I'm thinking if you're going to trim those front fender wells, that you might use some
F-2 fenders instead and save those F-1 fenders for someone that needs them.
I suppose it depends on expense of altering or replacing.

 

Week seven of this project and we installed and adjusted the belts, steering pump lines, filled the pump, and added coolant. Started her up and then ran her for a while. The power steering works great and there are no leaks. Next, we greased the front suspension and started to reinstall the front fenders. This morning, I mounted four new tires (cooper cobra tires, 275/60/15 in the rear, and 245/60/15 in the front). Next Saturday we'll finish wiring the electric radiator fan, adjust the transmission gear linkage, install the drivers side fender, and we'll send her out for a wheel alignment. Almost ready for Spring.
Timboy, i thought about purchasing some used F2 fender wells (instead of cutting these) but I ended up trimming these to fit... too anxious to finish up and I'm over staying my welcome in my buddies shop.

Wally

1951 F1 - "Lucille"

 

Hey Wally,
It looks great - always takes about twice as long as
you thought it would. What was your goal going into this
part of the project? Smoother ride? Easier to steer?

I'm jealous of the way those exhaust manifolds dump straight down
like that - boy does that solve a lot of issues around the steering hooking up to the rack. I like it.

Ben in Austin

 

Those manifolds are referred to as "rams horn" which were used for a number of years on SBC. They are popular for the early SBC look like Wally's engine. They were made in several configurations, straight down dump or angled back dump. the angled back dump provide better clearance for steering box or steering shaft to R&P clearance. I test fit a number of different SBC manifolds and headers to work with my Jag IFS setup and ended up with the angled back rams horns as the best fit plus I like the look. You can view some of the fitups that I tried in my gallery. I can't tell for sure but it looks like Wally may be using the same manifold at least on the drivers side.

 

Bill's correct, the passenger's side manifold dumps straight down and the driver's side angles back. I was going to install headers but the ones I had were center dumps and the motor mount on the drivers side (with the steering linkage) made it a hassle to install (plus the exhaust was already installed to accept the current configuration so I sandblasted the old manifolds and painted them with some flat black heat paint. I sold the headers to a local guy who was building an SBC for an S10.
Ben, I was looking for power steering, better suspension, and I thought the heidt's set up was fairly inexpensive for everything it came with. This project would have taken about two weeks to finish but I can only work on it on Saturdays (about seven hours a week). I wasn't in a hurry but now I can't wait to finish it up.

Wally

1951 F1 - "Lucille"

 

Well the front end is completely installed... finally! To recap, we replaced the stock front axle (and leaf springs) with a heidt's crossmember/coil suspension kit. Removed the manual steering box and added a steering rack with a steering pump. We also changed the water pump, painted the valve covers and exhaust manifolds, added an electric radiator fan, new pullies, belts, fabricated new steering linkage, a new battery tray, new radiator hoses, and four new tires. I drove her home on Saturday and she rode great, the steering was fantastic! The only problem is that the "stock" height spindles (I ordered) I believe are really 2" drop spindles because the front end is now lowered (oddly enough... 2') which makes the standard height rear end look a little goofy. This afternoon I ordered a set of 3" drop posie rear leaf springs from Speedway. These should lower the rear end and finish up this project. Just need an official wheel alignment and that should do it. Here are a few pics i snapped after I gave her a bath on Saturday. If anyone has any feedback on the Speedway drop leaf springs, please share, I'm hoping these will lower the suspension and soften the ride.

Wally

1951 F1 - "Lucille"

 

Looks sweet! You must have had a big a$$ smile on that ride home!

 

Thanks Moe... I was like this all the way home!

Wally

1951 F1 - "Lucille"

 

love it! definitely some motivation to get started on mine. Thanks for posting all the pics

 

Thanks StyEmon, here's the "finished" truck (technically, it will never be finished!)

Wally

1951 F1 - "Lucille"

 

great pic! I saw that and the rest on your site! Just amazing work.

I know the feeling. I am going to start with a pretty stock restoration. But I have a feeling once I'm done, the IFS is going to end up in my sights.

 

Wally, don't tell my wife, but I think I am in love with Lucille.

She looks amazing with that stance and I love the wheels from my youth!