I have a 51 F1 that has the original motor. I'd like to get a crate motor put in to make it a more reliable daily driver. Keeping the rest of the truck original. Don't want to make a hot rod. Any suggestions?

 

Hey Salty,
Welcome Aboard! We've got a 1950 F1 - the small block Ford family of engines fit
fine in our trucks 289/302/351W. We went with a 351W built up from a short block
with an Edelbrock Top End - more of a hotrod engine. Personally I wish we had just stayed
stock or close to stock - very good for cruising. Not specifically a crate engine but close. You can
find these small block Ford engines for sale locally most anywhere.

Good luck over there in Tennessee! Post some pics when you get a chance - let's see what you are working with ...

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

2nd on the small block ford. it fits nice and can be made to look stock(ish). just leave off the chrome and it will blend right in.

 

I'd like to see someone do a swap with one of these:

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6007-20T

Maybe I'll try it one day if I ever get tired of my flathead.

 

Thanks Ben, Z06, and JP for all the replies. I am leaning towards a 302, partly because I found a good deal on one. The old girl is still running and driving with over 400,000 miles on it. However, we are leaking from just about everywhere and every day on the road is another chance of something else breaking. Choice is to rebuild or replace. I think doing the swap is the best thing for me. I'd like to take some cruises a little further from the house and not have to worry about breaking down. Here is a picture of what she looks like now. Thanks again for the help.

 

That's one nice looking truck.

 

Hey Salty,
Replacing the engine morfs into a full restoration ...it's a slippery slope.
While I have the engine out I might as well replace.... What transmission
are you thinking about? What rear end to go with your 302?

We moved the gas tank out back under the bed, upgraded to a 2 chamber
master cylinder, Explorer 8.8 rear end with 3.73 gears, etc., etc...

Good luck over there.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Thanks JP! I am very lucky. It was completely restored about 25 years ago and then parked in a barn unitl I found her last year. Thanks to some mice, it didn't run and the guy just needed to sell it. All I did was change out some wiring, dump the fuel, and hook up a battery.

 

Ben,

I know... and it will eventually get done. Just will have to happen in stages. Still looking for a transmission.. rear end will have to be 8.8. Don't need 9 and 8.8 seems to be more common.

 

A 302 HO out of a 87-95 Mustang will serve you well and have plenty of power. Check out Craiglist and just buy the whole car cheap. Try to find a running one and take the motor to your favorite machine shop for a rebuild. Will serve you well for many years. JMHO

 

Nice truck and welcome. I see you live in TN also. The small block ford does fit good.

 

Here is my 52 with a 302 I built up with a mild cam hooked on a C-4.
TractormanBill

 

Nice! What IFS is that?

 

It is the Mustang back when they came in 1000 pieces to weld in not like the ones assembled ready to weld in now days.
TractormanBill

 

Sweet. It looks very well done Bill.