Engine Swap or what can i do with my 239 IS 6?

welldunn · Veteran Member

Engine Swap or what can i do with my 239 IS 6?

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Chris, I'd check with some speed shops & see if you can get a "split" exh. manifold, & dual carb set up!!! That 324 I assume is a Olds. engine??? Any swap is likely going to involve a rear end swap due to torque tube d/shaft. I saw a 54 Pontiac 2dr. htp. this summer with a small block chevy that looked like a factory install!! Other than the dual exhaust out back you couldn't tell, ran very quiet, & owner said it drove like a dream!!! My 52 torpedo back is getting a Small block,but it's on a late model chassis.

Fitz · Guru

To me, you can't do a lot of thing with this engine. There is mostly no performance accessoiries available to boost those engine. It's very reliable and quiet engine, poor acceleration I agree but worth to keep in good running order.

If you want to replace it by a V-8, you have to think to the transmission replacement, the torque tube replacement by a open drive line, and of course the diff replacement.

You will experiment exhaust problem with most of V-8 engine and the steering column, also you will have to "shave" the inner part of the body support to give access to starter, exhaust etc.

Not to mention doing engine support etc. You will want powersteering with your new V-8, so your steeraxle will have to move out and being replaced by a MII set up or cliping the entire front part of your car.

You have a great car, if your engine have poor perfomance fix it and keep you car original. If your car did not have already this engine in it or no engine at all it's another story.

Fitz.

welldunn · Veteran Member

I've thought about the MII front clip but i can't bring myself to take this car apart because of the shape its in. I will just fix it up and drive it as it is. Do you have any advice on a possible vapor lock problem with this engine. It runs great but if i take it for a ride I'm afraid to shut if off anywhere because it will not start until it cools off. i was told by a mechanic at work that the fuel lines may be too close to the manifold and if a reroute them it may fix the problem.

Chris

bob53 · Addicted!

I read somewhere to clip a bunch of wooden clothes pins to the fuel line to see if that solves the vapor lock problem, Haven't tried it though. I guess if it worked you could reroute or wrap the fuel line.

-- Edited by bob53 on Saturday 5th of February 2011 11:32:35 PM

Fitz · Guru

welldunn wrote:

I've thought about the MII front clip but i can't bring myself to take this car apart because of the shape its in. I will just fix it up and drive it as it is. Do you have any advice on a possible vapor lock problem with this engine. It runs great but if i take it for a ride I'm afraid to shut if off anywhere because it will not start until it cools off. i was told by a mechanic at work that the fuel lines may be too close to the manifold and if a reroute them it may fix the problem.

Chris

There is no problem at all with this engine about vapor lock. If you have a hot starting problem, it is your ignition coil that cause you trouble. You can try a new 6 volts coil, it's not expensive and you will keep running your car. 90% of hot starting problem is coil the source (not mix with hot slow starting trouble).

Fitz.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Back in the day owners took matters into their own hands and made their own dual carb manifolds by brazing two intakes together. Same with a split manifold. Shaving the head will up the compression and give you a boost in performance. Do this and install a set of glasspacks and I bet you'd have a big grin on your face with the exhaust note you would get!

58 poncho fan · Addicted!

Why not look for a pontiac 248 straight eight engine! I had one in my 48 American Pontiac and it was quite peppy even with hydra-matic and never had a problem with hot start! If you need anymore info on this engine you can Pm me! Bob.

Fitz · Guru

The 248 is a very good engine also, but no room for it in a 49-54 canadian Pontiac without major modification.

Fitz.

Rolilk · Guru

welldunn wrote:

I've thought about the MII front clip but i can't bring myself to take this car apart because of the shape its in. I will just fix it up and drive it as it is. Do you have any advice on a possible vapor lock problem with this engine. It runs great but if i take it for a ride I'm afraid to shut if off anywhere because it will not start until it cools off.Chris

Hi
Its not vapor lock that you are experiencing. Its the flat head engine that has this problem. They tend to start hard after a good run and then stop for say to gas up. The head still has alot of compression in it and this will cause it to turn over harder and slower while still hot. This is why when it cools down a bit the compession in the head will lessen and allow the motor to turn over faster and start. Happens to me from time to time. Some of the joys of owning a time capsule. For the most part make sure your starting system is in good order and this happens alot less.

Rolilk · Guru

I am working on a 54 two door and will be doing a updated drivetrain. IF you love the car the way it is keep it that way. The money you will put in to the car doing a V-8 swap. Here is my list first big one is the Art Morrison Frame. THis is the way to go because the money you put in to the orriginal frame to make it work with a Mustang II front end and then you will need power brakes. amodified cross member for the trans. If you go the way of four link for the rear than some mods to the back. and then all of this will have to be welded to the original frame to make it all work. And like Fritz said the n there is the cutting away of the firewall leading edge and the inner wells also to fit the headers. In most cases the engine will still be very close to the rad depending on the pump you have. With all of this done ther is no going back to the 239 once you have gone this far. So its up to you and your choice. My two door is pretty bad and I am starting pretty much from scratch, so nothing to loose here. My four door will allways stay stock and 6 volt.

52poncho · Veteran Member

I've heard somewhere that by putting a later head on the 239 will up the compression...mines a 52...is there any truth to that?

hwscowboy · Guru

Street rodder magazine has been doing a build up on a 54 chevy for the past few issues.That may give you some ideas on what is required for a v-8 swap.Also some good info on what rearends fit etc.I think my 4 door will also stay stock and probably the delivery a well.But since i will have an extra sedan del body left over i'm thinking there maybe a blown 455 straight axle gasser project in the future.

Taylor55 · Poncho Master!

Yes that is true. GM rose the compression slightly over the years on the flathead engines by lowering the combustion chamber size in the cylinder head. Do some research and find out what yearthe compression ratio was the highest and use a cylinder head from that year.

Al

Rolilk · Guru

That I think would be 53/54. Its one of the highest I think for the standard trans 7.0 and I think 7.7 for the auto.

-- Edited by Rolilk on Sunday 13th of February 2011 12:26:40 AM

Rolilk · Guru

RE:

Fitz · Guru

RE: Engine Swap or what can i do with my 239 IS 6?

52poncho · Veteran Member

Hey thanx alot...I'm pretty happy with the way everything turned out...If I knew that I was going to be on the cover, I would have smiled though...

52poncho · Veteran Member

Oh and by the way, I'm not actually selling her...gave my head a shake and realized what I have...too many Tri 5's around anyway..

greyfoxxca · Newbie

My 52 came with a 350 4v and duels when I bought it. The only change made was the mechanical fuel pump was replaced with an electric. The frame wqas in the way for the mechcanical pump. I believe the exhaust is from the donor car. The PO put the complete drive train from a 70's gm car in it. I have the 350 turbo automatic with the rear end from the donor car also. As it came with electronic ignition it run and starts like a new car. I also believe it lost a few pounds in the conversion as the front end is a bit higher than the back.

I love the looks of the old iron and with one of the best engines ever made I am very happy. Sorry about it not being a pontic but as it is the fleetleader we all know what it really is. I have the original front end at this point and suspension and braking upgrades would make this into a long distance tourer.

IMHO
Everyones tases are different but as I grew up with flat head sixes , not really wanting to go back there.
But it is really great that some of these cars are being kept original with people who are willing to put the extra effort into them.

George

jonathanD · Poncho Master!

i would say get a 350 the parts are SO avaliable and it would be an easy swap

classicsincanada · Member

The factory actually installed the v8 in a few 54's and tested them but never put the v8 cars into production. SBC swap is cheaper and easy to do. Power steering can be installed on 53 and later using the Saginaw 605 steering box - I have one for sale, new.

classicsincanada · Member

53 and 54 engines used a high compression head and a 2 barrel carb plus alluminum pistons