Projects What's the best thing to cram into a 1958 Ford Ranchero?

Alright, I've got a rusty, crusty, beat up Ranchero with a 312 with pitting in a cylinder. The engine is out and most of the parts are off, I have a limited budget, what are my best bets to get this thing on the road within the next few months?
I'm thinking a 292 as they're decently common and mostly cheap, and I plan on keeping the trans (original but rebuilt and work great). Any insight is appreciated, and if you're adventurous I'd even sell the project, but hopefully I can get it back on the road soon.

 

fat chicks

 

Only if they get out and push

 

the 292, or any good Y block (239/256/272) is a natural, if you find a good one at a price you are comfortable with.

Welcome to the HAMB.

Ray

 

Thanks, I was wondering which Y people liked the best and why. I've heard 312s have a tendency to burn oil and crack, and both 292s and 312s are a little rare out in eastern Washington

 

FE motors are nice engines, 352, 390 would be perfect.

 

58's still use the Y block???? I didn't know that. My parents had a 58 Galaxie when I was a kid and it had the 352 Interceptor engine in it with the Cruiseamatic transmission. It was the first car I drove ( I think I was 11 years old) and it had some real power from what my child mind remembers. I'd go with a 352 or 390 FE if it was mine.

 

The most go for the least dough is going to be a Chevy engine.

Find a busted up ford truck for a donor engine.

 

I saw that car on my local craigslist. I have a nice running 292 I may sell. I live in Spokane.

 

My buddy has a 58 with a 460 he stuck in in 1973, and still drives it today

 

That's so funny ratfink. When I first saw the post on the front page that was my first thought. FAT CHICKS.

 

The 292 Y block was used through 1964 in some Fords as I recall.

Ray

 

62 the Y block was replaced by the FE and SBC in Cars, 64 was the last year Y Block in Trucks

EDIT - Now that I think about it, The base Galaxie at the beginning of 62 might have been available with the 292 and 352, but the XL and 500 had the 390 FE, with the 406 optional including the 405HP three deuce version.

 

The 460 swap won't be cheap or easy, go with the 292 or the FE.

 

Any idea on how much money/welding etc. that would take? I'm going for the cheapest and easiest route without cutting corners.

 

Is this true?? How different is the 292 vs. 312? What would be causing these issues?

 

292s are cheap, and can be found with a little searching.

 

The 312 and 292 are the same block, but the 312 has a larger bore, aka less metal in between. All Y blocks usually have the top end oiling problems too.

 

6 cheerleaders a BBq grill a cooler of food and 2 kegs of beer

 

PM sent.

 

A FE will bolt it and you can use the original trans,just find 58 332 mounts and bellhousing along with the rest of the clutch parts.

 

292's & 312's may have started with the same casting number, but there is a difference... the main journal size. And with clean oil passages, good cam bearings and modern oils you won't have any trouble getting oil to the top end.

Check out http://ford-y-block.com/technical.htm

 

Why do you say that? It fits without cutting anything, good running 460 truck motors are easy to come by and pretty cheap. The truck manifolds fit fine. You can make motor mount adapters our a few companies sell kits - same for the trans mount. Don't try and use a the Ribbed C6 case, use the smooth one for floor clearance.

To me they are cheaper, especially if you need to rebuild, than an FE or a Y-Block and make tons more torque.

 

I'm trying to keep the auto trans especially, I've driven manuals and always prefer the auto because I spend a long commute in stop and go traffic. How does the FE fit for size, if it's much wider than the 312 I might need different headers

 

Stuff a few more in the bed and ta hell with the engine.

 

Fat Chance

 

It's a F-O-R-D! It's made for a SMALL BLOCK CHEVY
By the way, those 58 Rancheros are my favorite. My Dad had one back in the early 70s, Silver and White with chrome reverse rims, man, it was nice.

 

The 429-460 are cheaper but the fan to radiator clearance is real tight and the stock radiator is borderline for cooling. They came with an FE, I'd go with a 352-360-390, just don't bugger it up with a sbc swap.

 

The Y block 292 was used in Argentina into the 70's

 

292s were used in trucks up to 64 so you should be able to come up with one that runs.