1952-59 Ford Instead of a Y block in Ford 56 or keep the Y-block

Hi

I wonder if there is any good alternative to a Y block in a Ford Fairlane 1956, or is it better to keep the Y-block. I have a problem with the engine block is it a crack in it.

Regards

Mikael

 

Depends on who you ask. I'd vote to keep a y block. Where on the block is the crack? If the leak is external it may be repairable. This topic just came up recently on the Y Blocks Forever site. One thing you need to realize is when you start putting a different engine in, things will snowball on you pretty quickly. It's not just the engine that you will need to replace.

 

My vote goes to keeping the yblock too. Second choice would be an FE. Easiest "bolt in" change. Regarding the crack, the shop that was working on my yblock engine found a crack on the outside of the block. It was on the right side mostly behind the motor mount. Had it welded up and it's been fine for the last 3 years.

 

Thanks i will listen to your advice and i will try to have som one weld it for me.
Regards
Mikael

 

Thanks for answer.
The crack is on the same place on my block, i will have some on how has the skill to weld it for me.

Regards
Mikael

 

Couple of options, y blocks are super cool but expensive to rebuild, 302 or 351w are reasonable to beef up and most parts are at the local auto doink. It all depends on the power, look and how deep your pockets are. I personally kept the y block with performance goodies, I could have built two sbf's with the loot I have in my 292, just stick with a ford, sorry bob396

 

I have a 54 Merc with a 302, and another 54 Merc with a 292, and the 292 y-block will run circles around the 302.

 

You can look at my avatar and get my opinion, but the fellas are right - the parts are more expensive for a rebuild, especially if you want anything performance wise. If you are on a budget you can build a SBF for much less money.

The y blocks have the torque down low however... Pound for pound I will take a y block any day.

 

I used a 302 in my '54 wagon,but I didn't have access to a rebuildable Y block,,the wagon was a inline six. HRP

 

Here's mine to view

 

Coolness **** again, I'm gonna report you guys.

 

Gotta love the simple clean look of this Y block. HRP

 

Thanks for all your answers i´ll think you convinced me of the greatness of the Y-block. I have already fall in love with sound of it and when i see 56Longroof s picture. I´ll have to fix my Y-block so it looks and works good

 

Try to go to the Y Blocks Forever site. There are some real knowledgeable guys on there. Two of them built y blocks for the engine masters challenge. The intake I have on my engine has been on y block that made 560 hp by Ted Eaton.

 

Okay, my 2 cents..... Love the Y block, so that would be choice #1 if you can repair or get one at a decent price. Now, as a frequent driver, I would go 351 Cleveland. Tougher to locate but worth it IMO. They fit better than a 351w, make great power stock, accepts an AOD trans (if you have automatic)
But I am biased, I have always had Clevelands and prefer them over anything but a 429/460

 

Cleveland install

 

Could you post another picture showing the clearance from exhaust to steering box and what exhaust you are using as well as what mounts you used for the swap,Thanks.

 

Nice and clean! Looks good

 

Paid 2500 bills to have my 272 rebuilt. It's what came in the car from the factory. You can always add to it. I put on headers and a 6v. alternator. Love that sound coming out of the twin tailpipes!

 

I snagged it off the web, I hope soon to have my 54 project under way and it is getting a Cleveland and I will take lotsa pics. I will get pics of the steering install with the Maverick box.

Mounts? Fox 5.0 mounts

 

I have a 302/AOD in my 54 sedan, but my next 54 will either be a wagon or a courier and will probably have a 292 or a 312 in it.

The 302's are great for a no-nonsense, cheap, strong, all-around driver.

The y-blocks are cooler without a doubt, sound better and of course, they are a 1for 1 swap with a car that came with a y-block.

 

Threads like this are what make it so hard for me to try to decide whether or not to keep my Y block. From the get go I have been planning a 302/5 speed swap but you all make me want to keep the Y block and just upgrade the trans to a 5 speed!

 

https://offerupnow.com/item/detail/95350547/1995-5-speed-mustang-transmission

 

Seems like a fair deal although I am no position to go down that road yet. Luckily T5 transmissions are pretty easy to come across at good prices. Before I invest in swapping out the transmission I still need to diagnose and repair or replace the wiring harness and all so I have working brake and head lights. I have pretty much tracked it down to fuses but now I need to locate the brake light fuse in the dash somewhere.

 

This is also local on a facebook group complete Y-block for $125 : https://www.facebook.com/groups/AZParts4Sale/1070324709728895/ It may not be a fuse but a circuit breaker but the most common problem is the pressure switch located on the master,with a test light have someone step on the pedal so you can tell if current is getting through it very often these fail and why many of us swap to GM style switch off the pedal.

 

I don't think there were too many fuses on a 56. Most of everything I've seen under my dash is direct wired. There are a couple here and there but not too many. Also I think you will need a 93 or older t5 for a y block. I'll have to double check but I think the 94 and up input shafts are too long.

 

85-93 world cl*** is the way to go, I think the s- 10 input shaft is too long and the 94-up have more splines. Mine is a 93 mustang t-5

 

A T5 swap is on my list of things for my wagon right after the rear end gets new guts.