Ford 312 vs 292 Y-block question

Does anybody have any theories
as to why FoMoCo discontinued
the 'two-model-year-only' 312 cubic
version of the Y-block engine after
1957, yet continued producing the
smaller 292 Y-block through to at
least 1964 in cars and even later
in trucks?? Were there any
problems that were inherent to
the 312 as opposed to the very
similar (in fact actually, nearly
identical but just smaller and
slightly less powerful) 292 that
led to the 312's very short use??

Mart3406
===============

 

I'm not sure on why they discontinued the 312, but in pickup trucks 64 was indeed the last year for the 292.

 

I think 62 was the last year for the y block in cars

 

if i had to guess i would go with ford pulling out of racing after 57 .
the only problem that the 312 had that the other y blocks didn't was cracking of the main journal webbing due to over torquing the main caps

 

The 312 disappeared from the Ford line in 58 in favor of the FE, but stayed in production for Mercury through 1960. In 61-62, only the 292 was produced as the 'base' V-8 for full-size Fords and Mercurys. The Y-block disappeared from cars for good at the end of 62, trucks in 64.

 

The FE came along in 58 and gave more options.

 

i don't remember the 332 fe having more options than the 312
you could get a 312 in 57 with single 4bbl, dual 4bbl, or supercharged .
whereas the 332 i think was 4bbl only

 

Ford pulled out of racing at the end of 57 as per the AMA (Automobile Manufacturers of America) so all 'performance' options disappeared. Henry 2 figured out he'd been snookered by mid-59, so Ford got back into performance starting in 1960. The 1960 360HP 352 was the first production performance V-8 designed from the block up, not just a regular production motor with bolt-on goodies....

 

The Ford Y-block was produced in different versions from 239 to 312 cu in. The 312 was the Mercury engine and optional high perf Ford and Thunderbird engine.

Then in 1958 they introduced the new FE engine in 332 and 352 cu in versions. It became the new performance engine.

The old Y-block became the base V8. They continued the 292 as a cheap "cooking" power plant for sedans and station wagons. If you wanted better performance or more power for trailer towing you paid up for the 352, or later 390, 427 etc.

Max HP was not wanted, just the cheapest basic V8 for everyday use. The 292 filled the bill until it was replaced by the 289.

In other words, starting in 1958 the FE became the performance engine and the 292 became the base engine. All other versions of the Y-block were discontinued.

 

I had it in mind the cracking was due to the larger main crank journals=less block material. I think that was fixed for the later 312s?

 

The 292 had more beef and that is what is desired for trucks.

Charlie Stephens

 

My understanding is that guys grind 312 cranks to fit 292 mains and use a 292 block for high out put situations,