Hello all I'm new to this site.

I have searched high and low to get a thorough rundown of what makes a 256 so different from the newer y's. Any part I can find for y blocks is usually 272 or above. Is there any master info that I could reference on this topic? I'm failing to find a search tool on this forum. For clarification, my dad owns a 54 Merc 2 door that he's had for 20 some years and hasn't really been able to do much with it. Now that I'm well of age and way more tech savy than he is, I'd like to help him get things rolling on the car finally.

Some of the things I/we are curious about is:

1- I found power steering brackets made available on y blocks to adapt a GM version. However, the '54 256 is not listed a match for it. Why is this? Could it be made to work?

2- I've done my research, and more or less if we want to modify this engine in any way, if it's possible, the vacuum advance distributors these engines have, are more or less worthless. Can they be made to accept the 57+ mechanical advance style?