dump truck needs newer engine

[ww2wmd]

I recently purchased a 1946 ford 1 1/2 ton dump truck. It was last licensed in 1968. When I removed the right cylinder head i discovered cracks in the nos 1 and 2 cylinders.Since the chances of finding another engine are slim I would like to swap to a newer v8. I would like to keep the 4 speed manual transmission because it has a pto for the dump cylinder. Anyone got any ideas?

[Nate S]

i think they sell older (rebuild or new?) flathead v8's...
i think i saw it in bob drake's catalog...not sure...
not sure if that's what you want though...

[46fordtruck]

The flathead V8 isn't really all that hard to find still. And yeah, they do sell rebuilt ones, but they can be expensive compared to a newer overhead valve V8. In the old days they made adaptors to put on newer V8's to the old trannys. But as far as finding a direct bolt in to the original transmission, very very slim. Look around on eBay for an adaptor to install a newer engine to the orignal trans.

[ww2wmd]

thanks for the advice, rebuilt flatheads are expensive, especially in canadian dollars. This morning I took the cover off the tranny it's pretty rusty but the gears still move. I drained it, only water came out, about a cupfull. I put in about a gallon of atf to loosen it up, it ran out on the pto side it's too dirty to see exactly where, I'll have to clean it up. Maybe I'll be looking for a trans as well.

[JSMConstruction]

It sound'sike you maybe have gotten and old peice of junk.

or

a poorly maintianed highly abused truck that sat a long long time..

I can get a used flat head that did run 4 year's ago
it should still run..

I was going to put it in my 61 F-500 cause the old 223-6 is about junk....
I'd rather put a 5.9L diesel with 5spd manual or 6spd manual in my F-500 as have posted but no one seems to wanna help me with what i'll need to do...

But anywho i no of a good solid Flathead V-8 is,and it can be tweaked and geeked to make some nice power. or you can build it to be work and or abused
....

[ww2wmd]

Thanks for the offer Ford61F500, but I'm guessing that it would cost an arm & leg to get it up to this neck of the woods, I have located a 351w engine and a T18 trans at a local scrap dealer who specializes in restorations. He will give me everything I need, engine complete with all attachments, a bellhousing and clutch, quaranteed to work, for $750 cdn.(that"s about $500 US}. The trans has provision for a PTO on the side. with the same 6 bolt pattern as mine but my PTO has straight cut gears and the T18's are helical, also my Pto is on the passenger side, the T18's is on the drivers side (I think) This could be a problem, maybe I won't have an operating dump box after all.This truck was last licensed in 1968. since then it has sat in a field. The hood was half open and the air cleaner missing, also the windshield shot out. The snow & rain went down the carb and dripped off the dash onto the shift boot which eventually dried out and cracked. Everythig else seems to be fine, full of grease where required, rusty but sound. I'm retired and have time to work on it. I found some tickets under the gas tank for purchasing 25 lb. blocks of ice, so I;m guessing it was used to deliver ice back in the days before refrigerators. Maybe I'll call it the Ice Wagon. Thanks again!

[JSMConstruction]

well i'm glade to help you out man..

I'm always looking for somthing cause i can't aford to buy the Ready to work 50's 60's and 70's truck's so i gotta buy and old farm beater and glue it back together.

if you was going to still work it I'd say the 351w would be the better chioce anyway...

Can't wait to see it back in it's glorey.
Good luck.