Y-Block Ford – Dual Quad Testing on Iron Heads – Part I

With the resurgence of the Ford Y engine making a comeback as a viable replacement power plant for more than just mid-Fifties Fords, there is suddenly a demand for both modern performance and old school looks being in the same package.  Continue reading “Y-Block Ford – Dual Quad Testing on Iron Heads – Part I”

Y-Block Ford – 3X2 Intake Testing

What started out as a simple dyno test to evaluate the performance differences between the small and large port Edelbrock three deuce intake manifolds ended up turning into a full blown test where seven different 3X2 intakes were compared on an engine in a back to back dyno test.  The other intake manifolds being added to this test included three different intakes wearing the Edmunds brand, a Weiand intake and an Offenhauser intake. 

Continue reading “Y-Block Ford – 3X2 Intake Testing”

Modifying the Holley Teapot four barrel carb for late model distributors

The Holley model 4000 four barrel carburetor that came as original equipment on single four barrel equipped 1956 and earlier Fords, Mercurys, and Lincolns is not up to its full potential when used with the ’57 and up Y-Block distributors. Continue reading “Modifying the Holley Teapot four barrel carb for late model distributors”

Y-Block, 585HP without a supercharger or other form of power adder

While a dynamometer is a great tool for sorting out engine combinations, there are those instances where some of the data provided conflicts with other data also being recorded.  A case in point here is where the EGT’s (exhaust gas temperature) do not match up with the results of the oxygen sensors. Continue reading “Y-Block, 585HP without a supercharger or other form of power adder”

Cylinder Head Milling for a 1cc Reduction

In the course of milling cylinder heads for a specific decrease in combustion chamber volume, it becomes necessary to know exactly how much a cylinder head must be milled for a 1cc (cubic centimeter) reduction.  Continue reading “Cylinder Head Milling for a 1cc Reduction”

Milling Heads for a Horsepower Gain

Over the years I have heard a variety of numbers from 2% to 10% for what a point in compression ratio is worth in regards to horsepower output.  The ten percent value obviously sounded a bit exaggerated while the two percent value sounded a bit on the small side. Continue reading “Milling Heads for a Horsepower Gain”

A Tale Of Two 330 Inch Y-Blocks

I recently had the opportunity to assemble a pair of Ford Y-Block engines that were very similar to each other and then dyno test each.  Both engines had the same bore and stroke, the same camshaft grind, and the final static compression ratio (SCR) on each was very similar. Continue reading “A Tale Of Two 330 Inch Y-Blocks”

Carburetor Spacer Testing

While Glen Henderson’s 337” Y was on the dyno, a variety of two inch tall carburetor spacers were tested.  The results were more than interesting and re-enforces why different combinations of parts are tested.  The baseline test for this was no spacer and then there were three different styles of 2” tall spacers put into place and evaluated. Continue reading “Carburetor Spacer Testing”