I'm starting with ECH-9431-A exhaust manifolds for duals to help expel. Now, to help the intake side...

I have read (Y-Block Guy, Mummert) that Ford made a couple different heads in '55 (ECG-A or ECG-C?) that were purportedly for a 272-4V intake. True? If so:

Which are correct or best for a '55 272? What intake mates to these? (ECZ-9425-A or B?)

Is there also a small-ported aftermarket 4V intake that a modern Holley/Edelbrock will bolt on? Carb adapter is OK on either, if I have to.

Sources for these good original FoMoCo or aftermarket parts?

Is an MSD distributor available for this 4V setup?

I guess an Edelbrock FM255 is overkill?

If I eventually rebuild the 272, what cam, preferably Isky, would be best (slight lope) for an otherwise stock engine with these (4V) bolt-on upgrades?

Thanks,

Paul

The ’57 and up ECZ-B intake manifold will bolt on the ’55 272 heads.  And the MSD #8383 distributor will fit all ’55 and up Y-Blocks without issue.  The easiest carb choice is the Holley list #1848 as that’s the replacement carb for the ’57 Thunderbird.  But there are a multitude of carbs that will fit that intake and will run fine with a minimum of tinkering.  Be forewarned that the ECZ-B intake does have smaller than normal throttle bores which will require either a spacer with larger holes to accommodate a larger bore carburetor or some massaging of the throttle holes themselves at the intake where the intake mates up to the carb.

The Isky E4 is a good all around camshaft with just enough chop in the idle to let you know it’s there.  You might also look at some of the Clay Smith grinds that John Mummert has available.

If the vacuum secondaries and the power enrichment circuits are working correctly, then the dual quad setup is expected to perform satisfactorily on a 272 with the E4 camshaft.  If you’re retrofitting non-dual quad carbs to the setup, then you’ll need to so some changes to the carbs so that they will work better in that application though.  Here are a few past threads discussing dual quads.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic53385.aspx

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic50878.aspx

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic46529.aspx

Using the search function will bring up some more threads on the subject.

Paul