The Ford Barn

OldMercs · 02-05-2025, 07:50 AM

I have a '54 Mercury parts car with an original 256 c.i. in it. The motor turns over with a ratchet but not a full revolution. Something is broken inside, perhaps a rod or something. Is there any good reason to keep it or should I let my grandson tear it down out of curiosity and then junk when he's done?

marko39 · 02-05-2025, 08:05 AM

could be just a stuck valve.

RKS.PA · 02-05-2025, 08:16 AM

Depending on your grandson's mechanical curiosity, might be a great project to do together...you get to teach him some of your skills, and he gets to build some memories with you!!

OldMercs · 02-05-2025, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKS.PA

Depending on your grandson's mechanical curiosity, might be a great project to do together...you get to teach him some of your skills, and he gets to build some memories with you!!

That's kinda where I'm heading. Just don't want to junk something of value to someone else before I turn him loose.

RKS.PA · 02-05-2025, 10:41 AM

So, suppose the point of the project was to find out what is wrong with it and talk about the options/cost to fix it vs. junk it?? At that point all you have in it is time.

miker98038 · 02-05-2025, 11:50 AM

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256’s like 239’s are a bit of an odd duck. Cam bearings and distributor gear comes to mind, and the small water pump. There’s a rumor out there that some late models had the smaller cam bearings common to the 272/292/312, but I’ve no specific knowledge.
Consequently, they are mostly of interest of a restoration rather than a driver.

As marco points out a stuck valve isn’t uncommon. Pull the valve covers, loosen the valve settings, and see if it pulls thru.

If you’ve got a hoist and an engine stand, I’d put it on the stand and pull the pan. And maybe the heads. I use the hoist to support the engine even on the stand when I can. Yblocks are heavy, and a grandson needs guidance and protection from what he doesn’t know. From there you can decide if you want to pull a head. Might even have a look with the borescope just for laughs.

02-05-2025, 07:50 AM	#1
OldMercs Member Join Date: Aug 2024 Location: Hudson, Maine Posts: 44	Value of a 1954 256 c.i. motor? I have a '54 Mercury parts car with an original 256 c.i. in it. The motor turns over with a ratchet but not a full revolution. Something is broken inside, perhaps a rod or something. Is there any good reason to keep it or should I let my grandson tear it down out of curiosity and then junk when he's done?

02-05-2025, 08:05 AM	#2
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,114	Re: Value of a 1954 256 c.i. motor? could be just a stuck valve.

02-05-2025, 08:16 AM	#3
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oro Valley, AZ Posts: 1,241	Re: Value of a 1954 256 c.i. motor? Depending on your grandson's mechanical curiosity, might be a great project to do together...you get to teach him some of your skills, and he gets to build some memories with you!!

02-05-2025, 10:41 AM	#5
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oro Valley, AZ Posts: 1,241	Re: Value of a 1954 256 c.i. motor? So, suppose the point of the project was to find out what is wrong with it and talk about the options/cost to fix it vs. junk it?? At that point all you have in it is time.

02-05-2025, 11:50 AM	#6
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,625	Re: Value of a 1954 256 c.i. motor? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 256’s like 239’s are a bit of an odd duck. Cam bearings and distributor gear comes to mind, and the small water pump. There’s a rumor out there that some late models had the smaller cam bearings common to the 272/292/312, but I’ve no specific knowledge. Consequently, they are mostly of interest of a restoration rather than a driver. As marco points out a stuck valve isn’t uncommon. Pull the valve covers, loosen the valve settings, and see if it pulls thru. If you’ve got a hoist and an engine stand, I’d put it on the stand and pull the pan. And maybe the heads. I use the hoist to support the engine even on the stand when I can. Yblocks are heavy, and a grandson needs guidance and protection from what he doesn’t know. From there you can decide if you want to pull a head. Might even have a look with the borescope just for laughs.