I hate to suggest it, but since the truck was already adapted to a FE 352, it's likely a lot easier & cheaper to go with a 390 or truck 360 or similar... then plan on building the 292 for your Hot rod project!

Paul

When compared to a similar displacement small block, it does have a long stroke, particularly the 272, 292 and 312 versions.

I think people who don't know make the mistake of assuming that it has similar torque to that of a similar sized small block when trying to make the decision to swap. And this assumption is entirely wrong. I don't think it would pull as hard as a 460 or something of that size, but you really need to add on some cubes or technology with another engine to notice a difference.

Another plus is that Ys seem to get excellent mileage when compared to other engines from the time, and even slightly newer, more "modern" engines. Every time I see a mileage topic in a forum, the Y generally seems to do the best. Everything is a compromise and the Y really is a great one.


Lawrenceville, GA

It would be REALLY low gearing.



Mine currently has a 6.80:1 rear axle.



I'll be installing a 5.83:1/8.11:1 2-speed axle in it.



That, coupled with the 40" diameter 9.00-20's and 0.71:1 OD will give me about 2100 RPM at 60mph "on the flat".




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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

Wow I don't want to even think about what kinda gearing a cement truck would have to have. My pickup came with 4.54 so a big truck I would imagine would be up int the high 7s or 8s. Maybe even higher. Can anyone say 30mph top speed. Interesting that the y block is famous for it's torque but it really a relatively big bore short stroke engine. Normally torque comes from the long stroke so I would think the y blocks would be more horse power oriented. Kinda interesting to think about.

I do a lot of travelling and if I get a chance shop junkyards, I have spoken to old timers who had a Y in a cement truck at one junk yard in Utah. he drove cement trucks for years and he said there was no other motor that pulled like the Y. He told me a story about a big valley they used to travel through and to come out of that valley the Y was the best truck he ever had for the job.

I don't think you would be dissapointed.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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??

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