1952 Lincoln 317
1952160 hp @ 3900 rpm; 284 lb-ft
First Lincoln overhead-valve Y-block passenger-car V8
TorqueList Original Technical Art
Lincoln 317 Y-Block V8
V8 · N/A
Lincoln · Lincoln Y-Block
Lincoln 317 Y-Block V8
Lincoln's first modern OHV V8 and the larger cousin—not the same engine—as Ford's later Y-block family.
317
Cubic inches
Introduced for 1952, the 317 was Lincoln's first modern overhead-valve V8 and one of Ford Motor Company's earliest production OHV V8s. It launched a Lincoln/heavy-truck Y-block family that was distinct from the smaller Ford Y-block introduced later.
Key variants
All variants1952 Lincoln 3171953–1954 high-output 317
Displacement
317 ci
Bore
3.8"
Stroke
3.5"
Years
1952–1954 Lincoln passenger-car era
Key Takeaway
The 317 introduced Lincoln's deep-skirt Y-block architecture with a 3.80-inch bore and 3.50-inch stroke. Its five-main-bearing cast-iron construction created a rigid foundation for Lincoln's first modern OHV V8 and was completely separate from the later, smaller Ford Y-block family.
Technical Specifications
- Compression
- 7.5:1 in 1952 specification; later versions increased compression
- Horsepower
- 160 hp @ 3900 rpm in 1952; up to 205 hp in later 317 specification
- Torque
- 284 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm in 1952 specification
- Architecture
- 90-degree OHV V8, deep-skirt Lincoln Y-block
- Block
- Cast iron
- Cylinder heads
- Cast iron
- Valvetrain
- Pushrod OHV
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Carbureted
- Firing order
- 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
The 317 introduced Lincoln's deep-skirt Y-block architecture with a 3.80-inch bore and 3.50-inch stroke. Its five-main-bearing cast-iron construction created a rigid foundation for Lincoln's first modern OHV V8 and was completely separate from the later, smaller Ford Y-block family.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Identification & Output
- Engine codes / RPO
- EAD family / Lincoln 317 application — identify by EAD block engineering number, engine serial and model-year application rather than a modern RPO-style code
- Casting numbers
- EAD-6010 (factory 317 cylinder-block engineering/part reference), EAM-6085 (factory 317 cylinder-head engineering/part reference)
- Power rating
- Period brake horsepower / SAE gross-era rating
- Horsepower RPM
- 160 hp @ 3900 rpm in 1952; approximately 205 hp in higher-output 1953–1954 tune
- Torque RPM
- 284 lb-ft @ approximately 1800–2000 rpm in 1952 factory specification
Operating Specs
- Production notes
- Introduced for 1952 at 317.5 cid, the Lincoln Y-block was mechanically distinct from the smaller Ford Y-block family. Higher compression, four-barrel induction, larger intake valves and cam/exhaust changes raised output substantially after the first model year.
Compatibility Notes
- Lincoln Y-blocks are not the same engine family as Ford/Mercury 239/272/292/312 Y-blocks; bellhousing, block dimensions and many internal/external parts differ.
- Use the EAD/engine serial and year-specific hardware when sourcing heads, intake, distributor, flywheel or transmission adapters; later 341/368 parts should not be assumed to interchange without dimensional verification.
Notable Applications
Lincoln CosmopolitanLincoln CapriLincoln Custom
Strengths
- Five-main-bearing crankshaft
- Strong deep-skirt block
- Major early OHV engineering significance
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Heavy
- Parts are not broadly interchangeable with Ford Y-blocks
- Limited modern aftermarket
Common Upgrades
- Four-barrel intake
- Electronic ignition
- Improved exhaust
Racing History & Legacy
The 317 gave Lincoln a major international stock-car record. Lincoln Capris swept the first four positions in the stock-car category of the 1952 Carrera Panamericana and repeated the feat in 1953; Lincoln again took the top two stock-car positions in 1954.
The 317 replaced Lincoln’s flathead V8 with a modern overhead-valve deep-skirt design and immediately proved the architecture in one of the world’s toughest road races. It began the Lincoln Y-block line that grew to 341 and 368 cid.
References & Image Credit
Ford Y-Block — Lincoln engine dimensions
technical reference
Ford Classics — Lincoln Y-block specifications
technical reference
1952 Lincoln fact sheet — 317 specifications
period spec
Ford/Lincoln 1952 master repair manual — 317 specifications and firing order
factory service manual
Lincoln Y-block casting identification — EAD/EBJ/ECU
technical reference
Carrera Panamericana — Lincoln stock-car class history
official event history
Key Factory / Build Variants
1953–1954 high-output 317
1953–1954Up to about 205 hp
Higher compression, four-barrel induction and performance development used during Lincoln’s Carrera Panamericana era
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
01
317 cu in / 5.2 L with 3.80 x 3.50-inch bore and stroke.
02
Deep-skirt cast-iron 90-degree OHV V8 with five main bearings.
03
Carbureted and naturally aspirated.
04
1952 rating: 160 hp and 284 lb-ft; later 317 versions reached about 205 hp.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Lincoln 317 Y-Block V8
The 317 was Lincoln's break from flathead tradition. It gave the division a modern OHV V8 and immediately proved itself in one of the toughest road races in the world.
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