57 hardtop

Habusailor

Habusailor

Senior Member
I am going to look at a 57 4 dr. hardtop this week. I had a 2 door when I was a teenager and would like to own one again. I havnt seen it yet and the ad didn’t tell me what engine it has. How do I identify which v8 it has, if it has an 8. I know it has an auto ******. What else should I be looking for regarding problem spots? I know rockets rotted out so will be checking those. Any other hints? I own a 49 and a 35 so have some old car experience, just a long time since I have been around this vintage.


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It's hard to distinguish which Y-Block is in a '57 Ford (if it's a V8). If it has a two barrel carb, chances are it's a 272 or 292 Y-Block. If a 4 barrel carb, more than likely a 312 Y-Block. 292 and 312 blocks in '57 were ECZ-A,B and C casting numbers.
The 292's and 312's used the same casting numbers on the heads and block so not possible to really tell a 292 from a 312 in 1957 by casting numbers.
The 272's used the same head casting numbers but a different block number.
To tell by the VIN plate on the driver's door pillar, if the first digit of the VIN is A, it's a 223 6 cyl. B is a 272 two barrel, C is a 292 two barrel, D is a 312 four barrel, E is a 312 with two 4 barrels and E is a single 4 barrel with supercharger.
Also, this website tells the different ways to tell a 312 from a 292. www.ford-y-block.com


Sal
 
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cant add much except if its a 4 dr h t its a fairlane with the base v8 which is 292.as was said if its a 312 it will have a 4 bbl and a D in the vin.
 
The engine code letter on the vin plate will (only) tell you which engine it left the factory with.
In the yrs since then there's a fair chance it may have been swapped for something else.
From the website scicala mentioned above here's a link to the engine block casting number list...
http://www.ford-y-block.com/Block%20identification.htm

and a casting number list for cyl heads...
http://www.ford-y-block.com/cylinderheadchart.htm

Their overall list of "Technical" info...
http://www.ford-y-block.com/technical.htm
 
5851a said:
If anyway possible have them put up on a hoist somewhere.
Click to expand...
Yes, the engine block numbers are most easily seen when the vehicle is on a lift, along with lower body and frame rust & bondo, and driveline / suspension shortcomings.
 
Big rust problem with the 57s is around the headlights. And the leading edge of the hood. Other places are typical of most old cars, bottom of front fender, front part of rear quarter in front of rear wheel. Check the floors under the mats for rustout, a lot of times there is just some cobbled up sheet metal under there to give it support.
 
How did this potential purchase turn out, I wonder? '57 Fords are cool. One of the many reasons I like them is they outsold Chevy that year.
 
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