I'm just getting into my 55 F100 restoration. My uncle (original owner) put a ford 215 engine in this truck many years ago after the original engine went up in smoke. When he died, I got the truck and planned to keep the 215 in it although I know it is not the correct engine. I completely rebuilt the 215, everything in it is new including new valve seats. I has been sitting on an engine stand for several years, never installed.

Now I'm having second thoughts about using it and may try to find a correct 223 to rebuild and install.

Here is my question. 223's spanned a lot of years in cars and trucks. What year engine should I be looking for to make it as original as possible?

What are the differences between 223's of different years?
Alan

 

If the 215 is ready to rock, why not use it? You aren't going to notice a night-and-day difference between it and the 223.

 

The only real differences between a 215 and a 223 are the displacement cubic inches and the distributor and oil filter being closer to the front of the engine block (on a 223). I'm assuming that your uncle used a 215 from a 1953 since the exhaust manifold was angled at the exhaust pipe and the timing chain cover had a bolt on front engine mount bracket. These were the changes for the 215 in 1953. In a 215 from 1952, the front engine mounts were cast into the timing chain cover and the exhaust manifold came straight down where it attached to the exhaust pipe. Take a look at this post: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ned-223-a.html. You can see what a 223 block looks like.

To answer your question, 223s were used all the way into the 60s when they were then changed into the 264 (??). Any 223 from 1954 to at least 1960 will be correct.

Since the 215 is already rebuilt, I say use it. 223s are plentiful, but 215s are getting harder to find. Only the real FORD die hards might be able to point out the difference between the 215 and 223. I can, but that's only because I have a 215 and have searched for a few years to find one (now I have four of them in various condition). Most of the layments will ask you if it's a Chevy I-6.

Some may get tired of seeing this picture, but here's what I did with the 215 in my 52 Panel.

 

I never get tired of seeing that motor.

 

I say do what will make you will happy with the truck. if you want a 223 then go find a 223. Putting the 215 in you will know its not a 223, and it'll bother you. Its not what others will know about the truck, but what you know about the truck that makes it worth anything.

 

I appreciate the input. I'm agreeing with bilingslm1, I would be a lot more satisfied with the correct engine in it. Since I posted this thread, I found a 55 F-100 for sale about 2 hours from me. It has an original 223 that runs and is a complete truck ($2500). The body panels appear to be in better shape than what I have also. I'm thinking it would be well worth my money to buy that one.

I could use the best parts from both vehicles on the truck I'm doing a frame off restoration on (my deceased uncles truck), then put the other one together to create a driver. Not to mention, I'd have the correct 223 engine for my restoration.

I'm going to look at it Sunday morning and will have a trailer and cash with me.

 

Too bad you're way on the other side. I'd buy that 215 from you.

 

Post some pictures man! I have a 55 f100 with a 223, im gonna work on getting my pictures up this weekend. ill post on this thread.

 

I say spend the cash and get the 223 so there is no second thoughts. The parts truck is just a bonus!!!!!

I have a 223 in my 53'. I was told it was orginally for a 54' F100. There is another member on here, it might have been Numberdummy, but I can't remember, he was able to decode the engine block number for me. So if your really serious about getting the correct engine, look in to getting that number decoded. You never know if the previous owner switched it.
Here's mine:

 

GM alternator?

 

WOW! lol that looks exactly like my pictures!!!!! Only difference is yours is put together! haha. But the only difference when mine is re assembled is the oil filter color, and i had my manifold redone and painted flat black.

 

That spring or what ever you want to call it, under the carb on the left side, i have it on my manifold, What in the World is it. I've looked and searched. Cant figure it out?

 

The only spring under the carb is the accelator return spring.

 

Its not really a spring, more of a coiled piece of steel. Its below the carb, right below where the upper manifold meets the lower manifold

 

It's part of the heat riser (?? or something similar) assembly. There's a piece of metal inside the exhaust manifold that covers the inside opening. It moves up and down to extract exhaust air. You can turn it by hand from the outside by moving the large cast metal part on the right side of the exhaust manifold.

I should have this assembly from a cracked exhaust manifold, if you need one.