Ford Y-block engine

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Ford Y-block V8
Manufacturer:	Ford Motor Company
Production:	1954–1964
Predecessor:	Ford L-Head engine
Successor:	Ford FE engine Ford Windsor engine Ford 335 Cleveland V8
Class:	Small-block OHV V8
Engine:	239 in³ (3.9 L) 256 in³ (4.2 L) 272 in³ (4.5 L) 292 in³ (4.8 L) 312 in³ (5.1 L)
Similar:	Chevrolet Small-Block Chrysler A engine Nash/Hudson/AMC V8

The Y-block engine is an overhead valve V8 automobile piston engine from Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 1954 to replace the side-valved Ford Flathead engine and was replaced by the Ford FE engine (on larger cars) and the Ford Windsor engine (on smaller cars) in 1962, and lasted until 1964 in Ford trucks.

Note that Lincoln introduced its own Y-block in 1952. That engine lasted until the 1958 introduction of the MEL.

1 239
2 256
3 272
4 292
5 312
6 External links
7 References

[edit] 239

The first Y-block was the 1954 239 in³ (3.9 L) Ford engine; known for its deep skirting to make the engine resemble a Y. Rated at 130 hp (97 kW), it replaced the 239 in³ (3.9 L) Flathead which was rated at 106 hp (79 kW). The Y-block was considered a major advancement over the flathead. Known for having oiling problems in the rocker shafts due to the fact the oil first went to the crankshaft bearing, then the camshaft bearings, then to the rocker shafts. This problem plagued the entire Y-block family and could be remedied by running a copper line from the oil pump and then to the rocker shafts. This series of engines also lacked the breathing abilities compared to the Chevrolet 265 small block, thus could not develop the same power.

The oiling problem was caused by the passage from the center cam bearing to the cylinder head being offset by an inch and too small. The motor oils available at that time were low in detergents but high in coke which when combined with short trips and infrequent oil changes led to this passage blocking up. This left the lower end with ample oil while the rocker shaft assemblies literally burned up. The external oiler kit essentially provided oil to the rocker shafts from the oil pressure port on the outside of the engine.

A quick reference of the engine specifications for 1955-57 will show the Ford V-8s ahead of the Chevrolet counterpart in displacement, horsepower and torque. The Y-block head provided excellent air flow, superior to the Chevrolet. The real enemy of the Y-block was its displacement limit. The original architecture was very small and tight. Even with the benefit of today's technology, (aftermarket rods and stroker cranks) the real limit of a Y-block is about 348 cubic inches while the Chevrolet could go well past the factory limit of 400. Simply put, the ever increasing size and weight of the standard passenger car, the added parasitic losses for accessories like power steering, power brakes and air conditioning, cheap gasoline and the horsepower race all conspired to outgrow the first Ford OHV V-8 engine. It is interesting to note that both Ford and Chevrolet went to optional "big block" engines for 1958, 352 in³ (5.8 L) at Ford compared to 348 in³ (5.7 L) at Chevrolet.

[edit] 256

The Mercury Y-block was the 256 in³ (4.2 L).

[edit] 272

The 272 in³ (4.5 L) version was introduced in 1955. Most standard Fords used this engine.

[edit] 292

The 292 in³ (4.8 L) was also introduced in 1955. It was used in the Ford Thunderbird, and some high-end Ford and Mercury cars. This engine was also used in Ford trucks, namely the F-100, through 1964.

Ford Australia released this V8 motor as its only option in the 4 door sedan Customline for 1955 through 1959 (based on the Crown Victoria) and its utility based on the same styling as the Customline and called a Mainline.

This particular version of the Y-Block engine was used in Argentina well into the eighties, and was known as Fase II (Phase II). Aside from the Argentine Ford Fairlane (built from 1969 to 1982, and based heavily on American 1968 model), the 292 was offered on the F100 Pickup.