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10-08-2012, 11:10 AM | #1 |
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Fairlane Question
Hi Gents! Did Ford put the 292 CID engine in the 1955 Ford Fairlane? I thought the 292 didn't come out until 1956. I see a few ads for sale people selling their 1955 Fairlane's with the 292.
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10-08-2012, 12:07 PM | #2 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
I think 55 had two motors. There was the 272 and the 292 was the upgrade for the T-Bird and used in the Mercurys. I believe you pay extra and get the 292 in the Fairlane. In 56 they had the 292 and the 312 was for the T-Bird and Mercurys. Again you could pay extra for the 312 in the Fairlane. As I recall you could also get a 256 in the 55 pickups.
Last edited by TJ; 10-08-2012 at 12:09 PM. Reason: add info |
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10-08-2012, 06:18 PM | #3 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
In 1955 there was basicly one one size V8 in pass. cars (272). Came in 2 bbl. and 4 bbl. versions. The 292 was listed as a Police engine option, but I have never seen one. It would have to have a "P" as the first digit of the VIN. Only T-Birds and Mercury's had 292's in 1955.
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10-08-2012, 07:30 PM | #4 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Among the full-size passenger car models in '55, only the Mainline with the "P" code police interceptor option had the 292 engine.
But in later years, the 272 engine was dropped from service by the crate engine rebuilders. Whenever a 272 came in for rebuild, they just replaced them with a 292 and scrapped the 272's. |
10-08-2012, 07:54 PM | #5 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
The 292 I got for my Fairlane is # ECK, it came out of a '55 Mercury. There were others, here's the list of casting #s: http://www.ford-y-block.com/Block%20identification.htm
Last edited by raceron1120; 10-09-2012 at 03:59 PM. |
10-09-2012, 04:39 AM | #6 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
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10-09-2012, 07:02 AM | #7 | |
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Re: Fairlane Question
The 272 is a good engine. With twin exhaust manifolds or headers and a four barrel carb you would be hard pushed to feel the difference. The 292 has about 20HP more with the same exhaust setup.
Original 55 272's have a crossdrilled cam and maybe more prone to having oiling problems to the rocker gear. Check Mummerts YBlock site for HP differences. The engines are basically identical with a 1/8" difference in bore. Regards
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10-09-2012, 03:42 PM | #8 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
a few people got a 292 in 55 by ordering it as a sherriffs car.you needed a friendly salesman.one only 55 crown with glass roof was ordered this way.
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10-10-2012, 04:46 AM | #9 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Thanks for the info. I was also reading a small article last night what to watch for as in body rot on these cars ( 1955-56 Fairlanes ). It was something about the front crossmember, under the headlights and body mounts that are common to rot out. As I shop for one of these cars do you guy's have any tips for me as what to look for?
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10-10-2012, 11:25 AM | #10 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
If the front crossmember hasn't been replaced yet, it's very likely that the car will need it. And a bad thing about them sometimes is that they rot from the inside out and often look okay when they're not. I had it replaced on my '56 with a new one even though my parts car's appeared to be okay. I didn't want to trust it.
If any cars you look at are from the rustbelt, you'll likley find most of 'em are gonna need inner & outer rockers, most or all floorboards, and body mounts. All of it is available from a variety of sources, EMS, Mac's, Carpentar, etc. I got the replacement front xmember off ebay. |
10-10-2012, 08:26 PM | #11 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Another problem area is the lower front fenders between the fender well and front door (down low)
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10-11-2012, 11:30 PM | #12 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
55 and 56's are rust buckets
The front crossmember was a factory recall. When I replaced my crossmember in 1980, the part costed $110. Now that part costs upwards of $250. My original inner rockers just now started developing rustholes. I replaced both outer rocker panels in 1984. Now they are rusting thru due to the holes in the inner rockers allowing water to get in. I replaced my steel front fenders with fiberglass ones. Floor panels notoriously rot out on these. Gotta bail her out every time it rains. Body mount channels under the floor have held up fairly well, but they got a good coat of paint on em. It has been necessary to weld small patch panels on both the front mounts under the floor. A visual inspection and maintenance of these areas every six months on a daily driver helps keep the damage at a minimum. |
10-12-2012, 04:48 AM | #13 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Oh Wow! I guess when the time comes to look at a car, I better look at it good!!!
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10-12-2012, 02:16 PM | #14 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
My first car (1955 Mercury Montclair) had air conditioned floor boards and trunk along with rotting body mount braces in 1965 with 75K miles. Of course it was a Michigaan car all of it's life.
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10-12-2012, 02:39 PM | #15 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Try to find a California car or one from the dryer states. Not saying they won't have rust, just less rust.
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10-13-2012, 06:55 PM | #16 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
"I also like the '56's but I see they are more scarce and MORE expensive."
Ford production was 1.4 million vehicles in 1955. Ford production was 1.4 million vehicles in 1956. Unless there is some unusual condition in your locality, availability should be the same. The price of the cars relates to model, condition, market and timing (time of year). All factors being equal, I have not seen a price difference. Your choice should be based upon which appeals most to you and should also consider that you will likely have it for some time. Shop around and enjoy the chase. |
10-13-2012, 07:34 PM | #17 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
They are prone to rust. I bought a 56 in 1964 that had never left central Alabama and it was already showing rust problems. The double walled area all around the back wheels had a tendency to hold dirt and moisture and rust out all around there.
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10-13-2012, 09:47 PM | #18 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
The 55 ford rusts about the same as 55 chevys, no better no worse, I have had them both. EXCEPT for that front crossmember . WATCH the crossmember carefully , I have seen them so rusty that the control arm colapses. This could be a disaster if driving the car when it happens. and if you find a good 55 don't worry about the 272 engine. they run fine in my experience and sound great with duals.
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10-14-2012, 04:18 PM | #19 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Do the 55 and 56 Merc's rust like the Fairlanes do?
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10-15-2012, 10:41 AM | #20 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Yup. State of the art of auto building at the time. The business is very competitive. Almost all are made the same because of that.
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10-16-2012, 11:29 AM | #21 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
There's a 55 Fairlane for sale on *bay and shows the front clip removed from the car exposing the front crossmember. You guy's have been saying that these crossmembers rot out. But why? It don't look anymore different than any other crossmember.
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10-16-2012, 12:24 PM | #22 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
I can't answer why but just know that they do. Maybe not all of them but it's certainly something that should be scrutinized when contemplating purchasing one of these cars. Want to see bad? Here (sorry about picture size differences):
It was so bad that I had to chain the arms up just to move the car: Mine may be an extreme example but I've heard horror stories about how some have found 'home-made' fixes done by patching & undercoating them etc. Just something to beware of. The original xmembers have 'weep' holes in them supposedly to let moisture drain out but instead they seem only to trap salt and other debris inside, then rot out over time. Here is mine after the Xmember was replaced: Last edited by raceron1120; 10-16-2012 at 12:36 PM. |
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10-16-2012, 02:24 PM | #23 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Thanks for the photos. By the way, nice work!
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10-16-2012, 03:25 PM | #24 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
The main reason the rust out is because the ends are open by the frame and the center of the x-member is lower than the ends. Water becomes trapped. If Ford had just put more than one hole in the center to allow any water that accumulates to drain then maybe then it wouldn't be such a problem (Mine has drain holes now).
But then of course over the years debris would clog the drain holes and it would rust anyway if the holes were not cleaned occasionally. How many of us routinely clean the drain holes in the doors and bodies of our cars?? Shoot the only major rust on my '55 Ranchwagon (See my avatar) is the right rear quarter panel and that was because someone in the last 55+ years stuffed newspaper in there??? not allowing the water to flow out. Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 10-16-2012 at 04:02 PM. Reason: Spelling |
10-16-2012, 10:07 PM | #25 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Is this cross member the same in the '54 with the same rust issue? I heard 54 and 55 have the same frame.
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10-16-2012, 11:13 PM | #26 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
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10-17-2012, 04:38 AM | #27 |
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Re: Fairlane Question
Thanks, credit for the work on my car goes to John (streetdreams both here and on the HAMB). I'm not sure if the front Xmember is same for '54 & '55 but I'm quite certain the '56 is not same as the '54. There have been vendors here, on the HAMB and on ebay that sell replacement crossmembers so a search for specific years may answer your question about interchangeabity.
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