After weighing the options of a sbf conversion into my 54 f100, I am again considering the option of keeping and rebuilding the Y block. This option became more attractive last night, when, after researching my block via y-block.com, I discovered that my engine is not a 239 or 256, but a 272 (ECG 6015 casting numbers).

Questions for you experts to help me FINALLY decide:
1. Are there any tried and true "recipes" for upgrading performance. (Would like to get in the neighborhood of 250 hp)
2. Does it take a specialty engine re/builder to pull this off.
3. I have heard rumblings of a cylinder head upgrade, anyone have any info. If not, can stock heads be ported to improve breathing. It has ram-horn headers on it.

Thanks for your insight!!!!

 

I believe that a 272 can be bored out to 292. If you don't mind spending a little money, you can buy a 312 crank and have a crank shop turn the mains down to 292 journal sizes. Use 312 connecting rods and stock 292 pistons for 304 cubic inches.

Do you know what the casting numbers on your head are? If they're ECZ-x (ECZ-A, ECZ-B, ECZ-C, ECZ-G) you're in good shape.

Get a 4bbl intake, preferrably the ECZ-B, but the ECZ-A will work, too. The ECZ-B fits to a Holley carb. The ECZ-A intake fits to Carter carbs, I think. They're both fine carbs.

Get a new distributor on e-bay, they cost about $100 but they're brand new. The seller can tell you where to get it recurved for your engine.

Then get a cam from Mummert. Maybe the 256 or the 264. This should get you about 225 hp easy. Big torque, which is what you really want for your truck.

I zero-decked the block to take full advantage of the quench heads (ECZ-B).

Oh, what are the rocker casting numbers? There's two ratios that came stock; 1.43 and 1.52.

 

Thanks for the great input.

I can't find a casting number on the cylinder heads. Do I need to pull the valve covers?

thanks

 

Re: casting numbers on cylinder heads; You might have to use a small mirror. They're on the intake port side of the heads on the ends. Right in front of the ports and angled downward, under the water ports. Strange place but that's where they are.

 

Watch it with that ECG casting. It was used on the optional 256 truck engine in 55 as well as all 272's.
All is not lost since it is the same block, that means it can also be bored to the 272 or even 292 VERY safely as well as a 272/292 crank will drop in place. Rods are the same.

 

Cylinder Heads are ECZG
Anything else I can check to get a positive id on the block


BTW - Bob from Bobs F100 spent a good 40 minutes with me on the phone this morning talking Y-blocks. Certainly more than earned some future business

 

Dude, those are the best heads. Biggest valves, smallest chambers. You probably have the 1.54 rockers, too. You're off to a great start.

Now you really do want the ECZ-B intake with the cheap but excellent Holley 1850 carb.

RE; the block. Is your block the Dearborn block? Is the casting number near the distributor or above the generator? Either way, it can probably be bored out to 292.

 

Thanks for the input. The casting number is above the generator. Now the hard part, finding an engine builder I can trust. I guess I need to research the t-bird clubs.

Thanks again for your help.

 

how far would a good set of headers go, to adding HP?

 

Dig back in the search for a great debate (beleive Himmelburg was thread starter) on merits of the rams horn v. headers.

Upshot was- headers gave better performance (no objective "I ran it on a dyno" stuff), but cheapies burned up fast - prepare to spend $300+ on a nice set of ceramic coated ones.

Ramshorns are best of the cast breed, look decent and will last about forever. I ve been told there are good ceramic coaters around this SE part of US that would do a pair for $150 or so and clean up that rusty lumpy finish

I have the 'horns on my 312 with aformentioned holley 1850, stock cam and all. Fine power. Looking to do the coating job someday when I get real fussy about the underhood decor.