Will it fit?
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Cross-Country
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Will it fit?
Looking for a flathead motor for my 1950 F-1 1/2 ton. Found a 255 ci, 110 hp motor out of a 1 1/2 ton truck. Will it fit into the 1/2 ton and will the transmission from the 239 fit it?
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Burbank, WA
The 255 is the Mercury version of the Ford 239 Flathead. The heads should have 8CM or EAC on them, and may have Mercury cast on them, as well. The engines are physically identical and should drop into your truck, especially if it was already in one, 48-52. 53 would have different mounts. Since both engines use the same block, understand someone could put Merc heads on a Ford stroke engine and pretend it is something it's not. The 255 was never used in a truck in US production.
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Cross-Country
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If the 255 was never used in a truck in US production, evidently someone is try to pull one over on me as he stated it is in a 1 1/2 ton truck. The pic you sent of the head matches the 24 bolt heads off of the 239 that I have. I have parts from the 239 but the block that I got was cracked so I presume that some of the parts might be interchangeable.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Burbank, WA
It's possible someone transplanted a Merc engine into the truck at some point. It's entirely possible he's telling the truth. The intent of my message was to give you enough information to verify what he's telling you. Keep us posted on what you find. Good luck in your quest.
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From: Western NY
The 255 is a 239 block that has been fitted with a crank allowing for deeper stroke (4") and different heads to achieve the higher displacement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_f..._V8_engine#255
A true Mercury 255 is valuable, especially for the 4" crank. However, over the years, it is quite possible that simply the heads have been changed to Mercury heads and mislead the identification. One should pull aplug head and bar the engine over to measure the stroke becoming sure of what they are getting. (A 255 will have 4" and a 239 will have 3.75")
It should drop straight in place of your 239, but won't be factory correct. No Ford Truck had a 255 from the factory. It was mainly the Mercury Cars that could have a 255. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-flathead.html
Edit: I must type slow - others have chimed in.
As for transmission fit, that has more to do with the validity of the combo ation of engine, bell housing, transmission, frame rather than just the engine ad tranny itself.
A true Mercury 255 is valuable, especially for the 4" crank. However, over the years, it is quite possible that simply the heads have been changed to Mercury heads and mislead the identification. One should pull a
It should drop straight in place of your 239, but won't be factory correct. No Ford Truck had a 255 from the factory. It was mainly the Mercury Cars that could have a 255. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-flathead.html
Edit: I must type slow - others have chimed in.
As for transmission fit, that has more to do with the validity of the combo ation of engine, bell housing, transmission, frame rather than just the engine ad tranny itself.
Last edited by bmoran4; Aug 23, 2023 at 08:33 PM. Reason: Thinking one word and typing another!
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From: Kalispell, MT
I run a 255 Merc in my 48 pickup - I found it in a 1946 1 1/2 ton in Kansas. It does happen.
By the way, you can't pull a plug and measure the stroke. The plugs sit over the valves, not the piston. You have to pull a head or remove the oil pan to determine is it has a 4" crank.
I meant head but somehow typed plug! 
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