Boss 302 or dart sportsman 302
 

Im kinda stuck in a rut about what block I want to buy when i get the money to start my build. I was going to go with a 351w but decided Id rather have a 302 based motor which will make it easier to put it in the car. I haven't been able to find much about the boss 302 strength levels. Ford says its stronger the the R302 so if its true it must be good, but i don't want to be a guinea pig for it. The dart seems like it will handle way over the amount of power i plan throwing at it; my question is what block is going to need the least amount of work to be ready to be put together. I won't really be on a budget but its always nice to say a few bones. My ideas for the build if this helps is a 363(boss) or a 371(dart) with some afr 205/225's and a ysi spinning in somewhere around 25psi maybe a little bit of juice if needed.

So what block would you guys suggest?

thats alot of boost, i'd probably pop for the dart

yah the boost will be a lot so im kinda iffy about the boss but its made with the same material as the powerstroke blocks

Dart because the boss block is not good for a long stroke.

really didn't know that thanks for the info

Dart or World, any of the 3 aftermarket block will handle what you are building power wise, the Boss has the short cylinders which is the major downside. Any of the 3 will handle 1200+ easily. I am building engines with all 3 blocks right now, have built several engines with all 3 as well.

Woodsy whats your take on the machining cost of the blocks is one going to cost me a whole lot more then the other?

I machine them weekly, they all cost the same IMO, as far as what I charge. They all need the same basic work. Bore, hone, surface, align hone, quick lifter bore hone etc. I like the world because they come standard with studs, they are 4 bolt main on all 5 mains. I like the dart just as much. I really like the boss block but the short cylinder is a killer. You can get those for 1600 delivered, so they are enticing. They are plenty strong, all three blocks weigh in the area of 165lbs, very strong. I am building 2 engine now using two old R302 blocks, I really wish those were still around.

yeah the R302 will go down in history as a bad mofo of a block. So its more of what I'm going to pay to get the block because machining is all going to be the same? So i guess the stuff about darts being pretty much machined from the factory is all nonsense?

Well they all are machined from the factory, its close rough machine work, NONE of them are ready to run out out of the box by any means.