Putting a 312 with T85 OD into my 54 Ranch Wagon, wondered if the rear cross member needs to be changed, moved back or modified. I think its a good idea to use the front mount, but I don't have one. any suggestions appreciated.

Richard

I put a 312 in my 54 Victoria. I used the front mount, it must be a 55 or 56 as the 54 front mount won't work with the later dampener. I put in a toploader 4 speed and had to use a 1/4 inch spacer between the trans mount and the crossmember. The trans mount was a little further forward if I remember correctly, but took care of this with the 1/4 spacer.

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

Thank you for the reply. I agree the front mount is a help. I will be able to support the set up and check/modify the trans cross brace.

Richard

Guys,

Sorry to interfere with your thread, but Paul's response raises a question since I am doing a similar swap.

Since the 54 also has side mounts, is the front mount needed for additional stability?  My previous Y-Blocks were in 1957 and 1958 cars and they only had the side mounts.  (Previous owners might have removed the front mount if they were used in those years)

If one doesn't have a 55-56 front mount, can they use the 239 balancer on the 312, or is the balance different?

Thanks, James

1962 Fairlane, 1954 Customline, 1949 IH Pickup

People have been discarding the front mounts for years with no problems. If you have side mounts it should make no difference. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

The 239 front pulley is a non-dampened unit thereby preventing it from being called a harmonic damper.  With the increase in compression ratio on the larger engines, there was the addition of a rubber mounted elastometer ring on the front pulley thus making it a harmonic damper.  The balance specs however are the same (neutral balanced) for both the 239 front pulley and the later model 272/292/312 harmonic dampers.  Theoretically they are interchangable from the balance standpoint but any dampening capability of the 239 front pulley is zero.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I have a '55 PU with a later Y-Block using the original crankshaft pulley. This was done because someone wanted to keep the original fan and water pump configuration. This was done about thirty years ago, and I don't know the accumulated mileage, but it has given no problem that I know of. The lower pulley appears to be as Ted says, "non harmonic". I would certainly be interested if anyone has had problems with this setup and what the possibilities of such are. As I write this, it reminds me of the w/pump and fuel pump differences of the 239. Now I wonder which timing cover it has. I will have to try to measure the w/pump today. Thank you guys for introducing a situation that I had never thought of.



Tom from the chiggerfarm located in the beautiful Heart of Central Texas

When you cannot dazzle others with your brilliance, baffle them with bullcorn!

I would imagine that if everything was balanced throughout from pressure plate to balancer it would be less of an issue with the 54 style but I have dissassembled motors that had different brand pistons and connecting rods throughout which would probably of had a lot of harmonics if everything was un-balanced.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

AS was stated, lot of guys tossed the front mount, which is not called an "engine mount" as far as I know. I think the official name is Steady Rest. It was more a stabilizer. I decided to keep it for additional lateral support..

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