I am looking at a "Mexican Short Block". The casting number is C8AM-B. with a date code of 22H9. How can I find out what year it is, and is it a desireable engine to use?
I believe it is a 1968.....check here.....http://www.mustangtek.com/FordDecode.html#EngineeringComponent Also take note ...it seems to be according to the letter M, "Performance vehicle and Holman Moody" I am not sure what that part means Could be because it is from a performance car like a Mustang or Galaxie.
Make sure it says "Hecho en Mexico" in the valley of the block. If not it isn't a Mexican block and yes these are very desirable.
Yes you can Okay, my bad Check this out http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=19003&highlight=mexican+blocks
thanks don! good read and good info. for me and my wallet, i cant justify a search for such a motor for my mav. but it's good info for a future ref. thanks again, Rick
They can handle on average 200 more HP than the vintage blocks. They were used on american models so they`re not that hard to find.
You guys are funny. I once had a mexican block, but come to find out, it was here illegally and the govt. shipped it back to mexico. I tried to prove that it was legal, because I married it to an american crankshaft. They wouldn't buy it!!
If you don't have one, don't waste time looking for one. I've heard as many say they're above average in strength, but I've also seen printed material from Ford that said otherwise. There was more metal in em due to the inferior casting techniques used at the foundry they were cast in. That's according to Ford. There's another little known block that's easier to find and that's a D8VE casting, it's got more metal like the Mex block did, but the casting is of better quality. It's got the std small main caps though, which if you use a girdle, isn't a drawback.
