The Ford Barn

tommyleea · 10-05-2019, 09:42 AM

I am aware of the top end oiling problems on the 272, however, I am stumped. I removed the distributor from my engine to manually spin the oil pump, and check the oiling. Engine is in the truck. I connected a direct pressure oil pressure gauge. I get oil pressure from 20 to 60 psi, but I don't see any oiling at the rocker shafts. I have tried this numerous times. Rotated the engine by hand to see if that would change things, but no luck. I assume there should be some sort of oiling at the rocker shafts, although it may be minimal. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thanks for any help. Truck has been sitting for a long period. Oil is fresh.

KULTULZ · 10-05-2019, 10:20 AM

What year truck and do you know if the engine is original to the truck?

Ole Don · 10-05-2019, 10:31 AM

I would remove the rocker shafts to open the lines as much as possible, then plumb a line into the oil galley. There are several places along the lower left side of the block to do this. Then give it a shot of 120 PSI air to try to blow the lines and holes. It this wont work, you may need to remove the heads and try again. Maybe run a drill down the oil holes in the head until it comes out semi clean.

tommyleea · 10-05-2019, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

What year truck and do you know if the engine is original to the truck?

Truck is a 55. Motor supposed to be original..numbers all point to a 272, but the dipstick is up front so maybe from a car. The pan is rear sump, and the dipstick looks like it has been shortened.

tommyleea · 10-05-2019, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Don

I would remove the rocker shafts to open the lines as much as possible, then plumb a line into the oil galley. There are several places along the lower left side of the block to do this. Then give it a shot of 120 PSI air to try to blow the lines and holes. It this wont work, you may need to remove the heads and try again. Maybe run a drill down the oil holes in the head until it comes out semi clean.

That sounds like a good place to start. Thanks

poolplayer1 · 10-05-2019, 11:31 AM

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I could be wrong but I think that the 272 first came out in the 56 trucks. The 55 had eighter a 223 six or a 239 V8. Yours may be a 239 rather than a 272 but like i said,I could be wrong. I'm sure some of the better skilled guys here can verify the info.for you.

tommyleea · 10-05-2019, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poolplayer1

I could be wrong but I think that the 272 first came out in the 56 trucks. The 55 had eighter a 223 six or a 239 V8. Yours may be a 239 rather than a 272 but like i said,I could be wrong. I'm sure some of the better skilled guys here can verify the info.for you.

It does get confusing. I used the data charts from Y blocksforever. All the data points to a 272, which was available, according to the info in the charts. Thanks for the heads up.

KULTULZ · 10-05-2019, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyleea

It does get confusing. I used the data charts from Y blocksforever.

All the data points to a 272, which was available, according to the info in the charts. Thanks for the heads up.

Have you identified by the components CASTING ID NOS as to exactly what you have?

The 54-55 had a cross-drilled cam whereas the valve-train receives oil only at certain cam positions (ninety degrees).

It seems that FORD began with a 272 bottom end and a 239-256 top end towards end of 1955 production. But a truck 272 is not cataloged for 1955 truck.

darrell · 10-05-2019, 03:44 PM

ive seen this all my life.how simple to get the dipstick along with whatever base you are using but many cant seem to do it.

scicala · 10-05-2019, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poolplayer1

I could be wrong but I think that the 272 first came out in the 56 trucks. The 55 had eighter a 223 six or a 239 V8. Yours may be a 239 rather than a 272 but like i said,I could be wrong. I'm sure some of the better skilled guys here can verify the info.for you.

Poolplaye1 is correct. The 272 wasn't put in the F series until '56. In '55 the F100 came with a 223 six or a 256 Y-Block (same as '54 Mercury minus the 4 barrel carb).

Sal

KULTULZ · 10-05-2019, 06:49 PM

EBU - 1954 239CI FORD PASS CAR - DIF
EBY - 1954 256CI MERC PASS CAR

EBV - 1954-55 239CI TRUCK - CF
EBZ - 1954-55 256CI TRUCK - CF

Read this thread to see the confusion - http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic148090.aspx

There have been several accounts such as this described. Trouble is, no one will give the ID INFO off the engines to try and sort it out.

paul2748 · 10-05-2019, 07:45 PM

If you have the cross drilled cam rather than the cam with a groove it it, it will be harder to get the cam in the right position. Move the cam a little at a time to get the holes on the right position.

It might be easier to check for oil with the rocker assemblies off

If the truck has been sitting for a long time as you said, the holes or the trough may be plugged.

dmsfrr · 10-05-2019, 07:47 PM

To further the engine displacement confusion, from the John Mummert Y-Block webpage...
http://ford-y-block.com/Block%20identification.htm
"ECG 272 cu. in V8 1955 to 57 cars and trucks. Typically Dearborn casting."

If you don't have an early cross-drilled camshaft and cleaning the rocker shafts and oil passages in the head from the top doesn't help you, you may have to pull the heads.

Oil comes up thru the block from the center cam bearing to the heads thru a 5/16" passage and turns a 90* corner at each head gasket. (these corners are not shown in the simplified oiling diagram)
There is a shallow groove in the bottom of the heads almost 2 inches long and another 90* turn into a 1/4" passage up thru the heads.
The shallow groove with a turn at each end easily becomes clogged with sludge if non-detergent oil was used, along with infrequent oil changes.

The photos and measurements are from a '56 ECZ-A (Cleveland foundry) block and ECZ-C heads.

KULTULZ · 10-06-2019, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

To further the engine displacement confusion, from the John Mummert Y-Block webpage...

http://ford-y-block.com/Block%20identification.htm

"ECG 272 cu. in V8 1955 to 57 cars and trucks. Typically Dearborn casting."

What he is saying is that the 272 was introduced in the 1955 model run. It went to PASS CAR in 1955 and may have gone to TRUCK in the late 55 model run, 1956 definitely.

tommyleea · 10-06-2019, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

What he is saying is that the 272 was introduced in the 1955 model run. It went to PASS CAR in 1955 and may have gone to TRUCK in the late 55 model run, 1956 definitely.

I have the ECG block with the ID by the distributor. Also ECG heads.

tommyleea · 10-06-2019, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul2748

If you have the cross drilled cam rather than the cam with a groove it it, it will be harder to get the cam in the right position. Move the cam a little at a time to get the holes on the right position.

It might be easier to check for oil with the rocker assemblies off

If the truck has been sitting for a long time as you said, the holes or the trough may be plugged.

I will do a little more rotating, and if nothing then pull the rockers. Thanks

KULTULZ · 10-06-2019, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyleea

I have the ECG block with the ID by the distributor. Also ECG heads.

You have a 272. Do you know what a DATE CODE CASTING I.D. is? That (and the Assembly Date Stamping) would narrow it down to when it was cast/assembled.

tommyleea · 10-06-2019, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

You have a 272. Do you know what a DATE CODE CASTING I.D. is? That (and the Assembly Date Stamping) would narrow it down to when it was cast/assembled.

I will have to do some research on that. Thanks

KULTULZ · 10-06-2019, 12:01 PM

If you need help/direction on finding the info, just ask.

Are you comfortable posting the first five characters of the VIN here?

tommyleea · 10-06-2019, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kultulz

if you need help/direction on finding the info, just ask.

Are you comfortable posting the first five characters of the vin here?

f10v5r

KULTULZ · 10-06-2019, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyleea

f10v5r

F10 - F-100 CONVENTIONAL

V - 239CI

5 - 1955

R - RICHMOND (ASM PLANT)

We can try to ID the engine if you want.

tommyleea · 10-06-2019, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

F10 - F-100 CONVENTIONAL

V - 239CI

5 - 1955

R - RICHMOND (ASM PLANT)

We can try to ID the engine if you want.

That would be interesting.

paul2748 · 10-07-2019, 07:48 PM

While I agree that the 55's came with a 239, who knows what might have been changed over the years. Not unusual to find a later engine in the car or truck.

tommyleea · 10-11-2019, 02:44 PM

Thanks to all for the excellent help and advice. I rotated the engine 90 degrees, and I have oil everywhere. I was astonished. Thanks again.

franksford · 10-13-2019, 02:56 PM

Pull the rosker shaft and tap the oil passage for 1/8 npt (pipe thread) insert a zerk fitting using a high pressure grease gun pump in the lightest grease you can. You may be able to push the blockage back down and get clean oil moving again. Other wise its pull the head or use an external oil line.

10-05-2019, 09:42 AM	#1
tommyleea Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Missouri Posts: 424	272 oiling issues I am aware of the top end oiling problems on the 272, however, I am stumped. I removed the distributor from my engine to manually spin the oil pump, and check the oiling. Engine is in the truck. I connected a direct pressure oil pressure gauge. I get oil pressure from 20 to 60 psi, but I don't see any oiling at the rocker shafts. I have tried this numerous times. Rotated the engine by hand to see if that would change things, but no luck. I assume there should be some sort of oiling at the rocker shafts, although it may be minimal. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thanks for any help. Truck has been sitting for a long period. Oil is fresh.

10-05-2019, 10:20 AM	#2
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,466	Re: 272 oiling issues What year truck and do you know if the engine is original to the truck? __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

10-05-2019, 10:31 AM	#3
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: 272 oiling issues I would remove the rocker shafts to open the lines as much as possible, then plumb a line into the oil galley. There are several places along the lower left side of the block to do this. Then give it a shot of 120 PSI air to try to blow the lines and holes. It this wont work, you may need to remove the heads and try again. Maybe run a drill down the oil holes in the head until it comes out semi clean.

10-05-2019, 11:31 AM	#6
poolplayer1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 399	Re: 272 oiling issues Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I could be wrong but I think that the 272 first came out in the 56 trucks. The 55 had eighter a 223 six or a 239 V8. Yours may be a 239 rather than a 272 but like i said,I could be wrong. I'm sure some of the better skilled guys here can verify the info.for you.

10-05-2019, 03:44 PM	#9
darrell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: p.e.i. Posts: 1,060	Re: 272 oiling issues ive seen this all my life.how simple to get the dipstick along with whatever base you are using but many cant seem to do it.

10-05-2019, 06:49 PM	#11
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,466	Re: 272 oiling issues EBU - 1954 239CI FORD PASS CAR - DIF EBY - 1954 256CI MERC PASS CAR EBV - 1954-55 239CI TRUCK - CF EBZ - 1954-55 256CI TRUCK - CF Read this thread to see the confusion - http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic148090.aspx There have been several accounts such as this described. Trouble is, no one will give the ID INFO off the engines to try and sort it out. __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

10-05-2019, 07:45 PM	#12
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,980	Re: 272 oiling issues If you have the cross drilled cam rather than the cam with a groove it it, it will be harder to get the cam in the right position. Move the cam a little at a time to get the holes on the right position. It might be easier to check for oil with the rocker assemblies off If the truck has been sitting for a long time as you said, the holes or the trough may be plugged. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

10-06-2019, 12:01 PM	#19
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,466	Re: 272 oiling issues If you need help/direction on finding the info, just ask. Are you comfortable posting the first five characters of the VIN here? __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

10-07-2019, 07:48 PM	#23
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,980	Re: 272 oiling issues While I agree that the 55's came with a 239, who knows what might have been changed over the years. Not unusual to find a later engine in the car or truck. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

10-11-2019, 02:44 PM	#24
tommyleea Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Missouri Posts: 424	Re: 272 oiling issues Thanks to all for the excellent help and advice. I rotated the engine 90 degrees, and I have oil everywhere. I was astonished. Thanks again.

10-13-2019, 02:56 PM	#25
franksford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rockford Michigan Posts: 190	Re: 272 oiling issues Pull the rosker shaft and tap the oil passage for 1/8 npt (pipe thread) insert a zerk fitting using a high pressure grease gun pump in the lightest grease you can. You may be able to push the blockage back down and get clean oil moving again. Other wise its pull the head or use an external oil line.