I need help identifing the Engine in my 1960 BlueBird Bus conversion... I understand this is probably a question you guys get asked a lot, I have researched and read past posts and am still coming up empty. I have read and researched past posts on Y Block ID but my block does not seem to have the block id numbers where they should be according to what I am reading.
I am thinking the engine is a Y block it has the distributor in the back, 2 bolts thru the valve covers and the previous owner said it was a 292. On the side of the block drivers side is a plate with the following:
Ford Industrial Engine
engine serial #11841-G15KM
Type/ Options: BGPL-60003-C-S0-51 (the S has a slash thru it kind of like a dollar sign..$)

On the block above and to the left of the spin on oil filter to the front of the block is 9J10:1 This is upside down.

On the passenger side of the block above the starter is 750287 or 750281


The Engine has timing gears, no chain. The distributor and the timing gear cover are not like any Y Block timing cover and distributor I am finding online.

I have spent several evenings trying to find out what I have so I can start the rebuild, any help appreciated
Rick

 

Probably a Lincoln Y. A 302 or 332. Got pictures?

 

I will read up on how to post pictures and try and get some up. I just got back from my NAPA Dealer, I took the distributor and the timing gear cover in, they drew a blank trying to find a match for either looking under Ford 292 or 312, maybe it is a Lincoln. If so is this the kiss of death for the engine as far as parts go? Thanks for your response.
Rick

 

I am getting an education..I just found a site that shows the Lincoln exhaust manifolds as compared to the Ford Y Block exhaust manifolds, the picture shows the Ford manifold bolts in a horizontal line, the end bolts on my exhaust manifolds have the end bolts higher than the others...Lincoln???
I had not thought about the engine being a Lincoln as the previous owner stated his belief it was a Y block 292. I need a distributor for the engine any suggestions as to keep the Lincoln engine (if this is what I have as I am starting to think) or start looking for something else?
The bus was driven up to 3 years ago, the previous owner stated it had recently been rebuilt, is a good engine. It made a 2500 mile trip 3 years ago when the distributor quit. Due to the distributor problem I have not heard it run. The bus was free for the taking so the previous owner had no reason not to tell the truth about what he knew about the condition of the engine...

Also on the top of the block to the left of the distributor hole is;
3
6750281

The 3 is on top and the rest of the numbers below in a line as I put them above.

Thanks for any advice and help
Rick

 

Rick: Please click on the link in my signature line and then click on the exhaust manifold link and you should be able to discover the answer to your question.

Other identifiers: If the oil filter sticks out at exactly a 90* angle from the side of the block, it's a Lincoln. If it is a little lower at the end and sits at a bit of a slant, it is a Ford Y Blco.

If the intake ports are "stacked" pairs and it looks like there are only two ports going into each head, it is a Ford Y Block. If you can see four ports to each head from above, then you have a lincoln.

IF there is a short, straight, direct connection from the thermostat housing to the water pump, you have a Ford Y block. If there is a curved pipe like a swan's neck, you have a Lincoln.

 

Interesting Ford Y Block fact. Ok, maybe not so interesting, but a fact nonetheless. The Ford Y block bolt holes are not in a horizontal line. Three of the holes are about .090" higher than the other 4. At a glance, it does look horizontal.
I think on the Lincoln, the center bolt hole is also higher.

 

Thanks Wild.Bunch,
The filter (mine does stick straight out) and the exhaust manifolds are telling me Lincoln..Your site was the one I found earlier, you have a lot of what looks to me good information there.
I have been looking online, does anyone have a parts source for the Industrial Lincolns?
My end bolts and the center bolt on the exhaust manifolds are higher than the others..
It looks like from what I am reading the Lincoln is a heavier made engine, the bus it is in weights 18000 so if I can find parts I will be happy...The bus is a neat find, it is a 1960 Bluebird that a guy spent a lot of work on and converted into a Wonderlodge Coach. He owned a body shop and really did the conversion the right way.

Thanks
Rick

 

Most everything of what you need should be interchangeable with Lincoln car motors. Both the Lincoln and the Ford are tough engines. The Lincoln is a bit bigger -- that's the real difference as regards service. There are a few parts that interchange, but not many. The oil pump is one, and if your swap the distributor gear, the distributor would be another. Check with NAPA. if your engine is in runnable shape, it shouldn't be too hard to keep it running.

Also, go to ford-y-block + period + com and look down at the bottom for some Lincoln Y information. That fellow is very knowledgeable if you need that kind of help.

You have picked a classic and also something dear to our hearts here! I am glad to see a skoolie using a Lincoln Y conversion!!

 

[quote=Rick45;8735039]. On the side of the block drivers side is a plate with the following:
Ford Industrial Engine
engine serial #11841-G15KM
Type/ Options: BGPL-60003-C-S0-51 (the S has a slash thru it kind of like a dollar sign..$)

On all of the Ford engines I've worked on the $ dollar sign indicated a forged steel crank. Don't be surprized if the crank snout is of a larger diameter than that used in the passenger car applications. If you ever have to remove the oil pan or front cover you will find out if I'm correct or not. If the snout is bigger you might be wise to get a timing cover seal for a Ford truck that had that engine, just for a spare.

 

If you can't locate a stock distributor, go to summit racing parts. I put in a mallory self contained unit in a f600 ford with a 370. It eliminated the ford box also. Very reliable.
I hope that motor is better than mine. I have my 332 apart. It was so rusty I ended up breaking the distributor to get it out. Its too bad it sat out. My friend mic'd the crank. It was 10 thousands under on all journals. He says the crank just needs polished. The lifters are rusted into the block, and there's a hole in #1 cylinder. I was told it was sleeveable, but I don't know if its worth spending that kind of money on, especially if I get the cam out and its wiped. Look for ECU to be cast on the block somewhere. The Y-Block page has specs that can help you identify that motor.

 

It is a 332, found out the easy way, my lovely wife is painting the interior, I thought I had gotten all the paper work out of it..There was a piece of paper in a cabinet that tells me the engine information, the axle and brake specs, and a lot of other information the original builder of the coach had recorded. The guy I bought it from bought it from the estate of the person who build the bus and he was the one who thought it was a 292.
The engine is coming out.... at a minimum a valve job and new gaskets/seals. I am more comfortable with the fact it is a heavier engine that I had thought when I was thinking 292. My son-in-law is wanting to drop an early (1992) 5.9 Cummins in but I kind of like the idea of keeping the Y Block if everything works out. Not sure what transmission would work behind the 5.9 anyway. THANKS!!!
Rick

 

Rick, that 332 is plenty tough, I will guarantee you. When I was young, back in the early 70s, the rebuilding company I worked for supported a large construction firm that had a flock of old Fords with 332s -- the owner swore by them and with good reason!

I can imagine tooling about the mountains in a nice skoolie. The 332 will be tough and a snap to maintain. Best wishes!

 

I cant help throwing in this plug. IF you find some worn out rocker assembly(s), I have one like new for a Lincoln Y. It would not be very expensive! Just keeps hanging on the wall, buggin me.

 

I just sent you a message on the rocker assembly.
Thanks
Rick

 

OK guys another question has come up....does the FE and the FT engine desiginations have any thing to do with the Lincoln 332?? Or is the FE or FT designation just used with the Ford (non Lincoln) Engines?
It seems the more I read the more confused I get... When looking for parts do I tell the parts people I have a Lincoln 332 or do I need to find out if the Lincoln 332 I have is a FE or FT???? I read on a site that some mid-size trucks and buses had the FE engine. Another site said the FT is the truck engine. From what I am reading the FE has a 4.0 bore and a 3.3 stroke, the FT engines have a 3.8 bore with a 3.66 stroke.

I hope this question makes sense.
Rick