I have started a retoration of a 49 M68 with my daughter
what is the top speed I can expect with the flathead V8 and stock
timken rear end?

 

My guess is you're the same fellow from the Fordbarn. Welcome to FTE. You'll get better input here than on Fordbarn.

Top speed will depend on how hard you want to push the old flathead. The book says that top speed with your 4.86/1 gear was 69.1 mph at 3500 rpm. But my bet is you'll never see 3500 rpm, and will probably have to settle for about 50 mph at around 2500 rpm. I'll defer to others, though, if they have other experience. For others to comment, too, on the rear end swap and wheel issues here's your thread from the Fordbarn. Stu

Merc M68 wants highway gears - The Ford Barn

 

Yep I am the guy from the ford barn. Hope it's not taboo to be on more than one forum.
Thanks for promt response.
Allan

 

Hi Allan, nothing taboo about finding more info on other forums, in fact you'll find most guys are on multiple forums. There is a ton of info here so I think you'll enjoy these guys and gals. Make yourself at home and ask anything you need.

fyi, in the early years (48-50ish) the F2 was rated by Ford as a Light 3/4 ton and the F3 was a HD 3/4 ton. Both trucks have more in common than they have differences.

This forum is to Ford truck owners what BillB's flathead forum is to flathead owners.

Stu has the goods on the speed issue. I had that gearing in my 88 F250 and that sounds right on without overdrive gearing.

If you don't have one already you'll want to get a shop manual for the truck. It's a wealth of info and reprints are available everywhere. 49-51 manual with the 52 supplement is the rough title.

 

Agree, except for the fact that the F-2 wasn't sold in Canada. If it had it would have been sold as an F-57/M-57 which we're told didn't exist. The F-3/F-68/M-68 were sold there as one ton models. Stu

 

Oops! good catch Stu......

 

The best Dana 60 install thread I am aware of is this: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-progress.html