I am getting ready to restore a 52 f100 with a 24 stud flathead v8. I could use all the help I can get with getting started. I have experience with Hit & Miss gasoline engines, but they are all single piston engines. I would like to make it a semi-hotrod engine, adding a nice carb, breather, headers, and maybe a different crank. I am sure I have all the tools I will need, but I am not sure where to start. I also need to know a little more about the transmission, such as is the 3 speed reliable enough to run on the interstate short distances. I have some spare parts I am willing to trade or sell (3 speed transmission, intake manifold, both heads, front axel, front fender) to get what I need. Any help would be greatly appreciated...


Thanks

Jody

 

Hi Jody,
Welcome to the wonderful world of flathead V8's! To roughly give you some things to think about, the flathead needs help breathing first. The stock carb is adequate until you do some serious hotrodding. If you upgrade to multi-carbs don't run more than 2 two barrels, or if you use a modern 4bbl don't go to one bigger than 390 cfm. Headers and dual pipes make a lot of difference and is a good place to start. When you get into the engine itself you might want to consider boring it out to 3 5/16 and if you want to spend more money a merc crank and pistons will add more horsepower. While you're in there you might just as well upgrade the cam.
Does your motor run at present? If so, you might just want to run it the way it is until you get used to tinkering with it. Buy some good books on building flatheads and keep reading the flathead bulletinboards - there are some great ones out here.
Ask anytime you need help - if I can't answer your questions I know a bunch of guys who can.
I'm just finishing a total rebuild of my '48 F1 which is practically the same as yours. I hope you enjoy that truck - they're terrific.
This link will give you a lot of reading time
http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm
Tim

 

Me again - forgot your tranny questions. The 3 Spd is reliable enough for what you want to do. What will limit your free-way performance more is the rear end which is geared pretty low. Good news is that a 9" rear end out of late 50's thru mid 60's pickups are almost a direct bolt in swap.
Some folks change the tranny to a modern overdrive 4 Spd or automatic. These all need an adapter to work with the flathead, but are available.
Hope this helps - tim

 

Thanks a lot Tim,

I think this info will give me a great place to get started. I will try to keep everyone posted about my progress. The engine does run now, but I think a few rings are stuck. When I started it up a few weeks ago, for the first time in 8 years, it smoked like a freight train. It is running presently on 8 year old gas, and I am trying to burn that off. It seems to have plenty of power, and not use much oil, but I have just been driving it around the block. I had never driven a 3 on the column before, this thing is great. They have a completely different feel when compared to a modern 3 speed. I will have to check in to the rear end conversion, that may help quite a bit. I could use some advice on the best places to find parts, I would like some options for price comparison when I get ready to tear in to this thing. I have found a few dealers, but I would appreciate any suggestions. I also have some parts that I don't need that I can trade if you know of anyone that is willing to do that.

THanks again

Jody

 

There are a lot of suppliers out there. You can find them in any car/truck magazine. Here are some of my favorites:

Red's Headers - CA http://www.reds-headers.com/
Sacramento Vintage Ford - CA http://www.vintage-ford.com/
Bob Drake - OR http://www.bobdrake.com/
Mac's Antique Auto Parts - NY http://macsautoparts.com/
Obsolete Ford Parts - OK http://www.ford-obsolete-parts.com/
Patrick's - AZ http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/
Hot Rod and Custom Supply - FL http://www.rodncustom.com/
Hot Rods Classic Truck Parts - OH http://hotrodstrucks.com/

Also, don't forget about your local NAPA store. They carry or can get most anything you need for your truck. Just have to find the right parts person willing to search. About the only thing I haven't been able to get there are the front brake drums. They were unique to 48-52 model trucks, and I got mine from Sacramento.

If you need help locating things, just ask. I don't need any extra parts at present, but thanks. Keep watching the various classified boards for parts wanted.

 

Thanks again for all the info, I just made another investment today that will keep me busy. A 1967 ARMY Ambulance Jeep. This thing is in top form. I have found a few buyers for my parts through the other message posts, this site is great.....

Jody

 

I need to find out a good price for a 3 speed manual transmission, I have one for sale, and I am not sure what to ask. It is an extra for my 52, I need to know where to start when pricing this to another truck buff.

Jody

 

I have a frame off restored 52 Ford F1 and would be interested in buying your transmission when you come up with a price. The prices I have been seeing are $150 - $200 plus shipping. (for a used one, not rebuilt). My gear box is noisey but functions. Where are you located?