Y block swap

H

Halftracks

Member
Has anybody swaped a 56 292 into a 48-51 Ford F-1 pickup ? The truck is a 3 speed on the floor and I have an adapter to mate up the 292 to the 3 speed. What I don't want to do is cut the firewall.
Thanks
Ed
 
At one stage I had a 272 in my 49 F1 matched to my stock heavy duty 3 speed gearbox using a locally produced Berry and Chung alloy adapter (cost $75 new in 1976). I understand the 292 block is basically the same externally as a 272. I had no firewall clearance issues but it was a tighter fit than stock, as I remember bending the firewall tunnel slightly when jacking up the motor to get the mounts connected before lowering it again.
I had to take out the original flathead front chassis mounts to clear the 272 fuel pump and generator respectively. The original battery box had to come out, and I modified an adapted version in the engine bay on the RH mudguard. I adapted a car mount engine cradle to bolt to the inside of my chassis rails. Fortunately I didn't make any permanent alterations and she's all back to stock now. The 272 certainly honked along ...
 
I did one back in the 60's and swear I'd never do another. If you need another engine 351 would probably be easer.
 
Like Ron I did one in the 60's. You need a pickup or T-bird oil pan with
the rear sump and I had to use a remote oil filter to clear the steering box.

Bob
 
I helped a friend of mine put a 272 Y-block in a '40 Ford in 1956.. it was an absolute mess, had to get a T-bird pan and a Merc timing case cover.. As Bob C said the oil filter was also a problem.. The Y blocks are also very heavy and long. On top of that, they have serious problems, even if the engine is free it will probably run into $$$$.
If you want to keep the vehicle all Ford I'd opt for a 351 W.. very common, current production with modern engineering.. i.e. friendly to unleaded fuels..
I have a '56 Bird with a 302 and a C-4, and a '57 Bird with a 312 and a Fordomatic, the 56 runs much better.
 
Halftracks said:
Has anybody swaped a 56 292 into a 48-51 Ford F-1 pickup ? The truck is a 3 speed on the floor and I have an adapter to mate up the 292 to the 3 speed. What I don't want to do is cut the firewall.
Thanks
Ed
Click to expand...

I looked into doing this swap a long time ago. Seems like lots of people had done it, but nobody remembers how it was done. I think if you've got the adapter and get your hands on the truck pan and a remote oil filter, you should be fine. You'll just have to fab up some engine mounts.

My friend has a 292 in a '40 coupe that he installed many years ago and it runs fine. They're a very nice looking motor. His has 3x2s and T-bird valve covers
 
I put a Y-block in a '37 coupe in '58. A trans adapter, a truck oil pan, an engine mount that bolted to the front of the engine and used the original frame mounts, and an aluminum cap that replaced the oil filter was all it took.
 
Wow there is a big differance between a F1 and a 40 ford under the hood for engine room. When I was young bought a 51 mercury pick up that had a 57 lincoln 368 and auto trans in it . It did not have any fire wall work done . Had the stock steering and front spring axel set up.
 
Thanks for all the answers. the 292 I have came out of a restored 56 so it needs nothing except maybe a 3 deuce intake. Don't want to put in a 351 been down that road with another truck so I thought I'd do something different with this one.
Thanks again
Ed
 
The old Ford is exactly why the Good Lord told Louis Chevrolet to build the small block Chevy. He gave him the dimensions. They fit just about anything.
 
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