Looking at buying a 1957 Fairlane with 292/312 in it (owner not sure) and 3 speed on column..... how dependable are these engines? Never had a later Y block, the only ones I have had are the 54 Ford 239's......decent and dependable, just not fast or economical.... are the later 292/312's any better? Would it stand up at interstate speeds????? 70 mph or so?....Pretty sure I am buying the car ......... just want some help deciding which direction to go with the Y block....

Thanks, Fatman

All they did was get better until Ford stopped making them. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

It will do highway speeds just fine. If it is not overdrive, it may be at an RPM you are not comfortable with but the engine will do it just fine.


Lawrenceville, GA

you came to the right place. You'll get all your YBlock questions answered around here.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

The 239 was the bottom of the heap. 292-312 is a whold diffent animal. With normal gearing they will run all day long at highway speeds and above. Change the oil regularly like any engine and they will run forever. With todays modern parts that are available they will also perform with most anything out there.

Funny question: I ran 292's & 312's on Wisconsin short tracks in the '60's and a stock '57 Ford 312 with a R-3310-AAS holley would dance the doors off a built 327 Chevy so Yes it will run highway speeds. My present pride is a '57 Bird with the ECZ-G 312 and a T-85 Borg and I have no doubt that if the State had a decent road somewhere it would still spike the needle.

Only those hiding in a cave would doubt this.

So no Fear with a late "Y"

312T85

What?

What tracks did you run? I ran Hales Corners, Cedarburg,Wilmot,Luxemburg, Sturgeon Bay,Beaver Dam, to name a few. Mostly with 427's Mark





thanks, Mark

Here’s the write up that was in Life Magazine touting the durability of the 1957 Fords.

LifeMagazine 1957 Fords

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Mark,, The Bird should have been the hint. Just Hales, Fair Park (Before it closed) and Cedarburg.

Tom

What?

My 292 was re-ringed in the mid 70's , and a set of off-the-shelf replacement service heads installed. 100,000 miles later, it still runs like gangbusters, though the original bearings are now a bit loose (gains about 7 lbs. of oil pressure when you let off the gas). I would STILL drive it to Tierra Del Fuego & back on a bet, though!

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA