If you want more zip, swapping on a 4 barrel will give you more of it.  Back in the day this was one of the cheapest most effective swaps you could make to a Y Block.  Back then four barrel Y Block manifolds and carbs were everywhere on the cheap. Not so today. 

I paid $200 for a 57 iron 4 barrel intake and was happy to get it.  If you keep your '55 heads you will have a port mismatch, but it will work fine.  I would change the manifold instead of going with an adapter.  My experience with carb adapters has not been good.  If you go the 4 barrel route, don't over carb the engine. I bought a new Holley 465 for my TBird.  I wasn't cheap, but it works perfectly without hesitation. You will also want to upgrade your distributor.  You can buy a rebuilt '57 dizzy for around $70 mail order.  Helps a  bunch.

What would the be the 2 barrel carb you would suggest I find that would be better then stock?

Like Charlie says,   what's the goal.  Do you want a basic upgrade?  Or are you gonna throw a shit-ton of money at it?   I'm hoping to rebuild my 292 for my F350 this year.   The stock 2 barrel intake is staying.   Through research I've found the Holley on my truck right now was used on engines all the way up to 390.  So the carb has plenty of flow.   Your goal, your happiness.   Change in exhaust is a great increase without opening up the engine.

Back in the day I did it to get more power. with this one just plan on drive to enjoy.This is a 55 272 with stock 2 barrel. But a little more zip is good.  I do not have a intake, carb, or dist.  So what i am wondering is  what this would be get for my upgrade? Maybe just suffering from going from A990 Ply to a fantastic cruising machine.

What is your goal?  Which 272 are you starting with?  Which 4 barrel intake do you plan to use?


Lawrenceville, GA

Would like opinions to or not. Rember doing back in high school days is it worth it?