The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Replace Flathead with Y-Block?

rotorwrench · 10-05-2019, 10:04 AM

Y-blocks evolved to be a decent engine but they were never a powerhouse engine. When they finally started to improve things in 1957 for T-birds and for racing programs, they actually got them into a respectable catagory. Some racers modified them further with good results. They are kind of an odd design with respect to fit up and function. The exhaust systems for the regular models were really funky.

A lot of the small block Ford bell housings have both the wide pattern bolt up and the narrow pattern bolt up for the old Ford-Borg/Warner design transmissions. The early 5-bolt bell housings for the small blocks all had the narrow pattern for the early T10 4-speed that would work with an old R10 or maybe an R11 overdrive. The early 1966 6-bolt bell housing had this pattern too but they are harder to find. I would prefer the T85 transmission with the R11 overdrive for performance. It's a lot stronger than the old R10 set up. I still see floor shifters for them now and then.

10-05-2019, 10:04 AM	#40
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Replace Flathead with Y-Block? Y-blocks evolved to be a decent engine but they were never a powerhouse engine. When they finally started to improve things in 1957 for T-birds and for racing programs, they actually got them into a respectable catagory. Some racers modified them further with good results. They are kind of an odd design with respect to fit up and function. The exhaust systems for the regular models were really funky. A lot of the small block Ford bell housings have both the wide pattern bolt up and the narrow pattern bolt up for the old Ford-Borg/Warner design transmissions. The early 5-bolt bell housings for the small blocks all had the narrow pattern for the early T10 4-speed that would work with an old R10 or maybe an R11 overdrive. The early 1966 6-bolt bell housing had this pattern too but they are harder to find. I would prefer the T85 transmission with the R11 overdrive for performance. It's a lot stronger than the old R10 set up. I still see floor shifters for them now and then.