'54 Y block ?

Blu Dice

Blu Dice

Senior Member
So is a '54 239 Y block a good motor, or one to avoid? I don't know a thing about them - thinking about buying a Vicky that has one in it, and the seller doesn't know the history about the car. It also has the overdrive in it - what is different about the overdrive operation on this car compared to the '50 Ford I had - same? Reason I'm asking is because it's not working, and the seller really hasn't tried to fix it - so?
thanks
 
the first thing I would do is put a 292 in car, the OD works the same as your 50 I think. the 54's engine parts do not interchange with the 272/292
 
make sure the rocker arms are oiling, if not your going to have to pull the heads to clean the oil passages, unless you use one of the after market oiler, they come of the side of the engine and go over the valve covers into a hollow valve cover bolt, looks terrible but they do work
 
Like Tom said, the 54 239 was the first year of the Yblock in a Ford and it has a lot of unique features that were changed and improved after that year. If you ever want to do upgrades or repairs you will find a later model 292 a lot easier to repair or modify. Check the solenoid and wiring including the switch at the gas pedal if the o/d isn't working.
 
I have owned several 239 powered Fords, two '54 cars and a '55 F-100 as long as they are running good they are dependable.Would I spend the bucks to rebuild one or a 272-292 Y-Block? No! The parts prices have become overpriced to the extreme just not a good "bang for the buck".Old Henry must have been thinking ahead because a 302/5.0 swap can be done with stock motor mounts and parts for these newer engines are about a third of Y-block parts.Look under the hood of my '54.First picture is after installing the A/C from a '65 Mustang,I also used the AOD transmission which sits on the stock '54 transmission crossmember and a 1986 Crown Vic driveshaft with a conversion U-joint bolts up to the '54's 4:10 rear.
 

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ken maybe you can answer this question, why did ford design a completly new over head valve engine and leave it at 239 c/i, the same as the flathead v/8 engine?
 
... also, why is the Merc OHV and flatty at 256? Or, why is the Lincoln V12 at 292, same as a later Y-block? Why does a 260 SBF have the same bore as a 312. Many times because of cost, tooling, production machinery, paperwork, even the designers preference, a decision can be made that leads to the above examples.
 
Ken, no need to be sorry, i dont know either, so far streetdreams seems to be the only one who has an answer, lets see if some of the other guys has a suggestion or an answer
 
ford3 said:
Ken, no need to be sorry, i dont know either, so far streetdreams seems to be the only one who has an answer, lets see if some of the other guys has a suggestion or an answer
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My only guess besides what Streetdreams mentioned, would be because of the great improvement with breathing on the new overhead valve engine, there was no need to increase displacement for more power. I believe the 239 flathead was rated at 110 HP and the 239 Y-Block at 130 HP. May have also wanted to keep fuel economy the same or better than the flathead with more HP.
I'm afraid even if this is one of the real reasons, we will never know. I'm sure anyone involved in the engineering decisions for this are long gone.
 
If the engine is good run it, its complete and running. I have some parts for 54 if you need it. No idea on the overdrive. But it maybe a electrical issue. Best of luck.
 
Biggest problem with 239 Y blocks is finding cam bearings. Larger than other Y blocks, rare and expensive. Better off rebuilding a 292 and dressing it as a 239.
 
@Bludice: These days the odds are that the 239 is no longer in the car and someone put a 272 or a 292 in it. I have lost track at the number of 50s Fords over the years where this has been the case. From all external appearances, the 239 looks like the 292 and even the 312 because the EXTERNAL dimensions are the same. The internals are of course very different as other posters have already stated. I know a number of guys that run 239's in their trucks and cars and it is very reliable. IMO, I would keep the 239 in the car you are going to buy if it runs well. If it needs a rebuild, go for a 292 build. If you are patient you can build one cheaply. Parts just off the shelf at a moment's notice are what brings the high prices.

Me? I would purchase the car, run the 239, and then work on a 292 or 312 build in the background over the next couple of years. I have a 292 I am building now that I have had punched out to 312 and .030 over that. Got a good 312 crank to go in it, Egge pistons, roller timing gears, other goodies. I have not purchased my rods, push rods, or cam and lifters yet. However, I only have $600 total in receipts (YES -that includes all of the machine work to the block by a reputable machine shop that has been open since the mid 60's).

Can you really trust my opinion? Look at my sig line lol!
 
I agree with the Rev. I've rebuilt many Y-blocks and never found them that expensive to do. A few bucks more than a 302 for sure, but well within reason. Besides, as much as I love 289/302's, a well built Y-block is a pleasure to drive and music to the ears running through a set of Porters.....
 
Thanks for all the info guys, but what would be helpful is what I should be on the look out when I go see this car, and drive it - motor wise. I just sold my shoebox and learned a bunch about flathead after 5 years of owning it. The Y block is going to be a new adventure I'm sure. The seller says its a good running car (aren't they all) driven about 1500 miles over a 2 year period, and has done nothing to the motor.
Thanks
 
streetdreams said:
...a well built Y-block is a pleasure to drive and music to the ears running through a set of Porters.....
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Not to mention one of the prettiest engines around.

Blu Dice said:
Thanks for all the info guys, but what would be helpful is what I should be on the look out when I go see this car, and drive it - motor wise...
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Besides the normal things to check, noise, leakage, cooling see if he'll let you pull a valve cover (passenger side if possible) to see how the oiling is to the top. Y-Blocks are known to have oiling problems to the rockers due to neglect/poor maintenance.

Don't be too surprised if she marks her territory by the rear main seal... :eek:
 
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I can understand not going up in inches and keeping displacement similar to what they had that got them there. But I do wonder about why Lincoln had OHV in 52 and the rest of FoMoCo didn't get it until 54.. Or why Lincoln had an internal power steering unit about the same time and Ford and Merc didn't get it until late 60's or maybe even into the 70's.. Sounds like there was very little sharing of technology between the divisions, or they use Lincoln as the proving grounds for new stuff. Most likely it was all marketing.
 
LOL I know all about "marked territories" I had a AMF Harley back in the early '70s, and until recently a shoebox -if there's no oil spots then it's time to add some oil - right?
 
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