Driveabilty
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Forestport, NY Adirondack
Driveabilty
Hello all! Been awhile since I have posted, but I am at a crossroads and I need some direction. My 1948 F1 Panel truck is in need of a new heart. I rebuilt the 390 this winter, but know I am having a change of heart. I would like to make old Panel into a daily driver and with gas at $4 a gallon I just can't bring myself to put the 390 back in her. My buddy has a 4.9 in a 1990 something that runs good but the body rusted out. I know people have asked this many times before, but I would like to know what "spegetti mess" do i need to remove to make it run in my old truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 12
From: Sand Lake, MI
Myself if I did what you're thinking of doing I take the full harness from the donor truck and swap it into the F-1 with the motor.
Might have to swap couple of connectors at end runs here and there where they are disimlar say head and tail lights stock radio etc but it be the simplest way and would also update the harness at the same time. Yea a rusted out 90 might not be the best donor to get it from, close inspection of the harness would show if it viable or not without to much effort required but sounds like its readily available right along with the motor.
Modern motor modern harness to go with it. Yea 90 isn't exactly modern today but compared to harness in a 48? Assuming it has its original harness.
And if so and it's in decent shape might have some value in it offset small portion of the cost. Someone one with same model retaining original condition right down to the electrical but could use a decent replacement harness.
Might have to swap couple of connectors at end runs here and there where they are disimlar say head and tail lights stock radio etc but it be the simplest way and would also update the harness at the same time. Yea a rusted out 90 might not be the best donor to get it from, close inspection of the harness would show if it viable or not without to much effort required but sounds like its readily available right along with the motor.
Modern motor modern harness to go with it. Yea 90 isn't exactly modern today but compared to harness in a 48? Assuming it has its original harness.
And if so and it's in decent shape might have some value in it offset small portion of the cost. Someone one with same model retaining original condition right down to the electrical but could use a decent replacement harness.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
If the truck is a '90 or '91 the EFI harness is almost completely stand-alone except for some power and grounds and the only complicating factor is if it has one of the computer controlled transmissions in it. After that the speedo cluster and rear axle become part of the system and things get more complicated.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
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From: Rhode Island
Just putting this out there, but the difference in fuel economy between a 390 with a good OD transmission and the 4.9 might not be all that great, especially if you convert the 4.9 to a carb.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 147
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From: Forestport, NY Adirondack
I drive almost 60 miles a day for work. I drive a 2003 Ranger with 3.0 and 5 speed, gets about 20mpg. The Panel has a T-18 granny 4speed and 4:10 gears (good for stump pulling not for commuting). I need to get 15 to 18 mpg. I think fuel Injected would help with a 5 speed. Back in the mid 90's I drove a 1979 f100 with a 302 a 3 on the tree and I got 15mpg. My dad drove a 1977 f100 with a 300 and a 3 on the tree and got damn near 20. Did Ford make a any 5 speed trannys that didn't have a hydraulic clutch? The donor truck is 4wd so I don't think the tranny would work as well as a 2wd tranny. I appreciate all the info, keep it comming!
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 456
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From: Owensboro, KY
A properly tuned 300 with a 1bbl carb can actually make slightly better mileage than their EFI counterparts, and sorry, there were no Ford 5 speeds that didn't use a hydraulic clutch. Maybe an older 4 speed overdrive unit?
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 147
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From: Forestport, NY Adirondack
How do you think a 5 speed out of a 5.0 Mustang would hold up (T-10?? I think). I know that the 300 and 302 have the same bell housing pattern, so just the clutch would be a problem. I would need to find a place to mount a master cylinder.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 456
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From: Owensboro, KY
Mustangs don't use masters and slaves, clutches are cable operated, that seems to me like it'd be much simpler. Not quite as hefty as a ZF5, don't know how it ranks with the M5OD, but since I'm led to believe you're not taking your truck to the strip, I'm sure it would serve you just fine.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 90
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From: SW Oklahoma
I was wondering if you have any weight data on the F1? I'd suspect it's quite a bit heavier than those F100's you describe, not to mention the brick-like aerodynamics...