Hey guys. I've asked questions on here in the past (many of them pretty silly now that I re read the posts) about building a y block but always for my 59 f100 project. Well now if thinking about building a y-block for my other truck,a 64 f250 factory 4x4 with custom flatbed. This truck has a 352 in it right now (swapped in by the previous owner) which runs good but I think it's pretty tired. So I decided I would try to build me up a engine for it this summer. My first thought was a rippin and roaring 390 but then I had the thought of a 6.9l diesel but ruled it out due to weight and cost. Then I thought about a 300 with a 5 speed which is still in the runnings and then I thought well what if I build a good 292 and put this thing back to original. So I you tubed some y-blocks to remind myself how good these darn things sound so maybe I could justify the loss in power. Well I just can't make a decision so I'm asking opinions from those running y-blocks in your big heavy trucks regarding how happy you are with the power. Seems like with the correct parts and some knowledge I could build a motor close to 300 horse and hopefully around 350 ft-lbs. I'm thinking this would likely be a good bit more powerful than my current engine but I don't really know what my current engine is providing (a 65ish car engine with who knows how many miles or hours on it). The y-block is would likely be slightly more expensive but this truck is my daily driver that I'm never getting rid of so I'm looking at it as an investment. So what do you guys think is the 100 ft-lbs worth giving up for the pure coolness and clattery awesome sound of the 292.

Is there something going on with the forum site. I have been trying all morning to get on and it keeps coming up with some error followed by a bunch of computer coding. Finally got on just now. Any body else been having problems or was it just my computer??

I think it's a great idea.



I had mine rebuilt, balanced and ported. It's going in my 55 F-600



Everyone here is probably getting tired of my pictures but here they are.

















My second choice was a 300 + a ZF 5-speed.





Regards,





Rick


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1955 F-600/272/E4OD// Disclaimer: No animals were injured while test driving my F-600 except the ones I ran over intentionally!

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This post was created using OpenSuSE Linux x64 and Firefox

I would definitely go with the Y-block.  I have the F100 4x4 with turbocharged 292.  I am not 100% finished but I am so happy that I went with the Y-block.  Initially I thought about going with a 302 but I read an article about Y-Blocks that talked about building a Y-block is like building nostalgia.  The parts are a little more spendy but it is worth it.  I got most all my stuff from Mummert and am running an Isky cam.  I have a turbo on it right now also and so far it is great.  The sound is very unique.  It brings a certain sense of cockiness when people ask what engine it has and you can say it has a Y-block.  Their eyes light up and they get a little gitty because nobody build them.  Only the select few.  It will be more spendy but if it but if you looking for cheap just build a another boring small block chevy like the rest of the world.  Good luck with whatever you build and do not be afraid to ask questions.  I built my engine to the max and I am pushing it to the limits.  I new nothing about this motor when I started and now I feel like I now this thing in and out.  You can check out my build under the street forums (turbocharged 292 stroker). Hutz_292.

I'll bet your turbo-Y would go great in front of my automatic!!


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1955 F-600/272/E4OD// Disclaimer: No animals were injured while test driving my F-600 except the ones I ran over intentionally!

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This post was created using OpenSuSE Linux x64 and Firefox

My 57 f100 does pretty good.It has a very mild 292 with stock 57 T-Bird cam and ported heads,c-4 auto divorced transfer case.It has 33s and 4.11 gears with dana 60 axels.It has plenty of power do anything it wants,can even smoke the rear tires when the tires are pumped up.I do hope to swap the cam for a Mummert street cam.

55 fairlane gasser 312 /c4, 57 f100 292/c4, 52 mainline gasser 302/t10 4speed

Thanks for the opinions. I read the turbo build thread last night and that is just cool as can be. Not sure im smart enough to figure that out but defiantly cool. Its good to hear opinions from those with similar trucks. Mine is a 4 speed with dana 60s so i imagine that would pep it up considerably over a C4. I also have 4.11 gears and am hoping to go to narrow 33s soon (i have 265-75r16s right now). Have you ever towed much with your setup??

I have ridden a lot of miles in Frank Roelke's '64 rollback. It is powered with a relatively mild 312 and was used in his business hauling parts and cars around the east coast.  His business has changed now but the truck is still used for his repair shop sometimes but no where near as much. 

As I recall the truck has the original 4 speed truck trany with the granny low and a wide gap between 3 & 4.  This was the biggest problem with it that I experienced.  On long grades with a load it couldn't maintain speed in top gear and the gap to the next lowest gear was too great, so that a down shift didn't pick up speed but put revs very high.  I would look into trany selection very carefully.  But the Y itself should do fine.

Doug T

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

I have 292 in my 59 4x4 with 36" baja claws and a small lift. No complainants. Cruises down the highway, stock first gear is good for crawling. Got the motor out of a 63 fire truck in an Oklahoma junk yard for $300 ten years ago. All I did was a tune up and put it in.

Just when I think I have myself talked back into the 390 by telling myself to save the y block for a future hot rod project you guys gotta give me bunch of encouragement for the 292. I really need to just pick something and go with it.