Guys I need to test the water on what you guys think this is worth. I am just never going to use it. I have a complete 312 with a fordomatic on it that was removed 15+ years ago, was told ran when removed. It has been inside all that time and looks good and still turns.
I sold a complete running 292 a couple years ago for $500. I sold the good transmission behind it for another $150. I though that was reasonable since for around $1500 you can get the same setup still in the late 50s Ford, Mercury or Edsel it came with.
The good it's a 312 the bad it's a 56. Unless wanting a restored 56 the 57 model has way going for it better heads intake and ignition. Early 56 had an air cooled trans worth less.
1956 312 heads ECZ- A,B or C 1.78 intake valves 57 ECG 1.92 valves 1956 will have small bolt pattern teapot 4 barrel.
A 312 is a 312. The block is worth a premium over a 292 any time. Heads, manifold and distributor can always be swapped. The transmission could be water cooled if it came from a late 56. It's better to post your question over at http://forums.y-blocksforever.com
Here is what I have so far. Trans tag# 125288 and it has cooler lines, bell housing=PAR-7975-A Block=ECZ 6015-C Heads=ECZ-G I need to pull a cover. Intake= ECZ-9425-B 4bbl
Need to see a picture of the crank to assertain if its a 312. There should be a small asprin sized dot in the middle of a recessed area at the end of the crank. The dot can be seen between the transmission and the block from underneath. According to your head and intake numbers your engine is a 57. Cant tell if its a 312 by the ECZ as the 292 used the same block casting Everybody thinks they have a 312 and most are not. Oldmics
The bad thing about a 312 is that it shares the same basic casting as a 292. The 312 has bigger main's and they tend to crack at the main web's because Ford did not add material in that area but cut more meat out of it, not much, but enough. Seen several broken 312's. Common thing to do is take a 312 crank, cut the mains to fit the 292 block ,bore to 312 size , add 312 rod's and piston's, ya got's a 312. (not trying to start a shit storm, just add some info)
Like it has already been mentioned that just isn’t true. (the worth a premium thing) The majority of the 312 blocks are cracked and unusable. I have had 3 of them, all scrap metal because of cracks. Most of the YBlock builders in the know will use 292 blocks. My 292 was built by the Y Block guy Tim Mcmaster with a 312 crank and nets 309 cubic inches.
A clean, complete '57 312" long block will sell easily and quickly. How much, that's difficult to say. Put it on eBay and see what happens. jack vines
Not trying to start an argument. I was implying this about a good block. I imagine a lot of the bad ones have already been scrapped. If you compare prices, good 312's are still worth more than 292's.
No, why is it that you can’t understand the basics? The 312 blocks have the inherent weakness that makes them prone to cracking in the main bearing webs. Because of that it’s hard to find a good one. Not saying that there are none. Secondly ask a Y Block builder which block they will prefer to use when building a higher horsepower engine and almost invariably they will prefer the 292 blocks for strokers and large overbores etc.
OK, for building, yes that makes sense. Now for someone restoring a '56 Skyliner, Sunliner or CrownVic or some similar 57 or 58 model that originally had a 312 that went bad on them, a replacement 312 would be preferable. Sparky, I wish you were closer. I wouldn't mind having your 312 as an ankle biter. I doubt ever needing it for my '56 but ex 312 cars are out there.
As a long time owner of a '57 convert, I had to use another engine core 312 because the original was not economical to build. Interesting way to come out and ask for opinion and then debate any cautious response. When I found the replacement core engine, the fix didn't send me to heaven but did go for a great distance. Good Luck: Fred A
The Intake will sell on the Hamb for $100 + shipping. any engine & auto Trans not running is a pig in a poke core. It was removed from the vehicle for some reason? To get the best price. Rig up a stand hook up a radiator and gauges . install a carb and fire it up. Put a yoke in the trans tailhousing and you can fill it with fluid and determine if its working.
About 3 years ago I bought a set of heads like you have for $300 at a swap meet and another $200 for the high ratio rockers. The heads were well used but not cracked, the rockers were just rebuilt. I also bought the intake for $280 or I think. That '57 stuff goes for some money.
There is a local ad on CL for a 292, fresh rebuild and a 3 speed trans for $4000. I have been prowling around for a cheap motor/trans to put in a 57 t-bird. This one wasn't cheap! I'm still on the prowl.
Here's a similar one on Craigslist in Iowa. https://iowacity.craigslist.org/pts/d/1956-ford-312-block/6577325061.html If I was going to buy a "312" I'd want the pan pulled and the rocker covers to make sure it had the ecz stamped caps and high ratio rockers.
Here's a recent thread about 312 identification at Fordbarn. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245974 Sorry there's nothing about values.
I understand that but, people do weird things to old parts, manifolds can be changed easily enough. I'm not saying the one I linked to is a 312 but, I think the combo in unknown condition is worth $5-600 and more if you could hear it run. Just like every SBC that's for sale came from a Corvette, every Y block magically turns into a 312 when it's for sale.
just to keep this in perspective, A couple of months ago, I picked up a running 292 for $100. Truck motor with the truck rear sump pan. I pulled the heads and pan just to see what I got and the bores are just like new, with hone cross hatch pattern. I was going to pull some bearing caps off but could not bring myself to do it, it was just too clean inside. Now, I lucked out on this one and no it is not a 312 and it is a '59 motor but deals are out there. I bet he will get a lot more for his '57 312!
I recall a PHR magazine series on building a 312 Y block, probably from the late sixties. The series ran for a couple of months or more. When they finally finished and put it on the dyno……..the block cracked through the bearing webs just like you described. Don’t recall if it ran long enough to get a power reading.
I had a couple of '56 312s, ran them for a couple of years each, just stockers. Built up a '57 312, 336". Ran it in my '54 Ford coupe. Sold engine a year later, to a guy I worked with. $900 cold cash. My '54 got a 427 side-oiler. Instant Chevy Eater! Still like those old Y-blocks...
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