Replace Flathead with Y-Block?

D

DougE

Junior Member
I would like to put a small block Ford V8 (Y-Block?) into my '52 Customline with a 3 speed manual transmission and overdrive. (Just because the OD is unique). The manual transmissions from '49 to '54 seem to use the same nose piece (#7050) and the same transmission case (#7006). This would take it into Y-Block territory.

Is the bolt pattern for all Y-Blocks to the bellhousing the same?

Is the bolt pattern for all Y-Block bellhousings to the transmission the same?

I have seen a reference to a "Wilcap 600WA Ford Y-Block 2 Ford Flathead Transmission Bellhousing Adapter" (no longer on the Wilcap website). Is this actually necessary for what I am trying to do?
 
It is my understanding that Wilcap has more than is listed on there site, might give them a call.


"We offer more than 70 different adapters and we have several hundred different engines and transmissions in our CAD library. If you can't find what your looking for on the pages listed below, call us."
 
The "Y" block is substantially heaver than the flathead. The early :Y" blocks had 239/272 ci whick will make the front end of the car more difficult to steer and handle poorly. 54 springs might help. They may fit??PS will also help??
 
I had a '54 and '55 Ford years ago and they handled as good as any car of that era. Both of those cars had "Y" blocks. People used to put Olds engines in old Fords. Talk about heavy!
 
Did a 52 have king pins or ball joints

239 yblock up to 312 have the same bell housing pattern.

You need to get passanger car stuff like the timing cover oil pan motor mount flywheel (for the small clutch)
Passanger car bellhousing. Truck is deeper
Your stock clutch linkage should work
The flathead mounts are completely different from y block.
 
If it were me I would drop in a 51-53 Merc flathead. It give you more power than the Ford engine and save you a lot of trouble.
 
With the change to ball joint front suspension in '54, I seem to remember that there was enough change to the car that there may be some oil pan interference and it wasn't a very happy swap. A "Y"-block is not a "small block Ford"; that is is the 289-302 series. They are smaller lighter, more powerful, and fit better. The money you will save by not having to buy a transmission adapter will quickly go for buying engine parts. Then if for some reason you want to add some "go fast" parts, you'll really be under water.

In this day and age, a "Y" block swap is not a good idea. However, if you have some nostalgic, "back in the day" reason for doing it, go ahead!
 
Y blocks into '49-'53 Fords weren't uncommon back when.
That said, any Y block less than 292 cubes is a wasted effort. I know people will say otherwise, but anything less than a 292 is a boat anchor.
If your Y block '54-'59 (car not truck) has a stick bell housing, clutch & flywheel, it will bolt up to your '52 trans.
Make sure the disc matches.
With the stock front sump Y block pan the guys used to cut a large opening into the '52 front cross member & fab side motor mounts. I know it's crude but it was done & it worked.
The better way is to use the truck or T Bird rear sump pan along with the oil up pick tube. It is cleaner but you still have to fuss with the cross member.
 
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"I would like to put a small block Ford V8 (Y-Block?)"


I wouldn't exactly call a Y-Block V8 a small block. Probably as heavy as an FE V8.
Small displacement maybe, but small block ?


Sal
 
not all the 49 and up transmissions are interchangeable. rear motor mounts, clutch linkage attachments were distinct to 49 - 51 & were different for various years and internals (gear sets) changed in 53 i believe.....
that Wilcap 600 WA Ford Y-Block 2 Ford Flathead Transmission Bellhousing Adapter is for Yblock to 48 and earlier transmissions..
 
I guess I'm out of touch but I see no advantage of installing a Y block in your car.
Working on a Y-Block in the car can be a tedious task. Especially if you have to remove and replace the hex drive distributor. Do they have solid lifters? Not a user friendly engine.
 
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>>>I would like to put a small block Ford V8 (Y-Block?) into my '52 Customline with a 3 speed manual transmission and overdrive.>>>


Sorry. Your car was designed for only one SB OHV V8. And it isn't a SBF. Jack E/NJ
 
Just looked up some weights (no idea how consistent they are). The y-block engines are listed as 610lbs.

SBF (260-302) 460lbs
FE (332-428) 625lbs
385 (429-460) 720lbs

And per Rumbleseat, "1934 through 1948 V-B 85/90/100 hp flathead engines weigh 525 lbs (with cast iron heads)" No idea if the 8ba is heaver.
 
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A lot of people would not agree to that statement. The 56 and 57 Fords were top winners in oval track racing and a number of them did good in 1/4 mile racing.

If treated right (as with any other engine) they were long lasting engines with plenty of torque.



philipswanson said:
The Y blocks were the worst engines ever produced by Ford. Go to 302 family or back to a flathead. IMHO.
Click to expand...
 
I put a 292 in a 1950 car. Oil filter was where the steering gear is. Had to make a bipass plate. Also had to use a top shift adapter. This was in 1960. All poorboy, homemade stuff. Ran strong.


Bruce
 
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