Can I rebuild an 85 block for an 86?

LOCASH · 01-04-2001, 09:46 AM

I found a motor and AOD out of an 85 Merc for $150 from a guy who had to get rid of it!

My question is: Can I rebuild this block to use in my 86 even though it was a carb. motor? Will all of the intake stuff and my headers bolt on? I have read that the block is a bit thinner and the cylinders do not have a "siamese bore". Am I better off just rebuiling my current block?

------------------
86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Crutchfield front kick panel speakers.

Green92LX · 01-04-2001, 11:06 AM

If I were you, I would look for a 87-92 motor. This way, you will have a better basis for upgrades. 87-92's had notched, forged pistons and better flowing stock heads. This way, you can easily throw in a cam, or more importantly run some form of forced induction easier. It's a smart move and will save you money in the long run.

------------------
1992 5.0 LX, Edelbrock 6037 Heads, Cobra Intake,E-303, 1.6 Rollers,65MM Holley TB, 75 MM Pro M Mass Air, 190 LPH FP w/ 24 lb injectors,BBK equal length shorties,offroad h-pipe,Mac Flowpath Cat-Back, Pro 5.0, 3.73's,Motorsport "C" springs,welded subframe connectors

Daily driver: 89 notch with 200K plus, BBK shorties,offroad,2-chamber flowmasters with dumps, cut and welded stock shifter...and it runs like a champ.

LOCASH · 01-04-2001, 03:12 PM

I am in Italy. I can't just order the block that I want. I would have to go through customs, pay some outrageous tax (I think about 35-40%)and a bunch of other stuff. My only options are 1. Take the motor out of the car (the 86 block) or 2. rebuild the 85 block. I would prefer to build the 85 and take my time. Any advice?

------------------
86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Crutchfield front kick panel speakers.

dirtyGT · 01-04-2001, 05:59 PM

Is the 85 block have a roller cam?If not i'd reuse the 86 block

------------------
86GT-MACcatback-89heads,intake,TB,KENNYBROWNsubs,3.73's,HURST shifter,much more to come

86GT · 01-04-2001, 06:48 PM

I agree with dirtyGT, if its a roller block (easily identified by roller lifters and spider in the lifter valley) then use it, otherwise you'd be better off with your 86 block and notch the pistons in it..

LOCASH · 01-04-2001, 07:51 PM

85 was the first year for roller cams. Will everything else fit though?

------------------
86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Crutchfield front kick panel speakers.

dirtyGT · 01-05-2001, 12:30 AM

Yes sir

------------------
86GT-MACcatback-89heads,intake,TB,KENNYBROWNsubs,3.73's,HURST shifter,much more to come

kelso50 · 01-05-2001, 09:12 PM

I don't think the engines out of regular cars are the same as the H.O. engines. I am pretty sure the regular 302 engine isn't a roller engine regardless of what year it is. I think the cam is different as well. I could be wrong but you should check it out first.

LOCASH · 01-05-2001, 09:21 PM

I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that it is out of a Mercury Capri.

------------------
86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Crutchfield front kick panel speakers.

86GT · 01-06-2001, 12:07 AM

If its out of a capri it'll be the same as a Mustang. My friend has an 85RS and its got a roller setup, same cam as the 87+ too. Just had some different heads E5TE I think. They're just as good as the E7 heads, but they had lower compression, must be a good head if it made 210hp out of 8.5:1 compression. If that's what you have, then go with it... And just put a better (ie. 87+ intake on it) and it'll be fine..

thunderbolt · 01-06-2001, 02:45 PM

the 85 may not be a roller motor, but my understanding is that all 302's cast 85 and after were machined to accept roller lifters. So you should be able to use your roller set up (if you have one). For $150 with an aod, I would go for it. Junk the heads and get some later ones.

01-04-2001, 09:46 AM	#1
LOCASH Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Santa Lucia di Budoia, Italy Posts: 217	Can I rebuild an 85 block for an 86? I found a motor and AOD out of an 85 Merc for $150 from a guy who had to get rid of it! My question is: Can I rebuild this block to use in my 86 even though it was a carb. motor? Will all of the intake stuff and my headers bolt on? I have read that the block is a bit thinner and the cylinders do not have a "siamese bore". Am I better off just rebuiling my current block? ------------------ 86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Crutchfield front kick panel speakers.

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01-04-2001, 11:06 AM	#2
Green92LX Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: North Haven,CT Posts: 336	If I were you, I would look for a 87-92 motor. This way, you will have a better basis for upgrades. 87-92's had notched, forged pistons and better flowing stock heads. This way, you can easily throw in a cam, or more importantly run some form of forced induction easier. It's a smart move and will save you money in the long run. ------------------ 1992 5.0 LX, Edelbrock 6037 Heads, Cobra Intake,E-303, 1.6 Rollers,65MM Holley TB, 75 MM Pro M Mass Air, 190 LPH FP w/ 24 lb injectors,BBK equal length shorties,offroad h-pipe,Mac Flowpath Cat-Back, Pro 5.0, 3.73's,Motorsport "C" springs,welded subframe connectors Daily driver: 89 notch with 200K plus, BBK shorties,offroad,2-chamber flowmasters with dumps, cut and welded stock shifter...and it runs like a champ.

01-04-2001, 03:12 PM	#3
LOCASH Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Santa Lucia di Budoia, Italy Posts: 217	I am in Italy. I can't just order the block that I want. I would have to go through customs, pay some outrageous tax (I think about 35-40%)and a bunch of other stuff. My only options are 1. Take the motor out of the car (the 86 block) or 2. rebuild the 85 block. I would prefer to build the 85 and take my time. Any advice? ------------------ 86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Crutchfield front kick panel speakers.

01-04-2001, 05:59 PM	#4
dirtyGT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: INDIANA Posts: 658	Is the 85 block have a roller cam?If not i'd reuse the 86 block ------------------ 86GT-MACcatback-89heads,intake,TB,KENNYBROWNsubs,3.73's,HURST shifter,much more to come

01-04-2001, 06:48 PM	#5
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	I agree with dirtyGT, if its a roller block (easily identified by roller lifters and spider in the lifter valley) then use it, otherwise you'd be better off with your 86 block and notch the pistons in it..

01-04-2001, 07:51 PM	#6
LOCASH Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Santa Lucia di Budoia, Italy Posts: 217	85 was the first year for roller cams. Will everything else fit though? ------------------ 86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Crutchfield front kick panel speakers.

01-05-2001, 12:30 AM	#7
dirtyGT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: INDIANA Posts: 658	Yes sir ------------------ 86GT-MACcatback-89heads,intake,TB,KENNYBROWNsubs,3.73's,HURST shifter,much more to come

01-05-2001, 09:12 PM	#8
kelso50 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 146	I don't think the engines out of regular cars are the same as the H.O. engines. I am pretty sure the regular 302 engine isn't a roller engine regardless of what year it is. I think the cam is different as well. I could be wrong but you should check it out first.

01-05-2001, 09:21 PM	#9
LOCASH Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Santa Lucia di Budoia, Italy Posts: 217	I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that it is out of a Mercury Capri. ------------------ 86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Crutchfield front kick panel speakers.

01-06-2001, 12:07 AM	#10
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	If its out of a capri it'll be the same as a Mustang. My friend has an 85RS and its got a roller setup, same cam as the 87+ too. Just had some different heads E5TE I think. They're just as good as the E7 heads, but they had lower compression, must be a good head if it made 210hp out of 8.5:1 compression. If that's what you have, then go with it... And just put a better (ie. 87+ intake on it) and it'll be fine..

01-06-2001, 02:45 PM	#11
thunderbolt Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 380	the 85 may not be a roller motor, but my understanding is that all 302's cast 85 and after were machined to accept roller lifters. So you should be able to use your roller set up (if you have one). For $150 with an aod, I would go for it. Junk the heads and get some later ones.