Projects 51 Ford F1 daily driver

Got the front end riding much better this evening. Here's a shot of the coil that I took out...
I cut too many coils out of the last set I had (3 1/2), so this time I took baby steps. Started with 1.5 coils being cut out, but after fitting them and checking ride height, determined that 1 more coil had to go. It sits a little hight than before but it will do until I get 15" rims and bigger tires. Now I can go over speed bumps and dips.

 

Nice project Kevin. I am going to start on my '53 F-100 in a few months when I retire. I have had it sitting in the garage for 15 years waiting it's turn.

I see that you have a BSA 650 Spitfire Mk11. I have had one for almost 40 years (another retirement restoration project). I traded a McDonald's cheeseburger for it ,they were 35 cents at the time! It was in great shape except that the GP carbs had been replaced with concentrics by the original owner, a common mod at the time.

 

Keep at it man. I like where you are going with this thing. I am an F1 lover so show me more F1 porn!!!

 

Mikegt4 my BSA is a chopper that was originally built in the 70's. I molded the frame, and changed some things to make it my own, like seat and tank and the 1981 Mercedes Benz Manganese brown paint. 46steel - got any pics?
iamben - Thanks man. I am diggin your profile pic!

 

Kevin, I forgot to send the pics of my truck with the jag ifs. Just sent. Feel free to post them.

 

Cool truck!

 

46steel - Your truck is killer!! I wish mine was chopped and had the hood modified but that kind of fab is beyond my skill level. What kind of rims do you have in the front? They would look cool with baby moons on them. I'm trying to find 4 lug 15" steel rims so I can get the tires I want, and not have to change the axles/rearend and the hubs/discs for the time being.
Rhopper - I'll post your pics so everyone can see
shoebox50 - Thanks man!

 

Here is RHoppers truck. Lookin good!

 

Subscribed......always cool to see another F-1 come together. Keep it coming!

 

Cool truck, like where it's headed to! I am subscribed.....

 

Finally got the power steering hooked up,had to make spacers and get longer bolts so the belts were straight, now has new hoses, belts, fluid but seems to have a whining noise when I turn the wheel. Could just be a Ford thing, all my Rangers did the same thing. Upon checking for power steering leaks, I found a leak in my mechanical fuel pump right in the casting. Fun fun. I'll get a new pump in the morning and throw that sucker in then I can get back to finishing the roof paint and installing the side glass. I'll post pics of the roof/cab tomorrow.

 

Is your rearend out of a lincoln mark VIII? If so, was it practically a bolt in? Problems with universal joint sizes or leaf spring perches? I'm going to change mine to have 5 lug wheels and taller gears for the freeway but want it to be as painless as possible.

 

In old Benzes, that PS whining comes from having air in the system - needs to be bled out.

Ofcourse, I never realised that the whining was coming from the Power Steering until I went for a drive WITHOUT the wife!!!!!

No thoughts of a 59-72 F100 9inch? straight bolt in with a choice of ratios.
Put it in on top of the leaves, should drop it 5 inches??

 

Cool build! I'm going to be getting a 49-52 ford truck to replace my 03 superduty this summer. It must be killer to drive a 50's truck daily.

 

Mark - Hahahahahah!! I know that annoying sound all too well! I am going to swing by the local salvage yard this week and try find a 9". The rearend is already on top of the springs so it should keep it nice and low. Currie Ent. is right down the street from my work so I can get the perches, gears and anything else.
46steel - You did a really nice job on the install!
408Fairmont - Do it! Its rad driving a 50's truck everyday, I sold my 02 Chevy 2500HD crewcab 4x4 for my truck. Going from leather seats with heaters built in to my F1 was a drastic change but at least now I can do repairs without using a computer!

 

Oh boy. Truck started running a little rough on the way to work on Wednesday. That night, she had an intermittent misfire all the way home. Played with the spark plug wires and found one of the wires didn't have a good crimp. I had replaced the fuel pump that was leaking with a new one but turns out the new one had been spewing gas into the crankcase worse than the oldy so I called her quits that night. It starting raining that night so I stole my parents wheels since they have windshield wipers. I put another fuel pump and did a compression check. LOW. The new oil after I changed it, still smells like fuel. Must have toasted the tired rings. I am on the line for a long block at the moment so that will be the next thing. I'm riding the dragon in the never ending story...

 

Like-for-like engine swap is not that big a deal!

and not even that expensive with a garden variety SBC!

 

Been couch surfing with the flu but am feeling a bit better and getting back to work... So I got my Speedway electric wiper motor and it appears that I have a different year linkage. Can anyone help me identify which year I have? It fits my truck but the mounts on the speedway bracket are different. It looks like I can trim the arms that the vacuum motor bolted to and drill new holes but figured I'd run it by you guys first before I start cutting. They didn't include an idiots guide (instructions). Any help is much appreciated.
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And if it didn't rain this weekend, the top would have been painted. Final wetsanding and she is looking purdy. I can actually see a reflection in it...
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I am picking up a rebuilt 302 on Saturday morning. I hope to get it in this weekend since I have Monday and Tuesday off for Christmas. I'll post some pics!

 

Your vacuum wiper motor/bracket are correct for a '51 truck. Is that electric wiper motor made to fit your truck, or just "universal"? Before you cut the old bracket I would try to see if it is going to fit up under the dash.....looks kinda bulky.

 

Subscribed. Love these trucks as well. I have a 51 merc, a jag front and rear set up, a 48 merc m-5 with a excellent cab, and a ford f-6 that I plan to one day mesh all together to get a good runner like you have.

Cant wait to see how the painted roof turns out.

 

It is speedway part number 91356151 and says
"This custom built, motor driven electric wiper conversion kit bolts to stock brackets and uses stock wiper transmisson and arms. It will clear the cowl vents and air conditioning systems.

Two speed, 12 volt operation with self-park feature. Includes wiring harness, switch and nylon bushings for arms.

NOTE: This wiper kit is designed for trucks that have the original vacuum wiper motor and linkage in place. Trucks that do not have the original electric wiper motor will need to acquire an original set of vacuum wiper motor linkage to complete this installation."

Looks way off to me. I emailed them and hopefully get a response but we'll see with Christmas here in a couple days.

 

I can see the way the cog lines up, the mounting flange looks way out to me?

 

This can't be right...
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If you can make the speedway stationary, it will behave like it's mounted in/under the firewall?

 

I guess I was just hoping that it was a bolt in and that ALL new mounts wouldn't have to be fabbed up. So much for saving some time with their "kit". Oh well.

 

I would mount the linkage part ln the truck and then hold the motor up to it and see if it clears everything. In your pic it looks like the motor needs to be raised up quite a bit.

 

http://1948fordpickup.blogspot.com/



Very good pictures of dropping a Jaguar IFS and IRS in a F1. I keep it book marked. He keeps the factory cage in the rear and front is soft mounted.



Progress has been slow on my 52 F1. Working on complete rewire right now. Put 12" disks on the front, stock suspension, 70's rims 15" and got set of moon disks to drop onto it. Finally got the right front bumper and a tailgate this time home for it.

My main stall point right now is the transmission. I have a 1989 roller cam 302 and FMX in it. FMX I know is good and got right yoke and a drive shaft mounted. I still have the factory Dana 44 and 3.92 gears. Not the best for long drives. The shifter is the big problem on that combo right now. I wanted a drop in aftermarket but Lokar is about the only one that make one for the FMX. Then you have to drop the pan and change out the selector arm. I may have to just do the math and make my own custom arm and figure out my sweeping ratio to get it right. I do have 2 AOD's and have been debating trying one in it. Then I have to get the TV linkage, new drive shaft, shifter. Decisions, decisions.


The bar for the suspension you did looks good.

 

Wipers;

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=635394