figuring it all out!
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New User
Joined: Jan 2006
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figuring it all out!
hey all, never posted here before but thought i would drop a line and see if all you ford lovers could help me out.
i just got a 49 f1 home after sitting for 10 years in my dads back yard, now... im trying to figure out what to do with the steering , front suspension.... yadda yadda, my original plan was to drop a 460 in there that i had built a few years back, but looking at the work involved im really not sure what to do now,
ATM i currently runs a 352 with a 3speed manual, i believe the motor was out of a 65 falcon? not really sure though?? the motor still runs, took me 2 days to get started, but back to the point its still got the same ole front end in there with bad kingpins and a bad steering box
any ideas would be wonderful!
i just got a 49 f1 home after sitting for 10 years in my dads back yard, now... im trying to figure out what to do with the steering , front suspension.... yadda yadda, my original plan was to drop a 460 in there that i had built a few years back, but looking at the work involved im really not sure what to do now,
ATM i currently runs a 352 with a 3speed manual, i believe the motor was out of a 65 falcon? not really sure though?? the motor still runs, took me 2 days to get started, but back to the point its still got the same ole front end in there with bad kingpins and a bad steering box
any ideas would be wonderful!
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 1
From: Earth
I'm not sure what you are wanting to accomplish. Are you wanting to keep the stock suspension (rebuild it) or go afermarket.....? You can do just about anything you want to do.
I've seen some guys graft some darn big engines in those F1's. Where there is a will there is a way.
Welcome to FTE, lots of great info here!
I've seen some guys graft some darn big engines in those F1's. Where there is a will there is a way.
Welcome to FTE, lots of great info here!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City area
Welcome shawn49-
If you havenn't already read it, go to the "Articles/Spec" section at the top of the forum and look under the Steering/Suspension area for a lot of information on alternative suspensions for the old trucks. Since you are considering a 460 I would think you would want a Ford front clip, Mustang II, or Jag IFS but it is up to you, it is your truck. Any of these will give you a brake upgrade which you will need to slow down all that HP. You will probably want to change the rear end to a Ford 9" and there are tech articles on that also. Once you decide which route you want to go then you can ask some specific questions and get some specific responses. Set up a gallery as soon as you can so we can see your truck. Have fun.
If you havenn't already read it, go to the "Articles/Spec" section at the top of the forum and look under the Steering/Suspension area for a lot of information on alternative suspensions for the old trucks. Since you are considering a 460 I would think you would want a Ford front clip, Mustang II, or Jag IFS but it is up to you, it is your truck. Any of these will give you a brake upgrade which you will need to slow down all that HP. You will probably want to change the rear end to a Ford 9" and there are tech articles on that also. Once you decide which route you want to go then you can ask some specific questions and get some specific responses. Set up a gallery as soon as you can so we can see your truck. Have fun.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Shawn,
Are you just trying to get it drivable as soon as possible, do you want a show truck? are you after a good relaible daily driver? It will make a difference. The origianl front ends can be rebuilt and will do pretty well. You can add disc brakes to them and the original rear end will do well if you aren't drag racing it.
Front suspension can be upgraded and a brake uipgrade for the front wheels (at least) is highly recommended).
Are you just trying to get it drivable as soon as possible, do you want a show truck? are you after a good relaible daily driver? It will make a difference. The origianl front ends can be rebuilt and will do pretty well. You can add disc brakes to them and the original rear end will do well if you aren't drag racing it.
Front suspension can be upgraded and a brake uipgrade for the front wheels (at least) is highly recommended).
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: peyton, colorado
Shawn, sounds like a great project. I've got a 48 F-1. The info in the both the front and rear suspension threads is great. Based on those threads I'm going to run a MII front (probably a Heidts kit) with an Explorer disc brake rear end. However....I saw an add in a recent Street Rodder that Classic Performance Products is now making a 3" drop axle for 48-52 F-1's. Hmmm. Read the threads, buy some magazines, order some catalogs. See what's available, decide what direction you want to go and make a plan. With any luck, you can do one thing at a time and drive the truck while you do.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Shawn
Another place to look at the top of the forum is the 49/50 Vin# cut-off. Your participation there would be very welcomed. Not much information on these trucks is available from back then so we are trying to learn a bit on our own.
Another place to look at the top of the forum is the 49/50 Vin# cut-off. Your participation there would be very welcomed. Not much information on these trucks is available from back then so we are trying to learn a bit on our own.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Shawn,
Welcome aboard. They didn't put 352s in 65 Falcons, so unless it was transplanted there your current engine didn't come out of a Falcon. It's been awhile, but I think the V8 that was put in Falcons was a 260 or 289.
Like others have suggested, you have to figure out how you plan to use your truck first and then you can make plans for it.
Vern
Welcome aboard. They didn't put 352s in 65 Falcons, so unless it was transplanted there your current engine didn't come out of a Falcon. It's been awhile, but I think the V8 that was put in Falcons was a 260 or 289.
Like others have suggested, you have to figure out how you plan to use your truck first and then you can make plans for it.
Vern
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Ford 351 small blocks are a very easy and popular swap, and can give as much ooph as the 460 with a lot less front end weight. The "other brand" small block is also an easy swap, but you'll get a lot of boos and hisses from the majority here along with the help (on the side) from us minority deep darksiders that are tollerated here as long as we don't get into flame wars.
All in all, this is a very friendly place and we all get along by sharing our commonalities.
Welcome again, and using the search functions on here can produce weeks of good reading and advice on everything from pure restoration to racing rigs.
All in all, this is a very friendly place and we all get along by sharing our commonalities.
Welcome again, and using the search functions on here can produce weeks of good reading and advice on everything from pure restoration to racing rigs.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2006
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much thanks all, going to do a bit of research on it to see whats available, the site is awsome, ill grab vin # when i get home from work, and get it posted, as for the motor not to sure were it came from then haha, my dad put it in there before i was born, 30 years ago! but anyhow thanks a ton, all of you, and as for the (alternatives) i couldnt drag myself to put anything other than a ford product under the hood,
ill get back with you all after some serious thinking, and ill get some pics added asap, thanks agian !
ill get back with you all after some serious thinking, and ill get some pics added asap, thanks agian !
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,014
Likes: 9,967
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Welcome to the board!! My suggestion as a first step would be to seriously consider what the final outcome and usage of the truck will be. Do you want a show queen? an occasional driver? a daily driver? a 1/4 mile beast? something that handles like a dream? etc, etc, etc. Those kinds of decisions will affect what needs to be done to the suspension, brakes, etc.
I'm building my 49 as an occasional driver (something to go out and smoke the tires in several times a month) I opted for rebuilt stock suspension up front with disc brakes, 9" rear, and toyota power steering. I've only got a few miles on it so far but I think it will work out ok.
Glad to have you on the board, good luck
Bobby
I'm building my 49 as an occasional driver (something to go out and smoke the tires in several times a month) I opted for rebuilt stock suspension up front with disc brakes, 9" rear, and toyota power steering. I've only got a few miles on it so far but I think it will work out ok.
Glad to have you on the board, good luck
Bobby
