• Hello there guest and Welcome to The #1 Classic Mustang forum!
    To gain full access you must Register. Registration is free and it takes only a few moments to complete.
    Already a member? Login here then!

South of the Valve Covers

timbeam

timbeam

Member
Yesterday upon taking some "After" pictures of my Fan Project. I realized how bad my valve covers had gotten. Upon removal of the covers I was going to look up the casting numbers in my trusty "Mustang & Ford Small Block V8" book by Bob Mannel. I couldn't find what looked like a normal casting number anywhere. What I did find was "Hecho em Mexico". Now I knew it had Chevy valves but was not aware of the heads being build in Mexico (if you hadn't figured that out, that's what Hecho em Mexico - according to my iPhone the direct translation is more like "Done in Mexico" - something many an adolescent that has visited Tijuana can say). At first I was a little bummed until I did some checking and found that the Engines made in Mexico are desirable due to their higher Nickel content. I was surprised to find out there were even some 302s built there in 68 that were used in GT-350s.

Anyway, does anyone know what "18B4" could designate? It's the only other marking I could see other then Hecho em Mexico.

Arrrrrrriba , ondelay!
 
My limited knowledge is that some 302's were built in Mexico and the blocks are desirable as they have large main caps like the HiPo 289.
 
No need to pull the intake, just look for a raised round boss on the front of the engine below the head. See pic below:

mexblk1.jpg


Mexican blocks may or may not have higher nickle content, but they do have thicker mains and walls that make them stronger than the standard block.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top