Y-Block is a good choice, I think. If you need tips on how to install I built one last year for Chillywilly here on the HAMB to go in a '50, I think he might beable to give you some tips.
the y-block's cool. you'll need a truck oil pan--rear sump--t-birds had rear sumps too, but i've heard a t-bird pan will set you back about $500. if you've ever seen "thunder road," i believe that car had a t-bird mill, and it sat down nice a low in the chassis.
Y block is perfect. Stock 292 in my truck and love it. It's my daily driver with no problems. I also have a 3 speed and 3.80 gears in my 9", but can't do 65!! I guess I could it just be super loud. I had all kinds of advice on gearing but by no one that's actually ran the set up. I'd like to know what gears would work best for high way speeds?
I hate, hate, hate 302/5.0s. I’m sure they’re technologically great motors, but they’re incredibly ugly and I feel like any car other than a Falcon, Fairlane, or Mustang (or their giant-shock-tower-equipped relatives) equipped with one is less cool for it. The 351 looks OK. I like Y-blocks in Shoeboxes. Since yours was six-equipped to begin with, have you considered a 300ci Ford six? Dressed right, it would look great in the car, it’s got all the parts-availability advantages of the 5.0, and it’s different. Something to think about if the Y-block thing doesn’t pan out.
I run a t-5 with 3.50 gears and it will cruise all day at 75+ mph. Probably would be fine in fourth too. Why do you say "can't do 65"? Just too loud? That should be around 3000 rpm, may be a little high for the highway but certainly not too much.
Ted Eaton also will build a strong Y for you and is Lorena, TX. I run an AOD behind my stroked 292. Good torque. best sound ever. Also The Church Bros. live in Jackson, Miss. and have lots of yblock experience if you want to see and hear what a y can really do for you. All the money you spend on engines is expensive but the y will be better money spent in mho.
Totally unrealted to the y-block... but the flathead six in yer shoe is a good engine- I heard they were under rated at the factory by ten horse or better as not to show up the V8...
Ted Eaton is a good man to see and if you want 500+ HP he can get it for you, at a price. If 300+ is enough for you don't be affraid to do your own work. You can liven up any Y-Block with a good cam and a little head work. Tuck, you're right about the six, I have one in the shop right now (and have built a few) they are good stout engines and will out torque the V8.
I can do 65 maybe even 70 just fine but the engine is at such a higher rpm that I can't hear myself think or radio. I like the 3 speed and don't want to loose it. Hoping a gear reduction would help the rpm's. I want to drive the truck more on longer trips but be a hair more comfortable ! Also I have long smittys and no carpet so I'm sure that adds to the noise but exhaust isn't that loud.
David and Robin Church own Metal Finishing Services, Redi-Strip Of Jackson Inc 750 Boling Street # C Jackson, MS 39209-2652 They are both good guys and own and race yblock fords and have good experience with them and have worked with Ted Eaton's engines.
Best of luck and post some pictures! I am planning to put a y-block and overdrive into my '50 as the six and 3 speed are making some angry noises.
Grate choice Im doing the same to a 1949 ford convertible. I'll be putting in a 312 mercury backed by a T-5. What you will be needing is a front motor mount out of a 57 T bird and the side torque stabalisers used also on 57 t bird. Good luck n post picks! Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
First thing you may want to look into if you decide to go y-block is your budget,order a Speedway catalog to start and check out the parts prices to build the y-block you should also get catalogs from other Ford vendors like www.usapartssupply.com and http://www.cgfordparts.com/.For the y-block swap you can use a 292 Ford oil pan from a pickup truck and you will have to fabricate your own motor mounts.The SBF 289-302/5.0 mounts are available from Speedway, your 6 cyl rear is a 3.90 ratio so the AOD overdrive will be perfect with that.The 302 fox body dual sump oil pan is a perfect fit in your shoebox and with the SBF no firewall mods are needed.So weigh the pros and cons and go from there,it's your car and your $$$.With gas at $4 a gallon you may want to read the post from Baggs at the bottom here:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=33292
Do what you want. If it were me I would take a second look at the six. As said in many ways they were a "better" engine than the flathead V8. How is the low end torque? My 50 had a V8 but I have always been told when right, the six could be a rocket on the low end and was very quick. Your problem may be a gear ratio problem. A 3.73 should be about right for you. If you are geared too low, the Y will scream at 55 too. All things being equal the six may have better take off than the Y with the present set up. I would strongly consider a tune up for the six, maybe some port matching on the exhaust manifold, carb rebuild, stuff like that. You may want to look at your gear ratio and do a change there. Also there is the option of overdrive. You may wind up doing that even with the Y. No engine swap is easy. It's nearly always easier to improve what you have. Heck, it is hard enough changing from six to flathead 8 in that car. Its a lot more work than you would think and that engine was offered in that model. Another option would be to clean it up, sell it and buy a 54-62 Y block car. I think 49s and 50s are in demand so you may be able to get you a nice 54 and enough dough to trick out a Y.
I hope reviving this thread is not against the rules. I have a 50 Ford Coupe with a 302 CI Y-block with a V-57 Supercharger driving A C-4 and a Gear Vendors OD. Also I have a 56 Sunliner with a Powered by Ford in Orlando built 292 CI Y-block driving a 3-Speed with OD. I can not get enough of the sound. I am interested in Y-Blocks and would like to make this an on going thread. I have a dearborn duece that I want to build a lively Y-block for. What do you guys think?
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