Ok with the difference in the stroke, if someone were to just put 272 heads on a stock 256 2V it seams it wouldn’t be as efficient. There would be a .020 difference at TDC correct? Whatever the PO did it must have ran because there is plenty of grease and grime under valve covers and around head to indicate miles were put on engine in this configuration. I assume the head could have been shaved? I need to unstick engine any way. Marvel Mystery oil in cylinders let it soak a few days?

Everything else equal, if only heads are swapped, then clearance will remain the same.


Lawrenceville, GA

Because of the difference in pin height the 256 piston sits up higher in the cylinder ending up at the same point as the other engines.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Y Block learning curve. This is hurting my head. Of course there seams to be some confusion on the internet not helping me. So there were changes to the 256 between 1954 and 1956? I read the 256 intake wouldn’t work with 272 heads because of port mismatch. I need a Y Block code breaker I guess.

It depends if the block was made in Cleveland or Dearborn.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

So if the block casting number is on the driver side it is a Cleveland block?

I'll throw something in here - I thought the 256 was a one year only engine, 1954.  In 55, Ford only continued the 239, made at a different plant and conformed to the 272/292 specs such as cam journal size, oil pump drive, etc.  Am I wrong??  Was the 256 continued into 55?


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Both the 239 and 256 engines were available in the Ford pickups in 1955.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Ok other than having a 100% correct engine or something like that was the engine in it when I bought it and it runs ok, what would be a reason to keep a 239 or 256? I’m not asking to disparage anyone or specific engine I just keep reading for individuals and some publications “you don’t want either of these engines”. Is this mainly because of early changes in design which effects part availablity both original and aftermarket? Could it be based on past hearsay? A good number of people can’t leave an engine alone and will always look for ways to improve a factory design. Trust me I have a 429 Cadillac engine. Pretty impressive HP and torque numbers. Virtually no performance parts available. Everyone says don’t waste your time/money on it, step up to a 500 cubic inch. So after all this rambling is there a problem with the 256 other than it doesn’t have the performance potential as it’s bigger cousins?

good as the next.these things pulled heave trucks up to i think f700