Just ran across the cut off front end, minus sheet metal, from a '57 Ford PU. Its a Y block 2 barrel with a standard floor shift so likely a 4 spd? How do I tell if the engine is a 292 or 312 or did they even put 312's in 1/2 tons? Its a free bee so guess I can't lose either way!

 

The 1st 312's used as substitutions for the 292, as I recollect, was in late '58 when some plants ran out of the 292 for the our "Orphan Years Trucks".

PLEASE NOTE: 292 and 312 Blocks are externally identical.

ECZ-A 292-312 cu. in. V8 1956 ECZ 6015 A With EBU main caps =292. ECZ main caps =312 Check crank flange or main caps.

ECZ-B 292-312 cu in V8 1956-57 292 or 312

ECZ -C 312 cu. in. V8 1957 ECZ 6015 C. 292 with EBU main caps.

EDB 292 cu. in. V8 1957 if cast at Dearborn Foundry www.ford-y-block.com

EDB-E 292 cu. in V8 1958-59 cars and trucks to April 59. 312 in Mercury

B9AE-F 292 cu. in. V8 1959-60 cars and trucks. (312 with ECZ main caps, 1959 & 60 Mercury only)

C1AE-R 292 cu. in. V8 1961 cars and trucks www.ford-y-block.com

C2AE-C 292 cu. in. V8 1962 cars 62-64 trucks

B7ME 312 cu. in. V8 1962? later 312 replacement block. C2AE main webs. Only example seen was a marine engine

NOTE: 6015 is Ford's number for an engine block. All blocks have this number.

Block identification number generally on side of block above oil filter for blocks cast at Cleveland. Dearborn block I.D. number near distributor and above generator. Most Dearborn blocks used in trucks. No Dearborn blocks after 1957. There were no special truck blocks. Heavy duty trucks with steel cranks used C1AE or C2AE car blocks. Nearly all Dearborn blocks after 1954 were 272's. Most 292 and 312 blocks are from the Cleveland foundry.

 

To all who read John Mummert's charts, ECZ 6015 A with ECZ main caps does NOT mean you have a 312!!! With ECZ A engines HAVE to check your main journels. Even the bore will not tell you anything with certenty as you can mix and match parts on these engines. Tom

 

The 272 was the base V8 in 57 trucks. The 292 option most often had a 4 bbl.
Ive not seen any document proof of a truck 312 prior to 63-4 when left over stock was put in mostly fleet purchases in mountain states.

Dealers could order anything up as as special or do it themselves. I worked at a dealer in 57 who put Lincoln 368's in F350 wreckers for NY Thruway and Jersey Turnpike service. Those things haueld well over posted speeds with a load on the hook wheras the 272 barely got out of the breakdown lane.

 

Sorry to jump in on this thread fellas, new to the forum and working on a '54 F-100...also my first Ford. How big of a chore would it be to drop a 368 into an F-100 and would it be a worthy project? I went digging through a local boneyard and found a complete drivetrain in a Merc Montclair. My truck has the 239, I'd like to stick with a Y-block but from what I've gathered so far it's best reserved for a full resto and I'd like to hot rod it a bit.

 

I have a 292 in my garage with only 40,000 original miles on it. Everything has been cleaned and painted. Never been started. Would part with if anyone is interested. This engine supposabally came out of a 56 Ford Truck.
I bought it from a guy. It was convered up in a machine shop. Been there for 20 years.
Thanks,
AF