I have a 56 f100 with a 272 and three speed manual tranny. I was looking at getting it rebuilt and the heads. So with the price that that wil cost and the amount of hp that i will get from doing so i am thinking I might as well get a bigger engine and put it in. So I am wondering what is the best engine size to go in and with the least amount of modifications. and if you are able to throw a round about price that it would cost that would be awesome. I also have 3 speed auto c6 trans with a ford 9 inch rear end and drive shaft that i was planing on using with a compatible engine. thanks all

PS is a 312 block the same as a 272 block?

If you are asking if a 312 will bolt in, yes it will. If you are asking if it is the same block as a 272, no the 312 has larger main bearings. As for as swaping engines, most anything goes, just depends on what you want and the extent of your skills and size of your wallet.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

Y-Guy Lawdog:   If you'll do a little research on this site and the link to Mummert's

           site, I think you'll find you answer. The "Y" is awesome and not anymore

           $$ to build. Bore to a 292, small cam, "B" manifold, small 4 bbl, and that

            thing will smoke the tires anytime, plus it's great when someone looks

            at it and scratches his head....what's the distributor doing in the back?

                       Great site with plenty of helpful advice.......

                                             Bill

Bill

Pelham,Al

Well, what kind of power do you want? Can you buy an engine with that power and pull off the swap for less than building the Y? If you've never done a swap before, I guarantee it involves more than you're thinking.


Lawrenceville, GA

done a swap before in a chevelle but never a ford. I know it will cost more but im just throwing ideas out and trying to figure out what Im going to do. I am thinking of keeping the 272 and bore it out to a 292. Does anyone know how much of a bore that will have to be to reach a 292?

There is a 1/8" difference between the 272 and 292.

Staying with the Y really is a good choice. Unless you go roller cammed and fuel injected, the"modern" small blocks are down on power and economy, which is loose loose. The only halfway reasonable upgrade is a big block, but then you can forget economy. The Y is a good compromise for power and economy. If you need more torque, throw on a turbo, and keep the economy.


Lawrenceville, GA

The best engine would be a nicely rebuilt Y block!  Honeslty a 56 engine bay is big enought to fit any cookie cuttter engine you want in it.  Mid 50 or Sac Vintage has motor mounts for both Fords and Scrubs so there should be very little modifications that needs to be happen if you opt not to use the Y.  As a fellow F100 owner if you need hlep let me know.      

Warsaw, IN

thanks all for the info it is really helpful. I have a friend who had a 56 f100 with a 428 cobra engine in it, but someone crashed into him and it is done now. The engine tranny are in good condition still and he is offering me everything for a good deal thats why i am considering it, but i like the sound and idea of keeping the Y because of its originality. So i am wondering if i do go that way what in the engine compartment I will have to change over/modify? will the stock radiator be enough clearance?....etc? thanks all

I doubt you will have to do much of anything to your f100 engine bay.

I put a 352 FE engine in a 56 f100 years ago, no problem. Radiator has

plenty of room, and is entirely adequate for cooling any FE engine. You

see them all the time at shows with stock radiators.

55f100

West Monroe,La.

On a mild engine buildup, figure on about a fifteen-twenty horsepower difference between a 272 and 292 when all else is equal.  Here’s the link showing some horsepower numbers for a 272 that’s built on the mild side. 

http://www.y-blocksforever.com... 

This particular engine is in a ’54 Ford F100 and provides a significant power increase over the original 130HP V8 that was in the truck.

 

The new main bearing sets for the 312’s are double the price of the main bearing sets for the 272/292 engines so this is just one consideration.  Unless you’ve already got a rebuidable 312 on hand, finding one may prove to be a problem without paying more than it’s worth.  But using the 312 crankshaft in a 272 or 292 block is a very viable option for a variety of reasons if you can find just the crankshaft.  The oversize pistons for the 272’s are getting more difficult to find as an in stock item so this is also a consideration when attempting to rebuild a 272.  My definition of a short block rebuild includes connecting rod reconditioning, new pistons, boring, decking, align honing the mains, new cam bearings, and vatting among other things.  The cost of this is obviously considerably more than a re-ring and a fresh set of bearings.  Costs will vary depending upon the machine shop prices and where the parts are purchased.  The region or area of the country is many times a player when it comes to costs.  Be sure to ask your friends and acquaintances regarding quality from the shops you expect to deal with.  No need to duplicate someone else’s bad experiences.

 

Because the 292 engines were used heavily in the car lines thru 1962 and  pickups and trucks thru 1964, these are the easiest Y’s to find.  Having a 272 on hand already then calls for a decision of whether to start with this or go for the larger engine.  One of the reasons to go for another block or engine for a rebuild is so that the vehicle is not down as long which is what I typically recommend and especially if the vehicle is still running.  It’s just a simple matter of pulling one engine and replacing it with the other.  If finances are tight, then using the current engine for the rebuild eliminates the need on purchasing a core engine.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)