Right now my sunliner has a 351-W and just got back from a trip to Florida yesterday going 75 to 80 all the way there and back and that got me wondering will a Y block be able to do that too,I had never driven a older motor like that before so I do not know what to expect. I do plan on keeping the gears to around 3.00 and most likely have a FMX trans,I do plan on building another car to do these long distance trips (one I can lock up) with the 351 but still would like to take the sunliner on some long trips. I like to get where I am going quickly.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

I don't think it would be a problem. My 56 with a overdrive trans can do 70 without any issues.

Durham Missouri

Since many interstate speed limits have been raised to 70 or 75, most traffic now cruises at 80, and thus the police would be unlikely to bother anyone not exceeding 85. My stock/high-mileage '55 with OD easily stays with that flow, though kicking down to underdrive for passing at that speed sometimes DOES approach my rev limit before I return to the right lane.
50s era vehicles were really not designed to maintain those speeds continuously, and while modern radial tires can now make it practical, the fact that the personel, equipment and parts to keep the original drum brakes up to the tire's potential no longer exist, worries me much more than any question re: the sturdy Y-Block's reliability or ability to absorb punishment. I understand the high-torque 292 powered very many commercial trucks for multiple hundreds of thousands of miles with few issues. I don't believe the thin cast Windsor (or sbc) would quickly come to mind when listing famous 'truck engines' (?).

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA