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The Ford ‘Y’ Block replaced the Ford Flathead and the I-6 in 1954. The name ‘Y’ Block came from the shape of the block casting. When viewed from the front or back of the block with the low position of the crankshaft and the placement of the cylinder heads the ‘Y’ shape is visible. For Ford cars in 1954 the cubic inch displacement was 239, the same as the Flathead it replaced. The Mercury engine was 256 c.i. at this introduction. The ‘Y’ Block grew to 272 c.i. in 1955 and 292 c.i. the same year. The 312 c.i. was first available in 1956. 1956 and 1957 were the only years Ford offered the 312 c.i. in Fords. Mercury used the 312 through 1959, as their small block engine. A larger version of the ‘Y’ Block, using different parts were used in Lincolns and Continentals. The last year the ‘Y’ Block was offered in Ford cars was 1962 and in trucks 1964.