Fairlane Question

[don's 37]

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.

[TJ]

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.

[scicala]

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.

[Daves55Sedan]

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.

[raceron1120]

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

[don's 37]

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Is the 272 a good engine? I mean, would I be disappointed in a '55 with the 272? I also like the '56's but I see they are more scarce and MORE expensive.

[rick55]

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

[darrell]

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.

[don's 37]

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?

[raceron1120]

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.

[parklane]

Another problem area is the lower front fenders between the fender well and front door (down low)

[Daves55Sedan]

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.

[don's 37]

Oh Wow! I guess when the time comes to look at a car, I better look at it good!!!

[scicala]

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.

[Y-Blockhead]

Try to find a California car or one from the dryer states. Not saying they won't have rust, just less rust.

[FordFairlane55]

"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.

[34pickup]

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.

[68HILLBILLY]

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.

[don's 37]

Do the 55 and 56 Merc's rust like the Fairlanes do?

[Ole Don]

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.