This weekend, my son and I managed to make some progress on the 53 F350. We got the cab removed, which was the worst part of the job so far. The truck sits so tall at the moment that wecouldn't use the hoist to pull it up off the truck. Wound up lifting up one side and carfully sliding it to the ground, and then spinning it to get it off the other frame rail.

With that done, a close frame inspection was done, and I am really happy. Somehow a truck which has been sitting in a MN field for 25 years has no frame rust. 50% of the frame still has the factory paint on it. So we got the rest of the old trans crossmember removed and started installation of the TCI Olds 455 crossmember. I've never used a manufactured engine crossmember before, usually we just build them. The TCI was a step saver, but not the nicest piece of work I've ever seen. The frame brackets look like my 14 year old welded them, and they were not straight. Wasn't a big deal to fix them, but I doubt I'll buy any more stuff from TCI.

As it sits now, the 455 is in the frame with the headers - barely have enough clearance at the frame. So it seems that the headers will have to be adjusted a little with the blue wrench. The TH400 is suspended and leveled currently by a ratchet strap. Next step will be to build a crossmember for the tranny mount.

I need to start taking pictures, I usually get excited about working on a new project and forget to get any.

Chuck Pedretti
53 Ford F350 - Future StreetRod/Tow Rig
46 ****** CJ2a - RockCrawler
www.oldjeep.com

 

Sounds like fun. I miss the activities involved in the rebuilding. Good luck, John

 

Chuck,

Which headers did you end up using? I had suggested looking at the Sandersons in your post a couple of weeks ago, but noticed afterward that they were designed primarily for the 350 with the lower deck height.

Mike

 

To be honest, I don't know for sure what they are for. Bought them off ebay where they were listed simply as OLDS 455 headers. They were really cheap ($15) so I bought them to see if they would fit. They are a conventional header with the collectors dumping out past the bellhousing. I think the'll work fine once I tuck the pipes in a little bit. They actually fit in the frame now, but I'm concerned that they will contact the frame when the engine torques.

Picked up a Dually 14 bolt Cab and Chassis rear end for it yesterday. Should fit nice width wise and it has the standard 8 lug pattern rather than the weird Ford 6 lug pattern.

Buddy of mine has a Bridgeport with a rotary table that I can use, so for the front hubs I'm going to weld up the 6 lug holes and redrill the existing hub for the 8 lug pattern.

Chuck P

 

I also think I figured out what to do with the steering. With the headers, there's no space for a stock box or toyota setup. Figured I'd swap in an IH Scout Power steering box in roughly the stock location. I may have to cut a custom length pitman arm, but otherwise it seems like it will fit.

 

I was reading a post the other day, can't remember where it was, but he had the same problem. He said he moved the Toyota steering to the front of the frame.

 

That's not a bad idea. It would eliminate messing around with the directional difference in the scout box. I'll check that out.

Thanks

Chuck

 

Ah, jes' 'nother one of them Jeep boys stealin' our Scout parts, yet again... (check my signature...)

 

You know how you find scout parts in MN? You have to hunt for them, the easter bunny hides them under piles of rust covered flakes. Usually all you find is a pair of axles, a steering box and an oil encrusted drivetrain

 

Hey Chuck, what size are your rims? My 54 F-350 has 17.5" and all the spec books say they came with 16". Tires for the 17's are hard to come by (found some thru Coker tire) and just curious what yours are.
Norb

 

Mine are all 17" on those goofy 6 lug rims. The tires hold air but are pretty dry rotted. I'll be giving away the 5 rims I have if I can find anyone to take them. 4 of them are split rim and one is a split ring

 

Chuck, them thar iz fightin' words! Except, unfortunately, it's true...

They run forever...but the bodies were made out of aluminum foil...or something...I have a '75 with a great, reinforced frame, modified Dana 44s, & a great 345, 727 trans, etc....& a body that isn't worth fixing. Still looking for a good tub.......without paying 2000 plus...

 

Neighbor has a rust free scout 800 that he bought in ND. Couple years ago I removed the 4 cylinder and front crossmember, dropped in a T19 and a 345 for him. Nice looking trucks, they just have too many places in the body that collect water.