The steering is still not hooked up, I am getting a replacement steering link from my friend this week...however there is no way it can feel worse than it did with the old stuff in!

Sid drops and stretches the axles, and I have never heard a bad word about Sid, his product, or his customer service. Not to mention it is a stock Ford part (which I like). I have pined after Sid's axle for long enough...now I just gotta find the cash to buy one.

My friend, that is the source of all my new front end parts, needs some running boards for his truck. Where on here can I look to find some for him? He knows about the cheepie smooth ones, but he was more interested in an original set...any ideas?

 

Obsolete and Classic Auto Parts, right down the street from me has repopped ribbed running boards for:

48-52 for $575 a pair.
53-56 for $400 a pair.

Obsolete & Classic Auto Parts Online Catalog

I am going to get some for my 56 to replace the oak ones the PO made.

 

That is nice to know...thanks for the link. I will pass it along. I think he is more looking for used at this point, but I will pass the info along!

There are quite a few of yall that are running SBF setups...I got a question for ya. How did you mount your mill? The more I look at my motor mounts, the less sure I feel about them. Granted, they have worked so far.

Originally, I purchased the tube kit that mounts inside the framerails, but it hit the drag link. We started to modify that to the point there was nothing left of the kit. I was checkin out my friends F-1, and his motor mount setup looks like its stock Ford stuff welded in...much more safe than what I have now. I am not lookin to buy another kit...but any ideas on what motor mounts to use? The engine is bolted up with Falcon style mounts, I am more lookin for the mounts off the frame. There is a 90% chance I will be cutting the flathead mounts off the frame so I can use a mechanical fuel pump instead of the electric as well.

I will try to shoot some pictures of my situation later to post.

 

I am looking into making some motor mounts myself. I am putting in the MII X-member and will need to probably fabricate some. I have a welder and plasma cutter and lots of 3/16 steel to play with.

Just need to see if there's a pattern I can use or should I reinvent the wheel for my application.

 

Pre-engineered/manufactured engine mounts are not all that expensive. TCI makes a set for Ford V-8s in a '56 for $85.

Depending on what you think your time is worth, that's not bad.

 

who and where is sid??

 

Sid Drapel

Dropped axle Axles Axel

Guthrie, OK

Sorry, probably shoulda posted that link.

 

fordman,...If you already have a flathead in there, and you want to go with a SBF I know a 289 or 302 will fit right on the flathead mounts...my buddy swapped a 302 in his 50 ford sedan hooked right on the flatty motor mounts...My guess is it would be the same as a truck setup???someone else what to chime in if i'm wrong...maybe AX...or number dummy...Julie???...oh i think you still have to move or shorten the drive line...

 

I was not aware a SBF could mount on the front...I suppose I learn new things every day...anyone have pictures of this? Maybe a trick timing cover with motor mount assy?

I know SBC mounts in the front...

 

Ok...I guess nobody has pictures of a SBF mounting in the front...so moving on!

FINALLY!!!! I got the front end put all back together and set back down on all 4's again. It has been to long! I replaced all the zerks and gave the front end a full lube job, which was needed! The steering is nice and tight for the first time...I cant wait to get it on the road and see how it does.

Now, a new problem has popped up. The suspension all moves and flexes properly, but the springs dont push the truck back up. As soon as I set the truck down, the first thing I did was push down on the bumper. It went down, never back up. Hmm...It almost seems as if something is binding...or stopping it. My first thought is the front shackles. I torqued the snot outta the bolts...as a result the castle nut is further down than the hole for the cotter pin, which I thought was odd. I was going to loosen the nuts so the cotter pin actually goes through the bolt and see if it is not binding up there. This could explain a lot though. The other option is tired springs...but tired springs would sag as soon as I put it down, and it actually held the truck up until I pushed it down...so I dont think the springs are that bad yet. I now realize no matter what I do...it is only putting a temporary patch on a major overhaul which will include new springs this fall.

 

If your springs are rusty, friction will hold the last position.

 

They werent badly rusted, I never thought that would be an issue.

Are the front shackle bolts supposed to be as tight as possable, or do I drive em in more like a spindle nut....snug and cotter pin it?

 

I believe you tightened the shackles to much. Loosen them and put the cotter pins in and see what happens....

Paul

 

Update time...

After a little more playing around since the last time I posted on here, I decided it was time to roll on Friday. I pushed the truck out of the garage, set the parking brake (brick), and started cranking. It fired right up, I set the choke, and started inspecting. All was well except the floats were sticking and flooding my carb pretty bad. I fixed that, and away we go. It drives like a new truck . It still walks a little but I think that has more to do with the bias tires than a sloppy front end. The gearbox is tight and the addition of the steering stabilizer is noticable. While I was doing the front end I adjusted the front brakes which made all the difference in the world. Compared to how it drove last year vs. this year, it feels like a Caddy! It has a nice and smooth ride now that is actually has front suspension. I even got a little ambitious and laid some rubber down...

It still has horrid bumpsteer, but what can you expect?

I also sold my '99 Ranger recently. It was going to need more work than I felt like putting into it, and I already replaced the front end under one truck...I didn't feel like doing it twice in one year. I purchased a '72 VW standard Beetle to replace my daily driver.