vacuum secondary CARTER WCFBs. They are a highly desired version, as the Holleys were cantankerous. The 312s had no centrifugal timing advance in their distributors until 1957. The last regular application of the 312 V8 in the U.S. was for certain 1960 Mercury models. Though considered to be a high-performance engine in 1956 and 1957, it was downgraded to an "economy" engine with low compression and two-barrel carburetor by 1960. Ford pickups used the version as late as 1965. Replacement When Ford Y-block debuted its power making ability was already hindered by its inherent displacement limit. A quick reference to the engine specifications for 1955-57 shows the Ford V8s ahead of the Chevrolet counterparts in displacement, horsepower, and torque. However, larger CID V8 engines made by Cadillac, Chrysler, Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile clearly showed the small CID architecture of the Y-block would need revision in order to keep pace with the other automakers. Even with the benefit of today's technology (aftermarket rods and stroker cranks), the upper limit of a Y-block is about , while the Chevrolet could be modified well past the factory limit of . The result was the introduction in 1958 of the 332 CID "big block" Ford FE engine which ultimately grew to 428 in³. Later, in 1962, the Ford Windsor engine – which began at would fully replace the Y-Block and grow to . References External links Short descriptions of Ford overhead valve V8 engines Website specializing in the Ford Y-block V8, including a good discussion forum "55 Years of Mercury" by John Gunnell 1956 Mercury sales brochure Y-block V8 engines Gasoline engines by model