289 Vs 302

[vertex]

Is there an easy way to tell the difference between a 289 and a 302? I took the intake manifold off the bronco and the top of the motor has a 289 stamped on the block.

I am installing EFI so I bought the intake manifold gaskets for the EFI motor but when I lay them on my heads the coolant cutouts in the gaskets are allot larger than the passage ways on my heads. The Bronco is a ’72 so I assumed that it would have a 302 but could it be possible that I have a 289? I am thinking that it might have 289 heads on it and this is why the coolant passages are so much smaller.

 

[fordguy67]

Ford introduced the 302 in 1968. 1966 & 67 Bronco's had the 289 in them. Sounds like you have 289 heads someone has put on them, or you may have a 289 engine that someone has installed. It is very common for people to interchange 289 and 302 intakes and heads. You can check the block on the side where the starter bolts onto. Remove the starter. On the ridge there should be a stamped Ford number. This number is Fords block stamp that decodes what year block and what type block you will have. Check any Ford decoding site and you can find out exactly whether or not you have a 289 or a 302 and what year it is. Hope this helps.

 

[broncnaz]

Souns like a 289 is the stamp on the heads or the block? I dont remember the block having a stamp on top but it has been awhile.
Either way When putting EFI on a early engine you need the early intake gaskets or you will have coolent leaks.

 

[vertex]

I just pulled the valve covers and the heads also have 289 stamped in them. So the top of the block is stamped 289 and the heads are stamped 289 so I guess it is a 289.

I also checked the vin plate and it should have had a 302 in it. I do not understand why the PO put a 289 in it ut looking at all the other stuff the PO did to this pour Bronco I should not be surprised.

 

[ca pony]

I remember someone tell me when I worked at the local boneyard that you could tell a 289 block from a 302 by looking at the rear part of the engine block(just where the intake maniflod ends. You will see what looks like a little miniture pool, for lack of a bettter way to describe it. on the 302 about half of it will be filled in and on the 289 it will not. THe 302 is a newer block and half of it is filled in to suppously add strength to the block.

Let us know what you find out. Hope it helps

 

[vertex]

I think I know exactly what you are talking about because it filled with coolant when I took the intake manifold off. I have the version that is completely empty not half full.

I looked at the bottom of the intake manifold and it has 289 stamped on it also. I ran the part number and it looks like it is from a 1966 Ford Fairlane. So I guess it is a 1966 289....

 

[wildbill]

The only way for sure is to look at the crank as old motor can be done eather way. I just gutted a 302 and put in all new 289 parts becuse I had the parts sitting on the bench. On the crank if it has a M-1 it is a 289 and a 302 will have a M-2 good luck and have fun. Bill %) ;D

 

[Sac '68 sport]

Mine is exactly opposite from what Bill did.
Had 302 crank etc. put into a 289 block. My 68 came stock with the 289.
Like was said earlier you'll need to use the early manifold gaskets 289/302 are the same. The late model 5.0 302 gaskets will leak for sure. From what I've heard the late manifold will still work fine, just use the early gaskets with it.

 

[Skuzzlebutt]

You can't tell anything by the size of the coolant ports. The first few years of 302s had the smaller ports. I'm not sure exactly when they made the ports larger, but it was mid '70s.