Good luck with the project.  I've recently had some same issues with a 64.  Since one head gasket was on backwards went ahead and pulled the heads.  While they were off will replace the comp gasket with steel.  Keep it in mind for the future, because CR isnt the only issue with the often large spaces but detonation too.  While the top end is off the heads are getting a good cutting.

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

Yeah my friend said he had read something about oiling problems to the rockers so he put that on just in case.  I am going to take the oiler kit off.  I won't worry about deck,head, gasket space at this time.  I think I will put it in and get it running.  It will probably take me a couple of weeks being spare time is little before the holidays.  I will keep you all up to date.  Thanks again.

Only 20 hours on it and it has overhead oilers? A good rebuild should not need overhead oilers(they used those kits after the engine has blocked off the oiling passages with sludge) Now maybe if the gentleman had heard problems with oiling and decided to play it safe? I would take charlie's advice of leaving the heads as is. The affect on compression is not enough to worry about on a stock motor IMO.

1959 and 1960 f-100sAkron OH

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

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 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?

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

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.

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


Lawrenceville, GA

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.