1956 Lincoln/Continental 368
1956285 hp / 402 lb-ft
4.00-inch-bore expansion of Lincoln Y-block
Lincoln 368 Y-Block V8 enginePhoto: Greg Gjerdingen · CC BY 2.0
Lincoln · Lincoln Y-Block
Lincoln 368 Y-Block V8
The final and largest Lincoln Y-block, powering Lincolns and the Continental Mark II in 1956–57.
368
Cubic inches
The 368 took the Lincoln Y-block to a 4.00-inch bore and became the division's strongest version before the all-new MEL family replaced it.
Key variants
All variants1956 Lincoln/Continental 3681957 Lincoln 368
Displacement
368 ci
Bore
4"
Stroke
3.656"
Years
1956–1957
Key Takeaway
The 368 expanded the Lincoln Y-block to a 4.00-inch bore and 3.656-inch stroke. The larger displacement delivered more than 400 lb-ft while retaining the deep-skirt OHV architecture used by the earlier 317 and 341.
Technical Specifications
- Compression
- 9.0:1 in 1956; 10.0:1 in 1957
- Horsepower
- 285 hp @ 4600 rpm in 1956; 300 hp @ 4800 rpm in 1957
- Torque
- 402 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm in 1956; 415 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm in 1957
- Architecture
- 90-degree OHV V8, Lincoln Y-block
- Block
- Cast iron
- Cylinder heads
- Cast iron
- Valvetrain
- Pushrod OHV
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Four-barrel carburetion
- Firing order
- 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
The 368 expanded the Lincoln Y-block to a 4.00-inch bore and 3.656-inch stroke. The larger displacement delivered more than 400 lb-ft while retaining the deep-skirt OHV architecture used by the earlier 317 and 341.
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
- ECU family / 1956–1957 Lincoln 368 application — verify ECU casting/engineering marks and model-year serial/application
- Casting numbers
- ECU (1956–1957 Lincoln/Continental 368 Y-block casting family reference)
- Power rating
- Period brake horsepower / SAE gross-era rating
- Horsepower RPM
- 285 hp @ 4600 rpm in 1956; 300 hp @ 4800 rpm in 1957
- Torque RPM
- 402 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm in 1956; 415 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm in 1957
Operating Specs
- Production notes
- Lincoln increased bore to 4.00 inches and stroke to roughly 3.656 inches for 368 cid. Compression rose from about 9.0:1 in 1956 to roughly 10.0:1 in 1957, lifting output from 285 to 300 hp.
Compatibility Notes
- The 368 remains a Lincoln Y-block with its own bellhousing and dimensional family; do not assume Ford 292/312 Y-block transmission or top-end parts fit.
- 1956 and 1957 compression, carburetor and ignition specifications differ, so identify the year before matching pistons, distributor or tune data.
Notable Applications
1956–1957 Lincoln1956 Continental Mark IISelected 1957 Mercury applications
Strengths
- 4.00-inch bore
- Strong 400-plus-lb-ft torque
- Important Continental Mark II heritage
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Heavy
- Short two-year Lincoln run
- Specialist parts market
Common Upgrades
- Period-correct four-barrel restoration
- Electronic ignition conversion
- Improved dual exhaust
Racing History & Legacy
The production 368 was principally a luxury-performance engine rather than a dedicated Lincoln works-race program. Ford competition development around the same period experimented with Lincoln-derived large V8 power in special projects, while Lincoln passenger cars had already established the family’s road-racing reputation with the earlier 317.
The 368 was the largest and final Lincoln Y-block passenger-car engine. It powered 1956–1957 Lincolns and the Continental Mark II before the all-new MEL family replaced it for 1958.
References & Image Credit
Engine image: Greg Gjerdingen · CC BY 2.0 · source
Ford Y-Block — 368 specifications
technical reference
Ford Classics — 368 output
technical reference
Hemmings — 1956–57 Continental Mark II 368 specifications
period spec
Lincoln Y-block casting identification — EAD/EBJ/ECU
technical reference
Ford Performance — Y-block history and competition context
manufacturer history
Wikimedia Commons — exact licensed engine photo
licensed media
Key Factory / Build Variants
1957 Lincoln 368
1957300 hp / 415 lb-ft
Higher-compression final passenger-car Lincoln Y-block specification
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
01
368 cu in / 6.0 L with 4.00 x 3.656-inch bore and stroke.
02
Cast-iron 90-degree OHV Lincoln Y-block.
03
Four-barrel carburetion.
04
Factory output rose from 285 hp / 402 lb-ft in 1956 to 300 hp / 415 lb-ft in 1957.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Lincoln 368 Y-Block V8
The 368 was the final and strongest passenger-car version of Lincoln's original Y-block. It powered both Lincolns and the Continental Mark II before the all-new MEL family replaced it.
TorqueList Garage Reference Series
See this engine inside the full Lincoln reference catalog.
The same Engine Library data now powers a more detailed mobile-friendly catalog with technical specs, variants, engineering notes, history and related stories.