Hey there.. I'm in need of help.. again.. so here's what I got.. it's got 6 bolts per head Intake manifold- edelbrock performer 289 Water neck C3DE 6592 sheffield heads cast D8oe (bottom) 2c25 & 2c27 (top) Timing pointer D2AE-6023?-AA Timing chain cover D2OE-6059-AA Engine code? CB 173? School me please..
'78 or newer (probably no newer than about '82) 302. Should still be a 28oz imbalance, although I'd verify that. With the rear-sump pan, probably out of a Fox-body car (Mustang, Fairmont).
I agree with squirrel - looking at pics. d-2 is 1972 year code and c is a1960's most likely carried over items.
Yeah, could be a truck/van motor too, although those usually have a 'T' in the casting numbers. The Fox-body cars used the shorty oil filter, the long filter could be a clue. Do I see a rebuilder tag on the block by the drivers side motor mount?
also, did you look here for the block casting number? or just below the point of the arrow, above the oil pain rail.
Upon further looking, it's a '79 or newer block as it lacks the cast-in clutch pivot mount. Jim may be right, this could be a mash-up of parts... If a rebuilder has had it, it could be most any year. Check to see if it has a two-piece or one-piece rear main seal; the two-piece was used until November '82, one piece after that. It's also machined for the in-block dipstick, which likely makes it a '80s block.
I'll also note that the late '70s to mid '80s blocks are considered the flimsiest of the SBF blocks. Perfectly fine for any street motor, but if really big power is what you're after, an earlier block will be a better choice.
I just went through a mess like you have. It looks like a early to mid 80's block reputation for a lot of core shift. OK for daily driver, not much good for performance applications. Earlier blocks were better, later 5.0 blocks were better. I got one with an 82 block .030 over with late 70's heads an aluminum 2 barrel intake . Double sump pan with a points distributor. Fresh build, gave it to my buddy for his hot rod. We have it apart putting an Edelbrock top end kit on it.
1980 or later block. Could be the original heads on it? I don't know how often they changed the head design.
To know the displacement for sure, drop the pan and look at the number on the first crank counterweight. 1M is 221/260/289 2M, or 2MA is 302 2MAE is 5.0, with 50 oz-in balance factor and 1 piece rear seal. On the intake, the Performer 289 had no EGR provision, the Performer 302 had an EGR passage and an additional coolant crossover at the rear for emissions equipment retention. The stamped CB173 may be a partial VIN for the vehicle it was originally installed in. With the 1980 block, I considered it might be a 255, but the D8OE heads wouldn't fit that block, and I saw the pic with the head pulled, and appears to be the normal 4" bore.
The water neck is actually C3OE. The D8OE heads are about the worst 289/302 heads made, small valves and very large chambers. However, the flattop pistons will help bring compression back up a bit, the originals were dished. If the valves are original, they probably have hard valve stem tips, which is okay.
one of those heads says 2C25, doesn't it? that would make it a March 25, 1982 casting date. There might be a block casting date in that little circle that we can see the edge of, above the 11, near the block casting number.
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