Hi guys,

 I live in Perth Western Australia AKA "Down under" and was wondering if I could get a little info on the ol' Y block.

 Reason being I just purchsed a very nice '56 Fairlane Town Sedan from SGV California thanks to a mate living there, it has 93000 miles genuine, from the second owner. Before it leaves on its long journey I would like to do as much possible to it as there is no point once its here as parts will be hard to find and expensive. And if I can get the parts I wont be paying tax on them entering. Suggestions on where to look for parts [and in general] that aren't expensive online etc would be a great help.

Acording to the VIN no. its a 292 4bbl. [dispite been told it was a 312 mmm?] My friend said it starts first time every time, drives very well, doesn't appear to be leaking much of anything. The only thing that was concerning over the whole car was the compression seemed to be low , all around the 100 mark, I think it would be more like 150. I am having my doubts if the mechanic over there did it correctly....?

Now if you guys can help me out with any suggestions of things to look for, now this goes for the whole car as well. Its going to be a very mild custom. What are "simple" things that I can do to make it go , run, drive, stop etc better?

Have any of you used the Petronix 2 ign system? I thought this was a far cheaper option than a whole new dizzy.

Headers? exhaust? ... I take it that it should be manditory to fit a set of Smithys glass packs to it!

Intake?

 What makes them go well?

As far as the car goes , Brakes?

I did find that Larrys sold sway bars for the '56, I would think having these front and rear would be a big improvement. can I find them elsewhere?

Anyway thats a starter, any help much appreciated.



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Hello Talkwrench,

I am going through similar research for my '56 312 T-Bird. Search function brings up some great information from these knowledgable folks.

For me, I wanted to change carb & eventually a mild cam as well as exhaust. But the 56 dizzy Load-O-Matic doesn't respond to performance upgrades. So that swap to a later style was first up. Also my 56 has the T-pot style carb & I wanted newer technology that would breath better as well as have better drivability. So I searched & found the 57 ECZ-9425-B intake is for the later Holley style carbs. I bought one off E-bay & also just got a Demon Jr 525 carb to put on top with a 1/2" spacer. Headers & glasspacks will come before the cam.

Hope that helps. These guys here are a great resource.

Cheers!

Brian - 56 T-Bird

Woodinville WA

I forgot to add, for Y-block hop up parts, I suggest looking at Mummert's site/shop in El Cajon CA. I could dump a lot of money there, & is the place I am looking at for cam advice & rebuild parts when the time comes. Also helpful advice on desirable parts, etc. www.ford-y-block.com

CASCO & the other T-Bird places also have a lot or replacement stock parts.

Brian - 56 T-Bird

Woodinville WA

Thanks Brian, Yes looking at doing what you are doing... I may not worry too much about the cam, Is that where the dizzy is not good, being that its only a vacuum setup? What dizzy did you end up with? Did I see somewhere that a later model fits? was it from a 289??

Cheers,

Rob.



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Talkwrench,    How about a parts swap! I've got a Holly 600 cfm vacuum secondarys(been setting 1yr)--ECZ-9425-B manifold(accepts later Holly carb)--'57 Ford dizzy(#B9AF) + Pertronics Ignitor 1 kit to switch from points(never used-went to a MSD #8383 Dist.insted) and I'm only about 2hrs.from San Gabriel Valley(Inland Empire)  What I want is a polished ribbed aluminum valley pan for Ford Y-Block from  "Ace Customs"--(Jimmy Keeys)-Palmerston North-New Zealand(www.ace-customs.com)! What do ya say-sound fair? KID

Welcome to the site. Anyway I'd be more concerned about the low compression than doing mods to the car. Changing the carb & distributor is likely a wast of time if the engine is really tired. You likely have worn rings or are in need of a valve job or both. If your friend can make arrangements for testing & getting parts, including engine rebuild items, while the car is in the U.S., would that help? The place Brian mentioned is a good start or you could try Schumann's Sales in Iowa, 563-381-2416/ Fax 563-381-2409. Also Egge Machine. Their address isn't handy but should be available on the internet. Hope this helps..

Paul

Kid I'll look into it.. thought Aussiespeed may have had something but couldn't see it.

Paul I think you are right, if its stuffed then whats the point , I'll put a 351 in it  [sorry guys].

 When my mate checked it he said it started well, sat for ages idling away and they gave it some and nothing came out. I know thats just for checking valve seals but if it was that tired surley there should have been smoke comming out and other evidence. I will get him check it all again before wasting money on it.

Gonna email him now!



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Oh before I forget where would be the best place to get a full gasket set from??

and is one of those spin on oil adapters, are they a good investment?

Cheers, Rob.



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Rob

With the way the Aussie dollar is trading, I would think you would be better off waiting til your car lobs here in Perth before you worry about anything.

Everything you want or may need is available.

A great resource for everything you need in Australia is available from Cusso Bill in NSW - he is on this site as "Aussiebill" and is probably the most helpful guy in Oz for anything you need.

eBay is another great source, just type in what you want and watch the listings.

There are numerous sites in US which will supply everything you can possibly need.

There is no tax on the imports if you keep the total value below $1000 - the sky's the limit - they are all ultra reliable.

I have sent you a PM with my contact info,

Regards

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

Rob,

           Pardon my lack of Australian Geographical knowledge, but there's at least 5 or 6 guys who are members here that live down there. Lon, Bill , Moz etc. Help may be closer than you think and parts ARE available to rebuild the Y, lots of them are doing it.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart)