Hello Everyone,
I just purchased my first 55 Ford Customline 2Dr with a 272 Y block. It currently has a 2bl on it and the intake manifold reads ECG 9425 B. I am wanting to put a 4bl on it but I am not sure what fits. I have found a few on Ebay and have sent out questions to the sellers to make sure they fit but no reply as of yet. One of the intakes reads ECB 0426-B and the bolt pattern looks good but I just want to make sure. My question... is there anything I should look for when buying an intake for this type of motor? And... I would gladly take any other advise you guys may have to offer.
  Thanks,
Roger

It depends somewhat on what 4 barrel you want to use. A modern square bore 4 barrel will bolt directly to a 1957 or later intake. '55 and '56 intakes used a smaller bolt pattern because the bores were closer together. You can still install a modern carb on the '55/'56 intake but you'll need an adapter. The adapter is readily available from Speedway Motors, Summit, etc. I believe the "B" intake is the best for flow but may be overkill on a 272. I wouldn't go with a carb much bigger than about 400 cfm.

Where are you located? Don't pay much for the small pattern 4 bbl manifolds, there are lots out  there. Barry L

I'm in Sarasota, FL currently.

Thanks... I called Edelbrock's help line and they said their #1403 model 500cfm would work. I was told the guy before me put a small cam in it but I'm not for sure. Whats your thoughts?

  Thanks,
Roger

As long as the secondaries are vacuum operated a 500 cfm will work. I have an Edelbrock on my '55 Merc with a 292. You may need to fiddle with tuning the secondaries by trying different springs, mine wouldn't open with the spring that comes in the carb. Eldies are much easier to tune than Hollys. Another great carb is the Ford/Autolite 4100. One with 1.08" venturies would be just about perfect.

Berry,
Thanks for all the great advice. Your knowledge and insight is appreciated and I will put it to good use. I'm going to start looking for a Autolite to see if I can get one at a better price than the Edelbrock.

Thanks again,
  Roger

Roger good luck with your Ford. You didn't say much so I'll ask a few questions. Has it been converted to twelve volts? This will make a difference if you go to a carb with an electric choke. Do you know if the distributor has been changed to a 1957 or newer? This makes the 272 run much better even if you don't change the carb especially if you go to a Pertronics ignition. This makes all y-blocks run great. One last thing, there are sellers on e-bay that sell flow devices to drop the CFM of an Edelbrock down from 500 to 400. It looks to fit on the front barrels and may help with the cruiseing and milage with a 272... Good luck many here have great ideas and will help.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

hello to everybody,,i had 1955 ford fairlane 272 engine an i would like to know what type and size of oil can i use in my rebuilt engine,,,thank

You need an oil with a high ZDDP (zinc) content in the neighborhood of 1200 to 1600 ppm. This usually means diesel motor oil as most modern formulations for gasoline engines don't have any zinc or not enough. 30 wt. to 40 wt. is fine; the lighter oil you can get away with the better for gas mileage. Zinc additives can be had at your favorite parts store but I think I'd premix any additive with the full amount of oil for the crankcase.