Hi all, I am thinking about buying a 1954 F-100 and have a few questions for all of you.

The owner says there is a 272 in it. I looked at the y-block site for engine identification and am under the assumption that the 272 wasn’t available until 1955. Is that correct?

Recognizing the engine could have been swapped, what’s the likely place for a block casting number? I will have the owner check.

So if it’s a 239, how should I feel about it? I’m thinking parts availability is even more limited with the 239 versus the later y-8s, and I’m sure performance differs as well.

Also, the truck has a three speed with overdrive. I’m not familiar with the overdrive option - how it works, its dependability - so any thoughts on that would be appreciated.

The truck won’t be driven a lot but it would be nice to take it down the road occasionally without getting completely run over.

Here are a couple of engine pics if there is anything that tips you off on the engine in it.




MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN

From the picture a few things stand out.  The first is the exhaust manifolds which are prized and a good omen.  The  second is the fuel pump.  It looks like it has the 54 fuel pump, something that is not compatible with a 272/292  engine unless  the 239 front cover was switched over to the later engine. 

Engine numbers for a 239  block could begin with  either and EBU or EBV.  The EBU was the original 54, the EBV was a 55 style block which is compatible with most 55 and up parts.  272 engine starting letters  were ECG for the most part through the years.  The 54 engine was a one off in a lot of respects (cam, fuel pump, water pump) .  Even if it's a 239, it will be able to keep you up the today's traffic if in good condition.  Truck rear ends were usually a pretty  low ratio (numerically high) and the top end speed may be a challenge.but with the O/D it should not be a problem.  Block codes are usually on the side of the block but may be in the back near the distributor.  The later 239's were only used in trucks in 55 and possibly 56.. Not that familiar with the truck engine availability in the early years

You are correct that the 272 was first introduced in 1955. 

Regarding the overdrive, you can get info in the owners manual if it's still available.  Repos of he manual may be available aftermarket.  Tells how to use it.

Like anything new ,to you, get what manuals are available.  Shop and electrical manuals especially.  There might be a manual on the overdrive?


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

You may want to learn as much as possible about the steering system. There is what looks like a menagerie of multiple links and u-joints from the firewall to possibly a rack and pinion steering gear?  

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Wouldn't it be a Borg Warner R10 or R11 overdrive?  One of them is more stout than the other.


If it were me, and I was just looking for a cruiser to take out every so often... if the price was right, I don't think that I'd let a 239 be a deal breaker for me, but I'd definitely factor in a swap when I made an offer for the truck.  As long as the body is in good shape, that would be the most important thing.  Those are the nicest looking pickup truck ever made.   
I would want something with more power, personally.  I also would not be as picky as some as to what got swapped in to replace the 239, engine size, family or, dare I say, even brand (gulp).  

This may help -

The letters DIF cast near the distributor identify parts cast at the Dearborn Industrial Foundry. A three-digit casting number will be found nearby, typically EBU or ECG. As stated, EBU is a 239 while ECG indicates a 272. Cleveland Foundry parts have an F surrounded by a semicircle to identify their source.

SOURCE - http://yblockguy.com/identify_y-block.htm

There were two 239CI engines, DIF and CLV. The DIF seemed to go to the PASS CAR and CLV went to LT.
Progression was 239 to 256 To 272, all CLV engines. There was a lot of factory mix and match also and you will have no idea of what you have until it goes to forensics.

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MORE CLARIFICATION -

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1569743-256-with-272-heads.html

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The 239 is a good engine if that is what you have. If it came from the factory with overdrive, you probably have a 4.10 or 4.27 rear. I have a 239 in my truck. I added overdrive and a 4.27 rear when I rebuilt it. I don’t know what part of the country you live in, but here in PA with our twisty back roads I don’t get to use overdrive much. I love the 4.27 rear running around town though. My engine has been hopped up a little.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Thanks everyone for the comments and the keen eyes. The owner says the steering is a “brand new power steering rack with a Ford electric power steering pump”. Dennis, what did you do to enhance performance on your 239? Would a Mummert intake fit? The owner and I are both traveling until the 4th, so I’m hoping we can get together after then. I’m in Minnesota by the way. I spent the day at back to the 50’s and saw plenty of F-100s. None had a y-block!

MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN

1st we bored it out to take 256 pistons. Used an Isky E 4 cam. Edelbrock FM354 intake. Then the block was modified to take G heads. Then a 312 crank was turned down to fit the block. Got 272 standard bore pistons and 312 rods. Been running that combination since 2013.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

There is a good 239 and a bad 239, the good 239 had a 13 tooth distributor, the bad one had 12 tooth gear, I know because I owned a bad one.