Just for the purists (one of which I consider myself mostly) I am restoring a 1950 Ford F1 with 226H to bone stock. Getting there and getting close. I also picked up a 1952 F1 with a 215 6cyl in it(car engine with timing cover replaced). The VIN shows the 6 as stock but since the 215 is in bad shape, lots of smoke and likely needing an overhaul I decided that since I had a 6 in my 50 I'd like to have the flathead V8 in my 52. So the donor came out of a 51 F1 and it ran however it had to bad cylinders so I had it machined .080 over to clean up the gouge. The only modification I'm doing is an Isky Max cam to give it a little "sound" and i'll likely put dual exhaust on it. I also am upgrading the radiator to an aluminum since the 6 won't work anyways. With that said has anyone done this swap and if so can you give me a checklist on what will need changed? Here's what I know or at least think I know:


Battery tray needs to go on the other side
Radiator is different
Radiator support gets moved closer towards cab?
How about the upper radiator air foil (part that is on the hood)?
Tranny is a 4spd top loader, will it bolt up to the 239?
???


Thanks for your help. I know some will tell me that 215 is just as good and I honestly believe that but I have a restored 6cyl in my 50 and since my 215 is tired and I always wanted a flat V8 I'm going for it. Outside of the VIN (which I don't care about) nobody will know the difference but me. I may keep the 215 around just in case but it's not the original 215 anyhow so I'm not sure of the value in doing that other than if someone wants it stock OR if I find down the road another truck to put the 239 into

 

Different throttle linkage, from firewall all the way to carb
Exhaust
The underhood deflectors are different
Fuel line routing is likely different

I'm not sure you "have" to swap the battery tray around. I've seen several V8's with the 6-banger tray, no clearance issues. But V8 trays are available new.

I don't think there's a problem with the trans mating up, but you'd much prefer a HD 3-sp if you can find one in good condition.

Nothing wrong with the 215/6 other than needing a rebuild (can go to 223 specs on pistons). Seems like a lot of work "just because". Is the V8 rebuilt?

 

Thanks for the info. I did realize the linkage and already picked that up. I'm planning on dual exhaust. My point was that they'll both need rebuilt in order to be good runners so I chose the V8. Yes, the machine work has been done and the internals purchased. Balanced front to back, crank reground, camshaft bearing done. It's basically ready for assembly, once I get this 226 into my 50 so that I have room. The only part that I had reservations on was the fact that the OHV was the first non-flathead in the truck but it's not like I'm cutting anything up. In fact I'm thinking more of putting all the "215 stuff" in storage in my lower barn (radiator/long block/upper air foil/linkage/etc) just in case I "need it" someday.