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.

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------

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

JDC

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.

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.


~DJ~ AKA "Bleach"
1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 30K original miles

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

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.

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


Gary - 1958 Star Customline and 1940 Ford Deluxe Hotrod

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.

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..    


Paul