After driving my 54 alittle I'm starting to think twice about the Y-block. I just picked up a 292 to replace the 239 so that will give me alittle hp gain but it needs rebuilt. Then my buddy started talking me into a SBF. I have a car sitting around that has a very good 302 in it. The trans maybe shot but C4s are cheap. I like to drive my cars alot. What would you guys do?
Sounds like you're at the same crossroads as Chris (felty). The 292 will be more or less an excercise in R&R. The essential nature of the car will not have to be changed to accomplish this swap. Going with the 302/C4 will probably lead to changing out the rear axle, and the rear axle to changing out the front brakes for discs, etc., etc., until the car ends up very different from what it is today. This wholesale conversion may not be in the plan, but it's pretty hard to leave some task undone "as long as it's apart anyway...". I like to drive my hot rods...a lot. Meaning not just around town, but to distant events so dependability and repair-ability are very important factors. So it would sort of depend upon how you plan on using your car. If short runs around town are all you anticipate, putting the 292 in place of the 239 will make a neat runner. But if you plan to really use the car in the future, I'd give you the same advice as I gave Chris: enjoy the car as it is for now - then make a plan, gather your parts, save your money, and do all the modifications you have planned all at once. You'll be time and money ahead in the long run. Just my $.02
Since you plan on driving it a lot,use the 302 but I would use an AOD instead of the C4 since it's shot anyway.Highway cruisin' the AOD would pick up 2-3 MPG.
While either one is okay, seems to me that if you want a "quickie" swap, go with the 292. A fairly easy switchout and as Eric said above, you can look around for a replacement SBF/Trans powerplant while driving the car, then plan the switch after you get one ready to install. 'Course I'm a kind-of Yblock supporter but quite frankly if I planned to drive my '56 a lot I'd have considered a 351C/400 and a T5. But I opted for retro since I don't intend for it to be driven except as wanted and don't have to consider gas mileage or (hopefully) having to find repair or replacement parts for it any time soon. ron
When I say I drive my car alot I'm looking at my 46 Dodge. For the last 8 year that car has been a highway warrior. Long road trips are no problem in it but the gas at 8mpg and 93 octane is killing me. I know the Y-block is the easier of the two but will it hold up. Plus I'm going to have to something with the trans either way so my wife can drive it to. She 8 said years is enough sitting in the p***enger seat. I have about 75% of the parts to do the 302 swap. I'm so on the fence on this one. Thank for the input keep it coming.
Im getting ready to drop a 292 with a three speed into my 54. I just cant help but love the way a y block sounds. Im not really lookin to drive it far, just around the valley. Future plans include a full Jamco suspension and then a 302 with AOD. Eventually I want this to be a nice car that I can take on long cruises.
I went through the same thought process in my head a few years back and decided to go with a modern small block and an AOD. It would've been MUCH easier to simply swap out the 239 with a 292, but I want to drive this car hard and over long distances, and I want something with the horsepower and mileage that a 302/AOD combo can provide. I put almost 100K miles on my 239 and knew it well enough to know that I probably wasn't going to be thrilled with what a 292 could've provided...nothing against the bigger y-blocks, they're very cool, but again...I was after some nice horsepower and some good mileage...and parts availability at a moment's notice at any AutoZone/OReillys/Napa/etc across the nation. I have to admit that this has tested the limits of this amatuer mechanic, but I'm getting it all done and learning a ton on the way. I'm actually going to run my stock rear axle until it croaks, and hopefully that will be later rather than sooner...or maybe never....we'll see.
I understand what you mean . I have a Y block in my 55 Ford and has a lot of get up and go with a ****py Ford O Matic. I am building a 302 with big cam and either a T-5 or AOD , I have both . I will sell that good running Y block to pay for the Y block 292 I am building for a 1937 Plymouth p/u . It will have a big Isky cam , 3x2 and a 4 speed trans and 3:55 posi rear . But that will be a toy not for long hauls . The 55 Ford with the 302 will be for fun and will use on long hauls if needed . 302 parts are cheap and easy to find thank to the Mustang . Unless you put a bigger cam in the 302 you are not going to have anymore HP than a 292 . A 292 with good flowing heads and a good 4bbl with a stock can is almost 195 HP . A 302 still has the same unless you change the cam so from what you have told me why not used the 292 and get an AOD with adapter . You will be fine and get good gas mileage on the highway . Same HP either way . A 1985 Ford 302 with 4 bbl had 185 HP . The 292 is the same . Your choice and the parts are as easy to find either way . What ever you choose just drive it and enjoy it ! Now isn't that what it's all about ? RetroJim
I agree with Retro Jim. Most vintage engines will get livable if not great fuel economy when coupled with an overdrive trans and proper gearing. Electric ignition conversions, some nice dual exhaust and a more modern fuel delivery system and they are just as good for daily driving.
i just bought a 429/c6 for my 62 galaxie. its got a 352 right now that runs great but starting to smoke alittle. i want a lot more power for pulling my 53 ranch wagon to rumbles and such.thats a big increase in h.p. and torque.but there isnt alot of difference between the 302 and 292.i dont know why but i always liked to run engines that are absolete and you just dont see much of anymore. 302s are a dime a dozen,292s are alot harder to find and you can build one to run as good as a new one with a few upgrades.thats why i got a hold of this 429 instead of the 460. plent of 460s around here but this is the first 429 ive seen in awhile. even though they share the same block. i can saY ITS A 429!!!
Right on outlaw256, I just got done putting a 71 429 in my '55 (pictured on my avatar) Lot's of people were against it, but I couldnt help myself, tons of power, plus nobody's done it around here (northern CA) that I know of.
292 with a t-5 and a low gear makes a great combo, still looks old school and you have freeway cruz. Easy swap on trans, with an adapter plate for trans to bellhousing. You can make it yourself with min. Tools.
Well I decided to do the 302. So sometime soon the 239 is getting pulled and the 302 is going it. Sold the 292 to rollinsixes about a month ago.
I'm putting a 312/AOD combo in my '54 Customline and will have no hesitation about driving it long distances. The y-block has been around for over 50 years and has served well, going coast to coast on many occasions. A well built y-block is as dependable as any other engine. Of course, I am partial to the y-block. With that said, my advice is to do what I am doing. Build it to suit your taste and pocketbook, because you are the one that ultimately needs to be made happy. Make a plan and work toward it. Good luck whichever way you go.
In all fairness, I went from a 239 to a 292, and was floored by the results. A 292 looks better on paper, and it feels a lot more powerful than what it is. I also really like the engine, its taken all the abuse of a teenager.
when i bought my 55 it already had a 302 and aod . with a ranger rear end . this gets great gas mpg. im going to put a explorer disk brake rear in it . no matter which engine combo you pick im kinda picky on being able to stop it . with the way people drive round here . upgrading the brakes to front disc is a have to .
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