As a new member, I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge available on this site. Unfortunately I am a newbie with a newly purchased 1950 F-1 which is all original except for the wheels. I want to change out the drivetrain and suspension and am comteplating the following options:

Ford 302 "F" with CTI Mustang II IFS and new rear end. The folks as TCI just competed a similar project and recommended a 96 or newer Explorer rear end.

Chevy 283 with same IFS. Not sure about the rear end for this one.

As for transmissions, I would really love to have a manual 4 speed floor shift but everyone I talk to says it is very difficult to get the linkages right. The only other option is automatic (C4 I guess)

Any comments will be appreicated. Take it easy on my since this is my first project.

 

Woodsman

A FORD motor is the right choice. I have a 'girly' 302 in mine does a great job. It will cruise at interstate speed and still do 15 to 17 mpg.
351 will give you more punch the choice is up to you as both are a good choice. A 283 in my mind isn't evern a consideration.
A C4 or and AOD is a good transmission choice with the 302 or 351. If you go with the BIG MOTORS, like some here will try to tell you to do, ( they have relatives in the oil business) you will have a screaming machine but you will need the C6.
The rear with out a doubt a would recommend a Ford 9".

 

Its not a good idea to discuss Ch%@y motors here and you may get a unamimous recommendation to go Ford in a Ford. I feel that a "girlie" Ford small block is entirely adequate in an F-100 and a 5.0 with a T5 manual from a Mustang would do the job nicely especially if you are considering EFI. I believe that an 8.8 rear out of any late model Ford would do the job as well unless you plan on visiting the drag strip on a regular basis. Then a 9" would be the choice.

 

I have a 48 F1 with a 302, C4 auto, 9" rear. Good combo with this truck. Lots of after
market parts, runs good.

 

Ford engine in your Ford truck is the only proper way to go. I am putting a 302 in my 56 Mercury with a front suspention from a 80 Mercury car, C4 and a 9 inch rear end from a 59 Ford 1/2 ton.

 

'59 also w/ a "girly" 302 that's built (hence the truck's name: Butch). AOD tranny, 9" rear with 3.50 gears.

 

54 with a 289/c4 out of a 67 Mustang. When I see a Ford truck with a ch**y motor I think "this guy went cheap." It may not be the case, but that is still what I think. Also, for some reason, the chevy motors seem to all run very rich. As they drive through the cruis-ins their exhaust is lethal. Go with a ford. Be proud Blue. John

 

These guys do go cheap with a generic motor. Nothing bugs me more than Ford tuff with ch**y stuff. Just ruins what could have been perfect.

 

agree with the Ford in Ford view but I was just exploring all options. I found a nice 289 with C4. Do you think that would be sufficient versus a 302? How many horsepower does the 289 have?

 

I'm not sure on the HP rating of both engines. I would suppose that the 302 would have a few extra. My 289 runs real good and will chirp the tires without much effort. Both engines are almost twins of each other. I doubt that you could tell the difference in the way they run. Putting a lot of HP in these trucks is often frustrating for the proud new owner of the mongo-sized engine. Without weight in the rear to keep the tires from burning off, they are too light. Many a post on FTE have asked for help with things like traction bars, etc. For general driving, the 289/302 is fine in my book. If you don't mind buying the extra fuel, then go for a 351. If money is no object, then the sky is the limit: 428, 429, 460, blower, etc. They will all fit. The big blocks will require a much better cooling system as well as a bigger fuel tank. Good luck, John

 

If you want a little better fuel economy and power go for a 5.0 from a 89-95 Mustang. You can run it with the fuel injection or convert to a
carb if you don`t want to mess with the computer wiring. Like this motor in my 88 Cobra Mustang, lots of power and up to 27 mph.