I agree with John, I think you would be better off getting a 292 block which are still reasonable in cost and build from there. A lot more parts are available and more affordable and the 292 will lend itself with more performance upgrades as compared to the 239 and 256 c.i. As for cam grinders I've had good luck with compcams. The reason I like 113 heads is that they are all posted, firing chambers are slightly larger due to unshrouding the intake valves and is rated at 9.0 cr as to the G heads with a smaller combustion chamber rated at 9.7 cr. They are all good heads to use including the unposted G heads and the G heads will be a little cheaper in some cases. As far as the cams go the factory cams were too small from my experience. These engines can handle one or two size upgrades with no real problems and I didn't see any gas mileage drop but performance did go up.

>Gary

-Gary Burnette-

John i'm in the Uk so Y blocks are not very readily available, I could probably move the 239 on to a restorer in the U.k.

I had it destined to go in a 31A Roadster pickup i'm building as a nice shop truck and to be a sort of showcase for my Rodshop, i've built lot's of 302's in the past and i also own a 289 powered T Bucket that runs 12.6 quarters, i like my Ford's to run Ford engines and choose the Y block as they are fairly unusual over here. There are so many car's here fitted with with SBC that it's boring, I'm also currently building a 32 roadster with a 1959 394 Olds in it also.

I'm not looking for a street screamer just a realible small engine with a bit of power, Gas is currently $8.60 per gallon and climbing so need to be a bit sensible.

Your thoughts & advice is always appreciated as usual.

Cheers

Steve. 

http://www.langysrodshop.co.uk/Its good to be different but different ain't always good.

Steve:

A 239 may power your light street rod very acceptably, unless you want to challenge some of those gm powered rods.  Depending on the block's condition, you might get by OK with a re-ring, some port work and larger intake valves (you wouldn't need the 1 15/16 G head valves), and a reground cam to give it that "hot rod sound".  And it would be easy on gas.  Intake manifold selections are limited, the only factory 4 barrel that fits properly is the '54 Merc one.  There were quite a few tripower manifolds for it in their day, some are still around.  Later manifolds have very poor port match with the early heads, and gasket seal is iffy.  So, maybe later heads are worth the trouble.  You don't need the large valve versions, the '55-'56 heads would work well.  They can be milled for increased compression.  When I said 272 pistons would work, I forgot about compression height, they would be too far down the bore.  They would work with a 272 crank however.  Are engine parts available in the UK for Y Blocks, or do they have to be shipped from another country?

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John i have to get anything i need from the U.S., Nobody holds Y parts in the U.K.

I will be on the lookout for a 292 now as i advertised the 239 this morning and sold it in 1 hour !!! Result i think

You wouldn't know of one for sale would you ???

Cheers

Steve.

http://www.langysrodshop.co.uk/Its good to be different but different ain't always good.

Gary;



Re: "G" head CR, calculations by Bruce at YBM demonstrate you would have to bore & stroke to 330 c.i. to get 9.7 (flat-top pistons) and that's with 0 deck height.

I was thinking about a little grinding around the intakes for better breathing (to match the "113" chamber) when I build the "G" heads. If Bruces' math is right, I should end up around 9:1 with a .060 over 292.

I'm running 113's now with a steel gasket and can't get my standard bore 292 to ping on regular no matter how much advance I use. If I stay with the stock carb/manifolds, I might be better off with the original "G" chamber, even if a bit shrouded?

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

I believe bruce (YBM) would be more accurate on the compression ratios than what  ford advertised.I think ford fudged a little on their crs.Your G heads will work just fine for your application,the 113s I believe are better suited for more performance buildups.You lose a little compression when using newer composite thicker head gaskets as the originals were steel and thinner.Resurfacing the heads ten to twenty thousands should get you close to the cr you originaly had if using the new composite instead of the steel shim, and unshrouding will help if you're trying to up the performance some.>Gary

-Gary Burnette-

Just to keep you up to speed i had a bit of luck yesterday and found a 58 292 (B9AE-F) just 100 miles from me in England, Paid £200 ($371) for it which i think is real good as it has a reground crank and good bores. Also the guy had a set of polished Thunderbird Aluminium Valve covers for £100 ($185).

Some cloud's have a silver lining eh !!!

Steve.

http://www.langysrodshop.co.uk/Its good to be different but different ain't always good.

Steve,YOU did GREAT!!! if the engine's in good shape.I would pay that in a New York minute if I needed one.Good luck.>Gary

-Gary Burnette-

good snag on the aluminum valve covers too!

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

For sure, i've been looking for Thunderbird covers for a while but had gave up hope of finding some at a reasonable price/condition. I just gave them a polish and they are perfect.

Thanks

Steve.

http://www.langysrodshop.co.uk/Its good to be different but different ain't always good.