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  1. #1
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Default 1981 reman 302 28 or 50 oz?

    I recently picked up a Jasper reman 302 for a song. It has zero miles on rebuild, but has been sitting for several years. It's a long block...1985 date code on the heads (I have a better set for it) and 1981 date code on the block. Engine is in excellent condition. Cylinders look great, as well as the rest of the rotating assembly.

    It didn't come with a flywheel or balancer. How can I tell if it's a 28 or 50 oz? The guy I got it from didn't know anything about it. He got it at least 10 yrs ago for a project, but sold the truck and this has been sitting in storage. I'm out of town and can't access my junk at the moment. I'm presuming I'll need to look for a date on the crankshaft? Any other signs to give it away?
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  2. #2
    FEP Power Member richpet's Avatar
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    Oh man. I don't know if one can tell from the outside or not. If it's been sitting for 10 years, what was it going to be put in? Perhaps the older block was going in an older car so they kept the older 28oz imbalance? Heck of a thing to gamble with though.
    Maybe Jasper can say that they usually do one thing or another? Maybe the casting number on the crank is the way to find out?
    83 5.0 GT. Quicker than it looks! 10:1 (or just over) 306, Motorsport a332 cam, 140A alt, t5 conv, 8.8 w/ 3.27's, Edel rpm, alum rad, very worked e7's, Holley SA carb, etc... SOLD IT!!!!

    Now an 1981 Granada! .040 over 302, Edel E-street heads... Currently building a 347 because, why not?

    "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"

  3. #3
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    If the heads are newer and the block is older then you really don't know what crank they threw in there. I think you are going to have to pull the pan to see which crank you have and source the damper and flywheel/flexplate accordingly. I believe the earlier 28oz crank will have a 2M cast into it. The later 50oz crank should have 2MA or 2ME cast into it, but do your own research to confirm that.
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  4. #4

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    50 oz = 1981 and newer

    Not 1982 and newer.

    As Kevin said, check the crank casting number. 50 oz is 2MAE
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  5. #5
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Thanks for the tips. The engine is at my buddy's house. I got it for his car (my old 88gt). He thought he blew the engine up but turned out he just floated a valve. That loose rocker and pushrod sure sounded bad lol! Anyway, it's sitting on the stand. He's going to look at the crank for me so I can order some parts. It's going in my 82 capri, since he doesn't need it.
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  6. #6

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    I can confirm I have a crank from a 79 and it is a "2M" casting and is 28 oz balance. It also has the slinger ring for the 2pc seal so that may be a visual cue as well.

    I'm not sure but maybe they made a 50oz 302 crank with a 2pc seal until they went one piece seals in 82 ?

    It seems when you get unknown 302 engine stuff right in those 1980/81 years it can be a bit of a mystery...not mustang but Fairmont/Granada/LTD made 302 in those years etc.

  7. #7

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    Then there is also the 255 crank which I think might be "2MJ" or "2J" casting which is same dimensions and 50oz like a 302 crank only much lighter duty. It also has the slinger ring for the 2pc seal.

    Not 100% on this but what I remember when I ripped apart from my son's 80 cobra with the original 255 anyway.

  8. #8

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    82 had split seal with 50 oz, at least my 82 5.0 GLX does.

  9. #9

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    Two-piece (split) seal change to one-piece seal after the 1983 model year started, sometime in Dec 1982. So all of 1981 and 1982 model years, and part of 1983 model year, 302 were 50 oz with two-piece seal.
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  10. #10
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Great info guys! My buddy must have forgot about me today, but I'll get him lol
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  11. #11
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Default

    Name:  20201204_125507.jpg
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    Here's what I have. Looks like 2NAE... but I suppose it could be an "M".
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  12. #12
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    If you squint just right it looks like a 2MAE. I don't think 2NAE is a Ford crank casting number.
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  13. #13
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinVarnes View Post
    If you squint just right it looks like a 2MAE. I don't think 2NAE is a Ford crank casting number.
    I think you're right. If it wasn't for this thread, I would swear it's an "N". I was searching online and nothing came up. I thought maybe the "N" was designated for a factory replacement or something along those lines. But I like your squinting theory better!
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  14. #14
    FEP Power Member richpet's Avatar
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    Looks like you have a 50oz-er.

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    83 5.0 GT. Quicker than it looks! 10:1 (or just over) 306, Motorsport a332 cam, 140A alt, t5 conv, 8.8 w/ 3.27's, Edel rpm, alum rad, very worked e7's, Holley SA carb, etc... SOLD IT!!!!

    Now an 1981 Granada! .040 over 302, Edel E-street heads... Currently building a 347 because, why not?

    "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"

  15. #15
    FEP Power Member Jerry peachuer's Avatar
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    Make sure you pop caps off and peak at bearings and make sure you don't spin a dry shortblock with no lube.. toss some assy lube in there and torque caps back down per sequence

    Wd40 down the cylinders to lube the rings from possibly sticking to the wall from sitting still for all that time

    Nice purchase BTW

  16. #16
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    My buddy took a closer look at it and confirmed "2MAE".

    Jerry,
    Good call on checking/lubing the bearings!

    I have a very slightly used cam I pulled from my pace car. Hydraulic roller. It's a little on the rowdy side but it should work fine. I also ordered a set of link-bar lifters and will be using the c9ae heads off my old 88gt. They've been ported, shaved, have screw-in rockers and hardened exhaust valve seats. Valves are larger than stock. They made really good power on my 88gt.
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  17. #17
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Name:  Resized_1607204945808928084271214478171_197521661917565.jpeg
Views: 84
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    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

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