Block size

Ethan52

Ethan52

Junior Member
Ok guy's im new here and fairly new to the classic car world.

I bought a 1952 International Harvester L-112 pickup when I was 17 (im 18 now) it wasnt running when I got it, so I did alot of work to the engine (a 1956 Black Diamond 220 inline 6 cylinder with 3 on the tree) and now runs like new but I want a little more get up and go so I bought a Flathead V8 all ready to go running original for $500 dollars all im doing is painting it (Ford red that came on the Y-block) and I want to dump it in my truck with a Chev S10 5 speed.


My question is how to know whether I have a 239 or 255 block it has the 239 8BA heads from 1949 but the block and intake manifold are Mercury green and the vacuum wiper hook up is on the fuel pump instead of the intake manifold like on most Ford 239's

Now I have been put down for my wanting a flathead in my truck but I dont care because its my favorite engine I like the look better then OHV V8s and it looks more appropriate and period correct in the truck.

thanks in advance for the help guys
 
The engine could be anything and the heads and intake are of not any help. A lot of parts were mixed and matched on these engines. Only way I know to tell for sure is to pull a head and measure the bore and stroke. Have you seen the engine running?
 
The blocks are the same. The only way to know for sure the displacement of the engine is to measure the bore and stroke.
 
Doesn't much matter what color the intake is, a 4 bolt carburetor would be more indicative, but as JSeery says, a lot of things could have happened to these engines over the last 60+ years.
 
Might look it over and see if there is a rebuild tag on it anywhere, might be some info on that.
 
I have not seen it running no, as soon as I get a starter and modify my L-112 aluminum radiator im gonna fire it up, the only reason I took a chance on it was the guy has a good reputation for being honest and upfront and he's the local flathead guru, he rebuilt the engine in my friends 1950 Mercury Sport Sedan.

Im really excited to hear it run and even if it runs half as good as he said it would ill be a happy camper
 
Just don't invest much money in it until you are sure it is a good block, there are more bad ones than good ones. Not sure about more get up and go! Stock somewhere around 80-90 hp and a well built high performance street engine in the 150 to 180 range. Have to love the engines for what they are, not the horsepower!!!
 
I would think the guy you got the engine from who you said was the local flathead guru should be able to shed some light on the engine.
 
He said it was a 239 and i think it came out of a F-2 or up truck because it has the 6 blade fan, he doesnt know its history he just said it was good to go, his name is Harold "Putt" Smith if anybody on here knows him and I indeed love them for what they are and after driving my friends Mercury thats what sold me on putting one in my truck the pick up was so smooth and brisk!
 

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It is good to see younger guys like you who appreciate the flathead motors ! Kind of cool to put one in the "ol International" Have fun with it and keep us posted on your progress.
Welcome to the "Barn"
 
welcome to the 'Barn....definitely look forward to seeing your flathead in a cornbinder....i'm sure you'll find a few people who know your flathead guru.....good luck and have fun...Mike
 
Yes welcome to the Barn. I'm running a 1947 KB-1 with a 32 ford front axle and suspension with PS, a 280 Flathead with a T-170 3 spd w/OD into a 1006 Jeep Cherokee rear axle and 4 link suspension. It's been a fun trip, so far it's taken 4 years and there's still a few more things to do.
Its' the Journey, not the destination.
Have fun
 
There she is in her 63 year old glory and the 49 flathead getting ready to rock and roll
 

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That is a nice truck, and a pretty lake.

The green block is a good sign for possibility of having a 4" crank. Lots of trucks were converted to Merc engines for the extra power. I hauled an old F2 home that had a green engine in it, with Mercury heads. It turned out to be a true Merc engine and is at the machine shop now for boring, valves, etc.
 

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I think the 53 pickups used the green color engine paint same as the Merc. The intake for the Merc has the four bolt carb base and an 8CM part number through early 51. A person would still have to measure the stroke or have a good look at the crankshaft to be sure of the 4-inch stroke. Way too much water under the bridge to be certain any other way.
 
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JSeery said:
Just don't invest much money in it until you are sure it is a good block, there are more bad ones than good ones. Not sure about more get up and go! Stock somewhere around 80-90 hp and a well built high performance street engine in the 150 to 180 range. Have to love the engines for what they are, not the horsepower!!!
Click to expand...

Stock ye old flathead v8s are not high performance. Prepare to be underwhelmed.
 
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