Hi all, Just bough this 1954 with original 3+ OD and stock 239ci Y block. Engine runs good, but I'm questionning my self whats the best solution to get more power for confort... ? rebuilt that 239 ? find a 272 ? 292 ? i would like to keep a Y block and original drive train. I think 200hp should be good. Can someone explain witch Y block can be interchangeable ? thanks
I put a 292 y block in my ‘54 wagon to replace the worn out 239. The only issue I ran in to was that the waterpump on the 292 is longer than on my 239 and we didn’t realize it until it had eaten the radiator. Otherwise it was a direct bolt in. The 239 really isn’t worth trying to work with, the distributor and Intake that make a 292/312 better don’t really work on the 239. Ive read that a FE is an excellent fit in a ‘54 if you want big power but to stay old school cool. Otherwise you can make a lot more horsepower with a 302 or 351 a lot cheaper than you’ll ever build a y block. Stock 292 I believe is around 190-200hp depending on intake and carb and anymore is big $$$. A junkyard roller 302 will make more than that stock and upgrades are cheap. My advice, look from a 292 and go cruising! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The 'better' Y-blocks will be the '57-up car versions as the Loadomatic distributor will be gone along with the cartridge oil filter. The same-year truck versions will also work, but you can run into rear-sump pans and oddball front covers/exhaust manifolds that will require some parts swapping.
I love "Y"s,but do see some other guys blow big bucks on going for 312. If ya find 312 at a fair $ great,but 292 is far EZer to find and really very very small def in power stock. If you get away from stock an in to high RPM engine=the 8v 292 is much better then 312,as the 292 v8 has smaller mains an that makes less oil heat,so engine can turn higher RPM with out, burning out mains.
Nice car. Back in high school I had a succession of Ford products with Y blocks. I think the best running one I had back then was a 55 wagon with a 292, 4bbl, duals and a Ford-O-Matic. Had plenty of power for me. Also, if you start looking for an engine, be aware that most of the 312's you see are really 292's. Everyone with a Y block for sale is sure it's a 312. There were a whole lot more 292's made than 312's. John Mummert's web page has information on determining engine size.
Time to join the '54 Ford Club of America web site and '52 - '59 social group,. I used a 302 in our '54 Ranch wagon. HRP
Thanks a lot for all the precious help, I may need to find a 1956-57 292 ci good running or rebuilt Y block. HAMBERS always do their best to help Thanks again Pete
Anyone ? Can I install a 1959 y block keeping my 3 speed 1954 ?? Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant H.A.M.B.
292 would be my choice. Lots of guys beat the crap out of them in the 60s & they took a lick'n & kept on tick'n.