What exactly is a y block?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Western Colorado USA
What exactly is a y block?
I am sure someone is going scoff but I have never seen one up close. I must not be old enough becuase when I first got bit by the Blue Oval speed bug (late 70's) the 429 was the hot ticket for a truck. Also, where did they get their name.
alanscott
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alanscott
[link:ford-trucks.com/users/alanscott/|http://www.ford-trucks.net/users/alanscott/clubftesml.jpg]...Click!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 571
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What exactly is a y block?
Not old enough?! I'm 17 :-)
Here's a pic of my 292
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3a692bf538cb2600.jpg
The last year for Y-blocks in cars (mainly T-birds) was '62, and for trucks, '64.
I really like these engines. My 292 pulls like a 390 when I lug it, and also has a really distinctive exhaust sound! When the RPM's get up high it whines like a nascar engine. Anyone who's ever heard one will agree with me; they sound cool!
More pic's:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3a692caf3b62606f.jpg
And, here's why they got termed "The Y-block":
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3a692d453d7b420f.jpg
Don't worry about not hearing of them, I'm just glad to see that people are coming to see the Y-block forum :-)
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
Here's a pic of my 292
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3a692bf538cb2600.jpg
The last year for Y-blocks in cars (mainly T-birds) was '62, and for trucks, '64.
I really like these engines. My 292 pulls like a 390 when I lug it, and also has a really distinctive exhaust sound! When the RPM's get up high it whines like a nascar engine. Anyone who's ever heard one will agree with me; they sound cool!
More pic's:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3a692caf3b62606f.jpg
And, here's why they got termed "The Y-block":
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3a692d453d7b420f.jpg
Don't worry about not hearing of them, I'm just glad to see that people are coming to see the Y-block forum :-)
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
What exactly is a y block?
I know that the 272,292,312 all share the same block, so that things like water pumps, oil pumps,intake/exhaust manifolds are pretty much interchangable. Does anyone know about the other Y blocks sizes as far as campatability?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 571
Likes: 2
What exactly is a y block?
I can't help ya' there, as up until I saw the forum name, I didn't even know there were other sizes!
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,484
Likes: 7
From: New Egypt, New Jersey
What exactly is a y block?
In addition to Andrew's post. The Y-block replaced the flatheads in trucks starting in 1954. the 272 was used up to the middle of production year 1958, when it was replaced by the 292. During this switch over the supply of 292's ran short, and some 312's were used in place of the 292. (this is why you see 1958's with 272's, 292's, and 312's. The 292 was used in trucks thru 1964. The name as you can see from Andrew's cross section, comes from the design of the block. They are a powerful, dependable engine. The "ticking" of the solid tappets when stopped in traffic, and the beautiful rumble of the exhaust (especially when winding down), really turns heads! I love my 292, and have always had a soft spot for the Y-blocks. 
Kenny
Kenny
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 571
Likes: 2
What exactly is a y block?
I've started wearing ear plugs when spending time with my 292, after noticeable hearing loss from, among other things, the chatter of the solid lifters :-)
I really do love Y-blocks...
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
I really do love Y-blocks...
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Waverly
What exactly is a y block?
last year flattie....1953 239
first year "Y" block 1954 239 also, cornfusing eh??
u also forgot the 256 police interceptor and truck engines
luv those ol' y blocks, my youngest sons, has a sweet set of headers, sounds like a 429 idleing
and last but not least don't forget the historical 57 292 with the super charger (auto's only) to compete with bowtie fuelies
first year "Y" block 1954 239 also, cornfusing eh??
u also forgot the 256 police interceptor and truck engines
luv those ol' y blocks, my youngest sons, has a sweet set of headers, sounds like a 429 idleing
and last but not least don't forget the historical 57 292 with the super charger (auto's only) to compete with bowtie fuelies
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Waverly
What exactly is a y block?
whoops for got some of those ol' merc y blocks also... now this is a ford truck web site, but the canadians ran merc pickups with some of those merc y blocks.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 2
From: Texas
What exactly is a y block?
I just picked up a March 2001 copy of Classic Trucks Today.
One of the feature articles is on the Y-8.
The article starts out talking about the early flat heads and some of the woes associated with them then goes on to discuss the newer OHV design and how it came about.
I asked about the rear distributers in the 61-66 forum and recieved many responses. One of which said these engines were called Y blocks. The reason for this nickname was due to the long block skirts ( see the above crossection) that extended down way below the crankshaft journals.
This made the blocks much stronger than the earlier flatheads that were prone to cracking.
All of the information mentioned in the above replies is listed in the article as well.
Krosati
One of the feature articles is on the Y-8.
The article starts out talking about the early flat heads and some of the woes associated with them then goes on to discuss the newer OHV design and how it came about.
I asked about the rear distributers in the 61-66 forum and recieved many responses. One of which said these engines were called Y blocks. The reason for this nickname was due to the long block skirts ( see the above crossection) that extended down way below the crankshaft journals.
This made the blocks much stronger than the earlier flatheads that were prone to cracking.
All of the information mentioned in the above replies is listed in the article as well.
Krosati
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 571
Likes: 2
What exactly is a y block?
Is there anything in the article that we've not mentioned yet? I'd love to hear it...
Keep the info coming guys! :-)
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
Keep the info coming guys! :-)
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Waverly
What exactly is a y block?
uh... HP.. i hope u ain't serious about your noisy solids... eesh
both the y blocks i built and the ones i ran around with in my younger days were all sewing machine quiet, well except mayb for the exhaust, but lifters were all cool calm and collected, i can tell ya how i adjust them if ya wanna .....
both the y blocks i built and the ones i ran around with in my younger days were all sewing machine quiet, well except mayb for the exhaust, but lifters were all cool calm and collected, i can tell ya how i adjust them if ya wanna .....