Hi, new to this forum and just getting my head up to speed on the latest and greatest Y block data after a shameful lapse. My old copy of The Ford Y-Block book from the mid 1980's by James Eickman describes and shows drilling, chamfering, and grinding grooves at the base of the lifter bore bosses in the valley to increase oil to cam and lifters. The newer book, Ford Y-Block Engines by Charles Morris, doesn't include this. Is it safe to assume that we're getting plenty oil to these areas with a fresh rebuild, modern oil, and proper maintenance?

Not new to mid-fifties Fords and Y-Blocks, just pulling parts and resources together to restore a '56 big window effie that's been back and forth between dad and I for 40+ years. I have a '55-'56 292 from a car and '57-'58 EZC-G heads currently being cleaned and checked for damage. I'm in Bellingham WA and currently looking for an experienced and trusted (and hopefully affordable) machinest/builder in this part of the state. So far one good recommendation for PacificAuto Machine in Renton (thanks Marc). No commitments yet so open and appreciative of more opinions and/or suggestions.

Photo of my panel truck I restored as a teenager and owned for 37 years.
Thanks, Bill Childs

Bill C

Drag it home, figure it out.

Welcome to the Forum, Bill.

It's been reported that the drilling and grooving around the lifter bores is not needed or necessary although proposed in Eickman's 1984 book.  I think Ted Eaton or Tim McMaster. reported this in an earlier Forum thread based upon an engine build they tested.

Keep those 'extra' parts from your '55-'56 vintage 292 block.  Some of us like the oil trough for the timing chain, the counterweight for the front of the camshaft, and the oil baffle trays from under the rocker arm shafts, all of which FoMoCo eliminated in later production years.

As you may know there are three species of the ECZ-G cylinder heads.  See this Internet page   http://yblockguy.com/techtips/postedheads.html   for an explanation of this.  The point of this information is that for un-posted heads, maximum milling is .025   For the posted heads, maximum milling is .045.  The pads on the y-block cylinder heads below the exhaust ports and adjacent to the spark plug holes...  their original thickness when manufactured by FoMoCo was 1.000 inch   -Measure their present thickness to see if the heads have already been cut at all.    

In addition to Charles Morris' informative y-block book consider looking at the following ...

Ted Eaton's numerous y-block Ford related articles at   http://www.eatonbalancing.com/blog/2014/06/25/quick-index-for-eaton-balancing-articles/

John Mummert's web site of y-block information, parts, and components at   http://www.ford-y-block.com/

and Tim McMaster's web site information and You Tube Video offerings at   http://yblockguy.com/

Hope some of this helps as you get going.   


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Can't help you with a builder but that is sure one sharp truck. The ECG heads are a good starting point if you are on a budget. You can get decent performance out of them without spending a bundle. Mummerts aluminum heads are the best thing out there but unless you want to go really fast the heads you have will make good horsepower with a decent cam and a '57 4 barrel intake.

Great info guys. Thanks for your help. Early into a looong project.

Bill C

Drag it home, figure it out.

Bill: Yes, welcome to the site. The previous info given is  good direction.. However, you are the 2nd person recently on the site to ask about the mods to the valley lifter area casting. That is old information & isn't necessary or desirable. Plus, if it's done wrong it will ruin the block!  Our engine gurus here have done amazing performance improvements to Y-Blocks in recent years and they "do not" include that controversial casting modification.. We look forward to hearing about your project.. 


Paul

Thanks much. The thought of that invasive and risky mod was troubling - glad to hear the answers I hoped to hear.
So great to have a convenient spot to bounce thoughts. So much good info this time around. You guys rock!
Bill C

Bill C

Drag it home, figure it out.

As has been mentioned, those added valley holes have been found to be not needed for additional lobe/tappet oiling.  See if this link to a past thread helps to give some specifics in regards to why.  Within this linked thread are also a couple more links that helps to more fully answer your question.
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/FindPost107111.aspx

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)