hello all
I been registered for awhile now but think this is my first post
I can't seem to find anything of substance on the internet about a bone stock 1954 f100 with an inline 6 and its potential, I seem to get lots of classified ads but nothing on a stocker, I ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to hunting stuff down on the interent so I succumb to my inabilities and am asking

thanks

apparently I made 6 posts!

 

Busted,
Let me be the first to welcome you to the old farts forum of FTE! I can't believe I beat George! Speaking of George, when he does finally show up, go the the "Earl's World" link in his signature and there is a lot of technical reference material for decoding your data plate, some color info and other stuff.

Are you looking for anything in particular?
Good Luck!
Kent

 

Fatfords

nothing particualr just general info on the truck, mainly on the engine though with todays price for a sip of fuel I'd like to know if its worth keeping or is it so underpowered a guy has to keep his foot to the floor trying to maintain 50-60 miles per hour, I do know the truck I am getting has a 3.92 rear so those high speeds may not be achievable anyways and keep the old engine intact

its a rough old girl at this time but I can see potential with all them dents gone!!

 

Well, George must be taking a much deserved break! Here's a link to his reference material.

http://www.clubfte.com/users/earl/Re..._Material.html

You can find the data plate decoding info here along with alot of other stuff. I would suggest you find a Ford manual for your truck. I have the 56 version and it has been an invaluable source of information.

And see George's sticky at the top of the page. We all love to see pics!

Good Luck!

 

Welcome,
I'm doing a stock '53 and would enjoy seeing more stock posts around here.

 

It is hard to compair the old engines with the new - horsepower measurment has changed over the years and is more a marketing tool than a true measure of power.

Your flathead is a low compression engine, and, thus, less efficent than a high compression engine. It will also burn about any fuel where a modern engine would just choke and die.

It is also low horsepower, but that measurment was back when horsepower ment draft animals, not the ponies of today. My guess is that with proper gearing and normal driving you will see somewhere between 15 and 20 MPG.

For mileage I think your best dollars would be spent to change the rear end ratio. If you still want better mileage or more power then you can then consider swapping engines, and the money spent on a ratio change would not be wasted.

 

its an ohv inline 6, looks like its a serious 102 HP!


are these engines pretty reliable and tough? the truck is going to be driven by my oldest boy whos now 13 so we got a couple years to get it road worthy and I figured it would be a good truck thats appealing and give him something that has lots of potential years from now as well and he can learn some valuable mechanical info fixing the truck up

thanks for the info so far you guys!

 

Hey Bustedford try www.fordsix.com and www.bobsf100.com they have info on fordsix and parts at bobs hope it will be of a help to you.

 

The best information you will get is in the shop manual. If you want to cruise at 60mph you'd be better off with another rear end. Your truck has been around for over a half century. Leaving it stock will provide you with a decent running truck offering decent mpgs. If you want 21st century comfort and convenience then you will have to stray from stock.

Going through the truck with your son will be a great way to get started for both of you. Let the shop manual be your guide and let some of us younger boys on the FTE keep you enthusiastic about it!

and a warm welcome, himmelberg

 

Glad you found our little corner of the world. As you've already seen, there are a lot of great guys and gals who are willing to help out with information and encouragement. From what I've read, if your OHV six is in good condition, it's a keeper. Pretty much indestructible and, as the fellas wrote, with the right rear axle ratio you can get reasonable gas mileage (considering we're talking about a 50+ year old truck).

Peter (Himmelberg) is right on the money with the shop manual. It has lots of information you'll need if you are going to work on your truck. As far as the potential of the engine/transmission/rear axle, I'll leave further discussion to those who have direct experience.

 

Welcome to the forum, I had a 1956 years ago that had the 223 6cylinder with a three speed. It was a great going motor and tough. I don't remember what the rear end was but it cruised the freeway at 55 mph. nicely. I agree if the compression is there at least keep it awhile.

 

I am restoring my 54 F-100 and had planed on installing a 289 and C-4. The more I thought about it and the more trucks I saw with a V-8 conversion convinced me to keep the stock 223 and 3 speed. All I wanted was a cruiser and I liked the idea of being a little different by keeping the six cylinder.

I haven't had any problems finding parts. My local Carquest has carried almost every engine part I have wanted and the few they ordered I got the next day.

A few years ago I swapped out the stock 4:11 gears for a 9 inch with 3:27. The truck cruised great, got great mileage, and could climb hills on the freeway with no problem.

Good luck with the project.

 

I tool have a 54 it is kind of stock, repainted back the orginal color exc the grill, and after that it gets instering, factory deluxe cab with locking glove box,factroy v8 . had the inside re upplusered in the same style as orginal but green and black. 292 with a 4 bbl and duals, truck 4 speed, and 9 inch. that is about it but to look at it with out telling it was a 3 speed and a 9 inch most people dont know except for the inside. keep up the work it is worth it.