Believe the "Y" block first came out in 1954,... but when was it replaced? Would the 352 be an easy swap for my "55? My car has the auto trans and the engine is out now and if unable to fix maybe should think of replacement...good running one is available locally for $100. Trying to think ahead.

The 352, 390 FE engines will bolt straight to your 272 engine mount but not to your transmission, keep in mind , exhaust, linkages, tail shaft and many smaller item changes necessary for swap. Better off looking for 272/292 replacement. regards bill.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

General concensus is that a Y built to 1957 specs will run rings around a 352.  This is validated by the number of ’58 Fords that got trounced by a ’57 Ford.

 

But if dead set on doing this, the 352 bolts into the ‘55/’56 Fords using the Y engine mounts but the upper control arm supports may have to be trimmed to increase clearance for the exhaust manifolds.  As Bill mentions, the FE has it own specific bellhousing pattern so if the tranny doesn’t come with the 352, then you may have a problem.  The crossmember under the car for attaching the FE transmission mount will also need to be relocated and this usually involves shortening it overall so it will fit in the V notch in the frame under the car.  Driveshaft will obviously have the be changed.  It's definitely doable but questionable if it's worth doing it for a 352 engine. 

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I'll pass on that engine and keep my fingers crossed that my 272 will fire right up once I get it back in next week. For sure I'll be letting everyone know how that turns out...want that car back on the road. If nothing else it was worth pulling engine just to get things cleaned up under there...nothing fancy just fresh.

did that swap back in the 70's, a 352 for a 272. I used the single bolt 352 mount and it lined up with the 56 X member mount. I used a bellhousing for a 352 that had a cast iron cruseomatic and a convertor from a rambler (borgwaner trans) to mate up with the original water cooled fordomatic. Had to make my one exaust head pipes.

Only real problem I had was the throtle rod and gas pedal, never did get it right but it did work. A year later the front X member rusted out and I could not find a replacment so I junked it. 6 months later someone picked it up from the junk yard and fixed the X member and put it back on the road. Wonder what happened to it.

The 272 radiator could not keep the 352 cool .