57 engine

Habusailor

Senior Member
My 57 has a c on the plate on the door jam indicating a 292. I was told when I bought the car it is a 312. Not sure it is the original engine so it might be a 312, how do I tell the difference?

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Look on the crank flange for an aspirin sized dot. Only 312 cranks had those. The caveat is not ALL 312 cranks had 'em.
 
The main bearing caps are different as well, due to the 312 crank journals being larger. Does the engine have a 4 barrel carburetor? If it has a 2 barrel carburetor and cast iron intake manifold, it's probably a 292.
 
Look for the casting number on the block.
It should be just above the oil filter. Just so you know what year / version the block is.
http://ford-y-block.com/Block%20identification.htm

The block number will not you if it's a 312
but take off the lower bellhousing cover and carefully turn the engine, if the crank flange has a dot it's a 312.
http://ford-y-block.com/identify312.htm

http://ford-y-block.com/crankshaftid.htm

...I was told when I bought the car it is a 312. ...
Some sellers think they know but actually don't. Other sellers will tell you whatever you want to hear.
An unfortunate near truth in the world of Y-block engines... if it's for sale it's almost always a "312", until it isn't.

I looked at a '57 312 (D code) T-Bird for sale last year.
Asking price $45,000.... the engine was a 292 from a '56 truck, with a couple '57 parts on it.
 

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  • 312 crank dot, fordomatic trans, arrow.jpg
    312 crank dot, fordomatic trans, arrow.jpg
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