54 Ford Sunliner engine/trans swap ?

Just got a 54 convert. with 231 and Cruise-o-

matic or Ford-o-matic or whatever Ford

called the transmission back then... Just

wondering what later Ford 55 thru 64 model

V-8 with auto transmission combination has

the same dimensions and engine mount

locat1ons as the old 231, also availability

of same needs to be considered... I don't

want to make a lot of modifications to make

engine fit and transmission fit....What is

considered the best engine/trans match of

this time period by all you guys in the

know? ( the old 292? ) or should I just

recondition the engine and transmission that

I have?



Any info you may share will be appreciated.



Thanks,

Gene



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My advice is what I did to my 54, go with the 55-62 Y Block (56-64 on trucks) Your original engine (its a 239 not 231) has a bunch of one-year-only pieces inside it that can be hard to find, plus the fuel & water pumps are also one-year-only. I put a 1964 truck 292 in mine. Truck engines will fit except you have to change the oil pan & timing cover to a car engine. A car engine would be a simple drop in, but use the later transmission too, the 54 is also a one year only as far as internal parts go. Best of luck!



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Thanks Mark... I'm sure I'll be back with more questions real soon....



Thanks again,

Gene



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I have a 1954 sunliner with a 1956 292Y motor

and fordomatic. The engine bolted rightin !!

I am considering going to a 5-speed o/d stand

shift.

There are'nt too many 54 sunliners in Texas..

I only know of three or four. Do you know of

any in your area ??

I have been looking for the two chrome pieces

that seal the pass. rear quarter window. It

attaches to the top and the window slides up

into it. The ones I have are bent and dinged.

Do you have or know of any parts in your area. Possibly a parts car thats beyond help.



Jack in Kingsville



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Jack in Kingsville,



Don't know of any Sunliners in my area as of yet. Just got this one so haven't been really looking for others in this area until now. I will need to be looking for a few parts for mine, so will also look for you for pieces you said you need..By the way, how much work is involved in the 5-speed installation you are going to do?... ( New bell housing? clutch petal and linkage? shorten/lengthen drive shaft? ) Might be interested in doing this also in the future.

Thanks for the info on the 292...

Gene in Pearland, TX



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just type in y block there are lots of sites that will be of help,especially the y block disscusion group



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Gene....

I have not converted to the 5 speed yet

but have gotten most of the parts I need.

I will use a standard shift bell housing from

1954 and a adaptor plate ($125.0) and a sleeve on the trans. and use a orignal 54

throw out bearing assey.

I have a mercury bobcat 8 inch rear end

with brakes and all with a 3.50 ratio. As

to the drive shaft I will either find one

with the correct length at the bone yard or

have one cut to length.

I need the clutch pedal and all linkage

but I have a friend in Conroe who is converting his tudor to a automatic and is

sending me what I need....



Jack





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thats the only way to go if youre looking for performance



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Another possibility would be the early FE series motors, 332-428. With the right motor mounts, they'll bolt right in, though you'll have to fabricate exhaust head pipes or a set of headers. For a tranny you could use the old Cruise-O-matic, but the right top-loader or C-6 would bolt up and be a lot stronger.



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No, a Chevy is the way to go fast cheap, if that is what you want. I see so many Chevys in Fords (and I have a 350/350 in my '48 Ford coupe)that they don't draw my attention anymore. Different strokes for different folks. You can make a Y-block compete with all but the far out sbc's, but it will cost you. A ford 302/351 will just about bolt in, unlike a sbc, and for just a little more $ can run with any Chevy. In any case, good luck, no matter what eng/trans you use!



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