This is my first ford project, so be kind, I have a 54 mainline with a tired 239 Y, would like to put in another, rather then rebuild this one .My question is will all year Y blocks fit without modification, like motor mount location, bell housings, length and fan location I would like to just bolt it up to my 54 bell and 3 speed, that way all the linkage is sure to fit. or maybe in the future stick in a T5, I have had some trouble matching 235 6's in a 53 chevys in the past, not all engines were the same and some later truck engines are inches too long, and you need to move the radiator and some blocks dont have bosses for side mounts later water pumps are 3 inches lower. etc.. thanks in advance for you expertise. Bob.

I have never had a problem switching Y blocks from one car to another.

Bob,

Welcome to the site and welcome to y blocks. All Y blocks have the same side bosses for motor mount hookups. The difference you will find up front would be the truck/Thunderbird timing cover is different from the passenger car timing cover because this is where your front hard mount hooks up. (depending on what 239 is in your car, you may have the timing cover that takes a smaller water pump - this would be the EBU block. I "think" the EBV takes the 5/8" shaft water pump) You may already know that the truck bellhousings are different because they have ears underneath that are used for side mounts and on the trucks the engine blocks side mounts are not used. In your case, you are reusing your own bell, so no problems there. ALL Ford Y blocks from the 239 to the 312 will work on your bellhousing with 0 issues.

The difference you will find with engine cores to rebuild (or purchasing a used, running engine) is that the Truck/Thundebird accessories are different from the passenger car accessories (there are some nuances that are solely particular to Tbird as well). However, all of those things can be switched from block to block, and there are items on your current 239 that can be switched to another block quite easily.

You mentioned water pumps and fan/spacer depth. The 239 did have a smaller water pump from the other Y blocks, and there were later Y blocks that had larger diameter shafts (3/4") on them. Watch for that. I believe your water pump should have the 5/8" shaft. Your current spacer, pulley, and fan should be "swappable" from engine to engine, but you will have to purchase a water pump.

There are plenty of fellas on this site that are much more knowledgeable than I am. Once they get the chance I am sure they will give you more details and correct any misinformation I may have but I do believe I am spot on here.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

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

An y true Ford Y block will replace your 239. All blocks have the same tapped holes and so all accessory piece s from your car can be reused. This may not be the best combination but it will fit



Doug T

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

The only '54 that I ever replaced a 239 in was a Country Squire wagon that we Called "The Wild Woody" and I replaced the 239 with a '57 312 and the only real mod was to move the radiator in front of the saddle for fan clearance, and addition of dual exhaust of coarse. The thing ate new '67 Chebby 327 Chevelles. Well worth the effort.

312T85Bird

What?

Is that necessary? could I use the water pump from my 239, or could I install a shorter shaft water pump from another year.

The 239 water pumps are physically smaller than the water pumps used on the larger engines. You would have to use the 239 timing cover with the 239 water pump.

What I don't know is if the 239 water pump will move enough water in a larger, hotter motor. My 239 is now 283 inches and the water pump is big enough for that, however I haven't pulled the camper yet.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

To use the 239 water pump you will also have to use the 239 timing cover and fuel pump. But that is a bolt on, and the lower radiator hose will be the stock 239 hose. The bigger engines have a bigger lower hose, so to connect them to the '54 radiator will require a hose with two different sized ends. I'm not sure a 272/292 water pump is any longer than the 239, measure them.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

rotormax: If you haven't done so already, you should also seriously consider converting to a dual exhaust setup. Testing has shown that the front crossover exhaust setup is very inefficient..

Paul

On the 239 Water Pump and the smaller diameter hose, etc. The last time I mixed a 54 radiator with a 56 water pump (last January) the local Napa had what I needed right off the shelf.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

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