Mexican Blocks

Ok, there have always been people that thought a mexican block was really no better than a stock block. However, there have been folks that accomplished feats that would be otherwise impossible on a stock block so I've always figured they had to be somewhat better. Example - Mark Harwell ran one in the KFC Outlaw car and virtually pegged a dynojet through the automatic with his Mexican block based motor (not filled or anything). This car did make a few passes down the track with that setup and according to Shane Hill, despite some serious tire shake/traction problems, it went into the 8's at over 170mph. It was later used in another very high hp application and the block never did break - it was just sold again. Another example is a member here just went 8.90's on his Mexican block based setup. Yes, it's still a 2-bolt main block but what's the real story?
Even the fastest of the fastest one pass wonders on stock blocks are unable to hold a candle to this kind of performance. Well, I have a few stock blocks sitting around and a Mexican block as well so I decided to take some comparison pictures to start a GOOD tech thread for the real story on Mexican blocks. Below are attached pics that show a few areas in comparison. Any other tech on the subject is welcome...

First, a Mexican Block should have the following label in the lifter valley - "Hecho En Mexico". If it isn't there, it isn't real.

Ok, now for a pic of the Mexican block (from the bottom in this case)

This is a Stock block - notice the vast difference in main caps

This is the Mexican Block main webbing - the text in the pic is self-explanatory

In comparison, here is the same spot on the Stock block

Here is a simple comparison of the sides. First, the Mexican block:

and now the Stock block

Another view - Mexican block

and in comparison on the Stock block

And, the SAME location on another Stock block

More side by side pics.

on a mexican block there is also a large boss (hump) just over the oil pressure sending unit...easy to spot

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