for the cost of a gasket set , i would strip it down , check it the correct way and reassemble . at least you will have piece of mind for less than a hundred dollars .

You can. I wouldn't at this point. It sounds like you trust the guy and according to him, clearance good or bad, it was running once. If you pull the heads, the clearance either will or will not be "right". If it's not, it means the whole engine has to come apart to "correct" it. If it was a basic rebuild, the clearance probably is not ideal. Fire it up and use it. At this point, worry about the clearance only if you have to take it apart to correct some other issue.


Lawrenceville, GA

Thanks for all of the advice.  I will keep you all informed about what is going on.

Thicker head gasket may lower the compression ratio slightly. With todays gas that may actualy be better. If it were mine I would look for a '57 4 barrel intake and carb to go with the late model distributor. If you have ECG heads this combo will run pretty good with a stock cam and a decent dual exaust system. Headers are better.

The Y is a quench head engine. Getting the clearance right optimizes compression and makes it more knock resistant.


Lawrenceville, GA

I'm in Pullman, would be happy to come give you a hand some weekend. Can't drive my Y block powered pickup down the hill at this point, roads aren't great here right now.


My name is Greg and I am addicted to Y's.

I will give you a holler.  You aren't too far away.

As far as side oiling goes, I think that is original and not something he put on, I think you will have to stick with that as all Y blocks were side oilers.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

It has a oiler kit that has a line that dumps in to the rocker cover. I am going to take it off but don't know if I should check bearings for any damage.

It does have composite head gaskets.  One question, to avoid stripping down to shave the block and heads what do youo think about putting on stock steel gaskets?  It would cure the gap difference.

As long as the steel gaskets do not end up making the clearance too small. Steel gaskets also are not as forgiving as composite gaskets. If your head and/or block deck surfaces are not true, you might find it difficult to seal the steel gasket and the engine may still have to come apart.

I wonder, does anyone know if there is a wax or plastic one can insert through a spark plug hole to check the clearance without disassembly? Of course, with carbon build up it won't be 100% accurate.


Lawrenceville, GA