I have found a Y block on craigslist that says its from a 55 T bird and its a 292,were they 272s or 292s.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

All 55s were 292.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

I would certainly check it. The guy may or may not be honestly representing it as out of a 55 Bird. And 50 years ago T-Bird valve cover decals could be ordered from JC Whitney for about a buck. 50 years later, the guy may or may not know what he has.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

What is T bird specific that I need to look for.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

The "real" Thunderbird engine should have a one inch thick "spacer" between the waterpump and the front cover - also a tach drive distributor. T-birds have a unique crankshaft dampener with pulleys - and the timing marks are on the pulley.

LIke the later FE engines, the "Thunderbird" valve cover markings are not too indicative of the engine components.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Specific to ’55-’57 Thunderbird engines would be:

 

1” spacer behind the water pump

Forward facing outlet on the thermostat housing

Tach drive on the distributor

Special mount that allows generator to be mounted further forward

Unique harmonic damper that has the pulleys much further forward.

Unique exhaust manifold on the drivers side

Rear sump oil pan (different than pickup and truck models)

 

This is all that comes to mind so anyone else add those items I missed.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I presume it should have a rear sump oil pan and is it different then the one for the truck.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

I’ll add that all 1957 Ford car 292 and 312 engines had 'Thunderbird V8' on the valve covers so don’t let that confuse you.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

The T-Bird front engine mount is a stamped steel bracket that places the mounting pad under the front pulley.  Trucks aslo do it this way.  It uses brackets on the side of the block for steady rests.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Didn't the end of the heads have a freeze plug in them too?

  Vic Correnti