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Hot Rods Y block pros and cons

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Roothawg, Sep 18, 2009.

  1. fordsteel
    Joined: Jun 27, 2006
    Posts: 490

    fordsteel
    Member
    from Elkland PA

    I as well love Y-Blocks they keep falling out of the sky for me :)
    But then the bill that comes with building one up that has some pep and a full rebuild is a bit crazy. But at-least I dont have to worry about it blowing up on me. Y blocks are tough motors they can handle about 400 hp with a forged crank and a reasonable cylinder thickness it just cost alot of money to get to 400 hp.
    One of my Y blocks Is even McCoulluh supercharged...Talk about a neat looking motor
    and they fit nicely in a 32 frame so a 35 frame should be no problem
     
  2. novatattoo
    Joined: Oct 6, 2005
    Posts: 2,030

    novatattoo
    Member
    from Canton,OH

    This 272 in my 57 has twice taken us on vacation to TN. Which is 500 miles one way. I run 70mph, stock 3 speed trans and 325 gears. And we make that trip in one day. Flawless performance. True miles unknown. Later,Bill

    [​IMG]
     
  3. flipwilly2
    Joined: Sep 2, 2009
    Posts: 4

    flipwilly2
    Member

    If my memory serves me, the '57 312's matched the 283 SBC's in hp. They had a 225, 245, and 270 hp with a single 4 bbl. There also was the supercharged with 300 hp. I had a '55 292 and a '56 312 (Merc-210 hp.). The '56 was heavy enough to get me in a class with 2 bbl Mustangs and Novas. I even took a few trophies. They both had duals with Walker glasspacks and the bell type Holley 4 bbls. I drove the crap out of them and never had any problems. I also replaced the starter on both of them and don't remember them being that bad. Best sounding duals with glasspacks out there!
     
  4. I have 4 complete engines i will sell for $150 a piece. I put one on ebay and couldnt even get a starting bid? :eek:OldWolf
     
  5. davsal43
    Joined: Sep 6, 2011
    Posts: 2

    davsal43
    Member

    Were can I get information on the ford y-block adapter starter. I'm looking for the mini torque starter that they use ond the ford AOD transmission conversion. Does any one know as I need the mini starter.
     
  6. langy
    Joined: Apr 27, 2006
    Posts: 5,730

    langy
    Member Emeritus

    The adaptor i have for my 292 from Gene at Flat o parts uses an FE starter
     
  7. RayJarvis
    Joined: Oct 11, 2010
    Posts: 209

    RayJarvis
    Member

    yhink you missed 341 368
     
  8. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    I had a '56 Ford Convertible, 292 'Y' block. Street raced every Chevy I could find in San Jose, for 2+years. Never got beat. (this was from '59-'61)
    One fast guy with a '58 Chevy cheapo 2-dr sedan w/348 (280HP) swore my ragtop had a Chevy in it. He gasped when I opened the hood. Easy $60. ($20 a gear!)

    A few tricks I employed that got past tech at Fremont (Baylands) strip:

    C/Stock: '57 distributor, modified advance

    Rejetted Teapot carb

    Pistons installed backwards (Smokey trick that mimiced advantage of long rods)

    Stock Camshaft juggled 4*

    Erson Valve springs washered .060"

    Valve lash set at .014" hot

    40% over 50: 10" clutch, San Jose Friction Mat'ls

    This car had extreme acceleration, and high RPM...valves would float at 6800 RPM.
    Maximum power @ 6400...
    Fremont Drags head tech 'Hillary' about wore the bolts out tearing it down every week.
    They just KNEW I was cheatin'! LOL
     
  9. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    Bonehead question:

    I have a nice '54 Ford Coupe my son bought me for Fathers Day awhile back...putting a '63 390 Merc Marauder in it for now.

    Which way do the 292-type mounts face on the sides? Closed ends forward, or open ends forward?
    For the life of me, I can't remember, and they're easier to switch out here than in that damned chassis!
    I have the '56 2-stud mounts, Gosh I hate alzeimers...
    Thanks in advance.
     
  10. If I can remember right...When I took the motor out of my 56 I think the open ends were facing the motor
     
  11. The 292 in my Uni is VERY thirsty, of course with a lighter vehicle fuel consumption may be improved.
     
  12. sololobo
    Joined: Aug 23, 2006
    Posts: 8,378

    sololobo
    Member

    All pros, No cons, except those cats with Oldsmobile valve covers on their small block chevy!! Y-block -- y-not ~sololobo~
     
  13. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,459

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    Strictly pro for me. Having Tim McMaster build my Y Block for my 26 RPU is pro all the way.

    292 block -312 crank HD truck rods, mild cam and ported ECZ-G heads.

    Balanced etc. etc.

    Listen to this run in video of my Y Block and tell me how sweet it sounds. (as if I don't already know :))

     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2016
    Jeff Norwell likes this.
  14. That's what I will be doing for my 27 coupe as well with either my edelbrock 6x2 or try to find a blower manifold
     
  15. Ice man
    Joined: Mar 12, 2008
    Posts: 983

    Ice man
    Member

    Back in the day I built a bunch of them. Did one of them for a friend, he picked it up at the shop, dropped it in a 56 Long roof and drove from Pittsburgh to California and back and many more trips. I never heard it run. Most of there problems were the junk oil we had available at the time. With the better oils of today you gona love it. Ice man
     
  16. langy
    Joined: Apr 27, 2006
    Posts: 5,730

    langy
    Member Emeritus

    IMG_8711.JPG I'm just putting this together at the moment
     
    mgtstumpy likes this.
  17. I always try and use a 65 and later flywheel and starter on my FE engines. Not a factory option with a Y block. They quit installing Y blocks in cars in 62 and trucks in 64. Ive ran across many old fords that the third starter bolt wasn't present. seemed to work ok with just two bolts.
     
  18. The 312 was the base engine in mercury cars until 62.
     
  19. Yfreak57
    Joined: Aug 5, 2008
    Posts: 6

    Yfreak57
    Member
    from Finland

    Just another boat anchor powered race car. Hollow Heads Drag Team's '23 T-Altered from Finland. Best time 8.134s/171mph on 1/4 mile from this summer. 292 cid Y-Block with two turbos create 974,39 HP @ 6300 rpm and 1175,54 Nm @ 5700 rpm
    mopoilija_03.JPG mopoilija_16.JPG mopoilija_18.JPG mopoilija_19.JPG

    Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollowHeadsDragTeamFinland/
     
  20. HiHelix
    Joined: Dec 20, 2015
    Posts: 381

    HiHelix
    Member

    Lessons to be learned here.... there is a time and place for everything!.... awesome thanks!
     
  21. Mummert
    Joined: Jun 3, 2012
    Posts: 205

    Mummert
    Member

    Pros---- Engine block will put up with just about anything you can throw at it.
    Con---- Center cam bearing!!!!

    Y block top end oiling issues are caused by center cam bearing mush.

    Cam cores have a shallow groove that regulates oil and allows it to flow to the top end. Once the bearing mushes enough it closes off the groove in the cam and the oil stops.

    The depth of this groove is what has total control of oil flow to the top end. You can FLOOD the top end if you choose by cutting the groove in the cam to deep. .040" depth works well

    We've finally had hardened cam bearings made. Its the main thing we've seen this engine need street or race.
     
    Chris likes this.
  22. It was always stated that the cam bearings spun and stopped the oil flow. Ive torn down a lot of non oiling rocker Y blocks and never once found a spun cam bearing.
     
  23. Mummert
    Joined: Jun 3, 2012
    Posts: 205

    Mummert
    Member

    I've never seen a spun cam bearing in a Y block myself, not even in the 57' 312's that had cam tunnel issues. The cams are almost impossible to get to spin smoothly in the 57' 312's.
    In the old day many people used to put effort into smoothing the oil passage to the top end and drilling the feed hole in the head larger. Its not necessary they are already almost to big.
     
  24. I stumbled on to this thread today. Let me put my one-and-a-half-cents in. I have owned a 55 Country Sedan with a mostly stock 272 since 2008. I had it professionally rebuilt for about 2500 bills including a slightly hotter Isky cam. It is still 6 volt with a Pertronix (Neg Grd) electronic ignition, rebuilt carb using ethanol-resistant parts, dual exhaust headers, dual fuel filters, and spin-on oil filter. (Sure, I would love a set of those T-Bird valve covers, but can't afford them.) Other than a bent pushrod, it has been a good old cruiser. (Drove it to Detroit and Pittsburgh.) Like every other Y-enthusiast, love that exhaust note.
    I'm pretty lax when it comes to storing the car in the winter. I keep it in a garage with a float charger. I start her up periodically, though. Never had a problem. Good runner.
     
  25. drtrcrV-8
    Joined: Jan 6, 2013
    Posts: 1,707

    drtrcrV-8
    Member

    I guess y'all too busy cruzin' to do Updates?
     
  26. RmK57
    Joined: Dec 31, 2008
    Posts: 2,659

    RmK57
    Member

    Didn't the 312's have a problem with cracking the saddles in the block? Maybe over torquing the caps?
    Remember reading about it a while back.
     
  27. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,799

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I like them. So far trouble free. I can't seem to figure out why the fuel mileage is down tho. image.jpeg
     
    warbird1 and olscrounger like this.
  28. drtrcrV-8
    Joined: Jan 6, 2013
    Posts: 1,707

    drtrcrV-8
    Member

    Well, only one of you mentioned the "OTHER" Y-Block : It's "Big Brother" the Truck/Commercial/Lincoln version(279"/302"/317"/341"368") that DIDN'T have the over/under intake ports, & DID have hydraulic lifters. Yes, the only parts that interchange are the starters, the distributors(MUST change the gear & make sure if the oil pump drive is "screwdriver" or "hex" to match up with the oil pump you are using!!), & the oil pumps(SEE PREVIOUS NOTE!). They are a SIMILAR design, just bigger & heavier, but just as reliable(if not more so) as their "little brothers"! Oh, in case you were wondering, I just thought it was time to say : "BTTT"!!
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2019
    warhorseracing likes this.
  29. I built a 272 for my 29 a and was able to find some nos Forged Power pistons

    20180428_094604_Burst01.jpg

    20180429_141324.jpg
    It has a 3x2 intake but I will just run 2 carbs
    20181019_125904_Film3.jpg

    3 speed standerd trans with overdrive.
     
  30. bdynpnt
    Joined: Feb 9, 2009
    Posts: 354

    bdynpnt
    Member

    Actually, Mummert is doing aluminum heads but they are extremely pricey

    Sent from my SM-G965U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     

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