Howza Bruthas- Well- here is the story. The 272 in my 1957 F-100 kinda went south with 3 valves becoming stuck, and bending pushrods. However- my pal came to my rescue with a VERY clean 292 with 4 barrell intake AND the ram's horn exhaust manifolds! As luck (?) would have it his engine was backed by a Fordomatic trans too. Though his truck is a 1956, I did not think anything being different from one truck to the other. WRONG- I donated my 272 and sent it off with the flex plate attached, figuring everything I needed would mount right up, just use the trans in my truck, and smoothe sailing. It seems though, that the transmissions from 56 to 57 are different and the flex plates are different too. The mounting tabs on the 1956 flex plate are as follows- 10 1/4", 8", 10 1/4" then 8". On the 1957 piece it measures 10", 8 1/2", 10" then 8 1/2" again. Has anyone else ran face first into this problem?
55 & early 56 Fordomatics were air-cooled. Maybe they used a different flex plate as well. According to Daves55Sedan, yes, the pre-57 flexplates are not the same.
I’m no help on the flex plate but very willing to provide a new home for those ram horns if you can’t use them.
Had a pair then realized 1 has a hole/crack right in the crotch. Poor quality cast is best I can figure. Dissolves quickly when heat applied. Your engine looks beautiful! Love the Mercury valve covers
You may want to get in touch with Tim McMasters, know as the Y-Block Guy (Central California) HANFORD AUTO SUPPLY 200 E 6th st. Hanford CA 93230 Telephone: 559 584 4487 Cellphone: 559 759 9171 Email: tim@yblockguy.com
Any Y-block flexplate, check carefully for cracks. In another life, I chased an engine noise/knock for days; wore myself to a frazzle. Finally disassembling it preparatory to junking it, I finally notice the flexplate was cracked in the center. jack vines
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