I am just now able to post on this forum.  However, I was able to outline my problem with Mr. Eaton  My original message and his response is hereby posted.  Thoughts?

Me - We have a 1954 Ford 4-door wagon. It has the 239 Y-Block, 3 speed manual, 6 volt +grnd, etc. It ran (until recently) and is in overall very good condition. A lot of body restoration has been done and the car is very road worthy.

The V8 is worn out. 30 to 40 psi compression and no pressure build-up during a leak down test. Gas in the oil. And, air can be heard leaking by listening at the oil filler during the leak down test. However, the engine and its compartment are complete and clean.

This car is too good to throw away. What do you think? If we decide to "fix" it, how common are 239 parts (a "one year" motor - ouch!)? If it is "over bored" already, is sleaving a good idea?

Should we consider an engine swap? What would work best? Coincidentally, we have a good scruby V6 with a 3 speed manual from a 1981 El Camino. It looks like an easy swap.

Mr. Eaton's response - Many of the 1954 model Y-Block specific engine parts such as the oil pump, distributor drive, distributor, camshaft, camshaft bearings, water pump, and fuel pump are getting difficult to find. While I do have some work arounds for the camshaft, cam bearings, and other parts so that the original 239 can be retained, it's more cost effective to just put the later model Y in your car. The easiest swap would be to simply install a 1955 and newer 272 or 292 in place of the 239. The 292 engines were installed in vehicles through 1964 and Ford continued to build those engines for industrial and marine applications through the end of 1967 so they are still out there to be found. Bellhousings and flywheels are interchangeable between the 1954 and newer models so the swap is relatively straight forward. If so desired, the engine can be dressed out to look like the original 239 but with the improvements with the later model carburetors and intake manifolds, I would opt for going late model ('57 and newer) with the induction system.

It all comes down to what you want to do with the car. If you want it to be 100% original, and intend to seldom drive it, stick with the 239. Under those circumstances, you should be in no hurry, in which case you'll have time to search for the parts that are unique to your car. On the other hand, if you want it to be a driver, I would heed Ted's advice. There aren't many people who could look under the hood and spot the difference, and most of them wouldn't care if it's a 239 or 292. People unfamiliar with Y-blocks might even mistake it for a SBC. 

i would take the 239 out put it in a dry place and if you ever want to go back its there.go with a 292 312 whatever you find.

Personally I would find a 292, since they are the most prevalent,  someone is removing for an upgrade for a newer engine. You see them quite often complete with all manifolds, generator and starter. Start with local Craigs Lists or facebook market place. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

I pretty much agree with the others if you are not going for authenticity.  Don't limit yourself to a 57 or later engine, the 55's and 56';s are just as good and everything will interchange with the 57 and later engines.  Most all of the outside parts (excluding distributor, oil pump and fuel pump) can be used from your 54 if you so wish.


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

I'll echo everyone else.  292 would be the easiest.  The fact that you're even considering putting a 239 back (or a GM V6) tells me that you're not interested in making cheap horsepower.  Shouldn't be too hard to find a 292.  Good luck...and welcome.  

Ditto on the 292 and welcome to the site. A couple of good books to grab (eBay links the easiest to find but these books are readily available elsewhere)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175305800899?epid=14026486604&hash=item28d10a3cc3:g:TgoAAOSw59ximWCb&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4HbYLKzUbSxV6qM1CQ2vTruEUUBbnT4Akn2y57wq5HeQcw27vQvJJoKobALla12jFEJQy6ZgdMtc70h6GCqxLAil4cE5Csvd9Kt1%2FLdxiPfkxa5mI8obYRIIb8PJRRUhksR1bvCwYWfZsgPqbE%2B%2FFIFtEOHFmAyzTJ39X5kBLSsST%2B%2BdEMq7fzPLLosu6dKMFHwdJctk3Ac%2F5EwKcxxp4RBAXr1V8nf8KCMU4FKZlYQmlAV%2FBDSxrhY58Ldatqcab1HsXq%2B6VYFw6aIuHlxoUWw5GT01ggzVrDqbgOfw6ElY%7Ctkp%3ABFBMztGXyuNi

and

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335060019410?epid=17038737732&hash=item4e032228d2:g:zxYAAOSw1~5f~nzT&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8KTCh09HBzJnN8rtk%2BEN%2BfNp2nkMtHBwumPJG8FfDXEK%2B7NL1uzgBCn1pwKepr69589XRHmqbktWEFxOh%2Bd1aKybJmH7w%2F0%2BKoEgwSfON0ua1GrQysdg776sA%2BFRxLq4yAxKyGs1%2BgMYTR0%2BuGd8NTAW69QtpBgSxlD5cNWA6og325zxJaJkTRfaM8Q41rv%2BNWEVKi8O6vbZhsjpuQlFh2REVqeQzoAZBNRKygkfjm%2FopbZUbOL6z%2BU%2Ff2Dh1dvstoP4HP610VUkjsNgG%2B58XauY18aBUpJGoWQjwM4Y574Eb5uJLq7YZwmk%2Bz6UR%2Fy1nQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9DRl8rjYg

If you have not been to Ted's personal site yet, there are quite a few helpful articles. eatonbalancing.com

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Welcome to the site. It would be helpful if you put your location in. Might be someone close with an engine. Just this morning someone came up at the Ford Barn looking to sell a 292 he had surplus. He’s in Alabama. I’ve got 3 in storage that I don’t need at my age. Seattle WA area.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

I am in Missoula, Montana.  I am not too worried about originally.  This car is owned by a client and we are just trying to find out the best way to get it back on the road.

I agree a 292 is the best solution, however, we should probably convert to 12v neg grnd in the process.  The owner is NOT mechanically inclined and I think leaving the 6 volt system with the larger engine will cause future problems.  He already thinks this is going to be a daily driver.

Right now he is dazed and confused by the potential cost.  He thinks a 70 year old car is no different than his 2005 pickup truck.

Thank you for your thoughts.  We may in touch for one of those "Ys".  I haven't been to Seattle for a couple years.

Steve

1929 Model A Roadster.  1957 Ford 2-dr HT 312 Y Block (back in my high school days)

I sent you a pm.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ