1957 292 Y block horse power

SSsssteamer

SSsssteamer

Well-known member
Reading my "Motors Auto Repair Manual", the 1957 Ford 292 developes 212 horse power at 4500 RPM. The 1957 Thunderbird 292 developes only 206 horse power at 4500 RPM. Where did the Thunderbird's 6 ponies run off to? Was this just a marketing tool to sell more 312 Thunderbird motors, instead of the 292 Thunderbird motors? If there is a difference in the two 292 engines? If so, what are the differences?
 
The standard 57 thunderbird engine was a 312. The 292's were in the cars and trucks. The HP difference comes about when used with a manual or auto gearbox and whether fitted with 2 or 4 bbl carb. 57's were among the stoutest engines with the hottest cams, best heads and best inlet and exhaust manifolds. They also moved away from the "towering inferno" carb to the 4160 Holley or Carter carb.
Regards
 
292's were also used in the 57 TBirds. Not sure if this was the base engine or an option. Standard trans only, no O/D available with this engine. 245 hp 312's ("D" Birds) were the norm.

rick55 said:
The standard 57 thunderbird engine was a 312. The 292's were in the cars and trucks. The HP difference comes about when used with a manual or auto gearbox and whether fitted with 2 or 4 bbl carb. 57's were among the stoutest engines with the hottest cams, best heads and best inlet and exhaust manifolds. They also moved away from the "towering inferno" carb to the 4160 Holley or Carter carb.
Regards
Click to expand...
 
292 was base engine in all birds.the automatics had higher comp, heads.the horsepower numbers are meaningless.the work of the advertising department.only the f engine came close.
 
Ford has always played games with HP figures. There was one motor with four HP figures over a four year time, the RPM level changed as well. Advertising games.
Rolls Royce PR may be the best, they say its "enough".
 
A friend pointed out today that the 1957 Thunderbird engine had larger exhaust manifolds just like the 312 Thunderbird engine uses. If the 1957 Ford 292 engine used the smaller exhaust manifolds just like the 272 engine did, that would be the horse power difference between the two different 1957 292 engines.
 
I have a 312 in 55 sedan. It is very much like a 57 T Bird engine. A few home brewed modifications here and there. It puts out 237 HP at the rear wheels. It has beaten 350 Chevs twice. It is just enough.
 
Ted Eaton's recent mega dyno comparison on exhaust systems showed that the larger '57 exhaust manifolds were good for 5 HP more than the earlier versions. The test mule was a .060 over 312, so in a 292 the HP increase could be a little less. The Rams Horns did better than the '57 duals by another 4 HP. Since I mentioned Ted E., HP, and dyno, he also showed that the larger ratio 1.54 rockers produced 3 hp more than the 1.43. A surprise. Figured it would have been more.
 
Last edited:
SSsssteamer said:
Reading my "Motors Auto Repair Manual", the 1957 Ford 292 developes 212 horse power at 4500 RPM. The 1957 Thunderbird 292 developes only 206 horse power at 4500 RPM. Where did the Thunderbird's 6 ponies run off to? Was this just a marketing tool to sell more 312 Thunderbird motors, instead of the 292 Thunderbird motors? If there is a difference in the two 292 engines? If so, what are the differences?
Click to expand...


My non-Ford book shows the 1957 Thunderbird 292 and the 1957 Ford car 292 both being rated at 212 HP. Sounds like a misprint in your "Motors Manual". Ted Eaton.


Addendum: As is being brought up, The 212 HP numbers for the 292 are for automatic transmission equipped vehicles. Car and Thunderbird 292's were all 2V carbs; no 4V carbs on the 292's. With that said, 292's with a standard ****** are rated at 206 HP. That makes my non-Ford reference manual inaccurate in regards to the '57 Thunderbird 292 horsepower rating. The '57 Thunderbird with a 292 was standard ****** only which explains the horsepower difference. Thanks to Kultulz for adding some clarification to this.
 
Last edited:
I guess I learned something today. I thought all the 2 seat Thunderbirds had 4bbl carbs, 292 or 312. good to know. always wanted one , although I have never even driven one, I have ridden in the passenger seat once.
 
Jim, the BASE ENGINE for the 57 BIRD was the 292-2V.

I bought a 55 BIRD in 1970 I think it was. Both tops and cover, AT.

At first it was OK but as I went along I was not happy with it. This was the MUSCLE CAR era. I sold and bought a 64 FALCON SPRINT and I was one with God again.

Now that I look back, it could have made me rich, along with the 67 GT-500 I gave away.
 
Just checked my '57 Ford Shop Manual. 292 stick, 206 horsepower. 292 automatic 212 horsepower. For some reason I seem to recall that the 292 was only offered in the T Bird with a stick shift. That would account for the difference. Also as I recall the horsepower difference was due to a slight difference in compression ratio. They did this with Y blocks from the beginning as I recall.
 
Kultulz, In late 1974 I bought a '67 mustang fastback GT 390 4sp. paid $300 for it , sold it in early '75 for $500 when I moved to Alaska. wish I had it now. I can't even afford any year fastback any more since the movie that made the "Elenore" cars famous. Fastback models have reached a ridiculous point in value, in my opinion
 
slumlord44 said:
Just checked my '57 Ford Shop Manual. 292 stick, 206 horsepower. 292 automatic 212 horsepower.

For some reason I seem to recall that the 292 was only offered in the T Bird with a stick shift. That would account for the difference. Also as I recall the horsepower difference was due to a slight difference in compression ratio.

They did this with Y blocks from the beginning as I recall.
Click to expand...

You're correct -

The standard 1957 Thunderbird engine was a 292 cubic inch V-8, rated at 212 horsepower and supplied only with the 3-speed manual transmission. This represented an increase in horsepower from 202 in 1956. A two barrel Holley carburetor supplied the fuel and air mixture. In this form, the T-bird was a spirited performer, certainly not the fastest car on the road, but it wasn't far behind, either.
Click to expand...


SOURCE - http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird/tbird1957engines.html
 
Alaska Jim said:
Kultulz, In late 1974 I bought a '67 mustang fastback GT 390 4sp. paid $300 for it , sold it in early '75 for $500 when I moved to Alaska. wish I had it now. I can't even afford any year fastback any more since the movie that made the "Elenore" cars famous. Fastback models have reached a ridiculous point in value, in my opinion
Click to expand...

I was doing fairly good until I caught the dreaded DIESEL FEVER and bought my first road tractor.

I think my most favorite was a 64 GALAXIE 500 390 4/S.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top