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By 64f100 - 10 Years Ago
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I recently bought a 64 f100 short bed that is in great shape. It is a numbers matching truck with the original 292 y block that supposedly was rebuilt 20 years ago and driven a few times before the original owner died. I'm waiting to get the gas tank back in the truck see if starts / runs.
With that said, I'm new to y blocks and I want something to go out and play with on the weekends, maybe hit a car show or two, so not too concerned with daily driving.
Would a 292 with ecz-g heads, 2x4 intake and carbs, ram horns, cam, stock 3.89 rear end paired with a t5 be enough to hot rod a bit with? Would I be better served with a 351w or big block swap?
I'm not looking for a full blown strip truck, just want something with some punch. I just don't want to be disappointed with a 292 build, but from looking on this site and others, it looks like y blocks can be built to get pretty good power. Plus, the y block is already in the truck and you don't see too many of them.
Any advice / tips would be helpful.
Thanks.
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By steinauge - 10 Years Ago
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The late style stock cam aint much.Set up as you describe with a decent cam I would think you would be pretty pleased with the engine.Besides,everybody has 351s------
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By Joe-JDC - 10 Years Ago
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Keep the 292 and check it out. If it is freshly rebuilt, a set of aluminum heads, and the 8V would be neat with a good set of headers. If it needs a rebuild, then a stroker kit would really wake up the horsepower and torque. I think you would be pleased with it. I put a 289 in a F-1 years ago, and hated the whole process after the fact. Joe-JDC
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By Bob Gardner - 10 Years Ago
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I was faced with the same question on my '56 F100 (although it wasn't a numbers matching deal) shop truck. I researched swapping in a crate motor and upgrading the 292. In driving the stock 292, I discovered that it had ok performance with nice low end torque even with a 2bbl carb. The only issue I had was that it didn't pull my trailer very well. So I decided to rebuild the 292 with aluminum head, a decent cam, and EFI.
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By 56_Fairlane - 10 Years Ago
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I recall the 292 wasn't rated for very much HP, I think 120 or 130 according to the manuals I had for the 63 I used to own years ago. A cam and manifold change should make a big difference.
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By 64f100 - 10 Years Ago
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Thanks for the responses.
The door tag indicates 135 hp.
I listed the combo above because I know where I can get the g heads and 2x4 intake for a $1K, but if I should save my money and go with a different combo, then I'm open to that as well. I looked into mummerts aluminum heads, but they are pricey. Are they worth the additional cost over the combo I mentioned?
Would a built 351w or big block be too much for the frame and/or getting traction anyways? The extra power wouldn't do much good if it wouldn't hook up.
Thanks again everyone.
Nick
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By slumlord444 - 10 Years Ago
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While I have been running the factory dual quad setup on my T-Bird since '66, I would recommend a single 4 barrel instead. ECZG heads, mild cam, .57 4 barrel intake or Mummert intake, 600 CFM carb and headers will pleasantly surprise you performance wise. Single carb is cheaper, less finicky, and more streetable.
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By snowcone - 10 Years Ago
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Not really related to this thread, but reading it made me think, and please don't be offended 64f100 as it is not directed at you, but just about everyone that buys a Y says that the engine was rebuilt and then not driven much and parked up for years etc.
I'm waiting for someone to come on here and say, I just bought a car with a Y block in it and the previous owner told me that he has flogged the living ring out of it
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By 64f100 - 10 Years Ago
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Thank you, slumlord.
I wanted to clarify that the parts I'm looking at for $1K included the two carbs, intake and g heads...but, I can pass on them if it will not be street able.
No problem, snowcone.
The condition of the y is a mystery to me at this point. I will find out soon.
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By PF Arcand - 10 Years Ago
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The dual carb settup..is it in good condition & with the correct matching carbs? Just any pair of 4s isn't what the factory used. Unless you have experience & patience, dual 4s can be a pain. As mentioned, a single 4 bbl on a ECZ-B intake or a Mummert if you want to pay the extra, may be the way to go. You may also find a Blue Thunder on e bay or elsewhere. (not better than a Mummert, but more suitable for northern latitudes as it has carb base heat) As for Mummert's heads being described as pricey, a person needs to consider what was involved to make them available, within a limited market. We're not talking about selling in SBC quantities.. If the engine needs to be pulled down, a good place to start is by replacing the cam (& lifters) as the cams used in early engines, later rebuilds & after the 1957, are very mild. Mummert has a well thought out cam selection..- Good luck whatever way you go..
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By charliemccraney - 10 Years Ago
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Mummert heads are really not that expensive. We need to make the comparison more apples to apples. When compared to untouched factory large valve heads, there is no comparrison, that's apples to peanuts, and therefore the price difference is significant. However, once you have ported the factory heads, which puts them in about the same playing field, then the price is pretty close, close enough that if you're thinking about porting iron heads, it's probably a better idea to just get the Mummert heads because you also get other improvements, in addition to airflow.
Are they worth the cost? If you want much over 300hp, most likely, yes. If not, then probably not.
A built 351 or big block will be too much without any traction modifications, but so will that 292. It will not be hard at all to get the 292 to a point where traction can be a problem. The 292 you propose will probably be there. The frame can handle any reasonable amount of street power. Since you're not looking for a "full blown strip truck," you're not likely to exceed the capabilities of the frame and I'm positive you will not with the 292 you propose.
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By pegleg - 10 Years Ago
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Read Charlie's posts on the rear suspension Mods to his own truck. Seems to work pretty well.
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By 64f100 - 10 Years Ago
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Thanks everyone for the good information.
I need to start pulling a list together for the y.
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By YBLOCKMERC - 10 Years Ago
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It's hard to gauge what 'enough power' means from person to person but speaking from my own personal experience, the 292 can be very satisfying. I've got a 292 bored .060 over with G heads, 1.54 rockers, -B intake with 465 Holley 4v, '57 dual exh manifolds and the '57 245hp cam profile. The engine cruises my '54 Merc effortlessly and loves it when I push the loud pedal. The low end torque is instantly available and never fails to impress passengers. It easily runs at highway speeds for hours with plenty of reserve on tap for passing (always makes me smile).
Build that Y and you'll never look back.
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By chiggerfarmer - 10 Years Ago
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YBLOCKMERC, your engine is almost exactly like what I want to build. Is there a source for a new 57 (245 HP) stock camshaft? Thanks
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By YBLOCKMERC - 10 Years Ago
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Mine was rebuilt 10 years ago and my memory is a little fuzzy, but I recall my machine shop had the cam reground from the '62 truck 292 cam. The specs they list on the work order/receipt are: 256-400-420. This shop is extremely experienced with Y-Blocks as they build all the engines for a noted T-Bird restorer in the Seattle area. My instructions to them was that I wanted the same profile as the 245hp 312 and they said they could have my existing cam reground.
Good luck with your build.
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By slumlord444 - 10 Years Ago
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I would be tempted to go with the '57 Blower cam. Just a little more radical than the 255 HP cam. Good torque and a little more power.
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By chiggerfarmer - 10 Years Ago
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Thanks guys, I have plenty of used cams to work with so I will look for a local place to regrind as a first choice and go from there.
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By 2721955meteor - 10 Years Ago
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shad bolt cams in vancouver has the profile,57merc is what i use.he will also reface the lifters. used them for years never a problem. 130 cadian for the cam with core that is useable. can dollar is 89cents us.
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