The '56 Ranch Wagon I just bought has the 223 6 in it and I am seriously considering swapping out to a Y block. Other than a rad,bell housing, clutch, manifolds and motor mounts am I missing anything for the conversion. Will the cross member work or do I need one from a v8 car? I have a v8 Ranch Wagon parts car and access to another v8 car.I have an engine that Tim McMasters built that is turn key so I think all I need is the aforementioned parts.Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Durham Missouri

don't forget your carb and accelerator linkage parts! The cross member is the same. Remember that your current transmission will be geared lower than a car that had a V8 in it originally. Usually the I6's did not have a fordomatic behind it, but the 3 speed manual.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I did this conversion with a 54 Ranch Wagon.  Something to consider is your transmission choice. The T86 three speed is ok but not that tuff. I used a T85 w/OD.  The rear end is also up for consideration. I used a Ford 8" out of a Maverck.  It was close but still had to move the spring perches. If you go to a T85 Trans the cross member is ok but will need a slight mod to move the trans mounting holes to the rear. Easy enough to do. 

I am planning to leave the 3 speed/overdrive thats in it now there for a while.I dont plan to do anything other than just cruise around so I think it should hold up.I may do a T5 later with a rear gear upgrade.I do have a question though.What oil pan do I need. The one on the engine now is for a truck will it work or do I need to swap that out? I could also use a dipstick and tube if anyone has an extra.Also what bell housing do I need?

Durham Missouri

I think you will need the car pan with the front sump to clear the mount tube, the truck doesn't have that mount, so they use a different pan. And using the car pan will require a car pick up tube. And if it has the truck timing cover, it will possibly need changing too, some trucks had the dip stick in the pan, cars were in the timing cover.

Have you looked into warming up that 223? With a little work they can provide a little performance plus they clean up real nice. Valve covers and other aftermarket parts show up on EBAY for sale occasionally. The build would probably be cheaper and you would have something original AND different. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

That idea has been rolling around in my head. I do like the idea of having something different. I am just trying to weigh my options. I am going to ditch the load o matic dizzy and carb soon so if it perks up I may add a 2x1 and a header. The 292 I have is for my unibody project and it won't be done anytime soon. I hate to let it sit for so long and thought the wagon would be a good candidate for it. I actually have most of the parts to do the conversion but still need some of the big things like radiator, etc.

Durham Missouri

back in the 70's my brothers and I raced C stock class at the local stock car track that was inline 6s,the 223 that we ran was really fast. back then we got speed parts for them at "Clifford research  6=8" don't know if the are still in business or not.those cars were pretty impressive and didn't cost a lot to race, I know the scruby guys put a 292 ci limit on the engines so they could race their 292 sixes but ford guys couldn't race the 300,it didn't matter,the 223 fords dominated the class.love my y blocks,but a flatty or a hopped up 6 is still very cool!

Clifford Performance is still around:

http://www.cliffordperformance.net/

Looks like the swap is in order. I had a compression check done on the 6 and it was not good and I also think it has a valve issue. I am going to try to gather everything up and do the swap this fall or winter. What bell housing do I need? I have one and will get the numbers off of it tomorrow and post here to make sure. Has anyone here used a Champion radiator? I seen one on Ebay and it was about half as much as a replacement type. Also does anyone have a set of duel exhaust manifolds they would like to part with?

Durham Missouri