Love seeing another F3 getting some love. I bought a few panels for mine, where they were available, otherwise it was a mig welder, a set of hammer dollys and a lot of beer. It was fun learning though.
Not a Y-block expert by any means but I've put quite a few motors together and saving up for a good machine shop to take care of the tear-down, measuring and machining will be worth every penny it costs. Assembly is just straight up fun!
Mike

 

thanks Mike. I'll probably do the same with the panels and just grab the ones I can that are easily available. I actually look forward to do a little shaping and already picked up a set of dollies for that task. A healthy ration of beer is always available. Most of the motors that I'm familiar with our Harleys, but most of my questions on the Y block are just because I know each motor has its own intricacies. Thanks again for the information and I may pick your ear later about some of the panel work.

 

Anytime. I went a different route with my build though. I use my truck everyday. I want people to see 1952 when I drive by, but I sure didn't want to drive 1952. I think the only stock parts I have left are a few door latches and the steering box. Let me know if you need any of them.
Mike

 

I finally pulled the motor! After my 10 seconds of excitement a couple weeks ago and discovering the pushrods had dropped, I decided to start the work of pulling the motor. Last weekend I spent about three hours disconnecting everything I could aside from the tranny bellhousing. This week I had a day off so I went and bought a harbor freight engine hoist and stand. I did the work of unhooking the tranny today, and with my father-in-law's guidance I was able to get her out. It made me happy to have that old man around to share in my excitement. Now the fun really begins. Time to tear her down and start cleaning up the engine bay.

 

Keep track of the intake bolt locations. The rear driver and front pass bolts are short. If too long a bolt is used in these locations it will enter the pushrod bore and damage the pushrod. I learned this the hard way. The PO had a slightly too long a bolt one location. It cleared the stock 1/4 pushrod but did not clear the 5/16 rod that I installled. It machined a nice little groove around the rod and I replaced it again.

 

Thats good info there. I was considering updating the pushrods myself to the 5/16 set and read on a y-block forum about the interference issue from the bolts. I plan on replacing most of the hardware so hopefully I'll remember this much!

 

I'm going to be watching this build for sure. I'll be building my '52 F3 shortly. I hope!

 

Welcome to another F3 Owner!! I've got a '52 F3 that has been my constant source of aches and pains for the last 4 years.

 

Loving your truck.