I'm just getting rolling on my current build of a 54 ford f100. Currently the build plan is to install a Jaguar ifs and irs into the truck for a comfortable ride. Several body mods including a 3" chop. But I'm having trouble deciding on which engine to run.
I'm either going to run a 292 Y-block with a tri-power and headers or a 4.6 dohc engine. Both have there advantages and disadvantages.

The truck is going to be used as a daily driver and rolling advertisement for my barber shop.

I already have the Y-block and know it is a good running engine. I'm a big fan of the y-block engines but I plan on driving this truck a lot and the 4.6 would be a very reliable daily driver.

Which would you guys pick? Just looking for opinions on which one and why you would pick it.

 

I'd go with the 292 and run a single four barrel. Easy to work on, low maintenance, still looks cool, and no where near as wide as that 4.6 dual cam motor. Have you seen steering box to header clearances on a 4.6 install? That will be no fun when the header gasket blows out...

 

Agree with Fred. You already have the Yblock. It is a reliable engine for a daily driver. After all they were daily drivers back when they came out. Mine pretty much still is a daily driver.

 

I'd say the dohc but I'm biased. Overdrive and fuel injection is hard to beat but your steering linkage will probably need 3 u joints and a heim. The jag rack n pinion connects to the linkage towards the center

 

I have two Crown Vics, and the 4.6 is a great motor. That being said, they are really wide. I changed valve stem seals on the 97. It was a major P.I.T.A.. (If anyone wants to buy the spring compressor, pm me.) The 292 has a major advantage in the "cool factor" department.

 

They both are good engines , but that being said i'd go y block . the 4.6 doesnt have the cool factor and the spee parts can at times be unobtainable and pricey if you wish to modify it . the y parts are to say the least also pricey but much more readily available . ( try john mummerts y block site ! Lots of drooly stuff for them .) i had a 95 bird with a somewhat modified 4.6 and it was fun , but like i said hard to find goodies for and an electronic nightmare . poor car fell to an untimely death ........

 

I'd go with the 4.6. Looks like you are creating a street rod more then an original looking truck, but I like street rods more then originals.

 

I have a 52 with a 5.0 Coyote and a 56 Fairlane with a 312 Y-block. I would go with the Y. T he one in my 56 is just as reliable as the Coyote, I know every time I turn the key it will start and after 8000 miles it has been nothing but fun. The nostalgia factor with the Y is great and you already have it.

 

I agree with the 292 it would just basically be a bolt in compared to the other, look at it this way...... 292 Y motor= old school barber , 4.6 motor= hair stylist! Old school barber anytime for me!

 

I was leaning more towards the y- Block anyways. Pictured below is my Y-block.
It came out of my buddies 56 crown Vic. All I have dont to the 292 is clean it up, painted it, Installed my weiand tri power intake, a new distributor and a set of truck headers. The distributor you see in the pic below is a vintage spalding flamethrower distributor that will be going on my 32 3w coupe Im building.

 

Here are the headers. And the valve covers on the 292 were for mockup. They belong to my buddy with the crown Vic.

 

if i would of had a 'y' block available, i would of gone with it.. just because i've have three vehicles with the 'Y' block engine family. they sound great, run great and with the proper gearing get great mileage. also i like the sound of the old starters...and the engine exhaust note. the new engines sound more like a sports car.....

also i notice you are still using the puke crankcase vent system. i made some mods to my puke vent system and converted it to a pcv vent system. no more marking its spot on the ground and less oil smell in the cab..

 

Definitely thinking about switching over to the pcv setup on my Y

 

Definitely the Y-Block. Way cool, rare engine, the Trip set-up is sweet. 4.6. LOTS of mods to make it work, and about 18 miles of wire to go along with it. Just my humble opinion. (1948 F-1, Flathead 8, Chevy 700R, 8.8 and Jag IFS.)

 

Read through the thread regarding an engine choice. Glad to see that the 292 appears to be the engine of choice. Oddly enough, I have a '54 and decided to install a 292 as well with a Weiand intake manifold and 3x2 Stromberg 97's. I already have a set of Sanderson headers on the existing 239 and they sound sweet. That should be an easy swap. I'll be selling the original engine with the cross-over exhaust. I get compliments all the time about the sound with the Sandersons. I've also installed a Tremec T5 transmission and love driving with it. It was an easy install with a bell-housing from Mummert.