Too be truly period correct for mid fifties, you need a Y. FE is late fifties. Neither engine is cheap for power but you can probably do it more cost effectively with an FE. I advise you to evaluate the situation as completely as possible to find out if a Y which bolts in vs FE + swap cost is actually cheaper. Yes other engines are cheaper but that savings is often offset by the cost to get the non stock engine and drive line installed and functioning. If you cannot pull off the swap in it's entirety yourself, in other words, you have to pay someone to do it, the Y is probably cheaper.


Lawrenceville, GA

Sorry I guess I should have narrowed my previous post .

If I'm considering a 292 / 312  vs a 332 / 352 , and want to build 375 to 400 hp for the street  ....AND be somewhat period correct given a mid 50's body , auto trans , is one way to go better than the other .

Years ago I made a mistake sinking money into a 265 Chevy when I could have simply bought a used 327 and got the same result ....don't want to make the same mistake again . Older and wiser etc.

T

Well this is the y block, but you will find a lot of FE fans here also. The only advantage that I see is the additional cubes available with the FE. I think it just comes down to what you want and how deep your pockets are. Both are know for producing alot of torque and either would be period correct for a mid 50's ride. I love both, so I hesitate to say that one is better than the other.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

I'm certainly not looking for a battle if you are a die-in-the-wool Y block guy ....I'm trying to learn here .

If you were looking at a mid 50's Ford or Merc to modify for street use , what would be the advantages of a Y block vs. an FE ?  I'm wondering if the small block Y is lighter , cheaper , more bang for the buck over the big block FE .......or is it just a matter of personal choice ?

I'm asking this because all my Ford experience over the years consisted of 289's , 302's and later modular motors 4.6 and 5.4 .

Thanks , Terry