'86 Mustang block

[FastGallopingPonies]

well it's local, the deal is for the 86 shortblock and he has a set of E7's he could throw in. what kind of power will this block be able to hold? may be the basis for a 331 or 347.

[1987cp]

I'd personally run a stock 5.0 block up to 400 or maybe 450hp at the most. Even 500hp might survive on the street, but they've been known to develop cracks down the middle of the block in competition use (read: impending "blammo!"). If you're getting serious, probably best to find a Mexican block or go aftermarket.

[1987LTDmasta]

'86 HO is basically a lopo with a better cam, and bigger injectors. intake plenum, heads are same as lopo, pistons are flat.

i'm going to be pulling my '86 mustang's motor over the winter cause its a complete dog.. 16 sec car is just too slow.

[FastGallopingPonies]

alright guys I think I'm gonna get this for the basis of a build for my '88 I'm think a 306/308 ready to see mild boost. What do you guys recommend? This will be a slow build do to my income and I'm gonna try to keep this on the cheap like most of us know how. I'm debating if I want to go carb or not. Give me some opinions on what you would do.

~ Dave

[P72Ford]

its all about the right setup.

I wanna know what this guys packin.. lol that bitch sounds nasty http://youtube.com/watch?v=1veaear5b4M

Oh hell yeah. Thats what I need...

[Mercracer]

I'd personally run a stock 5.0 block up to 400 or maybe 450hp at the most. Even 500hp might survive on the street, but they've been known to develop cracks down the middle of the block in competition use....

The only time that you are going to crack a block with 500HP is if you have severe detonation...

[1987cp]

The only time that you are going to crack a block with 500HP is if you have severe detonation...

Interesting. So maybe the block in the article I saw was making over 500hp or was running a bit lean. Either way, the crack down the middle sure looked scary!

[gadget73]

poor balance and tune will make them split a lot faster. Once you go past a certain point you're just pushing the envelope. Older blocks handle more since they're thicker castings usually. There are specialty custom blocks for super power applications.

[Mercracer]

poor balance and tune will make them split a lot faster. Once you go past a certain point you're just pushing the envelope. Older blocks handle more since they're thicker castings usually. There are specialty custom blocks for super power applications.

Roller blocks are some of the toughest factory 302 blocks. Other than a Mexican block, there really isn't a "better" early block.

[gadget73]

The mexican block is typically "the block" to get if you're going production, yes. The people over on corral keep thumping the old (pre 1974) blocks with linkbar roller conversion lifters as being the supreme dogshit, but I don't get the attraction. Apparently the cylinder walls are thicker and you can do a .060 bore on some instead of .040. Not sure why thats such a big selling point but some folks sure seem convinced its important.

[Mercracer]

Other than the Boss block, the Mexican block is the only one with stronger webbing or nickel content. The HiPo 289 was a standard block with the thicker main caps only.