Well heres the deal I have a chance to buy basically the same pickup same rear... same tranny (4 speed)

ONe is a 292 1964 (motor is from 59 however)

and the 352 1966

My questions to you guys..... what better?

Whats the more efficient engine..???

IM looking for MPG not a hot rod or a tower???

Also what is more reliable... share with me your thoughts.

 

the FE but

if you don't: want/need to tow, economy is a must, and performance is of no concern... I think you already answered your own question.

 

Well, being a Y-block guy, I would suggest the 292, if for no other reason, than just for the "coolness" factor. Plus "straight axles" rule.

 

My Y-block is reliable enough that I drive it daily - rain, shine, below freezing, burning hot. Reliability really should not be an issue with either engine. My mileage sucks but mine is more hotrod than tree-hugger. Hotrod a 352 and it's mileage will suck, too.

I think either one will do what you want. The thing you should consider is if you do decide to hotrod it in the future, the Y will cost a good bit more 'cause the parts cost a good bit more. A stock rebuild should not be much more.

That 59 292 likely has some good parts on it - better than that which would have been on the correct 64 engine.

 

Mileage will not be that great on either engine. I would go with the 66 however because parts are easier to get for the FE. Also upgrades to the 66 truck are easier such as disc brakes, etc. I'm not bashing the earlier though, I also have a 62 with a 262 straight six.

 

the fe would be the choice of me
because with a set off headers there wouldnt be much of a difference between there mpg's but the 352 will deffinently tow and everything else better than the 292 but its your call

 

Big window?

 

I think the 292 would be better in the milage department and has a distinct sound that makes people turn and look.
The 352 from the old timers is a gas piiiig. A lot of guys that I talked to from that era say that the 390s and 360s got better milage. Why I dont know. The 292 is plenty reliable as is the 352. The 352 is going to require a little less maintnance then a 292. No lifters to lash, Front mounted distributor makes setting points alot easier, The fact that you can buy a ford electronic ignition and drop it in with duraspark is nice.
Set both engines up properly and I think they will about match in milage with the 292 probobly holding a 1-2mpg lead at best. This is the catch though The 292 will cost about a grand more to do it. The FE is more common and better suported is the only reason.

I got a 292 I love it. The FE blocks are no slouch in the power dept however. Do what you want. Honestly buy the truck with the better body.

 

Duraspark works in a Y, too.



So don't let that make your decision.

 

It isint quite a drop in setup though. There are good electronic ignitions for the Y. I got an Ignitor 1 with a flamethrower coil and have a nice hot spark.
The 352 is a slightly more modern engine and is alot better supported.

 

It depends which distributor is already in the Y. But no, it is not a drop in in the sense that you pull a distributor from a salvage vehicle and replace the entire distributor. I'm not sure on the starting date, but I think it's 60 and up Y distributors, the points plate, cam, and etc can be removed and the Duraspark parts dropped in. For his purpose, it should be very easy. 57-59? requires that the points cam is machined for the rotor. I've even seen duraspark installed on a 56 T-bird distributor. In the case of '57 and up Y distributors, the modifications can be made without having to remove the distributor. Can't speak for the 54-56 dizzy's as I've never taken a close look at one but they should not matter for the truck in question.

The same donor distributor can be used to retrofit Duraspark to a Y. Plug wires have to be made for the Y, with the Duraspark cap but I think that is the case with any performance ignition for the Y.

The point I want to make is that it's really not difficult to fit Duraspark to a Y and being a Y guy myself, I don't want him to drop the idea of the Y if Duraspark became a deciding factor.

I've used points, Pertronix Ignitor II, and Duraspark. For me, the Duraspark is the best of the 3.

There will be a drop in Duraspark distributor available for the Y very soon. Performance plug wires should be available at the same time.

 

I have a 63 with the 292 and a 65 with the 300 six. If you get the tune right and run a high rear gear MPG will be ok with either the 292 or 352 but the 292 should be better.

I would would buy the best truck of the two..

 

I think you may be focusing on the wrong issue.
Have you checked out the '65?
I hear you say - "What '65?"
Right.

Ford made significant changes for the '65 year. The '64 and '65 look the same, but the similarities are - literally - only skin deep. There are major differences in the frame, steering, cab, front suspension, brakes, engines and transmissions.

JHooch alluded to this, but I think it needs your attention before making a final decision. The '64 and earlier trucks are not easy or cheap to upgrade with such things as power steering, power disc brakes and other upgrades.
With the '65, you can use a donor truck all the way to '79 to interchange engines, transmissions power steering and power brakes without major modifications. Most of these are bolt-up solutions between '65 to '79.

I would pass on the '64 unless it is in mint condition, or you have significant skills in welding and fabrication.

Let us know how it how it works out!

 

actually the engine may run 59 but its prolly stock, the 1964 came with two engines, 223 inline and 292 yblock at least for the half ton, 1964 was the last year of the y block in the u.s. guess they had alot of surplus and wanted to get rid of them, personally i took mine out and put in a built 302 from a 1968 mustang j code, but as for your question i have owned a 65 with a 406 and it was fantastic, incredible power and very reliable, but as for mpg its not the best, ford replaced the fe because of that reason in 76 when the fuel crisis started, i perfer the fe, the y block is outdated and harder to find parts for.

 

Actually in the 64 F100 you had a choice of three engines: a 223 I-6, a 262 I-6 and a 292 Y-block

Strictly personal preference (i.e. some prefer blondes, some prefer red heads). A lot depends on what you're doing or planning to do with your truck. A "built" Y-block IS probably going to cost more, and you're probably not going to find a "built" Y-block sitting in someone's shed, but they are perfectly fine engines and parts are readily available - in fact several supplier specialize in the Y-block engines. IMO there's nothing like the distinctive sound of a Y-block.