302 shortblock find

[johngeorge]

Since I'm in need of a shortblock for next year (kinda overheated my old one at Nats) I was looking around and was sent this link. Ill be buying this in December and putting all those new shiny Trickflow parts...

1979-95 Mustang 5.0L 302 Economy Short Block, Accepts Roller Cam - $699
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-6009E/79-95-Economy-50L-Mustang-Short-Block

[FFSpecRacer]

Sounds good. But the " cranks are precision ground to recommended specifications, and micro-polished" Throws up a red flag to me. For some reason, that doesn't sound like a stock procedure. Could be wrong but I would look into it before laying out the cash.

[riptide motorsport]

Thats an incredible deal!

[cwrandolph]

Sounds good. But the " cranks are precision ground to recommended specifications, and micro-polished" Throws up a red flag to me. For some reason, that doesn't sound like a stock procedure. Could be wrong but I would look into it before laying out the cash.

Micro polishing is good. I work for a compressor manufacturer and our crankshaft process is the same: rough grind, finish grind & then micro polish.

[FFSpecRacer]

Micro-polish may be a good thing and I agree with that.

My point is, is it legal in the series??

[jimgood]

10.2 ..."Grinding, polishing or removal of any material other than as required to mate surfaces in the cylinder heads or intake manifold ports is not permitted."

Sounds to me like it's not allowed.

John, I'll bet you could order one without the micropolishing if it came down to it.

[Jim Schenck]

Grinding and polishing in this case is a necessary procedure done by the factory to the crankshaft and is required when either remanufacturing or building a replacement crankshaft. You cannot have an unpolished crankshaft. Two of the three OEM replacement crankshafts I found were listed as micropolished, and I think the term is being used more as marketing lingo than as some definition of how fine a polish was applied, particularly on a $700 replacement shortblock.

[FFSpecRacer]

Excellent Jim!!

I didn't have time to look into "polishing" and was not familiar with what went into preparing a crankshaft for use short of grinding it. That's something my machinist handles.

This is good news as this seems to be a convenient source for a short block. Look forward to learning John's experience with it as he will be the guinea pig.

[mhoward1]

then I will save this link for sure

[jimgood]

That's good to know. They sure make it sound like something special and out of the ordinary.

[tcoon]

John this looks like a great deal but I am a little concerned about the listed cast pistons, particularly since we will be running the Trick Flow top end kit and turning higher RPM's. Our 302's came from the factory with forged pistons and that would definitely be preferable. maybe better to get a bare block and put in good quality replacement parts to the limit of the rules. a strong bottom end is paramount in a durable race engine.

T

[jetsbaby]

The price went up to 749.00 plus ship..CM engines have short blocks for $696.00..Just FYI..

[johngeorge]

what is CM? got a web link?

[jetsbaby]

Here you go..Some people have used them and I will in the near future..They do all of their work in house and they are not a middle man so they can offer a lower price..Some business get their engines from them and up the price..From what I have read from people using them is they do good work and not have problems.

http://www.cmengines.com/