New Ride - Survivor 1956 Ford Fairlane

If someone was willing to buy the old 292 would that help?

 

No, I won't likely ever sell the original engine. I just need to find other junk that isn't slated for any of the cars I currently have that I could let go of. By the way, my son has some 53/54 Chevy parts that he could likely be talked out of.

 

Car or truck?

 

53/54 Car

I have lots of parts for 47-53 pickups as well, but don’t want to get rid of any of that until after we build my other sons 51.

 

Let me know what you have. I'm needing stuff for both the 53 and the 54

 

They are all 312’s just ask any seller or unsuspecting buyer!

 

I guess it is like Ford’s version of a Corvette motor.

 

Went through the same thing when I was rebuilding my 312. On top of all the machine work, the block had serious cracks in the main webs. I was able to find a good used block from the local T-Bird guy, but it still required a 0.060 over bore. I also had the machine shop balance the rotating assembly. In the end it was well worth the money; never regretted it.

 

Jeff, I know your car is nicely original, but FE’s are so cool in a Tri-5 Ford.

 

Agreed. I had a 56 F100 with a 428 and a 4-speed. But, I’m committed to keep this car y-block powered.

 

A good friend and fellow HAMBer just sent me an ad for some rebuilt heads. Trying to get them bought since they are cheaper than what getting a set rebuilt would even cost.

 

More driving this weekend and a cool sunset this evening.

 

Man, I am not a fan of trying to buy stuff on Marketplace. What seems like a great deal on heads is turning into a major headache. Can’t even get the guy to answer messages or the phone. Still trying to buy them, but he isn’t making it easy.

 

I ran into that on an engine stand a month ago on marketplace. Never did end up getting it because I never heard back lol

 

Sorry if I opened up a can of worms for you Jeff.

Lee

 

They are definitely a good deal and exactly what I need. I appreciate you telling me about them. I’ll keep trying and we will see what happens.

 

We were at -35°C (-31°F) a couple days ago, last week it was right around freezing, were settling somewhere in between.

I have 17 inches of accumulated snow in my yard with more coming.

My stuff is packed away until April at the absolute earliest. Some years we get lucky and it's March but looks like that won't be this year.

He might be doing you a favor. I bought a set of rebuild heads for a great deal once to avoid rebuilding mine. A couple years later I had to get them rebuilt again anyways. They weren't done as well as first thought, luckily I caught it with just a carboned up valve that hadn't burnt yet.

 

Always gotta have a plan B

 

Yea, I have a plan B and have a couple heads that I can get rebuilt. But, I am also learning that finding 113’s or ECZ-G’s that aren’t cracked is nearly impossible? I’m still learning the idiosyncrasies of Y-blocks through this process.

 

So, went by the machine shop yesterday and think I now know why most of the top rings were broken. He told me it had evidence that the top rings had broken and the engine kept running for a long time after to where the second ring was the one wearing the cylinder. That is likely what happened prior to the last rebuild. So, when it was honed and put back together, good chance that lower ridge broke the top rings again. Anyway, I decided to go ahead and rebuild this engine if the block checks out ok. I did mention to my machinist where to look for cracks because of what @jaracer mentioned in this thread. Also, the ECZ-G head was cracked between two valves in the combustion chamber area. Is that where they all break?

 

The only Y block head I saw cracked was on a friend's 292 and it was indeed cracked between the valves in the combustion chamber. The cracks in the main webs are a known problem with the 312 blocks. I don't remember 272/292 blocks exhibiting that problem.

 

I believe this is why some use the 312 crank with turned down mains in a 292 block as well. That can also be my plan B if my block happens to have cracks. In addition to the 292 in my car now, I also have two other 292 blocks that I could start with if needed.

 

Trying to decide whether to put it back together with the 2” blocks or not…. I think I will see where that lands first. Keeps me from chasing my old shorter u-bolts down at least right now.

 

Hmm…came down 1-1/2” with the 2” blocks still in there. Only have one side done, so I’m sure it is sitting all wonky. But, I think it may still need the blocks.

 

Looks pretty level to me like that. I like it

 

Thanks! It’s actually still a tad bit higher in the rear according to the rocker panel. Maybe it will level out with the other side done.

 

Maybe it’s just me but a bit of rake on a 55-56 Ford just looks right. Something about rake plus the headlight eyebrows gives it a sense of movement.