1955 Victoria Roofline

[emf]

I've been on the Ford Barn for a while, but mostly about Model A's. I might be involved with a 1955 Victoria and have little or no knowledge, so here is my question.


It is my understanding that the Victoria models had a lower roof line than the standard cars. Did Ford offer a 2 door pillar-less hardtop with the standard, taller roof line in 1955? I'm interested in a 55 2 door hardtop that has Vicky badges, but the top appears to be quite a bit higher than the Vicky... It may be just the photo, but it would be nice to know..


Frank

[Hot Rod Reverend]

The only true hardtop in 55 was indeed the Victoria, but it’s roof line was high like the sedans. The 55 Crown Victoria (considered a hardtop but technically a hard pillar with hardtop doors) was the only 55 that had a low roof line. The 56 Victoria, and all other 56 pillarless cars had a lower roof line than the sedan line.

[emf]

Thanks...

[scicala]

Why can't all posts be like this. A clear question, a quick, accurate and detailed answer, followed by a thank you.


Sal

[40cpe]

'55 Victoria high roof line

[Hot Rod Reverend]

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you are welcome! Nice car by the way (40cpe)
edit: the mercman from OZ helped me out - I forgot about the 56 four door no post car - it had a high roof.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of a 1956 Ford Fairlane 4 door Victoria. Notice that it has the high roof, the same as the Sedans.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of a 1955 Ford Fairlane 2 door Hardtop. Notice that it has the High Roof line. In 1955, the only Ford to receive the Low Roof Line were the two Crown Victorias. Then, in 1956, all 2 door Hardtops got the low roof line, including the new Customline series. The same was true for Mercury. In 1955, the Montclair got the low roof line while the Monterey got the high roof line. Then in 1956, like Ford, all 2 door Mercurys got the low roof line. Also, over at Mercury, the 4 door hardtop got the low roof line, a very sharp looking car.

[emf]

Thanks again, guys. I think I've decided on a 53-54. Wife says it must be a convertible, so the 55's are a little out of my reach. As long as the car is red, does it really matter??


Frank

[miker98038]

You probably know this, but I’m going to toss it out anyway. The 53 will be a flathead, the 54 the kind of orphan 239 y block. That’s assuming you find an original. A lot of those cars have seen engine changes especially the 239 being replaced with 272-292-312 y block.

Beware, all y blocks for sale are 312 Thunderbird motors. You can’t tell from the outside.

Casting number info is here in detail, at the bottom under “information center”

http://www.ford-y-block.com

[mercman from oz]

EMF, I think that you are making a good choice with a 1954 Ford Crestline Sunliner. Check out this beauty which is a recent import into Australia.They are a very nice looking car, and a model that seems to have slipped between the cracks.
They are not Flathead powered, (except those made in Canada) and they are not a 1955 or 1956 model. On that basis, I think that they would be more reasonably priced? I would love one in my garage.

[emf]

Originally Posted by miker98038

Beware, all y blocks for sale are 312 Thunderbird motors. You can’t tell from the outside.

Not sure what you are telling me... Why should I beware of the 312? The one I'm looking at is advertised to be a 239


Frank

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by emf

Not sure what you are telling me... Why should I beware of the 312? The one I'm looking at is advertised to be a 239
Frank

His comment about 312's was satire. Referring to the common practice of used car sellers telling you any Y-block powered car has the bigger 312... to help convince you to buy the car, when they actually have no clue what the engine is.
You can't tell them apart just by looking, especially if some of the bolt-on pieces have been changed.

Is the car currently running and driveable?
A 239 engine may not be the better choice unless you're looking for 100% originality.
Several years ago my favorite machine shop told me some of the internal engine components are no longer available.
When it comes to engine rebuild time replacing it with a 272, 292, etc. may be your only option.

.

[emf]

The car was completely restored about 10 years ago and still looks good in the photos. I have not seen the car up close, but will in about a week. Supposedly the engine was completely rebuilt at that time. Time will tell...


Frank

[miker98038]

Sorry Frank, the 312comment was just as dmsfrr stated. It’s kind of a standing joke among y block guys.

There’s nothing wrong with the 239 if it runs well. Just from memory the cam bearing size, distributor drive gear md water pump/front cover are different from the later models and don’t interchange. That’s where the parts problem comes from. I think the main and rod bearings, too. If you’re paying a premium for a restored original you can check the casting numbers from Mummert’s site that I referenced above. Since the 239 and mercury 256 where one year motors a lot got swapped out for the later displacements.

The guy next door has 2 restored Model A’s, but they both have B motors in them.

[emf]

No need to be sorry, no thin skins here. I was just curious about possible problems with the 239. I'll have to learn about post war Fords, so any info is appreciated. I also have a couple of A's, one with a B engine. It also has a 39 transmission and is a pleasure to drive. The engine has some changes...


Frank

[dmsfrr]

The runners of the intake manifold and ports into the heads are smaller on the 239's. They won't interchange with the '55 and up versions. They also use smaller diameter spark plugs than the later Y-blocks, possibly the same style as the earlier flatheads(?).

[paul2748]

You can use the outer components of a 239/256 on a later block. If you use the 239/256 heads, you have to use the 239/256 intake because of the small ports . The later heads and intake had bigger ports and the port match is not good with the earlier parts.


The 239/256 front cover (timing cover) can be used on a later block but you cannot use the early steady rest on the later block because of clearance problems with the damper.


If you use the later engine, the later distributor must be used because the tooth count and oil pump drives are different

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

They also use smaller diameter spark plugs than the later Y-blocks, possibly the same style as the earlier flatheads(?).

14mm Spark Plugs