312 identification that is in a 55 T-Bird

[FiveFiveTbird]

Hello All, needing some guidance. I am working on a 55 Bird for a friend of mine and it looks to have had a 312 motor transplant at one time. First question, how do I confirm if it is for sure a 312 or not. Second I put 6 qts in it and it is just at the add mark, so I would assume i have a dipstick issue? No other possible reasons for this,, correct? Thanks in advance!

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[Tater Salad]

Hello All, needing some guidance. I am working on a 55 Bird for a friend of mine and it looks to have had a 312 motor transplant at one time. First question, how do I confirm if it is for sure a 312 or not. Second I put 6 qts in it and it is just at the add mark, so I would assume i have a dipstick issue? No other possible reasons for this,, correct? Thanks in advance!

http://ford-y-block.com/Block identification.htm
I don't know why the link doesn't work, but John Mummert has put together a y block identification page. If you'll go to the ford-y- block. Com site, or google ford y block identification. It'll give you the info you're looking for

 

[CSPIDY]

Why do you believe it’s a 312?

 

[FiveFiveTbird]

Well it does have a intake and carburetor off of a 56 t-bird and transmission is also I believe out of a 56.. someone also told me it has 56 312 valve covers?? ( they say “Thunderbird Special”) if that means anything? Not real sure myself that’s why am going to learn how to identify actually what I’m working on.

 

[CSPIDY]

From what I have read the 312 engines have a distinctive marking on the end of the crank shaft. No real way to tell the diferance between a 312 and a 292 unless you do a partial dismantle. Intake and heads are interchangeable. The diferance is not worth the effort to find out.

 

[FiveFiveTbird]

Understood,, thx!

 

[doug7740]

From what I have read, there is not a quick external check. The block casting number, over the oil filter and below the block head line is a semi decent method.

• If the casting number starts with ECK, it is not a 312.
• If the casting number starts with EDB, it is probably a 292 with a very small chance of it being a 312.
• If there is not three capital letters before the casting number, it is not a 312 and is probably a later 292 block.
  
• If the casting number starts with ECZ, there is an 80% chance that it is a 312.
  

The only way to tell for sure is to take the heads off and measure the bore and stroke, or take the flywheel cover off and try to get a look at the back of the crankshaft.

When looking at the crankshaft, look for a semi circle cutout in the crankshaft flange at the flywheel. Then, turn the engine over 180 degrees. If it is a 312, there is a recessed area on the flange with a raised circle in the center. If there is nothing there, or something else, it is not a 312.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[FiveFiveTbird]

Thanks for all the great info! Any ideas why my dipstick is way off? With 6 qts in it the level is right at the add mark.. Are there different dipsticks or oil pans that fit a T bird for these Y blocks? Or maybe I should just remark the dipstick and not worry about it?

 

[doug7740]

What you’re observing could be a mismatch of the tube and the dipstick. It's also possible that the tube itself isn't inserted far enough into the block. All the service literature I have seen for the Y block engine says five quarts of oil and if changing the canister type filter, then add an additional quart. You can figure on six quarts with filter for most Y pans. The exception would be the HD truck pans which are 7 quarts with filter.

My 292 engine was converted to a spin on oil filter. I add 5 quarts of oil and an additional 1/2 quart for the oil filter.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[FiveFiveTbird]

Ok great i’ll Do some more checking on this and I would assume a HD truck pan would not fit in a T-Bird, so I’ll stick with 5 1/2 to 6 qts as I do have a spin on filter as well.

 

[ICON 56]

Dip Stick could be from any after market.....

 

[doug7740]

I work at the Preservation/Restoration center of the Crawford Auto Museum and I am currently rebuilding a 292 engine from a 1955 Thunderbird. Since I have the crankshaft removed from the engine, I thought I would attach a photo of the crankshaft flange and the block casting number.

Since the block casting number starts with ECK, this is a 292 engine and not a 312.

Also, since 180 degrees from the semi circle cutout in the crankshaft flange there is something other than a raised circle on the recessed area, this is a 292 engine and not a 312.

I hope these pictures help you with your engine identification.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue