Classic Car Engine Specs: 1953 Pontiac 239 (118 hp) Inline Six

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model Designation: Six (Hydramatic) 53-25
Wheel Base: 122
Valve
Timing Mark Location: In Block
Bore & Stroke: 3.5625 x 4.000
Piston Displacement, Cubic Inches: Sixs - 239.2
Compression Ratio: with Hydramatic: 7.7
Maximum Brake HP @ RPM: with Hydramatic 118 @ 3600
Maximum Torque Lbs. Ft. @ RPM: with Hydramatic: 197 @ 2000
Normal Oil Pressure Lbs: 35

TUNE UP SPECIFICATIONS

Disconnect vacuum line when using timing light to set timing.

Ground Polarity & Voltage: N-6
Spark Plug Type: A.C. 44-5; tighten to a torque of 15-25 lbs. ft.
Spark Plug Gap, Inch: .025
Distributor:
Point Gap, Inch Six - .022
Cam Angle Degrees: Six - 31-37
Firing Order: 153624
Ignition Timing:
Timing Mark: When cranking engine second line to come under pointer.
Timing Mark Location: Damper Idle Speed RPM in Neutral: 520-540
Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed Minimum: With Hydramatic 139

VALVE SPECIFICATIONS

Running Clearance:
Int: .012H
Exh: .012H
Valve Seat Angle, Degrees: Intake 30 degrees exhaust 45 degrees.
Valve Timing (-BTDC: Before top dead center. ATDC: After top dead center.) Intake Opens Deg. BTDC: 12 1/2
Exhaust Closes Deg. ATDC: 12 1/2
Valve Spring Pressure Lbs. at Inches Length: 101 @ 1 19/32
Valve Lift Zero Lash
Int: .2968
Exh: .2968
Stem Clearance
Int: Guides taper .001" (.0015" on V8s) to the inch and when started in the guide the valve should fall through of its own weight.
Exh: Guides taper .001" (.0015" on V8s) to the inch and when started in the guide the valve should fall through of its own weight.
Stem Diameter
Int: .310-.311
Exh: .310-.311

ENGINE TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS

Torque specifications are for clean & lightly lubricated threads only. Dry or dirty threads produce increased friction which prevents accurate measurement of tightness.

Spark Plugs Ft. Lbs.: 25
Cylinder Head Bolts Ft. Lbs.: 60
Connecting Rod Cap Bolts Ft. Lbs. 45
Main Bearing Cap Bolts Ft. Lbs.: 95 (Rear 120)
Flywheel to Crankshaft Ft. Lbs.: 105
Vibration Damper or Pulley Ft. Lbs.: 95

COOLING SYSTEM & CAPACITY DATA

Cooling System Data
Quarts No Heater: 18 1/4
Quarts With Heater: 20
Rad. Cap Relief Pressure: 6 1/2-7 1/2
Thermostat Opening Temp
-For permanent type anti-freeze: 170
-For alcohol type anti-freeze: 151
Fuel Tank Gals: 20
Engine Oil
Refill Quarts: (-Add one quart with filter change): 5
Summer Grade: 20W
Winter Grade: 10W
Transmissions
Std. Pints: 1 3/4
With Overdrive Pints: None
Automatic Qts.: 11
Rear Axle Pints: 3 1/4

DISTRIBUTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Part No. (Stamped on plate riveted to side of
Distributor:housing): 1110232, 110233
Rotation: (-As viewed from top. CC-Counter Clockwise): CC
Cam Angle Degrees: 31-37
Breaker Point Opening, Inch: .022
Condenser Capacity, Mfds. (-Microfarads-as indicated on a condenser tester.): .18-.23
Breaker Arm Spring Tension, Ounces: 17-21
Centrifugal Advance Data Degrees @ RPM of Dist. Advance Starts: 110232 - 1 @ 450, 110233 - 1 @ 500 Full Advance: 110232 - 11 @ 1950, 110233 - 11 1/2 @ 1800
Vacuum Advance Data
Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger Movement: 110232 & 110233 - 4-6
Inches of Vacuum for Full Plunger Travel: 20 1/2
Maximum Vacuum Advance, Dist. Degrees: 110232 & 110233 - 11

PISTON, PINS, RINGS, CRANKSAHAFT & BEARINGS

Ring End Gap (-Fit rings in tapered bores for clearance given in tightest portion of ring travel)
Comp: .008
Oil: early .012", late .005"
Wristpin Diameter: .9372
Rod Bearings Shaft Diameter: 2.1237-2.1247
Bearing Clearance: .0001-.002
Main Bearings Shaft Diameter: No. 1, 2.4982-2.4992, No. 2, 2.5294-2.5304, No. 3, 2.5919-2.5929, No. 4, 2.632-2.6242
Bearing Clearance: .0003-.0023
Thrust on Bear. No.: 3
Shaft End Play: .003-.008

GENERATOR & REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Generator
Generator Number: 1102794
Rotation: & Ground Polarity (-C-Clockwise. N-Negative): C-N
Generator Output
Amperes: 45
RPM: 2350
Brush Spring Tension, Ounces: 28
Field Current Amperes: 1.87-2.0 (At 6 volts)
Regulator
Regulator Number: 1118827
Cutout Relay
Voltage to Close Points: 6.3
Armature Air Gap, Inch: .020
Voltage Regulator Setting Volts: 7.1
Current Regulator Setting Amperes: 44
Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap, Inch: .075

STARTING MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Part No: 1107994, 1107144
Rotation: (-As viewed from drive end): C
Brush Spring Tension, Ounces: 24 Min.
No Load Test
Amperes: 70
Volts: 5.65
RPM: 5500
Torque Test
Amperes: 570, with automatic trans. 550
Volts: 3.15. with automatic trans. 3.25
Torque, Lbs.Ft: Six - 13 1/2 with automatic trans. 11

REAR AXLE & BRAKE CYLINDER SPECIFICATIONS

Ring, Gear & Pinion Backlash, Inch: .003-.012
Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shim
Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Spacer
Axle Shaft End Play, Inch: None
Hydraulic Cylinder Bore Sizes, Inch:
Wheel Cylinder: Front: 1 1/16; Rear: 7/8
Master Cylinder: 1

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Caster, Degrees:
Limits: -1/2 to +1/2
Desired: 0
Camber, Degrees:
Limits: 0 to +1
Desired: +1/2
Toe-In, Inches: 0 to 1/16
Toe-Out on Turns, Degrees: (-Incorrect toe-out, when other adjustments are correct, indicates bent steering arms)
Outer wheel: 18 1/2
Inner Wheel: 20

Kingpin Angle, Degrees: (-Incorrect kingpin angle with correct camber indicates bent suspension arms or steering knuckle support): 4 1/2 @ 1/2 Camber