215 six vs 223 6 interchangeability of heads ect.

[Newc]

Hi; I'm looking for comment on any interchangeability between these two 6's. Mainly is the bore spacing different and is the 223 slightly longer than the 215. I drive a 215 '53 and folks are trying to sell speed equipment for a 223. I understand that the 223 has a slightly longer block/head than my 215? Thanks all. I know that this crosses to the late forum. Newc

[rotorwrench]

The 215/223/262 series of engines was constantly going through updates. The 215 was short lived and the 223 was the upgrade but it went though a lot of changes to get there. My Hollander doesn't list much for interchange of parts. The 215 head might bolt up to a 223 and vice versa but it's not the same head. The blocks are very similar but the distributor drive & oiling went through major changes. There are also differences between car engines and truck engines. The crankshafts are similar and the rocker arms but not a lot more than that.

The 223 went through even more changes in 1960 so that it's harder to interchange between early and late. It's really best to keep them all one model type where possible.

[MMB]

I don't believe the bore spacing is any different on a 215/223. The biggest difference is the location of the distributor. Car vs. truck had different motor mounts and water pumps. 61 and later the whole bottom end is different but complete short block may interchange but don't know never had to find out.

[Tinker]

Had a 215 on a very pretty 53 4dr I sold. Great engine. Had the 3 on the Tree with OD. 70 no issue.

I want to say the 215 was a one year only in 53, then 223. Like the 37 flathead. As mentioned a lot changed. Ford did this a lot (I'm sure most companies did too). But like the 1st y-block, not much made it to the next year. Big changes. Still a good motor.

They are pretty much bulletproof engines. There is not a lot of hopups for them. If you have a good head just mill it. I sold all my highlift barker rocker arms a yr ago, which moved a little air out of the motor (might be able to match up some yblock rocker arms?, but don't quote me). Fenton did make a split exhaust but they are fairly rare for the 215/223. The 2/3 pot intakes are everywhere by offy and not expensive. Other then finding a few good holley 1400s with glass bowls. 90% sure you can use the same intake/exhaust from the 215/223.

Offy also has a 4 barrel version. and I believe you can use a moded slant 6 dizzy on the 223.

Might be a good question for the 54 on crowd too.

.

[Ross F-1]

The 215 was available in Trucks in '52 and '53.

The aftermarket intakes /carbs really wake them up, but the problem is the same as on V8's, the Loadamatic won't work with them. While HEI-style distributors are available for 223's, I don't think they are available for 215's.

[Karl Wolf]

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You can check to see if the head gaskets are the same.
Then intake and exhaust gaskets.
Then look for rocker arm assembly.
Then, whatever I forgot to mention.

Karl

[rotorwrench]

The 215 was a two year thing and so was the last of the 21 stud V8 engines since they were still in production in 1938.


The 215 has a somewhat larger clearance volume and smaller intake valves than the 223. I think the oiling for the rocker shaft is the same but I'm not certain. The intake manifolds and exhaust manifold are different but may interchange in sets. Like I mentioned before, the 223 was the upgrade and has better power characteristics than the 215 besides having a 1/16" larger bore. The block & cam is different due to the relocation and change of the oiling system and the distributor.


The late 262 can use the 300 six distributor but I'm not sure about the late 223. If a person finds the right parts, a distributor can be modified to work but it will take some research. Clifford Performance carries some stuff for the Ford 223 and they may know more about what can be done with them.


Just to add The mounting was different between cars and pickups so they had different mounts and oil pans due to that. They can be adapted to earlier Ford cars/pickups due to the use in pickups in 1952 but the parts are not common.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

The 215 was a two year thing and so was the last of the 21 stud V8 engines since they were still in production in 1938.

They were a mid year 21bolt engine that changed to 24 bolt in mid 38. So we could compromise and say it was a 1 yr and 6 month engine. Or whenever that frugal Henry ran out of 37 21 blocks in stock in 38.