[Tobytob]

Hello all, new to the forum. I acquired my Fairlane about a year ago and I am unsure where to move forward engine wise. This will be a retirement project. We believe is has a 352 but looking for a good metal fabricator for the floorpans first. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[redrag]

should noy be a 352 (fe). fairlane likely had a smallblock. pictures help

 

[Action]

Welcome to the FFO!

The 1960 Foprd Fairlane (a full sized model) did come optional with a 352 FE engine for 1960. The largest engine for that year. The following model year the 390 was the largest engine available.

Finding a metal fabricator is more of a local thing.
A fabricator (someone who is doing custom metal work) would want to have the vehicle there. Most of those guys may be found at a body shop.
Or Autokrafers may be the ticket
1960 Ford Galaxie FLOOR PAN 1960-63 FORD GALAXIE 1961-63 MONTEREY HARDTOP SEDAN & STATION WAGONS MARAUDER FULL OE-STYLE (C2AZ-7511135R) (autokrafters.com)

Action

 

[Tobytob]

Thanks for your insights. I don't know how to post pictures i have but I'll keep trying.

 

[Tobytob]

 

[Tobytob]

Ideally I would like to really wake the motor up with a refresh. Just not sure far it can go.

 

[redrag]

your engine is a y block- 292-312

 

[Tobytob]

How did you tell that?

 

[Action]

How did you tell that?

Valve cover is the identification.

Congrats on your skill set of loading pictures.
Action

 

[Tobytob]

What's the most that could be gotten out of a 292 for HP? Should I replace with another engine?

 

[Action]

Why do you ask?
A 73 year old Fairlane is not exactly the vehicle for street racing.

The Y block was designed in the early 1950s. It was used in NASCAR in the 1950s. But is worlds away from being high performance by today's standards.
One of the issues with this engine (and the same in FE engines) is lubrication at the top end. Or in the heads. This is seen in many engines used on the street and not maintained well. Oil changes and cooling system service are very necessary. The other maintenance practice of the period was to remove the thermostat to resolve cooling system issues. The downside to that is the cooling system is very slow to heat up. Sludge builds up in the lubrication system and wear is accelerated.

Should you replace the engine? It depends on your goals.

Action

 

[Tobytob]

I in no way plan on racing a classic. I just want to make sure I have some get up and go when I need it in traffic.

 

[Action]

If in good running order that Y block will do that.

Action

 

[Tobytob]

Outstanding. I'll just get this one refreshed/
Rebuilt.

 

[pkevins]

Selection of factory service documentation to consider.

Agree with redrag it's an earlier "Y" block. According to the last jpeg (13) of a 1960 brochure, I vote for the 292.

The oil filter on the "Y" block platform was usually mounted diagonally at about the middle of the short block on the driver side. On a FE-based engine it would have left the factory vertically mounted, same side, but closer to the front.
Some good news is that core engine parts for it are listed on RockAuto's catalog.
Kevin