It would help to know the casting numbers on your heads.  Depending upon the year model, the cyl head casting numbers will be above the exhaust ports, under the water ports at the end of the heads, or in the valve spring area under the rocker arms.  The earlier 1954 239/256 heads had the smaller intake ports and there are some issues in putting the later model or aftermarket intake manifolds with the larger ports on those earlier heads.  If a 272 was installed in place of the 239, then there’s a good chance the later model heads also were installed.  The cylinder head casting numbers would help to confirm this.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Actually the 1954 239 had a 13 tooth distributor, the 1955 239 had the 14 tooth distributor.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Thanks again everyone. I will try to get some casting numbers before I see the truck. So is there a quality difference between the ‘54 and ‘55 distributors, i.e., one more preferable than the other? I suppose there is no way to externally identify which is which?

MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN

And to confirm my understanding of the castings, if we find EBD near the distributor, it’s a 239; ECG would be 272. If it’s a 239, it would be worth looking for the castings on the heads (recognizing the earlier heads could have been used on the 272,
So may want to check that too).

MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN

Ideally you would want a 1957 and up style distributor that has centrifugal and vacuum advance. Those have a 14 tooth gear at the bottom. The 1955 distributor is vacuum advance only but has a 14 tooth gear allowing the upgrade to a better distributor.

The 1954 239 with the 13 tooth gear requires changing the gear on the 1957 and up style distributor to 13 teeth, changing the oil pump and the oil pump drive. Where as upgrading the 1955 239 distributor to a 1957 and up style is just a drop in.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Thanks, Dennis. Can you go the other way - on a 239 with a 13 tooth distributor - can you change whatever needs to be changed so that it accepts a 14 tooth distributor?

MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN

We keep coming back to Kultulz’s comment on forensics! I hope it’s really a 272…

MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN

The owner says the steering is a “brand new power steering rack with a Ford electric power steering pump”.

This causes me wonder ...

An actual electric rack (FORD EPAS anyways) has the electric motor attached to a mechanical rack. Some system(s) have the motor attached to the steering shaft usually before the shaft exits the toe-board. If you do get to inspect the truck, try and determine what system he has used.

I would greatly appreciate it.

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Yes, I had to do that with mine. With 3 carburetors, I had to go with the 1957 and up style distributor. I put the 13 tooth gear on the distributor and had to change the oil pump drive, and oil pump.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

NOTICE KEY WORDS - In this case pump ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nb1CAaFI50

Who would have ever thought? Damn I am getting old.

It has one heck of an AMP draw. Hope the ALT & BAT are up to the challenge.

So it has an hydraulic steering rack.

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