54' 239. Can it be rebuilt and is it worth it?


http://209.208.111.198/Topic48726.aspx 		Print Topic | Close Window

By 58lane - 15 Years Ago
My older brother has a 1954 Ranch Wagon he says has the 239 in it. He says i can have it cause he has heard the parts are to hard to find plus he wants to go bigger. Ive looked around online and cant find much info other than history. If parts are available and it could be done I would love to see this motor in my 29 sedan.

Thanks for any help
By kidcourier - 15 Years Ago
     Try going to (www.egge.com) they carry every thing you'll need for an engine rebuild.As far as an engine/trans swap, there are kits and adapters for this and suspension kits (Fatman,Drop & Stop,etc)plus several publications(back issues) that have had '54 wagons that were modified. KID
By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago
If you were doing a restoration, dealing with the 239 might be warranted. However since your not, I'd check out the availability of parts carefully before starting a conversion. The 1954-239 passenger car engines will not except some parts from the later Y-Blocks. And speed equipment intended for later engines in most cases do not fit properly. Even the Cam has larger journals not used on later engines & the distributor drive is a one year deal...
By 46yblock - 15 Years Ago
"54' 239. Can it be rebuilt and is it worth it?"

Yes.  No.  IMO

By Pete 55Tbird - 15 Years Ago
Hello,

   You asked if a 239 Yblock was worth the time and money to rebuild IF it was going into a 1929 car. NO. If you want a Yblock a 292 will cost the same or less to rebuild and give much better preformance. As has been said the 239 was a one year only and the cam bearing journals are different than the 272/292/312 cam journals and the oil pump drive and distributor drive is also different. The intake ports on the heads are small and may not seal with a bigger intake manifold. Even if the 239 is free it just is not worth it. There are a lot of good 292 out there. Pete

By crenwelge - 15 Years Ago
I am of the same opinion. If one is restoring a 54 and wants to keep it original, I would say do it. However, if you want to put the engine in a street rod, why not help yourself to more power, more parts availability, all for about the same money.