Technical Y Block Overhaul

This is kind of interesting. I ran a '32 Plymouth 4 cylinder engine with a Y block head for some time. While I had it I looked at a Chrysler (354) head and found the bore spacing to be to great for the plymouth. A DeSoto head was perfect. But pushrod angles were more than I could deal with. Since a DeSoto fit where a Y block fit. And a Chrysler did not. I would be very surprised to find a Chrysler would go well onto a Y block.

 

I did find that a Windsor or Cleveland head would bolt on a Y block with only redrilling two bolt holes. I did not look at water p***ages as I was running a dry deck. Of course a new billet cam would be required with the new valve sequence. One of the reasons I used the Y block head on the Plymouth. Valves were in the right places.

 

That would be nuts. I can only imagine a set of AFR or Twisted Wedge windsor heads on a 292 or 312.

 

And I see you're carrying a new spare cam bearing on the molding on the top of the left fender. Could come in handy for a road side emergency.

edit (spell check, denied)

 

^^^^^ Was that Conehead or Camhead ?

 

Damn... Busted! I must be a Conehead. Though if you turn your "Camhead" picture upside down, it kind of resembles an Edsel grill. Coincidence....????

 

I love everything about this thread.... perfect!

 

I did the same rebuilds back in my youth .And would do it again if need be or as your doing now for the low dollar high fun return value. Roger

 

A y blocks bore centers a 4.38 Chrysler hemis centers are 4.56 that's .180 difference I doubt they would work

 

got back from the long trip, 3500 miles. The engine did great. no funny noises, used about a quart of oil over the 3500 miles (I added one quart on the trip, and it's still at FULL). The oil leaks slowed down, which is kind of strange. The engine ran relatively cool, 140 to 200 degrees, and it was HOT in several places, like over 110 degrees outside. Usual cruising temp was 180, when it was in the 80s or 90s out.

So...if you need to get an old car going and don't want to spend a lot of cash, don't be afraid to replace only what's worn out. I think I did fine for the $200 and two weeks I spent on it.

 

I believe a DeSoto head is very close. This is from looking at a DeSoto head on my '32 Plymouth which I did run with a Y block head.

 

Still flat out amazing that $200 hooptie went the distance. I believe they have those events in NJ.

 

Not sure if you're referring to the 24 Hours of Lemons, but I can ***ure you as someone who has raced in that series a couple times, the cars are far from $500 hoopties. At least the ones that stand a chance in hell of winning or finishing

 

I ran the LeMons Rally which is a different thing. But it was a brutal week.

 

The Y block and 302 have the same bore centers. Before after market strokers, reworked 292 cranks were used in SBFs..

 

I did NOT know that! So, I'm intrigued...

"More things are possible." -Chas. Manson