I know you guys are fans of the y-block, but my buddy's 1954 f-100 with 292? and four on the floor is needing a new motor. Problem is we can't find a good Y-block and don't wan't to rebuild what's there. Do any of the other ford offerings bolt in there? A local fella told me a 390 would drop in and even bolt up to the motor mounts? comments? opinions? What about other fords? Also I have a decent 401 nailhead. Does anybody make an adapter to get it on the original four speed? If not currently how bout in the past? Maybe I could swapmeet it if I knew what to look for.

Thanks in advance for any info you might have to offer.

 

I've heard that early 60's F100's had the FE engine and a bellhousing with mounting pads. A bellhousing from a 60's FE is supposed to bolt onto the bellhousing mounts with no trouble. That's one route I'm looking into.

I'm rebuilding my wife's 56 292 (going into a 55 Victoria). Machine work and parts are going to exceed $2000! Next time it will be a used 390. Weighs the same, more power, cheaper, easier to find transmissions for.

The nailhead sounds cool, too.

 

One of the easiest swaps is the 351M, real easy to find in trucks so you just swap tranny and all. Give that old non synchro 1st and reverse tranny a decent burial. (I still have one in my 54!)
A side benefit is reduced front end weight.

Dont give up on the Y. Ive seen real nice running 292 and 312's sell complete for $300-500.