how do you tell the difference between a 289 and a 302?

Is there a way that you can tell just by looking at them? thanks

The timing gear cover and water pump.. The water outlets are on obisite sides, unless the timing cover off one has been put on the other..

No.

if its a factory 302 and you know the heads haven't been replaced, pull the valve cover and check the head. It'll read 302 or 289.

As mentioned...There are no big differences that stand out, but a little logic can at least, in some cases, give you a pretty good way to exclude one or the other. Going from memory I have listed some incential indicators that may help.

from the outside...
The 302 came out in 68 (the 289 was also available during part of 68, this year is kinda' tricky), so look for the date code on the block, if its before 68; then its should be a 289. Hopefully, you already know how to decode a ford foundry number.

Find the casting # on the passenger side of the block. It would be something like C5xx or D7xx or E1xx. The first letter is the decade. The second is the year. (C5xx = 1965...)

C=60's
D=70's
E=80's
F=90's

For a very few early 289 blocks, look for a 5-bolt bellhousing. It could be a 260 or 289, but if its a 5-bolt, it can't be a 302.

If it has a dipstick opening on the side of the block, it is a late model 302, all 289 had the dip stick in the timing cover.

Early 289 blocks came with a cast boss to fit a clutch linkage, the 302 didn't have this.

From inside the block...
you can measure the length of the bore. The finish bore of a 289 is slightly shorter than a 302.





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Beoweolf on 6/3/05 11:11am ]</font>

Check the casting #'s on the crank
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On 2005-06-03 07:34, tonys10sec306 wrote:
Check the casting #'s on the crank

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I agree, it's the only way when you don't know the entire history of the motor (or is that engine...dang it cupcake). I posted on this same topic earlier, see below:
http://www.fordmuscle.com/phpBB/view...77&amp;forum=1
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Of course you are right...some how I read the question to be "How can you tell the difference by looking at the engine?

In my mind I had this idea of slogging thru the Junk yard or popping the hood on a "found" car or engine out of the car; and trying to figure out which was which, without taking a wrench to it..

All things being equal, the difference between 289 vs. 302 is the block. everything else can be swapped around.

Is that true or not? disclaimer...we are not talking about a possible 100 point show car, just a performance engine base build up.

You're right...the deck heights are the same, but the 302 has longer bores. If you find a 65 or 66 casting, you can be reasonably sure it's a 289. If you find a 64 or earlier casting, you're got another question...is it a 221 or a 289.

My $0.02.


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No, it's not completely true. There are quite a few 1968 289's with a "302" cast in the valley. I have heard that the 302 block has longer bores, but I don't think that plays out for real. The 302 guts in the Mustang is running in a 65 casting 289 block. The crank ID or measuring the stroke is about the only way to tell. If it's a 67 or earlier (back to early 65 anyway) car, the motor should be a 289. The 72 302 that sat in the corner next to the 65 289 had very few external clues. The clues that were there were things that could easily be changed - front dress, valve covers. If the engine looks unmolseted, you can get a casting number off one of the intake runners that will get you close.
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