Just got my X33 (minus 302) out of storage after 16 year nap and want to restore back to running cond. with a real DZ engine. Been on the site before but not very adept at navigation. I will be joining as a member and want to acquire a correct/dated 302 DZ for my car.

Any recommendations with regard to what date codes to look for to "match" the car build date to a 302 DZ block? Also looking for 302 DZ related engine parts and expertise.

Long Island, NY

If you do find the correct date code I may have a buddy that has a 302 that he wants to sell....Let me know...

As far as finding the correct engine date code its simply a matter of looking at your cowl tag and looking at the car build date.

For example, if your car build date on the cowl tag is 02B (Second week of February) you would want an engine code that looks something like this... T0213DZ. 02 meaing February, 13 being the day, and of course DZ for 302. (T=Tonawanda build)

So look at your car build date and go from there. Now actually finding a DZ engine that lines up with your exact month and week is probably gonna be like trying to find a snowball in hell.

And if you do i hope its not for the purpose of trying to pass it off as a true numbers matching car...

I happen to know where a 69 DZ 302 sits , rebuilt a long time ago and never installed.
Post up the date your after and I will see if I can get the #'s and a price for ya.

Will do and thanks a lot. I'm getting back in the saddle slowly but surely.

Build date for the body is 02A (February, 1st week). Anybody know what the going rate is for a DZ these days?

If you are looking for a DZ engine, I would look for an early to mid January dated block. Not knowing how into numbers you are, it may be better (and definitely cheaper) to build your own 302 with a good 4" bore block, an aftermarket 3" stroke crank and aftermarket heads. Deck the block and build it right. It will always be a Z/28 with the X33 TT. JMHO.

Yeah, noted correction here..my head was someplace not so sunny when i posted the date matches. The engine build date would obviously predate the car build date. I completely misunderstood your question. I thought you were asking more what the date code would look like (meaningT0203DZ) and how to interpret it. Now i know you meant what the actual engine date range would need to be to line up with the car build date. Sorry. :clonk:

I'm no purist but more of history buff and would prefer a factory 302 even if it wasn't the numbers matching engine. I certainly appreciate your response though. The recommendation on an early to mid Jan. block casting date range sounds right on. Thx!