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By YellowWing - 16 Years Ago
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Hello from Arizona.
I recently purchased a 56 Victoria, picture attached if I did it right. It's a very nice car but I know nothing of it's history. I originally planned on rebuilding the 312 but now think a full rebuild may be unnecessary.
What I have. Car originally had a 312 and I believe that to be the case now, will need to check crank to confirm. Heads are ECZ-C, distributor, Holly 4 barrel and intake are all stock. I removed the valve covers and found new rockers and shafts (unfortunately 1.43 ratio). I checked lift and degree on cam and found it is stock grind. there is no sludge or deposits on the tops of the heads or in the engine valley. Compression is 140-148 PSI all cylinders (this at 4000 foot elevation). I have looked into a couple cylinders with a terrible bore scope and see very little carbon and a strong crosshatch pattern. Engine is smooth and very quiet while running. With all the above I think engine has been recently rebuilt but I still have some doubt as to the quality of the rebuild as some things have been done Micky Mouse and engine apparently is also used as a chassis lubrication pump in this car  .
What I would like. Reliable engine of approximately 250-275 Hp that does not leak oil. Would like to lighten engine at the same time. Doing so without going into bankruptcy is preferable.
The plan. Remove engine, pull heads and pan. Confirm engine is a 312, inspect cylinder and bearing condition. If all is OK reassemble with the following added. Mild street cam, MSD distributor, Reds headers, Mummert intake,Demon jr 525, aluminum front cover and pump. I would like to not replace the rockers or heads as I am also planning on installing a C4 transmission (FOM works fine but is lubricating everything the engine misses and weighs a ton) so at this point cost is becoming a issue.
Are the power gains I'm looking for realistic not using big valve heads and high ratio rockers? Rockers would be an easy addition later down the road as would heads, maybe even the aluminum when available. Is there anything else I should consider while the engine is out.
Mike Johnson
Rimrock Az
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By paul2748 - 16 Years Ago
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Great looking car - I'll let the other guys give you the engine advice.
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By slumlord444 - 16 Years Ago
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I think you are being realistic. A stock 312 is 225 to 245 hp depending on the year, heads, and carb. With the right parts and good tune you should pull 275 to 300 Hp IMHO.
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By Y block Billy - 16 Years Ago
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The vin will tell you what it originally came with, if it starts with U = 272, M = 292 and P = 312 and if it came with a 6 it would start with an A. And they did make them with 6 cylinders, I don't know how many vicky's came with 6's but I looked at one once and the glove box still had the 6 id tag but someone converted the car to a 292.
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By bloodyknucklehill - 16 Years Ago
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man that thing is a beauty.. i love that color combo..
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 16 Years Ago
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Great Ride!! I always think of changing mine to black and white, it just looks cool! 
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By montana ford man - 16 Years Ago
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wow! what a beautiful Vicky! it is identical in color to my 56 2dr sedan customline. please,more pictures! that's what is so cool about YBForever is seeing other guys rides,thanks
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By Ol'ford nut - 16 Years Ago
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Great looking car! Of course I have to say that- it looks just like mine!(except wheels) I have a 292 and converted to 4 speed. I like them all but have always been partial to black and white. All the engine info you could ever want is on this site.
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By ejstith - 16 Years Ago
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Ya gotta just love those Cragers .. 
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
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Great looking car. I had a black/white 2 dr ht, bought it in '59, rolled it in '61. Had a dual quad 312 in it. The remains sit rusting away in my woods, riddled with bullet holes. Take good care of your new find.
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By John Mummert - 16 Years Ago
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That is a beautiful 56. Probably the best looking Ford in the last 68 years. Yeah a '40 is hard to beat. When a magazine tested a bone stock 56 312 back in the day they got 185hp as I recall so you have a ways to go. The cam, manifold and carb will go a long way. The distributor must go also. The big valve heads seem to be good for about 280hp unmodified but I've never seen dyno testing on stock ECZ-C heads with other mods. 250-265? Hoosier. Care to elaborate on how the 56 got rolled?
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By PF Arcand - 16 Years Ago
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Nice car! And I think you are being a bit pessimistic about the engine. Why not check out the oil pressure and so on & drive it locally for a while & enjoy it. I wouldn't tear it apart till you have most of the parts together for the upgrades. And as John mentioned, the original H.P. ratings of the day were gross ratings withou any accessories running, not today's ratings which are supposed to be net horsepower. If you obtained 250 real H.P. today, that car would move along real nicely..
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By Rono - 16 Years Ago
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Mike; Great looking '56! My 56 Custeomline Victoria was a black and white car when I found her in a farmer's field in southeast Idaho. I've also got the Cragars. Mine came stock with a 292 and 4bbl. As John and others have said, 275HP is doable with some moderate engine mo 312ds and upgrades depending on whether the motor is a 292 or 312. Rono
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