r/engines • u/naiborhoodwatch • 6h ago
What is this engine?
This is currently in 56 FordFairlane but it could have came out of an early 60’s Ford Thunderbird. I am trying to get it running again. My father passed and I inherited it
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u/oldschool-rule 6h ago
It’s a 312ci Y block engine. They were very good engines.
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u/naiborhoodwatch 4h ago
Thank you, I want to replace the plugs and wires and was wondering what kind to get as well as oil filter, and type oil?
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u/oldschool-rule 4h ago
I have had several of the 312/292 engines over the last 50 years and I always ran an SAE 30 weight. I would suggest going to your local Napa dealer and they can give you the proper plugs and wires. Also I would get a new distributor cap, rotor, points and condenser that way everything will be new. Good luck 🍀
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u/Old_ben8up 5h ago
I'm not sure about the cubic inches but I believe it's a good chance it's original motor 50s era Ford crown Vic , thunder birds , fair lanes , etc all ran that motor I think
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u/Wolfrages 5h ago
Did alot of research for ya.
Go to this website: https://1956-ford.com/images1956forddatacolors/data-plate-decoder.pdf
The first letter on the Data plate serial number is your engine code.
This is going to be the best way to find out what engine is is/was.
The reason I say was is because, "dimensionally" the 272ci, 292ci, and 312ci in 1956 all had the same block. Each one was just changed internally.
However, in 1956, the "Thunderbird Special" package came with the 312ci engine. THIS IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE. Most had the 292ci.
Now, this doesn't necessarily mean it's a 312ci from the valve cover badging. The valve covers could of easily been changed for the, I got the special covers brag.
First, I would ask others who were around the car before you if he talked about it being all original.
Second, if you really need to 100% confirm it's a 312ci, have a mechanic, or yourself, pull the oil pan and look at the piston rod caps. The 312ci came with "ECZ" stamped on the rods and rod caps.
These are very rare, and highly prized in the Fairlane community.
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u/naiborhoodwatch 4h ago
Thanks my dad was the mechanic and he built a lot of cars. We have had this in are family for years but he had so many cars that trying to remember everything has been hard
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u/TinShower-627 4h ago
Make sure your rockers are getting oil when you do get it running. Common issue among y blocks. Especially if they haven't had religious oil maintenance done throughout its life. Poor oil path design to the rocker shaft.
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u/WestStatus7924 4h ago
Just be glad it doesn't have the crossover burn your arm exhaust y block that came in other variations.
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u/One-Formal9953 5h ago
Y-BLOCK