l my comparison is a 302/5ltr,mustang or lincoln from ford with roller cam forged pistons,i put 1 in a 53 ford 1/2ton inst a edelb. 4vint instead of fi.it was ausum both performance and fuel cons. prior to that had a32ford 2dr with flat tapet cam,reground cam,bit of head work had it forseverl years ,unless you spent thousands on a 351 w it would not get near these 302s. had a co 1991 f150 with 351w, it was a dog no power drank lots of gas.even the ford rep sead bad choice. 351 c diferent story,especialy with auzey heads. but we all have our faverts. realy not trying to start a isue ,just trying to convince the yblock as the best choice.

I've had 351w and thought it was great motor. Much more low RPM torque than 302w's I've had. 351w were limited on parts available 30 years ago, but a very different story now. Mine was the 290HP version in a 1969 Australian Fairlane, same specs as 1969 4V versions you had. I also had at the same time the same model Fairlane but with a 302w and it was no where near as nice to drive.

351 versus y292

if you are bent on replacing the 292 the 351 is not the engine,a roller cam 302 from early mustang and some, minor modes will be a far beter choice. they are cheap to build and have great responce. had several 351s and was not impresed they make a good boat anchor. like most i think the y block is better and can be made to run well even with out all the high cost mods. just my twe bits

Geez some "tame" replies .. Least he didn't ask about fitting a scrub motor.. a mass tirade would follow!

If your car is a nice car mate rebuild the Y block , with a auto if you like



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

I think if I were dead set against keeping the '56 original (for whatever reason), I'd look for a FE 390 to replace it with. That was a fairly common swap back in the day, parts are still readily available, it'll look right when you're done and you won't be sacrificing all the torque like you will with a 351.This advice is free, so take it for what it's worth. /Duck

BOO- YA!!!

Well said, Marc! I'm going to submit your name for 'Diplomat of the Year', too!

IMO, while ‘old’, the Ford y-block is structurally a sound engine design. In 1957, the flaw to its continuance in production was not having planned for sufficient cubic inch increase in the block casting.

Looking back, the original ’54–’64 FoMoCo cylinder heads imposed a definite rpm and horsepower limitations, also. These limitations have been ELIMINATED by John and Geoff Mummerts’ design, production, and assembly of quality aluminum cylinder heads in the last two (?) years. Bolting a set of out-of-the-box Mummert heads on a previously warmed over 312 has proven to yield 50 horsepower and dramatically increase rpm capability!

With Mummert cylinder heads and the implementation of rudimentary carburetor, ignition, piston, and camshaft improvements developed in the last fifty years, the y-block has the performance capability and SOLID reliability for any street or competition application.

Members of this Forum have built carbureted, fuel injected,supercharged, and turbo charged engines that outperform more storied engines of equal and larger displacement.

Though out of production in the U.S. for 50 years, the FoMoCo y-block engine has amazing horsepower and torque potential. It will amaze you, anyone that you take for a ride, and anyone you draw for a competitor should you go in that direction.

I don’t know your fabricating experience or capability. Executing and sorting out an engine swap can be a lot of work.

Build a y-block, it’s a sleeper!

NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Oops, I missed the part about your Fairlane having a 3spd. Forget what I said about the C4, there are plenty of options for a std trans. and a Y.

Marc

'54 Merc ragtop

Pt Townsend, WA   

                                                                                                                                   

The 351W is a fine engine. I had 4V version in a '69 Cougar convertible and it was one of the most fun cars I've ever had, but...my '54 Merc ragtop with a 292 and C4 is amazing! Gobs of torque, sweet sound at both idle and high RPM, great looking under the hood. I'd sell the car before I'd consider swapping out the Y.

You've gotten some pretty friendly answers here, from guys who really want to say..."#%@&!% What are you thinking!!" The Y is a very satisfying engine and properly built, makes a '56 a great show and go machine. Get a -B intake, 4V carb, '57-up distributor, dual exhausts and a C4 tranny and you're good to go. There is a lot of knowledge and assistance here to help you sort out any issues you may be having; listen to them.

Marc

'54 Merc ragtop

Pt Townsend, WA   

                                                                                                                                   

I made the mistake by removing the 272 in my 55 and replacing it with a 351-W,the 351 might have more cubic inches then the 292 it will not have the torque the 292 has and the loss of torque will be noticable,I am getting the parts to go back to a Y block but will change the cam in the 351 to help in the torque department until I get the 292 built then the 351 will go in a 60s galaxie.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

Bill:As Charley points out, there will be oodles of changes required to properly complete the re re. And as Doug T. points out, this site is about retaining, rebuilding & upgrading Y-Block engines.. not replacing them! There is a wealth of info here in that regard & there are numerous recent developments, speed parts & upgraded assembly info here, which makes thoughts of replaceing your 292 redundant. And at the same time, it will retain more originality to your 56 Ford.. Give it some thought.

Paul