Tech Talk: Y-Block Assembly prevent this install the front bearing from the

rear.
Errors
Rocker shafts. It is amazingly simple to install
By John Mummert; [Link] the rocker arm shafts upside down on a Y-Block.
The shaft stands are identical and will bolt down
In disassembling Y-Block core engines I have either way. You must be absolutely certain that
noted a number of common mistakes that are the oil hole in the shaft aligns with the hole in
made during the assembly of Y-Blocks during the stand and is at the bottom when the stands
rebuild. Take care to avoid these mistakes. are bolted down. If done improperly no oil will
get to the rockers. The best way to check for
Head bolts. There appear to be 2 different length proper assembly is to look for the holes for the
head bolts in a Y-Block engine, 5 short bolts overflow tubes at the right hand end of each
near the spark plugs and 5 longer bolts under the shaft. If the hole is visible with the rocker arms
rocker arms. It’s true that the 5 short bolts near installed on the head it is correct.
the spark plugs are identical but the 5 under the
rockers are not the same! 2 of these bolts are 292 & 312 Main cap bolts. When Ford designed
slightly longer and are installed at the outer ends the 312 they made the main caps taller than the
of the head where the alignment dowels are 292 cap, anticipating added load. The cap for the
located. Lay all 10 longer bolts (5 per bank) next 312 rear main was left the 292 height, to clear
to each other and you should find 4 longer and 6 the rear main seal holder and the oil pan rail.
that are about ¼"shorter. Installing the longer This makes it possible to install any of the longer
bolts in the center 3 holes can cause them to main cap bolts from the front 4 main caps in the
bottom in the block which can result in a blown rear cap, where they could bottom out during
head gasket. Late production engines have only tightening. Some blocks are drilled deep enough
long and short bolts. to accept the longer bolts in the rear cap. There
have been a few instances where the rear main
Head gaskets. The 2 head gaskets used on a Y- area of a 312 cracked during assembly. This was
Block are identical. It might seem that the same probably caused by installing the incorrect bolts
face of the gasket would go against the block and in the rear cap. Check the 1971 Popular
the opposite face would go against the head on Hotrodding series of articles, this occurred when
each side. This is not the case. What is critical is they assembled their first 312 requiring a
that the open coolant holes are at the back of the replacement block.
head and the blocked portion of the gasket is at
the front. Look for the word FRONT on the If any of the longer front bolts are installed at the
gasket and place it at the front even if it looks rear the misplaced rear bolt will be installed in
wrong. This places 1 of the gaskets face up and #1-4 cap where it will engage less than ½" of
one face down. Notice that there is a square thread!
corner at one end of the gasket, this must be at
the front of the engine. This can be checked Another problem was the incorrect torque
without removing the heads. If you are having specification of 120 ft. lb., which was printed in
overheating problems check for these square all 1956 factory and after market manuals. This
corners at the top front corner of the head near figure is excessive and undoubtedly caused many
the intake gasket. of the cracked main webs in 312 blocks. Always
use the later 95 ft lb. specification. It is also
Cam bearings. If you are using a camshaft with critical to check the amount of thread that will be
a cross drilled center journal you must use ‘55- engaged in the block. Do not use main cap bolts
early ‘56 cam bearings designed for cross drilled in any Y-Block that don’t reveal at least 7/8" of
cams. If you are installing a cam with a grooved thread when placed in the main cap. This may
center journal you must use the late ‘56-’64 cam require running a bottoming tap into the main
bearings. If your cam will not fit in the block bolt holes. Later 292’s have significantly longer
check it for straightness. Cams have been seen main cap bolts, an indication that Ford realized
with up to .010" runout. The front cam bearing is this need. Care must be used not use bolts or
often installed slightly cocked in the bore. To studs that engage more than 1 1/8" of thread as
the oil passage to the main bearing will be reduced risk of detonation. Many complaints of
blocked. detonation have been noted with the pistons
.030"-.040" in the hole and the engine assembled
Intake manifold bolts. When installing the with composition head gaskets.
intake manifold be certain not to use excessive
length bolts. The intake manifold bolt holes in Re-torque the cylinder heads. Although most
the head intersect the push rod passages and too modern gaskets are sold as not needing to be re-
long a bolt can hit the push rods. Also be certain torqued, it is a good idea. This should be done
that the bolt holes in the heads at the rear of the 500-750 miles after assembly. Y-Blocks have a
manifold are plugged. These are the threaded large head gasket area for an engine with 10 head
holes that are unused but are drilled through into bolts per bank and this results in reduced
the push rod passage. Water, dirt and other crud clamping force on the gaskets.
can enter the engine through these holes. Be sure
to use short bolts, about ½" of thread so you Timing gear installation. Some people try to
don’t hit the push rods. align the timing marks on the gears toward each
other as is common on newer engines. This is
Timing cover installation. Check the length on bound to happen more often now as the
the 5/16" diameter bolts for the timing cover. If replacement timing chains no longer have the
bolts which are too long are installed they can pins marked for correct alignment with the gears.
contact the front cylinders damaging the block. The marks on the Y-Block timing gears aim
Apply sealer to bolts which enter the water toward the oil filter side with 12 pins between
jacket. them.

Left and right hand heads. Although all Y- Cam thrust. It appears that Ford used 2 different
Block heads can be installed on either side of the thickness thrust washers and plates on the cam.
block, after years of exposure to coolant the With the wrong combination there will be no end
.906" holes at the front of the intake surface will play in cam. Ensure .004" movement during
not accept a freeze plug. When choosing heads to assembly.
be rebuilt be sure you have a usable left and
right. When installing heads be sure the corroded Cam cores. Replacement cam cores have a blob
hole is located toward the front of the engine. Be of metal between the last lobe and the distributor
sure the hole at the rear of the head will accept a gear. On high lift cams this can be higher than
freeze plug or a temperature sender bushing. The the base circle of the lobe. Place a lifter on the
water temperature sender bushing hole can be last lobe base circle and be sure the lifter does
reamed to a larger size if need be. It is very not hit this excess material.
discouraging to have 2 heads ready to install and
find that they can’t be used as a set.
Hope this saves some grief. JRM

Oil gallery plugs. Remove all oil plugs and the

Block decking. Don’t assume that since Y-