1952-59 Ford 312 Swap in '53 Ford

Some of you may have already seen this on the main message board. I have the opportunity to get a 312 w/C4 combination to install in my '53 Ford Victoria. Before I work out a deal I have some questions which I hope some of you can help me with.

The main question is...What kind of problems will I encounter? On a 10 scale, how would this swap rate, in your opinion?

I realize that I will need a new radiator, and motor and trans mounts. Is there a conversion kit available for the motor and trans mounts to install in a '53? I haven't been able to find any for that combination in any catalog I have.

Is the drive shaft end for a Ford-O-Matic compatible with the C4? If so will the existing drive shaft have to be shortened?

I haven't seen the motor and don't know what it has for exhaust manifolds. What are the issues with exhaust/steering clearance, if any? I would think that the ram horns would create a problem, but the rear exit cast manifolds might work without too much trouble. Does anyone make tubular headers for a late Y-Block in a '53 that you know of? Again, I couldn't find anything, but I may be limiting my resources.

Would there be issues with oil pan/crossmember/steering linkage, firewall/distributor and radiator/fan clearances?

Finally! What would need to be done to the front suspension? I have Jamco lowering coils in the car now and they barely support the Flathead. Maybe springs from a '55 or '56, if they fit the a-arm and frame spring seats?

I know this is long, complicated and containing a lot of questions. I want to make sure I cover it all before making a decision about a motor swap.

Thank you all in advance for your help!

 

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest that you consider a small block Ford or small block Chevy instead of the Y-block...especially if you're a beginner in the engine swapping game.

As I recall, you'll have to take a big bite out of the front crossmember to allow clearance for the front sump of the Y-block. The rest of it is no big whoop if you can weld and fabricate...if memory serves me correctly.

There was a magazine article on this swap a few months ago. I'll see if I can hunt it up and be more specific.

I'm doing a small block Chevy install now - see my build thread here on the social group. Small block Ford swaps are certainly available on the main board, as they are far more popular than the Chevy swap.

More on this from me as soon as I can rustle up that mag...

 

Thank you for your reply. You may have made my decision right off with the comment of having to cut the crossmember!

If this swap is more work than it's worth, or I'm capable of, I'll leave the Flathead in. My interest was putting in a "period" motor with a reliable transmission.

Thanks, again.

 

Well... I searched up the magazine I was thinking about and I was wrong. The motor being put in was a Ford 460, not a Y-block. It required major surgery of the crossmember.

Many of the Y-block motors I Googled-up also feature front sumps. The good news is that they are smaller front sumps than the 460 in the article was.

Here's a photo of a fairly typical '50s-style Y-block engine. This sump looks smaller than the conversion pan I used on my Chevy engine to clear the steering in my '52 Victoria.




As you can see from the photos in my build thread, I had to take a hunk out of my front crossmember too, but not a very big one. A small clearance cut might be all it takes to fit the Y-block into your car.

Looks like the exhaust manifolds on the above engine would work in a '53, and I doubt that a C4 would give you any problems in the ****** hump area.

I'm sure there are others on here who are much more familiar with Ford Y-blocks than I am and can give you much better information.

In any case, I wouldn't give up on the idea until you've exhausted all sources of information.

Good luck!

Eric

 

Thanks, Eric. I appreciate the additional information. Nice looking motor in the photo!

Rick

 

You're welcome. Hopefully somebody else who knows more than I do will chime in soon. The photo is from Google, and yes, somebody out there has a very nice looking Y-block.

Eric

 

Rick, I myself have not done this swap, but if the oil pan with the front sump is a problem than use a rear sump pan and oil pump pickup from a truck or if you can find one, an early T-Bird.

The C-4 and the Fordo have the same yoke on the output shaft.

Here is a picture of my 312" and C-4. Obviously I'm a Y-Block fan and think they are one of the best looking and sounding engines...

 

Thank you for responding. That motor/trans combination is REALLY nice.

Thanks, too, for the information about the truck pan and oil pick-up as well as the drive shaft yoke.

 

Yes, rear sump oil pans are out there for Yblocks, they were used on pickups. I got one off ebay a year or so ago. I don't know if it would work in your car (I think so) but I've heard it allows Y's in some applications where otherwise they won't fit unless frame is mod'd to accomodate the front sump pan. I didn't check Mummert's site, he may have them.

 

Thanks! Knowing they're available is a help. I'll research the rear sump pans when (if) it comes time for the swap.

 

If you find a rear sump oilpan make sure to get the tube too; it's different from the front sump.

 

Thanks, I will.

 

There is a thread on Y-blocks Forever about this swap www.y-blocksforever.com

 

Excellent! Thanks.