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Your rear springs are similar if not the same as my 51 M3. I removed the overloads and 4 leaves and it still bucks like a rodeo bronc. I should of took a couple more leaves out; unless you plan on hauling gravel in it. I also replaced the front springs with 1/2 ton springs and now it rides like my empty 3/4 ton 2004 Dodge 4X4.
"It wasn't running anymore and needed a good deal of repair. I wanted it so badly I could taste it, but I didn't have the time to fix it or room to keep it. I couldn't afford to do the work, pay the insurance or buy the parts. I was having a hard enough time keeping the junk I had running. Groceries and kids were more important. I've always regretted telling him no and I was determined from that point to some day have an old truck to rework." That's about the point I'm at and almost made the same decision but something kept telling me I'd regret it if I didn't buy it so I did, most of the 52s I've seen are far out of my price range or in worse shape. Having a plan definitely sounds like a good idea. After reading that I'm starting to think completing the truck in a couple years may be wishful thinking but that's OK because I bought it knowing it was a big project and wasn't going to be done quick, I already have the basic idea of what I want but what I can find for parts will determine what it becomes. Getting the frame and body ready for everything else will probably be my first goal. Great article by the way.
A 64 Comet would not have a 300-6. That was a truck motor, along with it's 240 sibling that was used in full size cars and trucks. It wouldn't fit in a Comet. A 64 Comet would more likely have a 170 6 cylinder and 2 speed Ford o matic trans, neither of which I'd wish on you, even if they were free. The 300 is too long to fit well in our trucks without major surgery or butchery. And 6 cylinder engines were never used in Canadian Ford or Mercury trucks until 1956.
A crashbox is the slang term for a non-synchronized transmission, which is another thing to avoid if you're not used to double clutch shifting. Beware of those who yap out of their backside a lot, that have no clue what they're talking about and may steer you wrong.
Thats great news about my brakes and axle anyway. The comet was originally a v8 car someone swapped a straight 6 into. We were told it was a 300 by the guy that sold it to my dad and assumed it was because it looked the same as the 250 straight 6 that came in the 74 comet I had several years back so I guess we mite have to take a closer look, dad plans on going back to a v8 so he never really cared what the engine was but it would be pretty much free although probably could use a rebuild.
What are the easiest engines to put in our trucks other than what was original? I was thinking about trying to go back to original and found another truck with the engine and transmission but it's a 48 and the engines seized and well that's a whole other job on its own.
Your rear springs are similar if not the same as my 51 M3. I removed the overloads and 4 leaves and it still bucks like a rodeo bronc. I should of took a couple more leaves out; unless you plan on hauling gravel in it. I also replaced the front springs with 1/2 ton springs and now it rides like my empty 3/4 ton 2004 Dodge 4X4.
it's probably going to be used for hauling dirt and other stuff along that line, what made me decide I need something bigger than a half ton was when I got a load of dirt in my half ton truck and It dropped 6 inches. I don't think this truck will have that issue, could probably put twice as much in and still be fine judging by the suspension.
Thats great news about my brakes and axle anyway. The comet was originally a v8 car someone swapped a straight 6 into. We were told it was a 300 by the guy that sold it to my dad and assumed it was because it looked the same as the 250 straight 6 that came in the 74 comet I had several years back so I guess we mite have to take a closer look, dad plans on going back to a v8 so he never really cared what the engine was but it would be pretty much free although probably could use a rebuild.
What are the easiest engines to put in our trucks other than what was original? I was thinking about trying to go back to original and found another truck with the engine and transmission but it's a 48 and the engines seized and well that's a whole other job on its own.
Ford used 3 different ohv 6 cylinder engine families. The 215/223 from the 50's to the early 60's, the 'small block' 170/200/250 for the compact and intermediate cars of the 60's-80's, and the afore mentioned 'big block' 240/300. If what's in the Comet looks like the 250 you're familiar with, it's likely a 200 or 250 with a C4 trans. And since the 215 was never used in Canada in the '52 trucks, finding the parts near you to make one work, if you found one, could be problematic.
You can drop a ton of money trying to salvage a seized flathead, and sometimes after spending said ton of money you find out too late it's junk. If you want to go that route, your best money will be to find a good running one and go from there. For other engine options, the 302 is one of the easiest to fit, and is well supported with stock or performance parts to make it do anything you want. An automatic transmission is much easier to set up as you don't have to reconfigure a clutch linkage, which can sometimes take some doing. But that's your call.
I've always found that free is never free, and many times is the more expensive route. YMMV.
Ford used 3 different ohv 6 cylinder engine families. The 215/223 from the 50's to the early 60's, the 'small block' 170/200/250 for the compact and intermediate cars of the 60's-80's, and the afore mentioned 'big block' 240/300. If what's in the Comet looks like the 250 you're familiar with, it's likely a 200 or 250 with a C4 trans. And since the 215 was never used in Canada in the '52 trucks, finding the parts near you to make one work, if you found one, could be problematic.
You can drop a ton of money trying to salvage a seized flathead, and sometimes after spending said ton of money you find out too late it's junk. If you want to go that route, your best money will be to find a good running one and go from there. For other engine options, the 302 is one of the easiest to fit, and is well supported with stock or performance parts to make it do anything you want. An automatic transmission is much easier to set up as you don't have to reconfigure a clutch linkage, which can sometimes take some doing. But that's your call.
I've always found that free is never free, and many times is the more expensive route. YMMV.
OK so how's a 250 fit? Thats an engine i wouldnt mind If I couldn't find a flathead to put back in it. I was leaning towards a 302 or 351as well, hoping to find a good running engine and transmission combo to keep things easier so if it ended up being automatic it wouldn't bother me to much anyway.
If you are changing the engine and transmission anyway, I would suggest finding the most reliable, and reasonably priced combination that would work in the truck.
A 302 with a C-4 is a good choice or even an AOD transmission if it is built right.
Ford made some good modular engines that would also work.
in my truck front motor mount bracket were made and the 223 used the 223 flywheel, flathead clutch and pressure plate, and the flathead bellhousing and starter. it works great but is a tight fit..
A 64 Comet would not have a 300-6. That was a truck motor, along with it's 240 sibling that was used in full size cars and trucks. It wouldn't fit in a Comet. A 64 Comet would more likely have a 170 6 cylinder and 2 speed Ford o matic trans, neither of which I'd wish on you, even if they were free. The 300 is too long to fit well in our trucks without major surgery or butchery. And 6 cylinder engines were never used in Canadian Ford or Mercury trucks until 1956.
A crashbox is the slang term for a non-synchronized transmission, which is another thing to avoid if you're not used to double clutch shifting. Beware of those who yap out of their backside a lot, that have no clue what they're talking about and may steer you wrong.
Im glad to read this information. I guess I’ll abandon my plan to use a 300 6.
I don’t see where you mentioned what engine and tranny you have and what condition they’re in. On my own 48 F1 I had all kinds of plans on swapping the tranny, brakes, and more, but once I got it on the road all of those plans went out the window, I have a 239 V8 that appears to be from 52-53 and a 4 speed crashbox. When I bought it, it was running, barely. I first get it running better then attacked the cosmetics. She’s 90% now and I’m almost satisfied. I drive it everywhere, weather dependent, and love it.
I’d start by looking at the drivetrain and seeing if it can be used. If not, it’d look into getting period correct replacements. Next I’d go through electric, fuel, brakes and get it on the road. Then you can decide what you want to do cosmetically. It looks so good that I’d be tempted to keep it like it is.
Whatever you decide, keep us in the loop, without this forum I couldn’t have done this. Also, whatever time/money you allocate for the job, expect that to at least double.
I don’t see where you mentioned what engine and tranny you have and what condition they’re in.
Hey Bob, you just missed it. OP mentioned in the opening post there is nothing under the hood, and reiterated in post 15 "there's no engine or anything else under the hood and the transmission is missing the shifter". That's the reason for the engine/drivetrain exploration conversations. It seems it's been a parts truck and is a ripe candidate for updating.
OK so how's a 250 fit? Thats an engine i wouldnt mind If I couldn't find a flathead to put back in it. I was leaning towards a 302 or 351as well, hoping to find a good running engine and transmission combo to keep things easier so if it ended up being automatic it wouldn't bother me to much anyway.
I'm sure it would fit ok, albeit a bit on the tiny side and not look very impressive under the hood, imho, if that matters to you. It's a small car engine designed for Falcons, Mustangs and Mavericks, and you're going to be using it to push a 3600 pound truck plus payload with the aerodynamics of a brick wall. Also consider support for the engine. You can find all kinds of engine mounts, headers, accessories for the 302/351 to help with fitment where none of this, or a limited amount at the very best, is available for the small Ford 6. The expense will be the same, labor wise, to fit either engine, so choose carefully to get the best bang for your buck. My 2c.
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