Recently bought a 1951 F1 that was built into a rod back in the late 70's. It had been driven a total of 300 miles in the last few years by the previous owner before I got it.
I am not new to Ford trucks, but am new to this type of truck. It has a 460 cu inch motor, a C6, a 9" rear with 3.50 (or thereabouts), Plymouth Volare IFS, shaved door handles and a host of other mods typical of truck rods from this era.
Currently I am changing the fluids and doing a tune-up. The truck runs pretty well, but idles poorly and appears to be running rich.
1. Any idea what type of oil pan this is... and more important, the capacity? The PO changed the dipstick years ago and has been using 6 qts...this pan looks like it will hold more than 6 qts.
2. PO says the motor is from a mid-late 70's Lincoln. Can you advise me how to confirm which motor I have?
3. Door hinges look changed, and sag. I'll be taking the doors off. Are these hinges from a later F1?
4. Finally - the only way I can get the Holley 750 CFM to idle properly is to turn the idle mixture screws in until they are about 1/2 turn off their seats. I will set the float and see if that makes a difference.
Your advice is really appreciated

 

Unless you posted the wrong wrong picture, looking at the first pic you posted (the hinge), the truck isn't a 51.

 

70's 460 engine held 6 quart when filter changed, (if stock Lincoln oil pan used). Put in 5 then check level on stick. If changed pan, who knows. I would continue what prior owner did until you know more info.

Stock intake? If so, part number on intake will decode to model year. You can pull valve covers and learn a lot by the casting numbers on the heads, the shape of rocker arms, etc. Best motors were 1969, 70 & 71, compression dropped in 1972 and 1973 added EGR and retared camshaft (via a crank gear change), did not recover until 1976 but still had low compression and retarded cam timing.

 

The truck is a 1951, serial number F1R1KCxxxxx. Looks like the PO fitted some different hinges to the door.
I can always return the setup to original.
Intake manifold is an Edelbrock, so no help there in ID'ing the motor.
Installed new plugs today and set the float levels on the carb. Motor idles fine at 800 RPM, but is pretty lumpy at anything below. Cam is an "RV" cam, per the PO. He doesn't recall the cam specs....he's an older guy with a poor memory.
Forgot to mention that we are at 5,000' here, so perhaps the carb's been jetted for higher altitude. I don't know if that would affect the idle mixture, which still works best 1/2 turn of the seat.
Your help is appreciated.

 

Well, start with the size of the treads on those spark plugs. We they 14MM threads and you used a 5/8" socket to remove them? If so, that means heads are 1973 or newer.

Head casting number location



Block casting number location

 

Hey Mr. Precision,
Welcome Aboard! One of our more active members
is in Prescott - Search on here for ChuckRob. He's got a real nice
'48 F1. Sometimes it's easier to pick the brain of someone locally if you don't get your answer on the board.

Good luck over there in Arizona.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Thanks for the tips, Walt and Ben. Much appreciated.

 

Welcome to the form, I saw your truck for sale a couple of weeks ago, looks like a nice ride just needs a little TLC. The guy selling it didn't act very excited about parting with the truck. Hope to see you around town.

 

Hi ChuckRob
Have seen your '48 before- really nice. Love the setup. I'll try to contact you once the website allows me to do so. Are you a member of the PAAC? Yes the '51 needs some attention, which it is now getting. The PO built the truck in 1979 and hadn't used it in several years. He was ready to sell, and let it go for a reasonable price.
Hope to meet you soon-
Mike