Hey guys, I have been thinking about what to to with my 55 f100. I would like to put a GM 350 crate motor with A/C power, steering and alternator mounted and a mustang II IFS. Are there any clearance issues I need to be aware of with the headers and steering and motor mounts? How do I find the axle center line measurement to weld in the cross member? I saw an article that said on an F-1 the measurement was 17 and 1/8 back from the center of the front shackle hole. Would this be the same on a 55 f-100? Thanks.

 

Have you read through the "Read First" threads at the top of the forum? The last one gives a lot of good info on various front suspensions. The OEM front axle set rearward about 1.5" so the trucks could have a better turning radius. Most guys going to IFS move the centerline of the front wheels forward 1.5" to get the tires in the center of the wheel well opening. Mark the existing centerline on the top of the frame and go from there.

 

If you want to find the location of the centerline of the front axel, make sure the truck is sitting with the frame level and use a level in the vertical, (plumb) position locating one side directly over the center of the axel and measure back to the firewall or any other thing you might be concerned about.

No, the F-100's and the F-1's are not the same. Check with Julie. She has all that F-1 atuff and I can go measure stuff on my '53 if yyou tell me exactly what you want.

You might want to try LOOKING HERE for measurements.

BTW, if you put that Cheby engine in your truck it won't ever get to heaven...

Later Man...

 

Firstly, I'd like to say welcome.
Secondly, Woohoo another Darksider!!!

 

yes but you DARKSIDERS are gonna be way outta shape kusto as many of 'em as you guys are devouring , giving those of us who arent so dark and the purists a better chance at outrunning you to the next ol' truck !

 

Hi Kevin,
You are forgetting that a lot of us Darksiders are buying the stuff the purists wouldn't buy because they are too hard to restore. We ain't nearly as picky you know... Besides, where are you guys gonna get parts from if we don't sell you all that antique stuff we take off???

Later Man...

 

You only have 6 posts not enough to allow you to think.
The GM engine is another proof of that this is FTE - Ford Truck Enthu---. We ain't aloowed to discuss the installation nor maintence of other makes of motors.

 

aw c'mon dick he aint the only one here .......... i found a 331 red ram hemi the other day in a boneyard , all there , except the intake , wasn't froze up . well now it's over at my buddy norms place so momma dont know ........... it'd look awful cool under the hood of the 53 if the flatty wasn't there ............ norms wanting it bad though so ........... and yep dave your right a lot of the stuff i've drug home wasn't even parts grade for the resto guys !!! and i do have a tendency to use whatever i happen to have laying around instead of buying first ...........

 

Yep Kevin,
my motto is scrounge now and buy later... If I have too...

 

wow, are they ginger snaps, I love ginger snaps. Come on Dick you'd like em toolol

 

even if you do go over to the
darkside why dont you keep it
all ford?

 

Hey Law1, don't let 'em pick on you...darksiding is cool, as you can see. But if you're going to put a chev in stay away from a 350...go BIG block...and I can tell ya how.

Norb

 

by the time he reads all these posts he will really be thinking----thinking what in the heck did i get into

 

He just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, that's all. No shame in that.

 

Well, there's Darkside... Then there is just plain wrong...

Friends don't let friends put Chebys in Fords.