I have a 56 Ford F100 that I bought with no engine. I wanted to get the best y block I could find locally to rebuild and put in it. So that leads me to today....there's a vintage/classic junkyard close to me that I wondered around today and I have a question about what I'm buying from him.

He had a y block that was already out but using the handy tech info that I printed out from Y BLock Guy's site before I went, the casting numbers showed it was a 272. So I moved on....he had a 1956 Ford Club Sedan with the y block still in it. I popped the hood and noticed it had a 4 barrel on it. I then noticed it had Thunderbird badges on the front fenders.

What can you tell me about that engine? 292 or 312? My friend seems to think there's a good chance it could be a 312 but I'm thinking it's just a 292 for a couple of reasons....the casting number by the distributor is EDB with what looks like 17 above it. Also, I found a website that showed the "thunderbird" model sedans had 292's with holley 4 barrels.

I really appreciate anything you can tell me....it would be
fantastic if it's a 312 but I'll be almost as happy if it isn't. I just need to
find a set of G heads, good cam and headers to slap on it!!

 

Howdy,


You cannot tell if any Y-block is a 312 just by looking at the block.

You CAN tell if you look at the crank flange or main bearing caps.

Here's more ID info.

TECHNICAL


You're not really going to be able to tell a HUGE performance difference between stock 292's and 312's. (we're only talking 20 cu-in!!)

MOST claimed 312's turn out to be 292's. But it's a good selling point!!

You can easily build a 272/292 to make good HP.

While it might be nice to have a 312 (for bragging rights), I would just look for a (good) 292.


Cheers,


Rick

 

I really appreciate it....I'm still buying this one no matter what. I'll be perfectly happy with a 292 and pleasantly surprised if it's a 312.

According to Mummert's website, it's very possible that the EDB casting could be a '57. If that's the case, then I'll already have my G heads. So as soon as I can get it out of the car I'll be looking for the foundry casting under the EDB that I couldn't see while it was still in the car. Wish me luck!

 

Yeah I think you'd be happy with a 292 also! (I edited my previous post btw, (20 cu-in difference!!)

I had mine rebuilt by a local machine shop. He balanced and ported it. He also did a little machining on the block and heads and said I would probably need to use mid-grade fuel. (which is completely ok with me) I am sure it will run pretty nice.

Depending on how much money you spend on a rebuild, you can make a Y run pretty nice!


Good luck,


Rick

 

Thanks Rick!

Yeah, I'm aiming at 300-350hp using some of Mummert's suggestions/parts. So we'll see how close I get.

 

You should have no problem achieving that level of performance with a 292. I see you're on the Y-Blocksforever forum, too. A guy over there did a build with very few specialty parts and got just over 300hp. I think there was an article about it in Y-Block Magazine.
If you're going with the aluminum heads, it will be a walk in the park.

 

Yeah, a lot of great info over there on Y-blocks forever. Even the man himself John Mummert has offered his expertise in my thread.

Right now I'm just planning on ported G heads....but the aluminum heads are very tempting, just pricey.

 

If you're planning on porting, then the Aluminum heads really aren't much more. You're looking at $1500-2500 for a good port job, refurbishing, and assembly depending on who does it. Add to that shipping of 100lbs of heads if it's not done locally and the cost to acquire a good set of G's if you don't already have them. All together, you're looking at $2000-3000 for modified iron heads. Suddenly bran new aluminum heads at $2199 are a bargain. You'll get the performance increase you're after and you could get an efficiency increase at the same time due to the modern chamber design and there will still be more on the table because the aluminum heads can be ported for further increases, if so desired.

 

Guess I didn't expect to have that much in ported stockers. I was thinking around a grand locally....so once I check into it and if it's going to be that much, then I may just invest in aluminums.