hello, i have two y-block powered cars, one is a stock 239, except for 12v conversion, the other is a 56 312. i have heard the 239 is a different animal. can you guys tell me what is different on the 239 from the other y's. any and all info., will be appreciated, thanks, doug.

water pumps wher smaller,front covers diferent,fuel pump mount diferent.heard from old ford meck that early 239s had no cambearings,cam ran on catblock,just hear say on that part

I swapped a 239 for a 312 in a 54 Ford..  Outside, the blocks are nearly identical.  Differences include water pump, front dampener, fuel pump.  Motor mounts are the same.
I used the 312 parts when I made the conversion, no real problems that I can remember.  If it's four bbl, you will have to change some of the throttle linkage.  If the engine is a 56, you will have to change the distributor if you change the carb to a later one.



54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Some of this depends on whether or not you have an EBV or an EBU 239. The EBU's had larger cam bearings than the EBV and the 272 on up. The later 239's that were EBV's have the same size cam bearings and the same tooth count for the distributor as the 272 on up. Most of them still have the tang drive oil pump/distributor shaft connection though. Beyond that and what has already been said, the crank dampener is just a pulley on a 239 and not really a "dampener" as there is no rubber up there. Also, check with Dennis Leeking on this site "pintoplumber" about trying to install ECZ-G heads on a 239 block. There were some modifications he had to make to get it to work correctly with headgaskets I believe. The intake ports on the 239 heads are very SMALL when compared to the 272 on up.
Your 312 will swap RIGHT IN for the 239 with no issues if you follow paul's advice there on what to switch.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

thank you for the info., doug.

very helpful, thanks,doug.

I know the timing pointer on the 239 is different from the 272-312, but not sure if the timing covers are interchangable.
Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID