Y Block?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 58
Y Block?
A Y-Block is a V8. It is called a Y-Block because it looks something like a Y from the front. It came in 239, 256, 272, 292, and 312ci displacements, ranging from 160hp to 345hp. It has very good torque due to its long stroke and small bore. It is a very beefy casting and weighs about as much as a big block. It has a deep skirted design, much like the early Chrysler Hemi's and Ford FE's which allows it to handle significant amounts of horsepower even though it is a 2 bolt main block. It has a unique sound to it and from my experience most people don't even know what it is. All out racing Y's have made as much as 451hp without boost. With the new aluminum heads 555hp is easily within reach!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 261
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From: Western NC
Y Block?
I believe these engines were cast in Brazil for some time after '64 and used in 3rd world countries ... they were great in that their head design minimized octane requirement for a given compression ratio. Ford stopped using them in cars after '61 (or was it '62) and they were relegated to truck only duties for the duration of their US run. Indeed, they were used quite a bit in the Fseries medium duty trucks 'till the FT engine series was introduced there in '65.
239, 259, 272, 292, 312 displacements were the offerings over the engine's history not counting the Lincoln and Ford heavy duty truck variants of the engine. The "Y" refers to the fact that the crankcase skirt goes below the centerline of the crankshaft and I think it does so in portions of the front and back of the engine as well. Part of the reason for the design was that the flathead 8's that preceeded it flexed quite a bit when installed in the frame using frame designs of the day (I don't recall if the block was used as a stressed member or not).
239, 259, 272, 292, 312 displacements were the offerings over the engine's history not counting the Lincoln and Ford heavy duty truck variants of the engine. The "Y" refers to the fact that the crankcase skirt goes below the centerline of the crankshaft and I think it does so in portions of the front and back of the engine as well. Part of the reason for the design was that the flathead 8's that preceeded it flexed quite a bit when installed in the frame using frame designs of the day (I don't recall if the block was used as a stressed member or not).
