239 Motor
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New User
Joined: Aug 2010
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239 Motor
Hello, I'm a new member. I have a '55 F-100 with a 289 motor. I'm trying to go back to an original Y-Block. I have a 239 available, but it's for a '54. I know that there are some differences. Will a water pump for a '55 fit on a '54 239?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 410
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From: Texas
I thought, the 55 came with 2 options, 239 and the 272, the 292 was available in the 56. I also think the water pump and other stuff was the same on those motors. Could be some differences on the 56, but not confirmed. May I ask why going back to the Y-Block vs the 289? I'm in the process of restoring a 55, which had the 239, and opted for a 351w.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
54 and 55 Motors were the same:
D=223 (IL6)
V=239 (V8)
Z=256 (V8)
J=279 (V8)
K=317 (V8)
The 272 was introduced in Ford Trucks in 1956 with three versions:
V= 272 (V8 light duty W/2V Carb)
Z= 272 (V8 Heavy Duty W/2V Carb)
R= 272 (V8 Heavy Duty W/4V Card)
Despite the fact hat these engines were produced before those years (and widely used in Thunderbirds), there were no truck Engine codes for the 272 until 1956 or the 292 until 1959. (doesn't mean they didn't do it though - never say never.)
According to the 48-56 Ford Truck Parts and Accessories Text Catalog, the water pumps for those two years were listed seperately and have different original part numbers -
EAT 8501-B for 54; and, B6T 8501-B for 55.
There are no 292 Engine Block Assemblies listed for 1956 or earlier F-series. There are no 272 Engine Block Assemblies listed prior to 1956 on F-series Trucks
D=223 (IL6)
V=239 (V8)
Z=256 (V8)
J=279 (V8)
K=317 (V8)
The 272 was introduced in Ford Trucks in 1956 with three versions:
V= 272 (V8 light duty W/2V Carb)
Z= 272 (V8 Heavy Duty W/2V Carb)
R= 272 (V8 Heavy Duty W/4V Card)
Despite the fact hat these engines were produced before those years (and widely used in Thunderbirds), there were no truck Engine codes for the 272 until 1956 or the 292 until 1959. (doesn't mean they didn't do it though - never say never.)
According to the 48-56 Ford Truck Parts and Accessories Text Catalog, the water pumps for those two years were listed seperately and have different original part numbers -
EAT 8501-B for 54; and, B6T 8501-B for 55.
There are no 292 Engine Block Assemblies listed for 1956 or earlier F-series. There are no 272 Engine Block Assemblies listed prior to 1956 on F-series Trucks
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Auburn, Il
Are you doing this to try to put the truck back to as close to factory as you can? I also have a 55 and opted for the 289 (pics in my gallery) with a C-4. Also if you are for sure going to go with the 239 what are you going to do with the 289?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
So there may be some out there. There seem to be as many exceptions to the rules with Ford as there were rules!
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New User
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Thanks for your reply. I am trying to go back to original, but I still want to be able to use the truck, if needed. As for the 289, (it has a C-4 hooked up to it) I'm willing to trade for it, sell it, or (if it gets in my way) give it away.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2010
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Wow!! Thanks for all of your responses. I think that the '54 water pump has a pressed-on pulley. The '55 has a steel pulley that bolts onto the pump. I'm just not sure if these pumps can be changed-out. I know that they have different part numbers, but I've seen many times where parts for different year Y-Blocks that can be interchangeable.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Auburn, Il
What year is the motor from, I'm looking for a timing tab off of a 289. So if your planing on getting rid of the motor I'd love to get the timing tab from you.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Hey Tard
Why not just make a tab. I seem to recall having to do the same thing. I think you could just bend a piece of sheet metal and cut the back edge diagonal.
In order to calibrate it, time your engine using a vacuum gauge (as described in the link below) then adjust the tab so it sits where it's supposed to when you use a timing light.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...e-trouble.html
That way you will have a timing light reference if you prefer that for timing.
Why not just make a tab. I seem to recall having to do the same thing. I think you could just bend a piece of sheet metal and cut the back edge diagonal.
In order to calibrate it, time your engine using a vacuum gauge (as described in the link below) then adjust the tab so it sits where it's supposed to when you use a timing light.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...e-trouble.html
That way you will have a timing light reference if you prefer that for timing.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,347
Likes: 5,371
From: Central PA
The water pump from a 55 239 will not fit a 54 239 and vice versa.
The pump on my 54 239 went out about 12 years ago and my mechanich called the parts store and he was telling him they did not make a 239 in '54. This is because his parts book did not show a rebuilt water pump for a 239 54 engine, only a 6 cylinder. The reason the parts book did not show a '54 239 was because they do not rebuild them because it is a one year pony. So I had to get my pump rebuilt....
The pump on my 54 239 went out about 12 years ago and my mechanich called the parts store and he was telling him they did not make a 239 in '54. This is because his parts book did not show a rebuilt water pump for a 239 54 engine, only a 6 cylinder. The reason the parts book did not show a '54 239 was because they do not rebuild them because it is a one year pony. So I had to get my pump rebuilt....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 117
From: Upper Left Coast
The OHV truck 239 is a fairly rare engine......as is the water pump. Also, if you required a "High-mount" pump (one that had a fan mounted above the pump shaft) it's also pretty rare. So rare that you'll have a fairly hard time finding one. They're not impossible to find.....but they're not stock items from Napa etc like a 272/292 pump.
I pulled my 239 and sold it because I didn't need to be exactly correct with the engine (I'm installing a 292.)
The high-mount pump I had for the 239 did have a pressed on pulley.
I pulled my 239 and sold it because I didn't need to be exactly correct with the engine (I'm installing a 292.)
The high-mount pump I had for the 239 did have a pressed on pulley.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
I will most likely be getting rid of my 239 as soon as I get my 5.0 built up. Nobody hold your breath! The transmission behind the 239 can't weigh more than 20#, but the 239 comes in about 14# lighter than a 460. Add the Cleveland/Dearborn issues, the other one year items for 54, and this thing is a boat anchor. It sounds great, but it has little power and mine only got 8 MPG's when it was running. If I had a 57 or later Yblock, I would probably keep it.