I agree with Gary.  It sounds like you've got a GREAT project, Jim.

While FoMoCo y-block information and insights are part of the exchange of information here, anything y-block related is of interest and welcomed for sharing or discussing.

I've found this Forum to be a tremendous source of others technical information, knowledge, and unvarnished hands-on-experiences that have provided me with insights that have saved me time, missteps, experimenting, frustration, wasted money, and other headaches.

I have the highest regard for the many Forum members who generously contribute to this web site and my efforts as a hobbyist working on a y-block related bucket list project.  Former members have left us the Forum Archive which is an invaluable resource, too..

Keep us abreast of what you're doing, Jim. 


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

Email me at roadqwesty914@comcast.net and I'll send the info that way.


Marc

'54 Merc ragtop

Pt Townsend, WA   

                                                                                                                                   

Start taking pictures and share them with us. Sounds like a great project.

Gary Ryan San Antonio.TX.

Thanks Charlie Brown, I agree with you wholeheartedly.  I have been rebuilding cars for 40 years now and here I am doing it again (much to the disbelief of my wife).  For many years I focused on British sports cars, MGB's in particular.  My last project was a '49 scruby 1/2 ton pickup.  I have consistently lost money on these projects, but continue to go down this road. I know, it's an affliction (Isn't admitting it the first step to recovery?).  But like they say "It isn't the destination, it's the ride".  The process of finding a car that's seen better years, taking it down to it's bones and bringing it back is what gets me going.
When I got my first look at this '57, I could barely believe my good luck. Up here in the Pacific Northwest, if you have an older, possibly collectable car, it's traditional to first park it in a cow pasture for 20 years.  Then when it's covered in rust and moss, post it on Craigslist for big bucks. I can't tell you how many times I've pulled up the carpet on a car only to find a hole where your feet are supposed to go.  On this Skyliner, when I pulled up the carpet, I found floor pans with the original paint - they looked brand new.  Then I got down to look at the underside.  If I hadn't been lying on the ground I would have keeled over because it had been undercoated when new.  That's how solid this body is.
Thanks for info on block numbers and that ringing endorsement of Cliff.  I think I will be contacting him.

Welcome to the site, Jim.  Unlike some other vehicle makes, numbers on your y-block engine do not directly correspond to your vehicle's data plate VIN number.  IF you're a purist looking to do a 'correct' restoration, casting ID letters/numbers and/or casting date codes on the engine block or cylinder heads are the only thing to be concerned about that I can think of.  IF the casting ID letters/numbers are correct, then the engine casting date codes need to be prior to the production date code for the vehicle.

When you dig into the cost of rebuilding your original vehicle's y-block engine, you will quickly realize that the engine Cliff has offered to sell you is well worth considering.  You can't go through a y-block for the price he has quoted.  IF your engine has 140,000 miles on it, plan on some significant machine shop work coupled with numerous replacement parts.  While all 'rebuilt' engines are not equivalent to others, Cliff is one of our regular Forum participants who has a well grounded career in engine rebuilding.

Car restoration is a time consuming and a costly endeavor.  Rebuilding your engine is likely a small piece of what will need to be done to get your car road-able again.  Regardless of how much you are able to do yourself, most of us find that we have more cash, time, and sweat equity in our vehicle undertakings than we can feel good about IF we are forced to sell them.  Unless you enjoy and get personal satisfaction from what you do yourself, all of this will get 'old' long before you're near the finish line.  Put another way, it is not unusual to be 'upside-down' in a vehicle that you've brought back from 50 plus years of normal existence in our country.  Comparing your actual monetary 'investment' with actual 'market value' can be frustrating IF you can't view all of this as a personally rewarding hobby. 

The above has been REVISED for accuracy of information. 

Regards,     


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

Thanks Marc, if you'd forward that contact #, I'd love to pick their brains.

Thanks Jim, I've had it since 1992. It's a fun road car.
I'm familiar with the Key Peninsula. I've camped at Penrose Pt. a number of times. It's one of the closest getaway spots I can think of. Great place to kayak.
There is a very active Retractable group in the Seattle area. I can get you contact info if you need it. That T-Bird restorer I mentioned has a supercharged '57 Skyliner also.


Marc

'54 Merc ragtop

Pt Townsend, WA   

                                                                                                                                   

Oh and by the way, your Merc looks awesome.  How long have you had it?  I live out on the Key Peninsula so I'm not too far away.

Hey Marc, thanks for the tip.  Sounds like I'm going to give them a call when I get the engine out. Until then I have more mousey surprises ahead.

Where are you located? I had my 292 rebuilt by Pacific Auto Machine in Renton. They rebuild all the Y-blocks for one of the top T-Bird restorers in the country who lives in Newcastle. This is a very small shop who know the Ys inside and out. Talk to Gary @ 425.226.0930; tell him Marc sent you. BTW, I only live a couple of miles away from the shop so if you go down there, give me a call @ 425.235.8383 and stop by.


Marc

'54 Merc ragtop

Pt Townsend, WA