The Mexican - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

zc347 · 07-11-2003, 22:57

Jst wanted to know the facts and peoples thoughts on the mexican block, as i recently found out my fairlane,got one from the factory. From what i've heard, the last of the windsor xw's were all mexican blocks.

This is what i've found out:
1) Higher nickel content, approx 15%.
2) Thicker webbing around the bores.
3) Beefier main caps.
4) Identifiable by "made in mexico" (written in mexican) in the lifter valley.
5) Identifiable by an untapped stud boss on the front passenger side of the block.

Anything i've missed out or anything that's wrong, please let me know.

ebxr8240 · 07-12-2003, 05:23

From what I have herd they are no stronger than H.O mill, lower carbon content.Nickel good wearing but carbon required for strength..

TopGhia · 07-12-2003, 14:16

There is a bit on Mexican blocks in this article, I have a couple of photos I might post up later.

http://www.budgetperformance.com/articles/ford_tips/

and this

http://www.carmemories.com/cgi-bin/v...perience_id=11

and this little bit

Quote:

Some 302 blocks cast in Mexico have thicker, 289 HP style bearing caps. These were supposedly made with a higher nickel content alloy. Folklore claims these to be beefier than other blocks. On my bathroom scale a 1970 dated Mexican block weighed within 1/2 a pound of a regular 1970 302 block. That must be some lean beef.

Identified by casting numbers C8AM-B, 75ZY-AA, D1ZM-AA, among others, these blocks may be spotted by the "Hecho En Mexico" cast in the lifter valley. An extra unmachined boss protruding from the front of the driver's side cylinder bank can be easily spotted at the junkyard.

cheers

redhotxr8 · 07-12-2003, 18:35

Good Blocks in my opinion but their is some debate, I'd use one if I could not afford a 4 bolt mains SVO style R302 or equivilent block.

Racer · 07-12-2003, 23:04

The strength of blocks is like this.

Late 5.0
Early Windsor
Mexican
Boss
A4/R302

Late model 5.0 blocks are the weakest of the lot, as those of you who have seen a 5.0 block split clean in half will testify. The weakest part of the windsor blocks is the main webbing and the deck thickness. A mexican is stronger in both these areas.

I switched to mexican blocks years ago after having durability problems the the standard windors. Add roller lifters and it's no contest.

I should point out, it should only be in extreme applications where you will have any block trouble.

Ps
I just happen to have a mexican block with Comp Cams XE274HR roller, matching springs, crane roller lifters and pushrods for sale :)

zc347 · 07-12-2003, 23:12

hey Racer!

I'm looking at putting a Comp Cams Roller in my mexican, what price you looking at? what are the specs of the cam? i was looking at going a little bigger with my cam as i'm building a 347.

Racer · 07-15-2003, 04:13

I only just found your message, and as i'm not real good with computers, i can't work out how to reply to it. Sorry.

The cam setup is worth about $2,200 new, and what i have is new and never been used. IF you are still interested, make an offer...

ebxr8240 · 07-15-2003, 06:28

Be carefull of core shift...