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By PF Arcand - 3 Years Ago
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I took a brief look at the '57 Ford International site a few days ago..Long ago, I was registered with the previous 1957 Ford.com. site. Unfortuntately, it never worked at all well & was discontinued.. Anyway, in the discussion area of the current site, I was quite disappointed to note that several of the postings were about "ditching" their original Y-block engines, in favour of a variety of other engines, some possibly not even Ford built.. I have to assume that many of these people haven't been informed or become aware of the more recent engine upgrades & knowledge, with respect to our favorite engine.. It would be great if someone of influence, would try to dissuade some of these turncoats from ruining the originality of their '57 Fords. After all, 1957 was the peak year in performance, before Ford unfortunately decided to detune & relegate the engine to being it's base V-8.. . Any thoughts on this?
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By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
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I could be wrong, but I believe most Y-Block devotees had some experience with them in the past. The first car I drove was my Dad's 1957 Ford Custom with a 272. My first Hot Rod was a 1956 Victoria. My best friend drove a hot rod 1954 Ford. We didn't have much money, Y-Blocks were cheap and would spin the tires for a block, which was all we cared about back then. When I went to college, my best friend became an electrician. I still remember the night I raced my 56 Victoria against my Buddy's new Galaxie 390 4 speed. He went by me so fast I thought my engine died. It didn't take long before I bought a 1960 Starliner with a FE big block. After that it was 289s, 390s, 406s, 427s, CJs, 429s and 460s. If Ford built it, I bought it. I'm driving a new Explorer now.
Over the years, I have had a number of Y-Block cars. My TBird has one now. I still love those old engines. If I had not had those memories as a kid, would I love them still? Most likely not. People who wish to swap out their Y-Blocks don't have the same connection that we do. Times change. How many years will it take before a Tesla becomes a classic to someone in the future? What will become of our old cars when you can only buy gas in a drug store? Hopefully, someone will put a battery in my TBird so they can enjoy it like I do. 
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 3 Years Ago
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Look at the title of the "club". 1957 Fords International. They make no reference to maintaining the cars as stock, either in appearance or mechanicals. They are interested in 1957 Fords, period. If you don't like their website, don't visit it.
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By slumlord444 - 3 Years Ago
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I have to agree with Hoosier Hurricane. I'm as crazy about 57 Fords as anyone. Still have the 57 T Bird I bought in '65 when I was 21 with a hopped up 312. Back in the day I had a 57 2 door hardtop 312, a Custom 300 two door sedan with a 292 and later a 390, and a two door station wagon with a 312 with the blower cam. Their website is for all 57 Fords. The T Bird sites recognize original and modified cars. This is a Y block sight. My personal preference is a Y block in a Y block car but I appreciate and enjoy them all. Back in 57 and today cars are made to be driven and people modify them as soon as they get them. My 2003 Dakota that I bought new is stock but has a K&N filter system and a Magnaflo Cat Back dual exhaust system. Most of us car guys appreciate them all. With all the division in this country today I hate to see people get stupid picky about cars. I was on a site a while back that is about traditional street rods and customs. I don't own one but I do like them and have an interest in them. I made a comment on a thread about flat paint jobs and I made a comment on how I painted my Mustang with flat black Rustolium spray cans. I got an email from the moderator making it clear that you are not allowed to even mention anything but traditional street rods and customs and specificly not Mustangs or Muscle cars. Lets be adults and play nice.
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By panel driver - 3 Years Ago
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I like having the original engine type in the car/truck. You can probably put any type of engine in anything. But to me it looks so cool to
have a y block in the correct vehicle. We can still build decent horsepower and torque in these engines. I like having people look at it
and trying to figure out what engine is. Just my opinion. Joe
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By PF Arcand - 3 Years Ago
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Well, I asked for opinions..& I got'em.. I guess what I wasn't entirely clear about was, I wonder if some of the people planning to dump their Y-Blocks had no idea of the progress that has been made in recent years, with respect to their '57s original basic engine.. I don't expect that every resto or rebuild will be totally original or stock, but retaining the original basic engine would seem to be a somewhat desirable feature..
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By slumlord444 - 3 Years Ago
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It is a desirable feature and my personal preference but I appreciate them all. The 57 Ford site is just not for you if have no interest in non Y block engines. I like it because a lot of the mechanicals are the same.To each his own.
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By KULTULZ - 3 Years Ago
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I wonder if some of the people planning to dump their Y-Blocks had no idea of the progress that has been made in recent years, with respect to their '57s original basic engine
This is the thing. If one does a conversion, where does the Y-BLOCK go? Usually to the scrapper.
I had a buddy re-doing a nice 57. He decided to go 351C for power. Simple bolt-in, no damage to the car. Put the 312 on the floor. Came back a few weeks later and he had sent the 312 take-out complete to the scrapper.
As long as the swap does not hurt the car and can be easily be brought back to stock, no harm, no foul (IM0). It's when it goes to SBC is what gripes me.
With the shortage of FYB parts, it is a shame to just toss them.
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By FORD DEARBORN - 3 Years Ago
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Our favorite engines don't have multiple pages in speed catalogs filled with all the popular performance parts. We have to figure out issues, improvements and source parts to move forward. I believe this is what makes these engines, among many many other things, very rewarding and satisfying to us members on this forum. It seems many folks lately want instant gratification. Like, buy parts, bolt them on or pay someone else to bolt them on and then go drive without much concern as to how and why. As mentioned above, the 57 Ford Club is limited by virtue of it's title but the Y-block is always turning a new corner. Until the speed catalogs become filled with generic electric drive trains that will do the quarter in just a few seconds, this site will rock!
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By PF Arcand - 3 Years Ago
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Kultulz has hit the nail on the head, it's not just the engine switch that's the problem, it's the original often going to scrap that's the real loss...
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By Dobie - 3 Years Ago
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PF Arcand (1/14/2021)
Kultulz has hit the nail on the head, it's not just the engine switch that's the problem, it's the original often going to scrap that's the real loss...
Any members on here and FordBarn who are also on the '57 Ford forum could maybe step up and try to save some of those take out Ys. Maybe put up an alert here and on FordBarn when they see a '57 forum member talking about swapping. Start a dialogue with 'em, try to find out location and what they want for 'em. I'm sure that would save a few at least.
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By PF Arcand - 3 Years Ago
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Dobie: that's a good thought.. And if they insist on doing a swap, encourage them to post the engine on the Y-blocksforever Classifieds or elsewhere like Y-block Magazine, where classifieds start at .10c/word @ $3.00 minimum.. I'm not on the Ford barn, does it have a classifieds section?..
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By darrell - 3 Years Ago
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i got in on one of those its going for scrap deals a couple of weeks ago.motor was in a 55 with teapot and stuck.i didnt need a 272 but it was a freebe with std trans.this fellow told me he never seen a yblock and was putting in a 302 fi.delivered to my door.under the teapot was a b9ae 292 bored .040.complete rebuilt.lots of good parts and a cheap engine to rebuild.the engine would have gone for scrap if i hadnt heard about the car and went to see it.one of the best deals i ever got on a y.
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By Dobie - 3 Years Ago
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PF Arcand (1/16/2021)
Dobie: that's a good thought.. And if they insist on doing a swap, encourage them to post the engine on the Y-blocksforever Classifieds or elsewhere like Y-block Magazine, where classifieds start at .10c/word @ $3.00 minimum.. I'm not on the Ford barn, does it have a classifieds section?..
FordBarn does indeed have a classified section, divided into Early V-8 (flatheads) and Late V-8 (Y-blocks and later) sections. If not a member you view it but you need to join to reply. Come on over, we'd be glad to have you.
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By Ted - 3 Years Ago
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That fascination of putting a newer or different engine in an older car is nothing new. It’s been taking place for over seventy years now. My father had an Olds engine in a ’48 Woody back in the mid Fifties and that was done to simply up the power level. It does irk me to see a GM engine in a Ford car so it does my heart good when I see a Ford engine in a GM car. My favorite was when someone put a Ford flat head V8 in a C H E V Y.
But what’s with the love affair with the LS engines? The latest craze is putting LS engines in anything imaginable and with that, there are many older cars, all makes and models, getting their original engines thrown to the side and replaced with a “love affair” LS engine. A local shop just did that to a mid-Fifties Cadillac and there was that original engine sitting in the scrap pile. I helped take apart a mid-Fifties Nail Head Buick yesterday and while there were no plans for it directly, care was taken to salavage all the parts to save it for a future restoration project. Like the Y, all these engines are historically significant.
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By Dobie - 3 Years Ago
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My theory on the LS craze is that 350's are getting harder to find but LSs are readily available at the scrap yards. And a bone stock LS can run circles around a moderately built 350. Again, just a theory so take it FWIW.
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By FORD DEARBORN - 3 Years Ago
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They're cheap! Someone once stated it's the cheapest way to HP. Doesn't mean it's better, though. Ted, you hit the nail on the head, thanks.
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By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
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I'm OK with any engine swap as long as it's a FORD engine.
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By DryLakesRacer - 3 Years Ago
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A friend with a 57 bird had an extra 312 he has had the 57 since 59. He completed a frame on restore with paint, interior, added later ps etc. He asked me about the 312 and I really didn’t want another engine but needed a damper. A guy here that does do a little drag racing did what we all do with not seeing wanting to go to scrap took it for a few $$$. Ron and I were glad it at least got a home. I’m torn with my stash of GMC 6 parts now. I want to keep a few things but it’s time to thin the herd and I won’t scrap it.
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By KULTULZ - 3 Years Ago
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I'm sorry, but this is sacrilege. It as an affront to not only scrub, but also FOMOCO -
While not a scrub admirer, I do respect the competition as you would the enemy.
I almost bought a 56 scrub for my first car. I wonder how that would have turned out? But you have to admit, the TRI-FIVES were pretty especially with a 409 upgrade ... 
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By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
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I have nothing against GM engines. I ran a big block Camaro race car for years. Also owned a few 55s and one 57 scruby. If you want to go fast cheap, it's the way to go. Fords need Ford engines. Nothing makes me sadder than seeing a nice 32-41 Ford with a GM 350 motor. You may as well build a kit car. Give me a 54 Ford Vic or a 57 Custom with a 406 FE and I'm smiling. Y-Blocks are a different animal. There was a time when you couldn't give one away. Have you priced the cost of Y-Block lifters lately? How about a gasket set? I've got over $5,000 in my engine and it's practically stock. A Y-Block has a sound like nothing else. Takes me back to my youth.
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By MoonShadow - 3 Years Ago
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I've been a fan of the Y-block since I bought a 57 Ford convertible back in 1961. Loved the car and loved the sound. Had darn little money but managed to make a few custom changes. I also think that swapping engine brands is just somehow wrong. My 56 Victoria is running a Ted Eaton built motor with a 4-71 supercharger. Has run great since the day I put it in. Strong motor but very manageable. I have a second car, a 1928 Chrysler series 72 roadster. It came to me with an all gm (scrub) driveline. After years of search and sticker shock I finally found a HEMI I could afford. It now runs a 331 HEMI with Hot Heads aftermarket modifications. Backed up by a 700R4 and 9" rear end. I couldn't stand the car not having a Chrysler motor of some kind.
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By mjs - 3 Years Ago
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Think about this. Several years ago there was someone locally with a 66 Mustang. It should have had a 289. He pulled it out and put in a scruby 305. Plus he had little bow ties cut into the rear lower valance next to the back up lights. He was taking it to all of the shows and proud of the fact that everyone was mad at him.
The common excuse around here regarding people swapping everything out for scruby engines is because they are so much cheaper to build. But to stuff in a SBC you have to first fab some motor mounts. Then you have to do something about the tranny. Then the drive line will be wrong either in length or the slip yoke or for the u-joints. Yeah, the SBF might be cheaper to build but what about the downstream costs. I understand it's "YOUR" car and you can do what you want but I am a purist. I prefer them how they were built.
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By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
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MoonShadow (1/17/2021)
My 56 Victoria is running a Ted Eaton built motor with a 4-71 supercharger. Has run great since the day I put it in. Strong motor but very manageable.
Love your '56 Victoria. It's so damned cool...
There is a guy that comes to our cruises with a black 1960 Plymouth Savoy Business Coupe with a dual quad 392 Hemi under the hood. You would love it.
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