Your Y-block experience mirrors mine. Noisy valve train and pathetic oil pressure is what I dealt with on a 63 Ford with a Y-block. The valves wouldn't stay adjusted for more than a week before needing another adjustment. Y-blocks sound and look cool but I don't think the Y-block is that great of a motor.
Y blocks are as good as the person that puts them together. A well built y will serve you well and has a unique sound to go with it. Having a 302 and transmission all ready you could fab some mounts for both engines and use either one.Install the 302 mounts first then make adapter for the y and have the best of both worlds. If there is no money situation build the Y and go for the looks and sound. You will have about the same HP with either one so its your choice to make. I have both here and would never get rid of the Y block.
So what is so different with a Y block that makes it important on who puts them together ? Do you mean to say that a good engine builder who builds regular more modern engines could not build a good Y block ? What does a builder need to do to have a good build ? I noticed that on one of the Y block websites posted, that aluminum heads are available as are stroker kits. http://www.ford-y-block.com/ They also have an adapter for my C4. How about a 292 stroked to 331 cu in with aluminum heads and tri power ? Would cost major $ but really not a lot more than buying a Ford Racing crate engine with aluminum heads or building an early hemi.
First off there are differences. As for the builder there were some comments made about the Y basically saying it is a piece of junk, if you have that kind of attitude you souldn't be building engines and certainly not a Y-Block. Most modern engine shops just want to do quick production work so they don't have the expieriance or the time for reserch to do a Y properly. On the other hand if you are willing to do a little reading you can learn the things you need to know to build one that will last and perform very well, it's not that hard.
That is the same setup I am shooting for in my 34 pickup.A 292/3X2s/T-Bird valve covers and rams horns exhaust.Just hope I can tuck it all into a full fendered truck.
Y-blocks are alright engines, not really that good on the right side of a Tach. You may consider running a t-5 or some other sort of over-drive. Thats probably the only thing I don't like about my car, is that it needs an o-d (which will be a winter project). If you stay on the bigger displacement engines (272-312), you won't have too much trouble having a good engine. The 239's and 256's are not known for much, other than having good rocker assemblies. As for having problems with Y-blocks, you'll have problems with any worn out old motor that needs rebuilt. Oh, and as for dressing them up, I'm not a fan of them in their factory suit, they look a lot better with aluminum sprinkled everywhere. I can snap a current picture of mine (my horrifically dirty engine) if you want some inspiration, or of my dads 292.
Me too. I know people love those old things but I blew up more of them than I care to count back when I got out of high school. They sound pretty but if your really going to put some honest to goodness miles on it the later model design is the route to take. I've given a couple of good running ones away to a friend when we put 302's in my old Ford or Merc. Just my opinion, not a popular one but it's mine............
The problems that are often quoted by people about Y blocks are- to a minor extent- true......but are generally mentioned out of context. They are not issues with a new rebuild, or shouldn't be if the builder does his research and is competent. The common problem mentioned is that the rockers fail to oil and wear out. This is generally because the upper passages clog with sludge, or because the center cam bearing spins. In both cases, we are looking at engines with thousands of miles, tens of years, that used non-detergent oil from the beginning...often with few filter changes. Recall that "back in the day" people often only used a new filter at every other oil change. In addition, other first-gen OHV engines suffered from their own flaws, not just the Y block. The last "problem", which is more of a early technology issue, is the fact that '54-'56 engines use the Load-O-Matic distributor and corresponding carburetors. This system can be made to work after a fashion, by a thoughtful mechanic, but isn't ideal and tends to cause sluggish acceleration.............especially when combined with Ford's early Ford-O-Matic trans. This "problem" led to the reputation of the Y block being a underpowered dog. There are relatively cheap and easy fixes for this.
Posted this in a couple other places Just though I should update my thread with the news as well. Thanks for all the help and I may be asking plenty more questions in the future. My decision has been made A local HAMB member here is gonna sell me a 57 312 with an Edelbrock tri power ,holley carbs and Offenhauser finned valve covers. A mallory dual point that I hope can be converted to electronic and a finned alum valley cover. My 26 T RPU will be 312 Y powered Pretty pumped right now Larry
Good on you Larry,I,ve run all sort of stuff blown sbc,clevos etc. but the most fun was a stinkn hot y-block c/w home made twin 4b manifold.Maybe I,m just getting old now but I really had fun with my y-block,and do they sound good around 7,000 grand...
sounds great good luck you can get the portriox(spelling off too early to convent your dizzy works good have on my 58
Larry, It is going to look good in there......... now I need to figure out how to get the 348 into the coupe ..... Good meeting you. Allan <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
This is funny Alan, you beat me to it I was just gonna come here to post that pic you sent me, after I posted the pic of the 348 in the 40 in the other thread. I'll probably swing by this evening with some cash for you, will give you a call. Larry
Well, the 312 is home Found temporary room in my packed garage for everything, gonna have to do some major re-arranging to try to find some room Thanks very much Allan for all the extras. The Y block build adventure now begins Of course there will be the usual part and info gathering first. Larry.
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