Inliners International Forums General Discussion Ford 215 six mods

I have mildly warmed up 1952 215 (slight shave on head, dual carb, dual point, and hot coil). I recently acquired a complete 1961 223 cylinder head in decent shape. The CR is 8.4:1 compared to 7.15:1 on my 215 head. I am considering porting and polishing this head and mounting it on the 215. Is this doable or should I stop thinking so hard?

Mike

As far as I know the 215/223/262 heads are interchageble. I could be wrong though. I do know that there are some differences beween the 215 & 223 as far as distributor location. Some parts are interchageble between the Y block v8s & the 223, possibly the 215. Hope this helps. Take care,
Edwin
'63 & '65 red tudors

I read somewhere ( here I think ) that there is a difference in the coolant hole locations that causes a potential overheating problem. Try researching head gaskets. If they sell different ones for each motor, then I would say there is a problem.

I do know the headgaskets are the same, as are the rocker arm assemblies prior to '64.
This might be a future project!
Mike

Are the headgaskets & rockerarm assemblies the same from 1952-64? If they are then you're in business. It probably couldn't hurt to grab a 223 & see what will interchange. This would go a long way toward getting parts as the 223 was a rather common motor.
You may already know more than what I've got on my site, but here's the address to my Ford I6 site: http://www.geocities.com/edwins63/I6ID.html
This sounds like an interesting prodject as you rarely hear of the 215 (one of fords first OHV motors, only made from '52-3). Let us know how it turns out. Take care,
Edwin
'63 & '65 red tudors

Thats a neat sight. A little more info for you on the 215: the truck engines were painted a light green and were known as the CostClipper Six.
For its time it had a very hot cam, intake opens at 18*BTC and closes at 68*ATC with a duration of 276* and the exhaust open at 55* BBC and closes at 22*ATC with a duration of 267*
(from the Sept 1952 issue of SPEED AGE magazine)
It was rated at 101hp @ 3500 rpm (91hp @ 3400 for trucks). With my mods, my little truck puts out approx. 125hp at 3500 rpm according to my Dyno 2000 simulation program.
Just enough to make a flathead V8 go back and count its cylinders BTW, it resides in 1952 F2.

Mike

"Just enough to make a flathead V8 go back and count its cylinders" He, he, I like that. Have you taken this truck to any shows? A nice I6 always draws attention. Funny how I've had so many people tell me I've got to ditch the 6 for a v8, but these same people will oogle over the only hopped-up six in a line of v8s.
On another note, do you have any pics of this engine? If you do (& don't mind), some pictures of this motor would be nice on my website as I don't have any of a 215. Take care,
Edwin
'63 &'65 red tudors

I've had it in a number of shows in the past few years.
Its butt-ugly with a brush paint job and alot of rust but alot of people tell me that its the most unique vehicle they've looked at. Partly because of my tongue in cheek attitude to showing it, partly because it is still looks like a real truck, but mostly because of the engine.
I heard the "Ditch the Six" chant myself when I joined the local car club. The first thing I was asked is when was I going to put in the all too common 350/350 combo. After my snappy comeback, I think they figured out it won't ever happen.
Right now the truck is torn down for a major rehab. Everything from the flywheel on back is being repaired or replaced. I dumped the bed in favor of a stake body and a repaint back to the original color. I'm also adding a Clifford dual exhaust header with a pair Smittys
I'll scounge up a couple of pics for you. Use them if you can.

Mike