Is a Mexican Block Worth the Trouble?

[Pat Cook]

Is the Ford Motorsport block legal?

Part number M6010BOSS302K

[FireSale]

Originally Posted by Pat Cook

Is the Ford Motorsport block legal?

Part number M6010BOSS302K

That's the interesting part. it's not a BOSS block. It's a 302 replacement block made in Mexico and used by Ford for a lot of warranty stuff. It's a little stronger that the stock 302 because it's a bit thicker and has beefier mains, they are still 2 bolt, though. Bore, stroke and deck height are stock equivalent 302. Just stronger.

It's still for sale and has only been bored out the 50 over. I'm going to look at it next week. It's a little more sane for me as a hobby racer on my first build.

And, yes, the 6010 is legal in SS.

Dale

[Dyno]

If it is .050 over already, save your money and try and find a standard bore block. He is selling it for a reason, usually not good.

[SStockDart]

I read up on Mexican Blocks before using one in my street rod...(55 F100)....please understand that this engine is intended to "sound good" and I don't care how fast it it.....it is a 302.....I understand that the Mexican block is better because it has more nickel (SP) content....I don't know why that is better, it is just what I was told.....I never run the streetrod over 6,000 so this might not be a good example...no sleeves, no light weight parts....."It sounds really fast........but it isn't".....LOL (that is what street rods are supposed to do)

[SStockDart]

The Mexican block can be identified by, for example, C8AM stamped on the block (unlike the C8OE or C8AE). The M in the # is for the Mexican block. They have a higher nickle content for strength and wider main bearing caps. Buying a Ford racing block might be a better option. They are available for under $300 if you can't find the mexican block. They are fairly rare.

easy Id on a mexican block is the two large humps cast into the block, right below the heads. They only had a higher nickel content.

Many have the belief that Mexican means something sub-standard to US standards....that is not the case...These blocks meet the standards of Ford Motor Company or they would not use them....it is that simple.

[goinbroke2]

.050 on a windsor? I'd be sonic checking the thrust side before I laid any coin down, I don't like over .030. they're thinwall castings.

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by SStockDart

I read up on Mexican Blocks before using one in my street rod...(55 F100)....please understand that this engine is intended to "sound good" and I don't care how fast it it.....it is a 302.....I understand that the Mexican block is better because it has more nickel (SP) content....I don't know why that is better, it is just what I was told.....I never run the streetrod over 6,000 so this might not be a good example...no sleeves, no light weight parts....."It sounds really fast........but it isn't".....LOL (that is what street rods are supposed to do)

Gary,they also should have a "green card" also.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Gary,they also should have a "green card" also.

[71mavlouisville]

Dale, there is a B-50 “sportsman” block that Ford was making that was a “new” casting of the “mexican” block. I put about 100 passes on this type of block turning 9500 rpm around 580 hp without block fill and without a stud girdle. Just make sure and have quality machine work done and use ARP studs throughout. As soon as I could afford it I went to the “Boss Block”. There is a WORLD of difference between these blocks. The boss block is around 20 pounds heavier than the B-50 block I was using. There is a TON more material in cylinder wall, lifter bore area, cam tunnel, deck and mains. = more HP

The machining cost is the same on a production block and boss block. The Boss block is REALLY “cheap” at $1800.00 Figure a Used block, machine work and then if you are crazy enough to try and use hard block, dealing with the overheating from the block filling, ring seal etc, believe me go with the best parts first. You are going to end up buying it in the future anyway.

Whatever you do, do not bore over 0.040” in a production block, test the wall thickness with US, the production blocks are super thin.

Happy building.