262 head widths

JasonNC

What is the difference in width for the two 262 blocks, i.e. narrow (1948-50) as opposed to the 262 used from 1951-54?  

JasonNC

The reason I asked this question is that I have two 262 engines, one of which has a 232 head on it.  My research and an older post tells that a 232 head won't fit on a narrow 262 engine block.  Is there a way of determining how they differ by either measuring them or finding a number that indicates whether it's a wide or narrow block?  The engines appear to be the same size and I feel it's possible that the engine in the 48 has a replacement engine that is a wide 262.  

53jetman

Narrow block head will have "500" molded in to the cast iron surface near the thermostate housing.  The wide block will have "232" molded into the surface near the thermostat housing.

Ric West IN

Narrow blocks came with two different casting #s.  Earliest was 300001. Next change had casting # 302627.  First wide block had casting # 302627 for 232/262 and 304539 for the Hornet.

Ric West IN

Oops, make that 304299 for the wide block 262/232.    Shouldn't answer questions this late at night!

JasonNC

Thanks guys.

JasonNC

I checked and the 48 has a narrow block.