1956 Ford F100 Restore need help
#1
10-01-2018, 07:30 PM
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1956 Ford F100 Restore need help
So my father in law bought a 1956 Ford F100 like 10 years ago with the hopes of restoring it. It didn’t run when he bought it but it came with a 223 inline 6 and a 2 speed ford-o-matic. He had the engine rebuilt but hasn’t done much of anything else. I am trying to help him finish it and now I’m working on finding a place to fix the transmission. My father in law had a friend try to fix it but all he did was disassemble it and then gave up. I Took it to a place today and they said that the transmission is junk and I should just try and find a different one maybe from a junkyard or something. I have tried calling around but no luck so far. Any suggestions on where to find an automatic transmission to purchase for this? Ideally he wants something that can hit speeds to use on the freeway. Is such a transmisson possible with the inline 6. I’m not much of a car guy but I have always wanted to restore a car just not sure how to find what I Need. Please help
thanks
thanks
#2
10-01-2018, 10:16 PM
Hi Tyler,
Everyone starts somewhere. The project you are about to embark on will not be easy. After you get the transmission sorted out, installed and get the engine running, you will have several other parts of the truck to work on just to be safe. The brake system, suspension, wiring come to mind first for me. The knowledge of the individuals on this forum is staggering. I would start searching 56 f100 transmission and soak up all the information you can. If you have some tools and a place to work on it, and of course some spare money then I say you should keep reading to get an idea of what is involved and if you are still willing then go for it.
I would also find the best machine shop or auto parts store in your area and ask them if they have any customers with mid fifty ford pickups. Chances are if you could meet some of those guys they might be willing to help you out as well.
Best of luck,
B
Everyone starts somewhere. The project you are about to embark on will not be easy. After you get the transmission sorted out, installed and get the engine running, you will have several other parts of the truck to work on just to be safe. The brake system, suspension, wiring come to mind first for me. The knowledge of the individuals on this forum is staggering. I would start searching 56 f100 transmission and soak up all the information you can. If you have some tools and a place to work on it, and of course some spare money then I say you should keep reading to get an idea of what is involved and if you are still willing then go for it.
I would also find the best machine shop or auto parts store in your area and ask them if they have any customers with mid fifty ford pickups. Chances are if you could meet some of those guys they might be willing to help you out as well.
Best of luck,
B
#3
10-01-2018, 10:25 PM
Logistics Pro
Hi, and welcome to FTE. You have come to the right place for help and support for your Fat Fender Ford project. I have a similar in-line 6 cylinder engine in my truck, and highway speeds are not a problem. You will need to have the brakes, steering, suspension, and tires checked out before attempting higher speeds, however. Top speed for my truck is maybe somewhere in the mid 70's mph, but I've never gone that fast--65 is fast enough all things considered. My truck has a standard transmission, but an automatic should probably have the same final gear ratio.
Someone will come along with some advice on what transmissions will work for you. Good luck. keep us informed on your progress, and post some pictures if you can.
Jim
Someone will come along with some advice on what transmissions will work for you. Good luck. keep us informed on your progress, and post some pictures if you can.
Jim
#4
10-02-2018, 08:49 AM
Tyler, welcome to FTE the best Ford truck forum on the world wide web! The above info is all true and important. But if your truck had been sitting for 10 years or more then you'll have to clean the gas tank or get a new one, and a new line.
Another important thing to remember is this: if you want more help from us, then you must post pictures of your truck!
Another important thing to remember is this: if you want more help from us, then you must post pictures of your truck!
#5
10-02-2018, 11:17 AM
speed ford-o-matic.Your truck came with a 3 speed Ford-O-Matic. 2 speed Ford-O-Matic introduced in 1959, but were only installed in 1959/64 I-6 Passenger Cars.
I'd suggest taking it to a trans shop where they will be familiar with it, it may be fixable.
A "friend" taking it apart/looking at it...may not have had a single clue.
#6
10-02-2018, 01:10 PM
Welcome to FTE
A lot of new guys think they want to keep their truck stock. You really didn’t say exactly what the intentions were for your FILs truck. I think most folks get into the MidFifty Fords for the Kool factor. Keep in mind no matter how much you put into the truck it’s not going to ride like your new truck in the drive way. You can GREATLY improve the ride quaility & suspension with aftermarket kits. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the straight six’s and they are up for the task of cruising 70 plus MPH.
I’m not sure how folks claim that their trucks run well at highway speeds stock. Most Mid Fifty trucks came stock with 3.92 rearends. So that in itself makes cruising at 70 a little hard unless you want to your engine reving to 4,000 RPM. These trucks were built to work not cruise down the non exsistant interstate at 65-70 MPH. I will almost guarantee that your stock truck will have you white knuckling at 55-60.
As far as your trans goes; folks either Love’m or Hate’m. I would imagine parts for a repair could be a problem but I’m no Automatic Transmission rebuilder. If you really would like to keep it you’ll need to find a shop with an 80 year old guy there that worked on them back in the day. Those shops are hard to find but they’re out there. Otherwise replace the Trans with an adapter and go with a newer model Over Drive trans, 4 forward gears vs 2 it’s a no brainer.
While evaluating your options for a trans check the suspension. King Pins, Shackles, Bushings, tie rods, drag link etc. A 60 plus year old truck is bound to have worn parts. At a very minimum LUBE them.
The stock brake system on these trucks have a single resouvior master cylinder; this means if a wheel cylinder starts to leak or blows you have no brakes. Modern systems have dual resouviors. This allows for a mishap on one wheel cylinder or caliper to happen on one axle while still providing braking on the other. The jury is split on power brakes and disk brake upgrades. The stock 4 wheel drum brakes will stop the truck even at highway speeds with out power, but each upgrade improves safety and function.
Bottom line get it running and take it for a drive. The truck will let you know what you need to do next.
A lot of new guys think they want to keep their truck stock. You really didn’t say exactly what the intentions were for your FILs truck. I think most folks get into the MidFifty Fords for the Kool factor. Keep in mind no matter how much you put into the truck it’s not going to ride like your new truck in the drive way. You can GREATLY improve the ride quaility & suspension with aftermarket kits. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the straight six’s and they are up for the task of cruising 70 plus MPH.
I’m not sure how folks claim that their trucks run well at highway speeds stock. Most Mid Fifty trucks came stock with 3.92 rearends. So that in itself makes cruising at 70 a little hard unless you want to your engine reving to 4,000 RPM. These trucks were built to work not cruise down the non exsistant interstate at 65-70 MPH. I will almost guarantee that your stock truck will have you white knuckling at 55-60.
As far as your trans goes; folks either Love’m or Hate’m. I would imagine parts for a repair could be a problem but I’m no Automatic Transmission rebuilder. If you really would like to keep it you’ll need to find a shop with an 80 year old guy there that worked on them back in the day. Those shops are hard to find but they’re out there. Otherwise replace the Trans with an adapter and go with a newer model Over Drive trans, 4 forward gears vs 2 it’s a no brainer.
While evaluating your options for a trans check the suspension. King Pins, Shackles, Bushings, tie rods, drag link etc. A 60 plus year old truck is bound to have worn parts. At a very minimum LUBE them.
The stock brake system on these trucks have a single resouvior master cylinder; this means if a wheel cylinder starts to leak or blows you have no brakes. Modern systems have dual resouviors. This allows for a mishap on one wheel cylinder or caliper to happen on one axle while still providing braking on the other. The jury is split on power brakes and disk brake upgrades. The stock 4 wheel drum brakes will stop the truck even at highway speeds with out power, but each upgrade improves safety and function.
Bottom line get it running and take it for a drive. The truck will let you know what you need to do next.
#7
10-02-2018, 01:16 PM
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Your truck came with a 3 speed Ford-O-Matic. 2 speed Ford-O-Matic introduced in 1959, but were only installed in 1959/64 I-6 Passenger Cars.
I'd suggest taking it to a trans shop where they will be familiar with it, it may be fixable.
A "friend" taking it apart/looking at it...may not have had a single clue.
I'd suggest taking it to a trans shop where they will be familiar with it, it may be fixable.
A "friend" taking it apart/looking at it...may not have had a single clue.
i took the current tranny down to a transmission shop yesterday that works on these old ones and they that it was junk and had water damage etc, said I was better off trying to find One at a junkyard or crAigslist.
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#9
10-14-2018, 11:22 PM
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