I've been wrestling with the same question for the past little while. It's probably a matter of preference, and money. If you've got a little money, and the patience, then build the bigger 312. But, like they've all said. the 272 should be plenty powerful enough for a nice daily driver. I'm currently shopping around for a 292 that I can pick up for a reasonable price, and bore over to the 312 range. Use a 312 crank, and some port/polished heads, and see if I can't pick up a few horses.



I like the idea with the auto tranny. My preference is manual. But, my reasoning is partly 'cause I think it's a hot rod, and should have a clutch to rubber around with. I'm looking at either the AOD, or possibly a T5.



Anyway you go dude, I'll get you're back. It's YOUR ride after all!

Heber City, UT (15 mins outside of Park City- basically it's in the mountains)

55 Effie

Man, if you really go auto, I'd be interested in your old manual. I need one to replace the auto-tranny in my truck which is going into my Fairlane.

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People should not be afraid of their government, a government should be afraid of the people.

--Alan Moore

As every one has said, either the C-4 or the AOD would be he best choices. In addition, a 3.25 or a 3.50 rear gear would be a good choice if you go with the C-4.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I agree that a good 272 has plenty of power and economy to boost, why do you want to go auto? Tired of shifting? an overdrive would give better economy but would require more shifting but the least work to convert. you wouldn't have to change linkage, clutch, pedals, etc. etc. etc. Just change the tail of the tranny fit drive shaft and install switch.

Just my 2 cents.

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?

Let's not forget that a bone stock 272 in good condition will make more than enough power for a daily driver.Especially in a pickup.For your purposes and at a low cost,put rings and bearings in your 272,get the valves ground and install a later model 2 barrel intake and Ford carb and distributor.As for the transmission,buy one of the available adapters and one of the millions of AODs or 700R4s from the scrap yard. That will give you a pickup with very respectable performance and economy without spending a huge pile of money.

My 2 cents worth!!

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

If it was mine I would bore it out to 292, install a mild cam, '57 312 4 barrel intake and 550 or 600 cfm Holley, headers and a good set of mufflers. C4 would probably be best trans option or an AOD. Should be a lot of fun and tractable.

For something that won't hurt your wallet, stick with some stock Y-Block auto. For around town driving, 2, 3, 4 speeds, or overdrive won't matter much. There's no need to spend extra money on an adapter.

Rebuilding the 272 might be the most cost effective as you will not have to find and purchase another engine. But, if wanting to go larger, I'd say a 292 because parts are cheaper and the advertised 312's are probably 292's anyway (or smaller).


Lawrenceville, GA

Why a C6?  That particular tranny is on the list as requiring the ‘most’ horsepower in which to make it work.  It‘s also physically a larger transmission in the tunnel area and creates some fitment problems in tunnels that were not designed for them.  On the other hand, the C4 is on the opposite end of the horsepower scale and is not far below the scrub Powerglide two speed in regards the horsepower requirements to make it go.  There are several adapters including the one from Flat-O-Matic that are available to get the C4 behind the Y engine but the number of adapters to put a C6 behind the Y.  And if going for a C6 anyhow, then you are limited in that you’d be looking for a C6 with a SBF bellhousing pattern which were not plentiful in their day and are even less so today.

 

Here’s the link to the thread talking about horsepower requirements for the various automatic transmissions.

http://www.y-blocksforever.com/forums/Topic5977-5-1.aspx

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

We both are saying a C-4 or AOD, there are adaptor kits available for each so it is an easy swap compared to a C-6.  Just check Mummerts site, he has one for the C-4 that is very nice for around  $500.  I just bought one. 

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

so you guys say i keep the 272 and bore it out to a 292 what about the trans dont get me wrong i dont mind the manual tranny but i would prefer automatic what can i put on there im not really looking for a 2 speed something along the lines of a 3 speed auto trans my rear end gear ratio is 3.77 i want something that wont rev up so high on the streets and will do good on the freeway

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD