I am no where close to even thinking of attempting a powertrain swap on my '58 yet, but am always looking for ideas for when I am ready. I have tossed around the thought of a 302 V8 w/ Edelbrock EFI system and 5 speed stick. I am a sucker for a stick shift, but my wife has all of a sudden joined in w/ my "hot rod" talk and said she would love to drive it after we finish it (whenever that is!), so that means it needs an automatic because I refuse to re-clutch it every other weekend! It currently has a 292 Y-Block and 3 on-the-tree w/ a 9" rearend. Part of me would like to keep the Y-Block engine for the nostalgic qualities (it was also freshly rebuilt for me when the truck was my high school ride), but how hard is it to find some of the old performance parts for these engines (T-bird intakes, headers, does MSD make an ignition system you can rig onto them?, etc.) to spice them up a little? I know that since the Y-Block has already been assembled a hi-po cam swap in the truck is not as easy as w/ a windor small block. On the other end of the spectrum, I would love to have a good ole' fashioned Ford Big Block V8 (390 or 428, 429 or 460) and C6 since it won't be my every day ride and could afford the gas for an occasional cruise in a big block ride. I would really like to use the Edelbrock EFI system so I can still have the classic carb look, but the EFI control. What experience w/ different powertrains in y'alls classic pick ups have y'all had? I am very anxious to hear and get more ideas!!!

 

Brendan,

I would say go SBFord and an AOD. I prefer the factory EFI. Others may chime in and give you their opinion. IF I can help in anyway let me know. Thanks

 

For my two crummy cents, Y-Blocks are beautiful and they sound beautiful. Lots of speed equipment available and Ford people always have a soft spot for them. I don't see the upside to a newer V-8. I have nothing against them, I just don't see the Mojo....

 

302 aod my vote but i am biased if it costs alot to run it takes the fun out of it depends on the application i guess either way have fun

 

I'd go with 3 choices depending on your use:

289 with 3 Spd manual overdrive and 9" rear geared to 3.25
351W with C6 and 9" rear geared to 2.8-3.0
390FE or 460 with C6 w/ 20% bolt on OD and 9.38 rear geared to 2.8

 

where you at ? i got two 360 fe's , which are only a crank swap away from a 390 , both were running when pulled , and they're looking for a good home . one of them has a c-6 hanging on it still ................

 

Be original & stick w/ what the 292 Y-block the Olde Girl came w/.
Performance parts can easily be found on e-bay & most Performance Shops, so why be the same as the rest of the Cookie Cutter Modders.
Adapters are available for attaching a more modern Auto-Trans so wifey is able to drive her.

 

i vote for the 292 with either an AOD or C4 behind it. i would add a 3 - 2 bbl intake with some Strombergs or old Holleys, chrome t-bird valve covers and rams horn exhaust manifolds and cherry bomb glasspacks for sound. Or better yet a Paxton supercharger on it with a 4bbl intake.

that would be a cool engine combo and i bet only 10% of the people at a car show would be able to guess what the engine is.

that would make a cool combo.

rgds
Mike

 

Brendan, I stayed with the 292 in my 58. I had a C4 rebuilt and bought the Y-Block to C4 Bell Housing from John Mummert Y so it all looks stock. I bought Patriot Headers from Speedway annd they fit perfectly. I have pics in my Gallery of the hookup. I just don't have it on the road yet, maybe this time next year.

 

I can't thank all of you enough for the replies. They are all great and I love hearing about your personal experiences w/ your truck. i am curious if Edelbrock ever made any aluminum 4-barrel intakes for Y-Blocks? I have a 2-barrel motorcraft carb on there right now and have thought about switching to a smaller cfm 4-barrel carb like a 500cfm Edelbrock or the 480cfm 4100 Autolite that Ford put on the Hi-Po 289's. I know that w/ a 292 I don't need a huge carb so I have heard that these were two great carb choices. Can anyone confirm this for me? I appreciate the Y-Block feedback and who knows...I may elect to stay w/ it after all! I know that Isky makes cams for Y-Blocks, does anyone else...like Comp Cams? Does anyone know if MSD makes ignitions for them? Once again, thanks for all of y'alls input, I really enjoy hearing your suggestions-especially the Y-Block ones! (sorry, i'm a little biased!)

 

312 Y block w/4bbl carb. like in this video Bendtsen adapter to AOD, and 9" rear w/3.50 gears. (or 3.25's) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28gtzOJdHqg