y-block in a 36 ford

J

J & D

Senior Member
I want to run a y-block in my 36 five window. Any of you guys done this. What do I need to make this work. I have a Hurst mount, a t-bird oil pan, ECZ-G heads, Edelbrock 3-2 intake, t-bird valve covers, Will I have to cut firewall? I also want to run T-5 5-speed trans. Any info will be helpfull. I will be using Chassis Engineering dropped axel front end set-up and their parrallel rear set-up with an 8in Ford rear. Thanks guys.
 
I did a 312 in a 47 sedan years ago with the same front mount. I cut a hole for distributor clearance and made a patch about ten inches square to cover the hole. It was about 1 1/2 inches back in to the car. The five speed is a great idea for todays driving. The T5 may require some changes in the center cross member area. Try to find a picture of how they do that at Chassis Engineering in Iowa, or call them to buy the kit. You will want the S10 tail shaft to put the shifter where it needs to be.
 
I have an s 10 5 speed behind a 292 in my 55 merc wagon instead of shopping for the tail shaft buy the adapter from speedway or their was a posting on the old barn on making one yuo will need a mid eightys tail shaft for the mechanical speedo connection
 
I would not do this with just a front mount and a rear mount at the trans, especially if the 5 speed has an aluminum case. Too much unsupported length in between mounts. An all cast iron trans may make it possible, but still I would not do it. Ford never hung a yblock this way. The trucks had the rear mount at the bellhousing, while the TBird had the "steady rests" at the side of the block which helped support the engines as well as preventing it from rocking.
 
I was considering a y-block in my 35 also but was hoping not cutting the firewall. I planned to build side mount engine mounts. I planned a 40 column shift and an early 50's 3 speed OD trans. My thought was a stock 292 would make more power than a hot flathead. Maybe I should reconsider and use a later flattie.

Thanks for the info.
 
Dennis Jarrell said:
I was considering a y-block in my 35 also but was hoping not cutting the firewall. I planned to build side mount engine mounts. I planned a 40 column shift and an early 50's 3 speed OD trans. My thought was a stock 292 would make more power than a hot flathead. Maybe I should reconsider and use a later flattie.

Thanks for the info.
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Why not use a302 better oiling system goodluk.
 
why not install a Ellison transmission and a Dura max diesel and maybe set it up so you can have four wheel drive as an option. You could buy a car that has already been molested and continue on with the modifications on the thirty-six you have and have two piles of junk. Un-molested cars are hard to find these days but there are plenty of molested junk out there.
 
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I have A 29 roadster with a flathead. I want a y- block in this car and I figured that it had been done back in the old days. If you do not have constructive remarks keep your smart assed ideas and leave this post to someone who can help.
 
Paul makes a very valid point above. I used a 39 cast trans, the five speed is all aluminum and much longer. I think the Y block side mounts would interfere with the stock steering in the left. An overhauled Y block with the correct oil has about the best oiling system of anything.
 
J & D said:
I have A 29 roadster with a flathead. I want a y- block in this car and I figured that it had been done back in the old days. If you do not have constructive remarks keep your smart assed ideas and leave this post to someone who can help.
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Just one more thought. How about a v6 out of an 89 Olds, You could mount the engine cross wise like they did in the Olds. Then you could run one of those trendy electric fans. You might have to modify the fenders or run without fenders. This probably require notching the frame and you will not need a dropped front axle. You might be able to use it for the rear axle and have four wheel steering. Have you considered one of those really cool suicide door kits. I see this car as being feathered in all the hot rod magazines and you will be the envy of all your piers.

Be sure to let me know your thoughts on this modification.
 
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It was very common back in the 60s to put a 312 in car,I put one in a 51 ford car and used front motor mount kit that was sold.In about the same location as the flathead.The dist will be the only problem.I cut a hole in fire wall and may have been able to change points from in side. LOL I don,t know how much farther the t5 is but don,t think thats a problem.What a difference over the flathead.Thats the way it was.
 
paul2748 said:
I would not do this with just a front mount and a rear mount at the trans, especially if the 5 speed has an aluminum case. Too much unsupported length in between mounts. An all cast iron trans may make it possible, but still I would not do it. Ford never hung a yblock this way. The trucks had the rear mount at the bellhousing, while the TBird had the "steady rests" at the side of the block which helped support the engines as well as preventing it from rocking.
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Paul2748,on a t-bird the steady rests didn't support the engine.They were only the support the side movement of the engine.
 
Milt/Las Vegas said:
Paul2748,on a t-bird the steady rests didn't support the engine.They were only the support the side movement of the engine.
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Possibly - but the way the steady rests are supposed to be set up they provide some support even though there are rubber biscuits in them.
 
sturgis 39 said:
why not install a Ellison transmission and a Dura max diesel and maybe set it up so you can have four wheel drive as an option. You could buy a car that has already been molested and continue on with the modifications on the thirty-six you have and have two piles of junk. Un-molested cars are hard to find these days but there are plenty of molested junk out there.
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I'm not the guy you are directing your entirely inappropriate remarks to, but the guy is right - if you can't add something constructive, you should shut up.
 
paul2748 said:
Possibly - but the way the steady rests are supposed to be set up they provide some support even though there are rubber biscuits in them.
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Paul2748,the point I was trying to make the about the steady rests is that they didn't carry a significant amount of weight.That wasn't the purpose of them.I would prefer having side mounts if I were installing a y-block.
 
I dont see why a hurst mount and the trans mount on the T-5 would be a problem,if the hurst mount bolts the motor in up front where the flathead mounted I would think they would be on the sides enough to stop the motor from moving too much.
 
I am more concerned with clearance with the firewall. Does anyone have experience with actually having a y- block in a 35- 40. I would like to hear what has to be done. Thanks,John.
 
One of my favorite 36's has a Y-Block in it. Here is a mag article on the car:

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/featuredvehicles/0811rc_1936_ford_coupe/index.html

0811rc_12_z+1936_ford_coupe+engine.jpg
 
J & D said:
I am more concerned with clearance with the firewall. Does anyone have experience with actually having a y- block in a 35- 40. I would like to hear what has to be done. Thanks,John.
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I put a y-block in a '37 ford more than 50 years ago as a 16 year-old kid with NO fabrication skills. I used the hearst type mount with the original transmission and didn't have to touch the firewall. Surely a grown man with today's resources can do it. I traded it to a friend who put a Edsel 430 right in it's place. That engine would burn the tires off it taking off in second gear.
 
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