Okay, I bought the car as is.
When I bought the car, the guy told me it had a 302 which I thought Cool Beans. I looked under the hood and the valve cover says 302. But The Vin says it came with a 289... I'm curious to know how to figure out if it is actually a 302 or if one of the previous owners just stuck valve covers from a 302 on a 289?

I know engine swaps are common for these cars, but still piece of mind and curiosity has the better of me.

Any help would be appreciated,
Thanks!

 

Take said valve cover off and it should be stamped on the head. Or if you check the back of the block for the casting number.

 

Even if it has a 302 block it could be a 289.

Truth be told, unless you are replacing the harmonic damper, crank or rods it makes no difference, they were that close to the same.

 

Too true, although I can't think of many people who would put 289 heads on a 302 block, but I suppose its possible. Another place it may be hiding, I know this to be true for my 289 block, if you get desperate enough and take the intake manifold off it may be stamped underneath the intake as well. Both my 289 and 351w have these stamps, again, I suggest doing this as a last resort, unless you are going to tear down your engine.

 

289 uses a 302 block I believe.

 

Since they came this way from the factory on numerous 68s, i beg to differ

 

Was just telling him where he could look to make sure to find what his engine was. Thanks to you now everyone knows a little more. Thanks.

 

Other than a bit less than the 5% difference in displacement, (Via a small stroke increase for the 302), IMO, the "real world" difference between a 289 and 302 is virtually nil.

Other than the "loss of originallity factor" caused by a possible swap, it really is not going to matter much except for a few possible parts store issues that may arrise, IF your 302 is a LATE 302.

If we are talking about an early 302,,, asside from crankshaft, rods, and I think pistons... there really is no difference.. (Pistons might even be the same too, can't remember at the moment...)

 

yeah i just went over this with my mustang. my heads say 289 my vin says 289 but my block says 302. so check the block to find out what block it is. but could have 289 internals

 

Well... I Saw one of the Ads the guy had put up around town for selling the car... I had over looked what it says about the engine... It is indeed an engine swap as the car is an 68... the engine is in fact a 71 302. Guess next time I will read the whole ad lol.
Thanks!