transplant
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2011
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transplant
I have decided to keep my straight axle and the rest of the suspension stock. I was wondering if anyone put a 289 or a 302 in their stock truck. I have a F-250 its a 1956 and the motor i have is froze up bad. So just looking for ideas. I heard to rebuild the original 272 and have it bored out is very pricy. Any ideas would be great thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,960
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From: East KY
Lots of people run those engines over stock suspensions. Just make sure you get the proper engine mounts among many other things. It can be done. But you need to make sure your brakes are working properly. You'll have much more horsepower with 60 year old drum brakes. A lot of people go with a front disc brake conversion kit, but I'm not sure what would be available for your F-250. And don't forget the transmission swap as well if you go that direction.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,510
Likes: 27
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
I too am retaining my straight axle in my 56 f100 and will be installing a 5L with an AOD trans. I have installed a Toyota p/s box and like Doc says, it would be a very good idea to upgrade your front brakes to disc. In a previous thread one of the guys had mentioned the f250 may use the same spindles as the f100, so you can upgrade to the disc no problem. I'm sure the guy's in the know will start chiming in very soon. Good luck with your build.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 51
From: SW Missouri
The engine will swap with no issues.
As far as the brake swap I can promise you, if your original brakes are up in good shape, you can lock up all four wheels. The only time disk will stop faster than stock brakes is if they are applied over a very very long down hill or applied continuously over and over with no time to cool off. The stock brakes will also not be quite as good in very wet conditions. I am not talking about a rain storm I am talking about driving through standing water deep enough to get inside the brake drums. Then applying the brakes while driving for a short time will dry the brakes out.
I am old so grew up driving drum brakes and somehow managed to drive 40 years or so without disk brakes to stop me and power steering to allow me to turn my vehicles.
There is nothing unsafe about the drum brakes if they are kept in good shape and if you install a dual master cylinder.
I'm sure opinions will vary.
Larry
As far as the brake swap I can promise you, if your original brakes are up in good shape, you can lock up all four wheels. The only time disk will stop faster than stock brakes is if they are applied over a very very long down hill or applied continuously over and over with no time to cool off. The stock brakes will also not be quite as good in very wet conditions. I am not talking about a rain storm I am talking about driving through standing water deep enough to get inside the brake drums. Then applying the brakes while driving for a short time will dry the brakes out.
I am old so grew up driving drum brakes and somehow managed to drive 40 years or so without disk brakes to stop me and power steering to allow me to turn my vehicles.
There is nothing unsafe about the drum brakes if they are kept in good shape and if you install a dual master cylinder.
I'm sure opinions will vary.
Larry
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
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From: Austin
Hey 56Fordguy,
We replaced our 1950 F1 drivetrain this summer - I didn't see an appreciable price difference between the 289/302/351 so we went with more horsepower & chose the 351W. It's all about what you want to do with your truck - If you need more power it's there with the 351W - the 289 is more economical & can handle most anything.
If you can see your kids or grandkids driving the old truck spend some money & put in power steering & front disc brakes with the dual chamber master cylinder discussed above.
Ben in Austin
We replaced our 1950 F1 drivetrain this summer - I didn't see an appreciable price difference between the 289/302/351 so we went with more horsepower & chose the 351W. It's all about what you want to do with your truck - If you need more power it's there with the 351W - the 289 is more economical & can handle most anything.
If you can see your kids or grandkids driving the old truck spend some money & put in power steering & front disc brakes with the dual chamber master cylinder discussed above.
Ben in Austin
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