Parts Sources

motorman8467

motorman8467

Member
I am getting ready to build an old Ford 239 Y Block and just wondering if any of you engine builders, out there could put me on to some good parts sources. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Are you rebuilding it to stay original to the vehicle?
A '54 239 is a one-yr-only engine with some parts that aren't compatible with other '55 to '64 pieces.
Examples:
camshaft and its bearings, distributor & oil pump drive, fuel & water pumps, intake manifold to head port size . . .

Specialty suppliers with a limited inventory of obsolete Ford parts may be your only sources for some things.

Have you considered using a (late?) '54 256 or a 272 / 292 from '55 or '56? They'll look virtually identical to the 239 engine with easier to find parts.
Ford updated even more parts for '57 so compatibility can be more of a problem.
 
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I agree with dmsfrr. Had a friend with a 54 truck with the 239 that needed rebuilt. I told him to find a 292. More power and much better parts availability.
 
dmsfrr said:
Are you rebuilding it to stay original to the car?
A '54 239 is a one-yr-only engine with some parts that aren't compatible with other '55 to '64 pieces.
Examples:
camshaft and its bearings, distributor & oil pump drive, fuel & water pumps, intake manifold to head port size . . .

Specialty suppliers with a limited inventory of obsolete Ford parts may be your only sources for some things.

Have you considered using a (late?) '54 256 or a 272 / 292 from '55 or '56? They'll look virtually identical to the 239 engine with easier to find parts.
Ford updated even more parts for '57 so compatibility can be more of a problem.
Click to expand...
I understand the 54 256 had the same compatibility problems as the early 239.
 
paul2748 said:
I understand the 54 256 had the same compatibility problems as the early 239.
Click to expand...
In about 2014 I had a '54 256 (EBY block & heads) that I needed to get rid of, long story.
To find out if it was junk or sellable I asked a local old-school machine shop owner.
At that time after tearing it down he said it was just new enough for internal parts to be available, but if it had been an earlier version the answer would be No.
So I'm just going by what he told me.

The '57 4bbl intake manifold on it didn't match the port size of '54 EBY heads. Intake to head vacuum leaks were one of its bigger problems. (in addition to being just plain wrong for the car it was in)

Block casting number ID chart at this link...
.
 
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There were two 239CI engines in 1954, one the EBU (DIF) (BIG CAM) -

- and the other 1954-55 EBV (CLV or CF) (SMALL CAM).
 
Wow, that is a lot of information to digest. I got this engine for zero dollars, so it is what it is. I do know it has the small cam. I appreciate all the information. I will tear it down and take a look. I will post again after I get it down and evaluated. Thanks, again. Jim
 
The EBU was used mostly in 1954 FORD PASS CAR,

The EBV came a little later in the 1954 production run and was used in LT mostly.

ID what you have by CYL BLOCK & CYL HEAD CASTING ID (it may be a mutt).

Parts should not be a big problem (IMO).
 
motorman8467 said:
Wow, that is a lot of information to digest. I got this engine for zero dollars, so it is what it is. I do know it has the small cam. I appreciate all the information. I will tear it down and take a look. I will post again after I get it down and evaluated. Thanks, again. Jim
Click to expand...
Since you didn't ask where to find the block ID letters I'll guess you saw the example photos at the 'Technical' link I included above.
Do you have a use for the engine?
Along with evaluating its condition check on parts & machine shop prices, they may be higher than you expect.
 
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