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.
Parts Sources
- Thread starter motorman8467
- Start date
dmsfrr
Well-known member
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.
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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1942deluxe
Well-known member
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.
paul2748
Well-known member
I understand the 54 256 had the same compatibility problems as the early 239.
dmsfrr
Well-known member
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. Low intake manif vacuum was one of its bigger problems.
Block casting number chart at this link...
.
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motorman8467
Member
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