I have been reading through a pile of old hot rod mags trying to see if I can find a Y block in a 35-40 Ford. I see a ton of them in model A's, but the firewall has been moved back. I have been toying with the idea of putting one back in my 36 pickup, but I really don't want to cut the firewall. Any idea if it will fit? I am almost positive it will. I bought a 292 the other day for a hundred bucks but I haven't gotten around to mocking it up. Feedback?
Well I will tell you this if the Y block is even an inch longer then say a 265 Chevy V8 then you'll be looking at a electric fan or a recessed firewall. There's a reason that they made kits for the early Chevy's and besides the 38-48 Flatheads that's pretty much all that fits in there I think. Even the 8ba flatheads need an electric fan or a recess from what I hear.
there is a fairly recent rodders journal with a 312 y block placed in a 40 ford. It did look damn nice.
40 Fords and '36 Fords are two different animals. the 40's have a bit more room since the radiator doesn't lay back like the 35-36's. If it fits in a '36 it'll go in a 40 but not necessarily the other way around.
Where there is a will there is a way and the Y block would look real good. Dare to be different and just say no to GM ****.
I had a 312 in a 47 sedan in high school. I used Hurst front mounts, and had to cut a hole for distributor clearance. The hole was about a foot high, ten inches wide, and came into the inside about two inches.
Jim Evan's '36 Ford Coupe with 312 Y-Block... Street Rodder Mag http://www.streetrodderweb.com/features/0910sr_jim_evans_1936_ford_5_window_coupe/index.html Rod & Custom Mag http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/featuredvehicles/0811rc_1936_ford_coupe/index.html
The pump fits under the flange for the bell so it is tucked out of the way. If the stearing clears the bell it will clear the pump.
It looks like Hot Rod did the swap in July of 56. The only ones on ebay are overpriced, so I guess now I have something to look for at the swap meets.
I'm working on putting a y-block/t-5 in my '36 and I tracked down the mag already. It's still a good read, but this will give you a head start.
It would appear the you will have to cut it..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271673 Is this for the "good truck" or the "daily truck"?
Jim is a good family friend. I know his 36 was built originally in the 50s and used a Hurst front mount. If you have any more questions you'd like to ask him I can get a hold of him for you.
I have been involved with engine swaps since the late '50s and nothing is harder than Ford into Ford. It looks easy then you find that everything needs modifying to get it to fit. Some engines are available with rear sumps to clear spring and crossmembers and some have p***enger side starters to clear steering boxes. Any with rear distributors will not clear the firewall without recessing or cutting out a section. When you get it done it is an accomplishment but you now know why there are so many SBCs in old Ford hot rods.
Dang Clay, it doesn't get any better than that. I totally forgot about that post. It never came up searching under Y-block stuff.
The 34 ford pickup i drove in high school had a 312 in it and I didn't have to change out or cut anything...so it should fit later model wider frames with flyin colors
Only thing is that a '35 Coupe's engine bay is probably shorter then your '34 pickup since the grille shell leans back as far as it does.
This beautiful 36 is the subject of an article in American Rodder January 2008 issue. Rodders Journal did a story on a 39 Deluxe with a Y Block from a Thunderbird. Looks great with twin Autolite carbs. It was issue 42.
The Jalopy Journal
