Origingal Color of the 54 Y Block

[54FordYBlockGuy]

As I stated earlier, when I first registered in the Group; whenever I obtain a new "Classic", I try to find out as much as I can about the year, model and make; so a question to you "experts":

Q. What was the "original" color of the 1954 Y-Block, 239; the one I picked up is the, what you would expect "Blue Ford" color, but in my research I see a lot of "Red" Y Blocks; Blue, Red, again what was the "Original Color"?

Look forward to some replies.

JPL/OHIO

[oldave57]

According to this thread from another forum, the original 1954 Y-Block had a cream colored block with red valve covers and air cleaner. The remaining years for the Y-Block had red engine block and black valve covers.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ne-i-d.632637/

[GLAmes]

This is mine.

[miker98038]

I’ve never seen a complete list (I’m sure it’s out there) but there were more colors than the red and cream used. Some Merc’s were gold and possibly other colors. There was a light blue kind of color too that I’ve seen. Truck’s maybe? Valve cover and air cleaner colors varied also. Decals on the valve covers if any came different ways. I’m told there was a unique decal for Thunderbird installed engines that didn’t have the polished aluminum valve covers and the dress up kit. Or whatever they called it.

[paul2748]

Hirsch Automotive Products has a cream/yellow color that is supposed to be very close to the 54 Ford engine color. I believe it is actually a Packard color.

[paul2748]

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True for Ford. Merc was a different color.

Originally Posted by oldave57

According to this thread from another forum, the original 1954 Y-Block had a cream colored block with red valve covers and air cleaner. The remaining years for the Y-Block had red engine block and black valve covers.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ne-i-d.632637/

[mercman from oz]

Colour Illustration of the 1954 Ford V8 engine in the original Sales Brochure.

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by miker98038

There was a light blue kind of color too that I’ve seen.

If you are thinking of the putrid olive color, that was used on early Lincoln Y-blocks.

Originally Posted by miker98038

I’m told there was a unique decal for Thunderbird installed engines that didn’t have the polished aluminum valve covers.

The "ThunderBird Special V8" decals used on regular V8 engine rocker covers were only used on specific engines that had 4-bbl intake and dual vacuum distributor, also with dual exhausts. They were in police cars, some station wagons and available for special order cars.

[mercman from oz]

Engine in GLAmes's 1954 Ford Victoria. The colour pretty well matches the illustration above in Post 7

[miker98038]

Dave, I know the Lincoln color, that’s not what I’m thinking of. But it’s been a lot of engines over a lot of years and my memories is not what it was.

Here’s the Thunderbird decal I came across recently, and the comment. Lifted from another site, I don’t believe he’s a member here.


“These are listed for Thunderbirds only and are reproduced so they may not be perfectly authentic as I’ve never really seen a black set on a Thunderbird…..but different none the less.”

[mercman from oz]

See through Hood to promote the all new 1954 Ford OHV Y Block V8 Engine

[paul2748]

That decal is not one from Ford.


All TBirds w/o the aluminum covers used a black cover, as all the Ford sedans did. The decals varied with the engine option for the sedans


The

Originally Posted by miker98038

Dave, I know the Lincoln color, that’s not what I’m thinking of. But it’s been a lot of engines over a lot of years and my memories is not what it was.

Here’s the Thunderbird decal I came across recently, and the comment. Lifted from another site, I don’t believe he’s a member here.


“These are listed for Thunderbirds only and are reproduced so they may not be perfectly authentic as I’ve never really seen a black set on a Thunderbird…..but different none the less.”

[54FordYBlockGuy]

Just got an opportunity to read all the replies, very interesting, and thank you.

The Y Block in the 54 I picked up is Ford Blue; which I assumed was the original color, but now I'm not so sure; again thanks for all the information.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by 54FordYBlockGuy

...
The Y Block in the 54 I picked up is Ford Blue; which I assumed was the original color, but now I'm not so sure; again thanks for all the information.

I don't think the corporate "Ford Blue" for engines existed in the 50's.

A copy of an engine color chart from a Y-block website that seems to have disappeared.

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by paul2748

That decal is not one from Ford.
All TBirds w/o the aluminum covers used a black cover, as all the Ford sedans did. The decals varied with the engine option for the sedans

Optional passenger car and police/emergency, etc engines in '55/56 had a "Thunderbird Special V8" valve cover decal instead of the more popular "FORD V8" decal. In '55, the 182 HP V8 with 4-bbl intake, dual diaphragm distributor and dual exhausts had this "Thunderbird Special V8" decal. Back in those days, if you ordered a tow hitch on the back of your wagon for towing a house trailer, they recommended you order the 182 HP engine with it.
I don't have a picture of it but they are available at some of the repro parts suppliers.

[JimNNN]

It might be because of age and heat and other factors, but what little original paint remains on my 239 block looks a bit darker than what the repainted engine in the photo is. The car is in storage, but I'll try to clean off a portion of the remaining paint and get a photo to post when I get a chance. Can't promise when that will be.