Y-Block history?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Colonsay Sk. Canada
exhaust on the Y
One thing though about the Y block I think we're all avoiding is that crossover pipe. I don't know what the guy was smoking when he designed that exhaust system. I don't think there are too many trucks still running the orignial exhaust.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Southern New Hampshire
Originally Posted by Snowking
One thing though about the Y block I think we're all avoiding is that crossover pipe. I don't know what the guy was smoking when he designed that exhaust system. I don't think there are too many trucks still running the orignial exhaust.
I RARELY find a boneyard truck that DOESNT have the crossover pipe. Due to the heat they rarely rot out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Southern New Hampshire
No difference how it is routed, flatheads went under, Y Blocks had a crossmember in the way. Reason? To get the exhaust from the left 4 cylinders out a single tailpipe. Inefficient as hell but cheap.
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Exmore, VA
You have to remember Y block history, the first use other than the Lincoln version, which was bigger, was in the 54 Ford and Mercury. The engine was higher and wider than the flathead it replaced. The steering gear, shifter and clutch and brake pedals were in the way of the left side exhaust. Solution, bring it to the front and over. Some of the early cars had a chrome heat shield over the top of it. The Lincoln solution, go out through the fender area, outside the frame to clear everything. The Ford and Mercury cars didn't get a Y pipe until the 57 model year. Only Thunderbirds got factory standard dual exhaust. Look at the single on a pre 57 6cyl. truck if you want to know what they were on. It comes aft from the left side, curves forward under the pan, then back on the right side, oh it dips up and down too. When Ford put the Y block in the trucks, it wasn't considered a high performance option, so the 54 car system was carried over. By the time the 292 4V and 312 rolled around the FE was in the works. It wasn't till many years later that large pickup truck engines got duals from the factory.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
Originally Posted by Snowking
One thing though about the Y block I think we're all avoiding is that crossover pipe. I don't know what the guy was smoking when he designed that exhaust system. I don't think there are too many trucks still running the orignial exhaust.
abe
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 323
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From: m571.com/yblock
There certainly is a way to get the "old-timey" look with the crossover that no other engine can boast of, if one can find a steel beer can and wrap it around the expansion joint of the crossover. Getting some coat hanger wire to secure it would complete the job. Trouble is, inspection people probably would not understand the history of this "look" or appreciate it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Colonsay Sk. Canada
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I have an 1955 Mercury car with the 292 Y-Block. The car hasn't really been taken care of and it still runs. The Transmission still works too. I did buy a standard tranny for the 292 for $5.00 and it still is good. I hope to rebuild the 292 one day.
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