To stay flat or not to stay flat. It's coming resurrection time for the Indicator, my 1951 F3. The 239 was magnafluxed and shows NO CRACKS, so perhaps i should put it on an engine stand. It still has a 3 speed spour gear tranny from when I last did a big number on it in '82. Now I'm thinking it might be time to put in a 351 or 302 with a more modern tranny. Or should I restructure staying 99% stock. I don't even know how difficult the conversion would be, or expensive. Or revesible back to the flathead mill. Somebody persuade me. I know I want to keep the Timken rear end (I have two, thanks to the '49), the 17" split wheels, etc. The other consideration is going 12 Volt. I am still 6 Volt in the Indicator. I've had this truck since 1979, and want to do right by it, though money is definitely an object. I'm uninterested in a Chevy 350 for my Ford, as I am uninterested in a Chevy 350 for my ancient Jaguar. No need for pro cross-breed people to weigh in. But other Ford engine/tranny conversions? As I said, somebody persuade me.

 

Rebuild the flattie and install a modern transmission behind it! You can get adaptors to use a T-5 5 speed or an automatic. Then you will have the best of both worlds. The T-5 suggestion could be a problem if you still use it as a F3.

 

It all depends on what you want to do with the truck. Is it a resto project? A custom project? Or the in between resto-custom project?
I suggest a newer modern engine, a 351 windsor would be great, and an overdrive tranny either auto or manual. Good luck.

 

As already asked, what do you intend to use it for?

If its something to be worked then Id go for a 429/460 with C6 or OD truck tranny from the 80's. But you should change the rear to a more road friendly ratio 9"
If you want something different then consider a 317/341/368 Lincoln or a 332 truck engine. The 317 (often swapped with the 341/368) was used in F7/8 52-3 and the 332 came out in 54.

The 351W is a good all around choice.

Save the flatty for a lighter project.

 

Ok- You guys are definitely beyond me in knowledge and expertise. It won't be used as hard as it was 20 years ago, any more than I am. Still, I like the huge Timken rearend, and don't mind lower speeds on the highway, to know I can put weight on it and not worry. Even firewood adds up when it's filling the big box and it's green hickory. So if I stay with the 239, torquey beast that it is, are the choices in tranny good? Are there kits out there? I mean with minor driveshaft modifications, and ideally no irreversible frame mounting mods. I don't mind a manual gearbox, and god knows anything will be smoother than a spur gear granny +2 stick gearbox. My old lady wouldn't mind going auto, though. That's of secondary concern, candidly.

 

Indicator, with my 52 F-3 I personally choose to go with a 79 400M and a C-6 Auto. My main reason for going with the more modern driveline is that fact that I had no driveline when I got my truck and I had the 79 parts sitting in my garage from my other toy. To fit the setup in my frame I had to do a great deal of "removal" of stock cross members and mounts and fabrication of new mounts for both the engine, tranny, and the power brake booster, so I doubt what I'm doing will be reversible, but in my case I don't mind. To also make my project more irreversible I have decided to make my F-3 into an extended cab (hey I wanna fit in with all the new trucks out there.. ok so I wanna turn a few heads ). Anyways, good luck with your project either road you choose.

Jon