ENGINE SPECS

1953 Ford 239 Flathead V8 Engine Specs

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model Designation: V8 - B3

Wheel base: 115

Valve Location: In block

Bore and Stroke: 3.1875" x 3.750"

Piston displacement, Cubic Inches: 239

Compression ratio: 7.20

Maximum Brake Horsepower: 110 @ 3800 RPM

Maximum Torque Lbs.Ft. @ RPM: 196 @ 2000

Normal Oil Pressure Pounds: 57

TUNE UP SPECIFICATIONS

Spark Plug Make: Champion H10

Spark Plug Gap, Inch: .030

Firing Order: 15486372 (from front to rear: Right 1-2-3-4; left 5-6-7-8

Ignition Timing: Groove on Pulley

Engine Idle Speed, RPM: Manual shift trans. 475; automatic shift trans. 450

Compression Pressure & Cranking Speed: 125 Min.

PISTON AND RING SPECIFICATIONS

Fitting Pistons with Scale:
    Removed from Above
    Shim thickness to use: .0015
    Pounds Pull on Scale: 6 to 12

Rings: (for tapered bores for minimum clearance fit rings in tightest portion of ring travel)
Ring Gap, Minimum: Compression: .007
Ring Gap, Minimum: Oil: .007

Wristpin Diameter, Inch: .7502

VALVE SPECIFICATIONS

Operating Clearance:
Intake: .014 Cold
Exhaust: .018 Cold

Valve Seat Angle, degrees: 45

Valve Timing: (BTDC = before top dead center; ATDC = after top dead center)
Intake opens: 21 degrees BTDC
Exhaust Closes: 11 degrees ATDC

Valve Spring Pressure Pounds at Inches Length:
Spring: 41 @ 1.89

Valve Stem Clearance:
Intake: .001-003
Exhaust: .0015-.0035

Valve Stem Diameter: Intake: .3410-.3420; Exhaust: .3410-.3420

ENGINE BEARING SPECIFICATIONS

Connecting Rod Bearings:
Journal Diameter, Inches: 2.138 - 2.139
Bearing Clearance, Inch: .0005-.003

Main Bearings:
    Journal Diameter, Inches: 2.498 - 2.499
    Bearing Clearance, Inch: .001-.002
    Crankshaft End Play, Inch (taken on rear bearing): .002-.006
    Main Bolt Tension, Lbs.Ft.: 100

CAPACITY DATA

Cooling System:
    Without heater: 22 quarts
    With heater: 23 quarts
    Radiator Cap Relief Pressure: 7
    Thermostats opens: 180

Fuel Tank: 17 gallons (station wagons and couriers 19 gallons)

Engine Oil: 4 quarts

Transmission:
without overdrive: 3 pints
with overdrive: 4-1/2
Automatic Transmission: 9-3/4 quarts

Rear Axle: 3-1/2 pints; Station wagon: 3

STARTING MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Unit Number: FAD-11002A, FAJ-11002A

Brush Spring Tension: 48-56 ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amps, 6 Volts @ 3000 RPM

Torque Test: 700 Amps, 3.5 Volts, 16 Lbs.Ft. Torque

DISTRIBUTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Distributor part number: 0BA-12127; 8BA-12127

Cam Angle, degrees: 26-28

Breaker Gap, Inch: .015

Condenser Capacity: .21-.25 Mfds.

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Oz.

Distributor Vacuum Advance Data:
    Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger Movement: .30
    Inches of Vacuum for Full Plunger Travel: 3.7
    Maximum Vaccum Advance, Distributor Degrees: 10-1/2

GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Generator Number: FAA-10000A, FBC-10000A (generator rotates clockwise)

Generator output:
FAA-10000A 35 Amps @ 850 RPM (engine speed)
FBC-10000A 35 Amps @ 900 (engine speed)

Brush Spring Tension: 30 oz.

REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Regulator Number: FAC-10505A

Cutout Relay:
    Voltage to close points: 6.3
    Reverse Current to Open Points: 0-8 amps
    Voltage regulator setting: 7.4 volts
    Current regulator settins: 34 amps

ENGINE TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS (FT. LBS.)

Spark Plugs: 25-30

Cylinder Head Bolts: 65-70

Intake Manifold: 23-28

Exhaust Manifold: 23-28

Rocker Arm Shaft Bracket: N/A

Rocker Arm Cover: N/A

Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 45-50

Main Bearing Cap Bolts: 95-105

Flywheel to Crankshaft: 75-85

Vibration Damper or Pulley: 45-55

REAR AXLE AND BRAKE CYLINDER SPECIFICATIONS

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash, Inch:
Passenger Car: .003-.008
Station Wagon: .003-.008

Drive Pinion Adjustment:
Passenger Car: Shims
Station Wagon: Shims

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment:
Passenger Car: Spacer
Station Wagon: Spacer

Axle Shaft End Play, Inch:
Passenger Car: None
Station Wagon: None

Hydraulic Cylinder Bore Sizes, Inch:
    Wheel Cylinder:
          Front: 1-1/8
        Rear: 7/8 (station wagon: 15/16)
    Master Cylinder: 1

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Caster, Degrees
Limits: -1 to + 1/2
Desired: -1/4

Camber, Degrees
Limits: 0 to +1
Desired: +1/2

Toe-In, Inches: 1/16 to 1/8

Toe-Out on Turns, Degrees: (If toe-out is incorrect, when other adjustments are correct, look for bent steering arms.)
Outer wheel: 20
Inner Wheel: 22-1/2

Kingpin Angle, or Steering Axis Degrees: (If king pin or spindle support angle are incorrect, but camber is correct, look for bent suspension arms or spindle support)
4-3/4 to 5-3/4