I was just asked this question:


I've got a 1956 Ford F-100 that belonged to my grandfather, and which I'd like to restore. If anyone can tell me how to differentiate a 272 from a 292 with just an external examination, I'd be much obliged.

Does anyone know the answer? And what is this person actually asking?

Thanks...

 

I don't think you can as the difference in the displacement was computed through a difference in the bore size. For all you'd want to know about Y blocks, go to John Mummert's excellent website: http://www.ford-y-block.com/

Hope this helps,

Tim in Burien (who cut his automotive teeth on Y blocks)

 

Thanks!

 

You MAY be able to tell by the casting number on the block. Crawl underneath and look on the drivers side of the block. There should be some sort of number like (and I'm guessing because I can't remember exactly - Ford switched numbering format in the late 50's):

B6A-6450
C1TE-6450
C0AE-6450

I can't remember if the "6450" is actually correct for this, but whatever number is there is Ford's standard number for engine blocks. The first part will indicate the design year and intended usage for the block (or whatever part). First character is the decade (B='50s, C='60s) and the second is teh year in that decade. Hence, "C1..." would indicate a design year for the casting of 1961. This is how I have understood Ford's numbering.

There should also be a casting date somewhere, like 9A12 or something (for a y-block, this would be 9=1959, A=January, 12=12th day of the month). I say "for a y-block" for this example because 1959 was the only year ending in a "9" in which the y-block was produced.

The misinformed previous owner of my '56 kept talking about the "original 292", which I knew wasn't the case (I don't believe that the 292 was used in the '56 F-100's, only in the cars). The 272 (and I believe the 312) was dropped around 1958 when the FE series engines came in. I am not exactly certain whether the same casting was used for all sizes, but I knowthere are several different castings. At least some are specific to a particular size. Starting in 1958, the 292 y-blocks were used only for trucks (through 1964) and the low-end option for cars (through 1962).

So, to make a short explanation even longer (I'm excellent at that) knowing the design and/or casting date, and the fact that the 272 was not produced after 1957, if yours has a later date than '57 it is a 292. Also, if you happen to have an interchange manual (like Hollander's. etc.) you can also use the casting number to identify. Mine has a casting number which tracks to a 292 in the 1958 thru 1960 range (that is, this casting was used through these years).

My information has been collected in my head over several years and from many sources (some of which were not always right). This information is to the best of my knowledge, but I am always ready to be corrected when wrong. Hope it helps!

Joe
http://home.hiwaay.net/~jluskjr/f100/joesf100.htm
'56 F-100, 292 y-block
'59 Studebaker Lark VI, 170 flathead 6
'92 Aerostar XLT, 4.0L
'89 Probe LX
'77 Mustang II, 2.3L (wasting away)

 

Hi Joe!

Allot of details - thanks so much!!!

 

1956 Pickups did not come with a 292 engine. So if you know the engine was never replaced it is a 272. Engine prefixs for that year are:
EBR-S-T 223cid single barrel 8.0:1 compression 133 hp
ECY-W 272cid two barrel 8.0:1 compression 167 hp
ECR 272cid two barrel 7.6:1 compression 158 hp
ECR 272cid four barrel 7.6:1 compression 168 hp

 

This is great! Thanks so much everyone!