I know this is far fetched but I am buying an early 50's 1/2 ton with no motor or tranny. So I figured, hell, why not a big block? I just wanna know if this will even fit between the wheel wells (and between fire wall and radiator) and if anyone knows of anyone who's done this. Other than that I can fab up the rest of it I think. This will be such a bad truck if I can do it, I'm so excited lol.

 

I know they fit in the 53-56s, not sure the size difference for the earlier years. There is a whole lot of room in there, usually the problem tends to be headers and sometimes steering.

But they must, as a quick google search popped up headers:

Big Block Ford (429 - 460) 1948 - 52 Ford F1 Pickup Black Coated Header Set. | eBay


This topic had one in a '48:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...8-ford-f1.html

 

Chassis is the same so it should be no problem. I have a 460 in my green truck

Sam

 

Alright thanks. I figured headers could be worked out but I'm really worried about steering. I thought maybe a 390 would work better

 

They fit in Rangers (small amount of massaging of sheet metal) you should have no problem .

Hope you have lots of money for back tires .

 

Steering shouldn't be a problem either, there are several options. Are you keeping the stock frontend?

 

Yes. I'm keeping as much stock as possible. Hopefully, I can get away with only newly fabbed engine mounts, new headers, and a cross member for the tranny (c6). Does this sound reasonable? I just want it in there for now, I can work on new suspension ect. later.

 

That's cool, I have a 1986 351W in mine using the Toyota P/S Kit, there is also a Rack option that works with the stock front end that might be a better fit for that big block which would leave more room for your headers. I also think there is a engine crossmember that will work for that motor that bolts in if you didn't want to do a lot of fab/welding. Good luck.

 

Hey Assassin,
We've got a 1950 F1 & we went witha 351W - Same as you have in your
F150. It's pretty tight - You may want to post a pic of the body you have. If early 50's means '48-'52... Hmmm..

I'm sure you can fit what you want in there but it's work & money.
To install the 351W:
- We moved it off center an inch or two toward the passenger side
because the problems are mainly on the driving side.
- We swapped out oil pans to a rear pan to clear our front suspension.
- We went with sanderson block hugger style headers to clear the
steering. We had an inch of left over clearance.
- The steering linkage is an engineering marvel of heim joints, turns, &
knuckles.
- Up front we went with a special extremely slim electric fan to make it
between the radiator & the block - no shroud.
- No room for the battery in the front - It went behind our seat in the
cab.

We went with a mustang II front suspension so that presented some
issues you may not encounter. I just didn't want to leave the impression that it was a cake walk - It's not in the earlier year models. It was very tight for our 1950 with a 351W.

Good luck up there in Tennessee!

Ben in Austin

 

Thanks ben, you were a big help. It looks like this is going to take a little more $ than I was originally expecting haha. I think I'll wait on it for ahwile, but I'll try my best to get it done for you guys!

 

Hey Assassin,
Don't give up - You will want to play with
the mock up of your engine & the mounts to get it positioned
where you think you can clear the headers & steering. Patience is a virtue in getting things to work right on these old trucks. You can do it -
just need to think it through a bit.

Ben in Austin

 

I have a 429 in my 56. But then I also have an LTD front clip.

 

I have a 512 in my '48.

 

the front frame rails narrow down on the 48-52's , but as you have seen and heard they fit , and transdapt did have a kit for the 53-56 that with a little modding could work , i.e. narrowing . i had an 85 ranger that went from 2.9 v-6 to 302, to a 429 and c-6 . it was with a kit from i think total performance many , many years ago so ...... it can be done no matter how small the vehicle . you may just have to use velcro or duct tape to hold the front fenders on too the valve covers .......... a B.F.H. helps too ........

 

Like ben73058 noted you may want to plan on doing something with the front end suspension too otherwise you might have a lot of motor that you can't do much with . . . .