiet.

Who appointed you king shit?