Picked up a 54 Ford with the original 239 Y block. Runs out good... but interested in some additional horsepower. I have an intake and 4 barrel carb for this motor.. what kind of increases will this provide? Any other tricks or links to performance parts of the early Y blocks? Thanks
Read up on this early motor as they use different cam bearings and cams then the later ones. High lift rocker arms, post 57 distributor, modified oily system will help a little. The heads have very small ports compared to the later ones. You will be well ahead to get a later engine, 292 or 312, to gain any horsepower.
Will a later style (292, 312) bolt directly up? I also have a complete 272... Would this be a better option than the 239? I just like that it's the original motor to the car. Thanks Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
It will drop right in. Unless you plan on spending serious money, you're barking up the wrong tree for building horsepower. If you want to go fast on any semblance of a budget, you have to ditch the Y Block in favor of something else. I had a 272 in my '57 years ago, and it was adequate with a 3 speed. No rocket ship by any stretch, but not a total dog either. The 292 or 312 with the ECZ-G heads are a hotter combo, or for a cool $2500, you can get Mummert aluminum heads now. You'll want at least a dual point distributor, and '57 and up rockers. As far as oiling goes, i've heard that restricting the oil passage to the top end will increase pressure and overall oiling of the top end. One of the Y-Blocks biggest issues was top end oiling, which is really an indictment of the quality of oils and fuels at the time rather than on poor engine design. Clean internals and modern detergent oils will remedy most oiling issues in a Y-block.
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