1956 F100
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1956 F100
hey guys i have a 1956 f100 3 speed on column with a 312 thunderbird special. The truck has been restored however it has been restored to 1956. I would like to do the new style conversion and put a 302 with the new front end under it. what is the best /easiest vehicle to do that with. Also are there any magazines out there that deal with this type of a conversion. I am new to the game so basically i am starting from the ground up. Any info would be appreciated thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 1
From: oh
welcome to FTE and glad you wrote!!!! Look up some of the galleries of the folks with 56s and 302/289s in them --and good luck to you. I am just putting in my 2 cents-but what is wrong with the yblock? I have 4 and so far I like them. Lot's of 302 out there not many yblocks any more!!!! Congratulations---now you are a FTEr!!! Bill
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 9
From: DFW, TX
Welcome to FTE! Lots of good folks here with a wealth of information on these trucks. A while back some of our own got together and wrote a series of articles on suspension alternatives for these trucks. The index can be found at this link:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/10/0/
There are alot of different ways to go. I would suggest that you first decide what you want to do with or use the truck for. Then it's time for an honest assessment of your skill level or depth of your pockets. John wrote an excellent article a few years ago title "Trials of the First Time Builder" that is good info. Here's the link:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...e_Builder.html
Good Luck and keep us posted with your progress. And we love to see pictures!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/10/0/
There are alot of different ways to go. I would suggest that you first decide what you want to do with or use the truck for. Then it's time for an honest assessment of your skill level or depth of your pockets. John wrote an excellent article a few years ago title "Trials of the First Time Builder" that is good info. Here's the link:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...e_Builder.html
Good Luck and keep us posted with your progress. And we love to see pictures!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 38
From: Valley Center, California
Welcome !
I'm no purist by any means but I agree. Since you aren't looking for 460 type power, the Y-Block is a far better choice for good driving, simplicity, and cool factor. With a bit of camshaft, headers and intake, they run really well and are very dependable.
Just my opinion.........
I'm no purist by any means but I agree. Since you aren't looking for 460 type power, the Y-Block is a far better choice for good driving, simplicity, and cool factor. With a bit of camshaft, headers and intake, they run really well and are very dependable.
Just my opinion.........
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Welcome to the forum! 
I'll add my vote for the Y-block as well, especially a 312 T-bird motor. Very sweet. And if you want to be different, believe it or not, they are getting very rare in our Effies. Besides, think of the work it would save! No new motor mounts, tranny, driveshaft, etc.
Also, don't discount the stock front suspension. If you rebuild it (very cheap), you'll be surprised how well they handle. You could add disk with a kit and even power steering, if so inclined.
My 56 has a 351C, FMX auto, 9-inch and Mustang II IFS. Given my druthers to do it all again, I would build exactly what you already have.
Besides...As much as I like building them, I like driving them more.
I'll add my vote for the Y-block as well, especially a 312 T-bird motor. Very sweet. And if you want to be different, believe it or not, they are getting very rare in our Effies. Besides, think of the work it would save! No new motor mounts, tranny, driveshaft, etc.
Also, don't discount the stock front suspension. If you rebuild it (very cheap), you'll be surprised how well they handle. You could add disk with a kit and even power steering, if so inclined.
My 56 has a 351C, FMX auto, 9-inch and Mustang II IFS. Given my druthers to do it all again, I would build exactly what you already have.
Besides...As much as I like building them, I like driving them more.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
At the show last weekend there was only one flat head and 2 Y-blocks. They are getting rare indeed. Mine (even though pretty rough) drew a lot of underhood attention.
Even with the horrible traffic in Branson I managed 15.53 MPG for the round trip there and back.
My stock suspension has been reabuilt and it drives out fairly well. I do need better shocks though. Mine are the autozone "no name" cheapies.
My friend (the other Y-block) has headers, a big 4 barrel, and a 9" rear end with higher gears (numerically lower). He flew past me on the highway just for fun.
Nothing....and I mean nothing sounds like a modified Y-block.
Even with the horrible traffic in Branson I managed 15.53 MPG for the round trip there and back.
My stock suspension has been reabuilt and it drives out fairly well. I do need better shocks though. Mine are the autozone "no name" cheapies.
My friend (the other Y-block) has headers, a big 4 barrel, and a 9" rear end with higher gears (numerically lower). He flew past me on the highway just for fun.
Nothing....and I mean nothing sounds like a modified Y-block.
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 97,686
Likes: 2,024
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Add my vote for the 312, it a very neat motor and so simple by keeping it stock if it runs well. 
Last edited by Fomoko1; Jul 18, 2007 at 12:45 AM.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 0
From: Adams,CO.
A restored with a 312, most guys would nearly trade a resto job for that truck. Any late, any brand, any install an't come close to a good running Y with a nice exhaust sound. Flatties too, but I prefer the 312 overall. My vote to 312
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 208
From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
WVUFella,
We have ALL been in the shoes where you know stand. Some of us more than once. I would say sit down maybe with a few magazines like Custom and Custom Trucks, Classic Trucks, Truck Builder and maybe go to a few websites
http://bobcoauto.com/,http:/
/www.hotrodscustomstuff.com
http://chesserbuilt.com/
/http://www.salinasboys.com/project_f_100.html
http://public.fotki.com/eds56/super-tour-iv/
http://www.clubfte.com/users/earl/Re..._Material.html
http://www.frappr.com/oldfordtrucks
Look in your pocket, double check your significant other's patience if you have one, then think about your own patience, check your talent level, and then decide how do you want to use the truck. Once you have these things in a general idea in your head go forward. The late model drivetrain and suspension may work better for you. It does for me. Build it to suit you. That just my .02 sense. No matter what you alright cause you love Ford Trucks like the rest of us and you got the fever.
We have ALL been in the shoes where you know stand. Some of us more than once. I would say sit down maybe with a few magazines like Custom and Custom Trucks, Classic Trucks, Truck Builder and maybe go to a few websites
http://bobcoauto.com/,http:/
/www.hotrodscustomstuff.com
http://chesserbuilt.com/
/http://www.salinasboys.com/project_f_100.html
http://public.fotki.com/eds56/super-tour-iv/
http://www.clubfte.com/users/earl/Re..._Material.html
http://www.frappr.com/oldfordtrucks
Look in your pocket, double check your significant other's patience if you have one, then think about your own patience, check your talent level, and then decide how do you want to use the truck. Once you have these things in a general idea in your head go forward. The late model drivetrain and suspension may work better for you. It does for me. Build it to suit you. That just my .02 sense. No matter what you alright cause you love Ford Trucks like the rest of us and you got the fever.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
I wanted a late model drivetrain until Tacson (thanks again buddy) found this truck for me. It runs out nice. I was out driving it around in town today. As far as reliability, so far, it has been as relaible as any new one. I just hop in it and hit the key.
The "T-bucket round up" is in town this week. I plan on tagging along on their cruises in mine the next 3 nights (if they don't throw a fit). LOL
The only thing I need to do to make mine more road worthy is swap in a 9" (I have to go pick it up) with slightly higher gears. That will let me run a little faster out on the highway. Right now (without a tach) I only run 55-60. I can't really hear how high the RPMs are turning.
The "T-bucket round up" is in town this week. I plan on tagging along on their cruises in mine the next 3 nights (if they don't throw a fit). LOL
The only thing I need to do to make mine more road worthy is swap in a 9" (I have to go pick it up) with slightly higher gears. That will let me run a little faster out on the highway. Right now (without a tach) I only run 55-60. I can't really hear how high the RPMs are turning.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 2
From: Boise, Idaho
If you want to bolt in a new front end, there should be some tech articles in the tech section. You might consider using the kit that uses parts from a Cordoba, or from an Aspen. Lots of examples of the Aspen front end conversion (with the crossing torsion bars), but I like the idea of applying the torque to a mount point back underneath the cab.
Switching from the 312 to a 302 isn't hard, but it does alter the design of the frame. Note how the 312 had a single engine mount under the front pulley and then two mounts on the bellhousing? The frame is designed to twist and mounting the engine this way allows the frame twist without changing the geometry of the drivetrain. I have seen bellhousing adapters on ePay that use the bellhousing mounts, but they're uncommon. Mounting the 302 with side mounts will expose it to the twist of the frame.
But may people have done what you describe and I guess it works. 302's are cheap and plentiful. Consider boxing the front frame rails.
Before you make up your mind check out the various y block forums such as y-blocksforever. It's not easy to build a y-block properly, and I wouldn't trust a machinist to get it right because y-blocks are so old and they're a little tricky. But a well-tuned y-block has a sound all its own.
Good luck.
Switching from the 312 to a 302 isn't hard, but it does alter the design of the frame. Note how the 312 had a single engine mount under the front pulley and then two mounts on the bellhousing? The frame is designed to twist and mounting the engine this way allows the frame twist without changing the geometry of the drivetrain. I have seen bellhousing adapters on ePay that use the bellhousing mounts, but they're uncommon. Mounting the 302 with side mounts will expose it to the twist of the frame.
But may people have done what you describe and I guess it works. 302's are cheap and plentiful. Consider boxing the front frame rails.
Before you make up your mind check out the various y block forums such as y-blocksforever. It's not easy to build a y-block properly, and I wouldn't trust a machinist to get it right because y-blocks are so old and they're a little tricky. But a well-tuned y-block has a sound all its own.
Good luck.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
There's NOTHING like the grunt of a well built 272/292/312! I have all 3 sitting in my garage! (And a semi-fresh 272 in the truck, waiting for the 312 to get built after I finish my Mustang's body work.) The 272 drives amazingly, smooth idle, little bit of cam, ram horn exhaust, dual out glass packs... Sounds mean, looks amazing, and when you win the race, everybody will always be sitting at your truck while that stupid 454 camaro wonders "How'd I get beat by a truck twice my car's size, with a motor half of it's size?" Two words punk, Y Block.
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