56 Ford Y-Block powered "Gasser" build

[Lancer]

I picked up this car about a year ago a few blocks from my house. I had seen it on Craigs list. It was pretty straight, no engine, trans, windshield or bumpers, oh and no papers. I made him an offer but he wasn't as negotiable as I needed him to be. After texting back and forth over a couple of months he gave me one of those bring me the money today kind of offers, I couldn't pass it up.

There were already projects at home so I really didn't want to look at it so it was hauled out to the parents house. Out of mind, out of site. It worked okay til mid summer. My son was turning 16 and I thought this would be a great father son build. That lasted a very short time, he's just not into 50's cars. We are looking for a 60's off topic chevy for him.

I had no interest in selling it and thought about different ways it could be done. During this time I had blown the engine in my '57 Ford wagon. The original 292 gave up the ghost. This lead me down a very interesting road which allowed me to cross paths with Charlie Burns and Tim McMaster. Charlie had an engine that Tim had built and he was looking for some cash to throw at his land speed car. This was perfect for me as you know, Y-Blocks are a little harder to come by than say, well just about everything. The wagon is now back on the road THANK GOD after three months off the road and is much peppier than the stocker it had in it.

Back to the '56, it was originally a Y-Block V8/auto car. So, maybe put a Y back in it?? I had a few other engine choices but the Y just seemed right. There are still many things to sort out but the main goal is in place. Build a gasser the way it would have been built back in the day. Not a huge thumper motor but a small, high winding Y.

The car will get an upgrade to a four speed, an early top loader. I'm still looking for one of those. Nothing has been touched on it since I drug it home, but that will be changing very soon. The rear diff I've had for years. Its an early Mopar 8.75 that had been set up as a three link, has Moser axles a spool and 4.11s which may be swapped out for set of 4.56s. That old three link stuff will be cut away as we lay plans for the ladder bars.

Covering the Eagle Field Drag racing events over the years sparked the initial idea to build an 8th mile drag car. Shooting for the first event for 2015.

[Ford Freak]

I love the old gassers ! That car is perfect for that .

[Lancer]

I think so too.

[Lancer]

Some pics from the machine shop. The C1TE rods and the 272ci motor.

[Y-Blockhead]

Lancer you seen this thread over on the HAMB? Might want to peruse it and get some ideas?

Pix of '55-'57 Ford Gassers - the "other" Tri-Fives

[Lancer]

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Its been a while since I've seen it, def need to look again now since its a little more applicable haha. Thanks for the reminder Y-Blockhead

[Hivolt5.0]

This is going to be an exciting build! I'll be watching this one. Good luck!

[Lancer]

Just found that our donor motor has the high ration rocker arms that we need. Nice, one less part to look for now.

[Lancer]

I am working a deal on some heads now and hope it all fall in line. Just waiting to see if they are posted heads or not. Hoping to confirm this weekend. I did get some parts ordered, stud kit for the main and heads, timing set and push rods. Should also get info on a four speed thats local that may work as well. He's supposed to be getting that checked.

Still looking for a bell housing and a "B" intake. But I may contact one of my fellow fabricators and have them built me an intake. We'll see how that works out.

This weekend we will be pulling some of the front end apart and getting measurements for the straight axle so I'll have a few pics to post up. If anyone is looking for 56 Ford parts, drop me a line, there will be a lot of stuff coming off the car that won't be used.

[Lancer]

Block is being decked & honed. YESSS!!!

[JeffB2]

Are you going to run it at Eagle field when she's ready?

[OahuEli]

Originally Posted by Lancer

Just found that our donor motor has the high ration rocker arms that we need. Nice, one less part to look for now.

Whats the difference in ratio?

[Lancer]

JeffB2, the car is being built specifically to run at Eagle Field and maybe a few others like Kingdon and the smaller events around. HAMB Drags would be another.

OahuEli, higher ratio allows a bigger lift on the cam.

[JeffB2]

I lived in Lodi about six years and would like to get back to see the Kingdon reunion some day,hope you share a bunch of pictures.

[OahuEli]

Originally Posted by Lancer

OahuEli, higher ratio allows a bigger lift on the cam.

Yeah I know that but I was wondering if was 1.6, 1.7 to 1 etc. I don't recall the stock ratio. Years ago I had a stock 292 in my '56 F100 for awhile.

[Y-Blockhead]

If he's referring to stock rockers, 1.46 vs 1.52...

[scicala]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

If he's referring to stock rockers, 1.46 vs 1.52...

I know it's not much difference at all, but for the record, I thought the ratios were 1.43 and 1.54 ?

[miker98038]

Mummert's site shows them as 1.43 and 1.54. He's also working on a higher ratio set, but I don't think they're in production yet. 1.7 or so?

[Lancer]

Looks like others have answered the question regarding the ratio OahuEli.

Progress on the internals. Pistons are cleaned and balanced. The vintage pistons are Jahns, and came from Pete Blakeley. Vintage parts in our vintage gasser. Should be darn near 12:1 compression when done. Nice and crispy.

Block pic shows the relief on every cylinder to clear the 2.02" and 1.6" valves when running a .600 lift cam and rocker combo.

[scicala]

Originally Posted by Lancer

Looks like others have answered the question regarding the ratio OahuEli.

Progress on the internals. Pistons are cleaned and balanced. The vintage pistons are Jahns, and came from Pete Blakeley. Vintage parts in our vintage gasser. Should be darn near 12:1 compression when done. Nice and crispy.

Block pic shows the relief on every cylinder to clear the 2.02" and 1.6" valves when running a .600 lift cam and rocker combo.

Lancer, thanks for the mega memories. My first car was a '55 mercury Montclair with a 292. I also bought Jahns pop up pistons for it back in '68. Cost $56 new for a set of 8 if I remember right. You're Y-Block is going to be awesome. Love the fact that you are going al out for HP.