I was considering a 351 Windsor motor, and I also recall spooky(?) mentioning the plausibility of making one of those motors look like an old FE block...? I want old-school cool with new school functuality.
If you still have the old 292/312 they make good power and are reliable. You can run an electronic/pertronix ignition if you wish. Then again, I have a 302/C-4 in my '47 and it works great. Good luck! Don.
i'd go with the 302 or 351. but those y blocks do run good. but hell i'm still runnin the 223 straight 6 but a beefed up 302 is in the plans with a 5 speed
If you want an FE look...try to find an FE. Other than that, the Y block might not be so bad. Old School Cool galore, anyway. I've had mine for a couple of years and the motor itself was never a problem. I had a problem with the original tranny/driveshaft/rear end but it was all the same problem. None since I've had the 3speed toploader (late 60s) behind it. Just food for thought.
I'd go with a real FE, preferably a 428 and top-loader, or even a strong 390 with an auto, as these are period perfect 'hot rod' mills for a '57. The old Y-blocks are best for restorers, Y go through all the work and expense to build one just to get dusted by those 283s? The latter Windsor/Cleveland/Lima engines, though they can be built to high hp., are best remembered as the smog-dog motors of the '70s Just my personal preference and opinion, but I believe over the long haul you would derive more satisfaction out of the FE (I know I would) and have a more desirable car (at least to me) come resale time.
Yea, I think I might make it stickshift- C4 just aint sittin' too well with me... (pretty soon nobody's gonna know how to drive stick anyway, I figure, it'll be a THEFT deterent) That, and slightly better gas mileage. Or worse.
For that car? 351-C with 2v heads and an aftermarket 4v intake topped with a Holley 750 vacuum secondaries carb, MAYBE a mild cam, a set of duals, a C-4 trans and a stock points distributor. It'll move that thing along way better than a Windsor based motor wiould in stock form, and look cooler doing it! Not the super cheap way to go, but it'd be my choice.
460/4-speed 2x4 intake with a handmade "Batwing" aircleaner and some modified valvecovers (FE/Lima hybrids) to give it that era "Police Interceptor" look.
If the `57 has a Y-block in it now I'd get another Y-block and hot it up a bit then hook a C4 or a T5 to it. If the engine bay is empty I'd go 351W for the best compromise of torque and fuel mileage, though the 302 would be fine and inexpensive. If you want to bolt in an easy torgue monster scan the classifieds for a `68- `71 DOVE 460 out of a Lincoln or a 429 out of a Ford or Merc. You don't have to do anything to these engines except maybe clean up the outside appearance and you'll have a nice performer at the expense of a bit of fuel mileage. I believe Price Motorsports Engineering makes an FE "pentroof" style valvecover for the 429- 460. I like the earlier big blocks because these are pre-smog and still had reasonable compression. Now if you want to be really different and you can a good running one in your area, why don't you stab an MEL 430 in there. Unclescooby can tell you all about 'em. All of these engines are reliable and not to difficult to install in the `57, you just have to decide where you want cost/availability/horsepower/fuel mileage to fall. P.S. one of the reasons I dig Fords is because there is a smorgasborg of choices right there in their own parts bins.
OH- I don't plan on ever getting rid of this car- So re-sale value be DAMNED! I want to PICK an engine I will be able to get parts for (with no problem) for years to come- And I'm stuck on a 5-speed. No C-4's
Economy combo: 302/World-Class T-5 Compromise combo: 351W/Tremec 3550(or TKO) Nostalgia combo: FE (428 preferred)/Tremec TKO Serious Butt-Kicking combo: Lima (460/514/552)/TKO Keep in mind that with the overdrive transmission, you can pull about a 3.90 or so gear, and still cruise easy on the highway. If it was my daily driver, I would go with the compromise combination. (Actually, my daily driver has a 351W/AOD.) As an aside, if you determine that you need more suds than the 351W produces, that motor can be rebuilt or replaced directly with a 427 inch stroker motor that has plenty of go......
I put a '68 429 in my 1959 Fairlane and it is great. It was fairly easy to put in and goes like hell, plus its got enough torque to go through a few sets of tires with. If you can, try to find a big block. Good luck! -Dean
Period correct? What 'period' are we talking about here? I lived in those days, and remember well when the '57s were introduced, and the 332 "Thunderbird Specials" of '58, and the 352s and finally the 390s, and the nearest thing to a performance transmission available through Ford was the T-85 3 speed o/d, 4 speeds in Fords were to all intents non-existent until the introduction of the 406 in '62, and for the next few years the demand was so high, that the number of '57 Fords that got outfitted with a 4 speed could probably be counted on the fingers of one hand.(and most of these would have been adapted "Corvette" transmissions.) All that aside, a '57 Fairlane fitted with a 406 and 4 gear would have made a respected ride in '63-'65
I've got two daily drivers and they are both powered by 351W's. Great torque, good power and decent mileage. If you are afraid the 302 won't be enough definately go with a 351W. Slap some finned aluminum valve covers on it and a cool air cleaner and it'll look great. You won't be disappointed with a 351W/5spd combo! My Gasser project is getting a 351W with Cleveland cylinder heads. As you can tell I'm kind of partial to 351W's! With a Y-block you'll have a problem finding parts at some parts places. FE's and 429/460's are great motors but not something you'd want to drive daily because of Gas prices.
I like the 312. I think a warmed up 312 with 3 deuces and a T-85 would be a good cruiser. Nothing wrong with any of the FE windsor or other Ford engines (except a 351M400). It just depends on what you want it for. For milage it would have to probably be a 302 with AOD but in a heavy car those things can smell a hill for a mile and have to shift down on even the slightest grade. Kind of off the subject but I asked a State trooper who retired around 1980 what his favorite copcar was. Keep in mind he had them all, 427 Chevys and Fords 440 mopars ect. He said by far it was a 57 Ford custom with a 312, 2 fours and overdrive. He liked the Mopars too and said the 68 Chevy 427 was the bottom of the list, blew it up 3 times in one year.
This entire thread has been really helpful! I think I'm leaning towards a 351W motor a bit more now, The Y-block was a 292 so I'd say from personal preference I'd like it too scoot a bit more- Anybody want to clue me in as to some of the cool hot rod **** made for these engines?
Having owned 2 custom 300s and a ranchwagon years ago all powered by Y blocks, 2 with 4 speeds. If I were to build another one it would absolutly be an FE. They are still plentiful and with the new aftermarket stuff available they preform outstanding. I think they are one of the best lookin motors with multiple carbs and finned or pentroof valvecovers. I think any motor You choose for a performance rebuild will cost 3 to 4 thou if done right. Ide take a 428 over a 429-460 anyday My Sons chopped 50 merc (4020 lbs) runs 12.30s @ 112 with a 428 and a hydraulic cam. Put a 428 4 spd in that 57 - pop the hood and all you will hear is FUUUCK THATS COOL!!!
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