Technical Engines that would fit 1955 Ford FairlaneClub Sedan

I'm new to the forum and have tried searching, but I'm probably not using the correct keywords. On a fluke I bought a 55 Ford Fairlane. I want to update the vehicle with the modern accessories like power brakes and steering so my wife can drive it.

What engines can I replace my Y-block with that are reasonably easy to install in my 55 Fairlane?
Would a 351 W or larger work?

 

A friend of mine put a 365 Cadillac motor in his 55 Ford.

Gary

 

The Y block is easy to rebuild and fits fine.FE fords go in pretty easy too.Most people seem to put SBC\SBF engines in those.Those cars could be had new with power steering and brakes,look around and you can likely find the pieces for the power steering .Power brakes are a pretty simple conversion.

 

what he said ^^^^ go with a 352/390 FE block....

 

SBC is what belongs in that engine compartment.

 

We should start a club. TB33andathird will be in.

 

FE bolts in pretty easy and has class. Of course it didn't take long for the obligitory "put a Chebbie in it" to surface from the peanut gallery

 

Due to the fact that the Y block engines are mounted to the frame by a "steady rest" that is on the front of the engine an adaptor kit is required for the FE engine install.

Do a search for that kit. Crites perhaps ???

I dont think anything else except another Y block is a direct bolt in.

Or since 58 Fords used both Y blocks and FEs - might want to look into those motor and tranny mounts but you would still have to fabricate the frame mounts for the motor mounts to bolt onto.

Oldmics

 

Any FE block will fit and take up about the same amount of space as your Y block. You can still find 390 FE blocks floating around from 60's full size Fords if you want something period close. An added benefit is that any 390 can become a 428 is short order. There is also a pretty good selection of speed parts available for these motors still available. Likewise, any 351 or 302 based small block will fit with plenty of room around it to turn wrenches. As Oldmics says, for any "newer" flavor of motor you're going to be on the hook for fabbing a set of frame pads for the "newer" style motor mounts. I've seen these done in a 56 T bird around here that runs a 390 instead of the original 292 and they didn't look too bad to put together. There was plenty of room in the T-bird so there should be plenty and then some under yours. Good luck and happy hunting

 

A 351W will fit OK a little tight by the steering box a 351C is also a good fit with it's exhaust ports slightly higher,best fit is the 5.0 aka 302 like in my '54 with same chassis. Join up here and you will find a HUGE file with all the info you need for your swap. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/social-forums/1952-59-ford-social-group.282/

 

Here is another Pic showing the 5.0 with HEDMAN 88400 headers.

 

A FE or SBF will be the easiest swap. A FE is almost a direct bolt-in, with custom head pipes being the only fabricated parts needed if you use the early 'log' exhaust manifolds and you can find a slip yoke that fits both the driveshaft and the trans you select; otherwise, you may need a custom driveshaft if retaining the stock rear axle. You may need a custom speedo cable and minor shift linkage mods too, but again, that will depend on the trans.

The SBF swap isn't much harder. I did a 351W/FMX swap into a '56 using a '71 LTD as the donor, and again, the only 'custom' parts needed were head pipes, driveshaft, and speedo cable, with some home-fabricated motor mount adaptors and some monkey-motion for the stock column shifter. Between stock '56 bits and the LTD, everything else needed was there. I even reused the OEM lower radiator hose and dual-diaphragm fuel pump off the Y-block. You will need to use the later Mustang 'shorty' oil filter.

A C4 or FMX will fit no problem, a C6 may need some floorboard bashing. An AOD will need floor bashing and some frame mods.

As to power steering, the OEM setup is a bit problematic. Not inexpensive to rebuild, and not all that reliable even if you do. If you go for the SBF, the 200+ pounds you'll drop off the front end reduces steering effort by a bunch and a conversion to manual steering will be fine if you keep the large OEM steering wheel. My 5'4" ex had no trouble driving mine... You can even do this with a FE if you 'aluminize' it with alloy heads, intake and water pump.

 

My favorite

 

The front steady rest isn't needed . Ive installed lots of FE,s in 55 & 56 fords. Never used one and never had any problems.

 

427 Ford engine is the Best

Just my 3.5 cents
or when the Cows
come home!

 

I have a 351-W in my 55 sunliner and it fit good but have decided to go back to a Y block soon.

 

I always wanted to put a stroker 408 351 Windsor in one. We ran a 408 on alky injected in the dragster and for a Windsor it was a horse. Lippy

 

A 390 FE would be the sexiest looking engine in there. With a 3X2 factory setup.

 

He's got a fairlane not a T bird the fairlane has side mounts. For an FE you can use the Y block mounts but the engine can hit the firewall but if you use the mounts backwards it will move the engine forward about 2" and clear.

 

Not sure if 57 is same but I mounted 289 ( same as 302 ) in 57 with stock y block frame mounts and 64 comet motor mounts, bolted right up.

 

Do you guys all own gas stations or do you just never go anywhere?The consensus seems to be that a 55 Ford daily driver needs AT LEAST a 390 motor and preferably a 427.

My choice would be a 302 or possibly a 4.6 which will get twice the mileage while being 200 pounds lighter, improving the steering and handling, while having enough power to go anywhere in the country at well over the legal speed limit.

Weight is about the same as a 5 liter Mustang so performance should be similar until you get to such high speeds the boxy shape holds you back (over 70 MPH)

 

If the link JeffB2 posted doesn't have it, try this for the p/s.

https://www.borgeson.com/xcart/home.php?cat=117

I've done R&P conversions, I don't recommend them. If you consider keeping the y block, everything you need is here.

http://www.ford-y-block.com

 

I'd prefer a Chrysler hemi but have a stock y-block in mine.

 

I know Rusty but he ask for 351 or bigger.

 

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. I'm just in the beginning stages of planning. I know SBC engines are less expensive and readily available, but was thinking about keeping the components in the Ford family.

 

What is wrong with the engine that is in it?

 

Its "Traditional" to put a big block Ford in there. I don't know about the rest of you, but if I worried that much about gas mileage I wouldn't fool around with old cars.

 

Right now gas prices are low where I live but I still pay $3.50 to $4 per gallon. For Fords in particular the difference between a 302 and a big block is going to double your consumption. Given the performance you can get out of a small block I find it hard to justify.

 

If you have the pocket book build the Y-block. There is nothing wrong with them and, will make plenty of power with the right combination. http://www.eatonbalancing.com/blog/2012/09/29/not-a-race-engine-but-maybe-it-should-be/

The FE would be a good choice also but, I would build the Y-block,

 

For some reason all of the younger guys seem to think power steering is a must have. Standard steering and normal width tires are just as good and I'll be you wife won't know the difference. It just takes a few more turns of the wheel to do the "J" turn. The factory power steering on the older cars were a telescoping ram type of linkage and they leak.