Y-block questions vs. FE ???
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colorado
Y-block questions vs. FE ???
Hey I'm not familair with a Y-block. My dad was telling me that he had a '49 Ford that he put a 312 T-bird motor in it.
Later on we were talking about how powerful my 390 turned out to be I mentioned that I bet he's probably never had a truck as fast as my '67 and he said that his '49 f100 "was a good runner". Custom 4:60 rear end or something too. He said that they are big blocks and I said that I didn't know
Anyway, I don't know anything about these motors. Is a 312-series a "big block" a motor? How do they compare to an FE 352/360/390?
Thanks!
Later on we were talking about how powerful my 390 turned out to be I mentioned that I bet he's probably never had a truck as fast as my '67 and he said that his '49 f100 "was a good runner". Custom 4:60 rear end or something too. He said that they are big blocks and I said that I didn't know
Anyway, I don't know anything about these motors. Is a 312-series a "big block" a motor? How do they compare to an FE 352/360/390?
Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,070
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From: Boise, Idaho
Although the design of the cylinder block is similar, the 312 (Y-block) is not the same type engine as a 390 (FE) type.
The similarities? They're both 'deep skirt' blocks that have extra support for the main bearing saddles. And they both use rocker shaft in the cylinder heads. Another similar design is the Lincoln 317, 341, 368.
The F1/F100 had pretty high (3.98) gear ratio. That helps at the traffic light.
The similarities? They're both 'deep skirt' blocks that have extra support for the main bearing saddles. And they both use rocker shaft in the cylinder heads. Another similar design is the Lincoln 317, 341, 368.
The F1/F100 had pretty high (3.98) gear ratio. That helps at the traffic light.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,546
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From: Kemmerer, Wyoming
"Big Block" vs. "Small Block" is best suited for discussing Chebby or Dodge engines. Fords have many different "families", and some characteristics of some of these families really blur the small-or-big block lines. That being said, if you really insist on labeling the Y-block as either a big or small, I would say that it is a small, simply because of the displacement.
The 312 was a great engine in its time, but the FEs are superior... that's why they replaced them in '65.
The 312 was a great engine in its time, but the FEs are superior... that's why they replaced them in '65.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
They are called Y blocks because that is what they are, it is a engine famaly. But their size and weight are closer to a big blocks but not in the cids. The fe block in my mind evolved from the Y block. For me to say if the one is better than the other that would make me opinionated for I have never owned a fe engine. I do think they are also a good engine with a good sound. I think people will lable something because of the small cid before they even give it a chance. I have a 272 Y block in my truck and it is a good runner.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colorado
Some very good points and tips guys.
Swann79, you brought to attention a good point about the small vs big block. Most guys consider an FE to be a big block, but if you compare to say a 454Chevy they aren't quite as big. But yet an FE is HUGE compared to a 350Chevy.
So, if the Y-block is close to size of an FE then are they "small big block's"? Or medium blocks? What about the 351-400's? They are medium blocks too?
Is the 460 the only "true big block" ford has?
Swann79, you brought to attention a good point about the small vs big block. Most guys consider an FE to be a big block, but if you compare to say a 454Chevy they aren't quite as big. But yet an FE is HUGE compared to a 350Chevy.
So, if the Y-block is close to size of an FE then are they "small big block's"? Or medium blocks? What about the 351-400's? They are medium blocks too?
Is the 460 the only "true big block" ford has?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Southern New Hampshire
Well, I certainly doubt that a Y will beat a 352/390 that is running on 8 cylinders.
When considering equal weight vehicles, similar stock configurations, similar transmissions & rear gears, cubic inches always win.
Besides the 429/460 and the current crop of same family 500+" factory crates the only other big Ford motor was the 430/462 MEL series of which there were a few smaller sizes.
The FE is a Y design and a successor to the earlier Y. It came in a bunch of displacements from 332 to 428. In its time it was considered a big block and the 221/260/289/302 was the small block.
The Y design has continued with the current modular motor series.
When considering equal weight vehicles, similar stock configurations, similar transmissions & rear gears, cubic inches always win.
Besides the 429/460 and the current crop of same family 500+" factory crates the only other big Ford motor was the 430/462 MEL series of which there were a few smaller sizes.
The FE is a Y design and a successor to the earlier Y. It came in a bunch of displacements from 332 to 428. In its time it was considered a big block and the 221/260/289/302 was the small block.
The Y design has continued with the current modular motor series.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,546
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From: Kemmerer, Wyoming
Yeah those are all good points. I don't have the specs in front of me, but I have dealt with both engine families. I feel pretty sure that the FEs are a little heavier, how much I don't know. I'm pretty sure that pound-for-pound, any FE will toast a Y-block. None of the 292s I've owned would have stood a chance, anyway.
As for the block size issue, That is a neverending debate with the "cleveland" engines. I remember one guy saying that he heard it straight from Ford that they are considered "small blocks". Kinda hard to believe for me, because I've always thought Ford tried to shy away from the big-block and small-block label. I've always considered the cleveland engines to be a "mid-block". Maybe the Y-blocks would also fit in this category?
Wow good point 286merc... I kinda forgot about the new modulars being so similar. Amazing to see how well some old technologies continue to stick around!
As for the block size issue, That is a neverending debate with the "cleveland" engines. I remember one guy saying that he heard it straight from Ford that they are considered "small blocks". Kinda hard to believe for me, because I've always thought Ford tried to shy away from the big-block and small-block label. I've always considered the cleveland engines to be a "mid-block". Maybe the Y-blocks would also fit in this category?
Wow good point 286merc... I kinda forgot about the new modulars being so similar. Amazing to see how well some old technologies continue to stick around!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colorado
Very nice guys.
What is a 351W as far as "small" "medium" "big"?
I just overhauled my 352 and put in 390 crank, 428CJ 4bbl, holley 4bbl, cam, headers, and it absolutely hauls! And thats without any of this new technology racing crap. All old school stuff.
I think that is really cool that they still use this kind of ideas with the new gen motors.
What is a 351W as far as "small" "medium" "big"?
I just overhauled my 352 and put in 390 crank, 428CJ 4bbl, holley 4bbl, cam, headers, and it absolutely hauls! And thats without any of this new technology racing crap. All old school stuff.
I think that is really cool that they still use this kind of ideas with the new gen motors.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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FE weighs about 25 pounds more than a Y. Not enough to worry about.
The OP's dad was talking about a torquey Y block with 4 something gears being a runner. Yep, it would have launched like a rocket but would run out of steam quickly.
As far as the small block - big block controversy, best leave it alone. It's all comparative anyway. One board I read has banned the subject completely.
The OP's dad was talking about a torquey Y block with 4 something gears being a runner. Yep, it would have launched like a rocket but would run out of steam quickly.
As far as the small block - big block controversy, best leave it alone. It's all comparative anyway. One board I read has banned the subject completely.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colorado
Well I think a ban would be going too far on that subject.
What I'm getting at is, basically most of fords popular truck/heavy vehicle motors, have all been medium-sized blocks. The only real popular big block is the 429-460 series. Correct?
25lbs isn't much at all! The dang CJ manifold weights 80lbs so if you were looking to save weight go with alum. I prefer to go with old school parts. My truck is not the fastest and its not the slowest. It's fast enough for me to prove some points and have some fun, old school way.
What I'm getting at is, basically most of fords popular truck/heavy vehicle motors, have all been medium-sized blocks. The only real popular big block is the 429-460 series. Correct?
25lbs isn't much at all! The dang CJ manifold weights 80lbs so if you were looking to save weight go with alum. I prefer to go with old school parts. My truck is not the fastest and its not the slowest. It's fast enough for me to prove some points and have some fun, old school way.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 453
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From: australia
old v new
hi from australia was thinking of changing my 292 4 a 351 but i don,t it would have the grut of my 292 so i spend money on the y block glad i did 
, ps this is in a f700 dump and cart,s my mustang skidsteer loader around all day if i did change it i think 
a 391 sound,s good to me bye 4 now
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