Hey guys. I just aquired a very basic 56 in the form of a bunch of parts and a rolling chassis with an almost runnig engine (it turns over and is almost there).

My question is i need alist of books to start learning how these things go back together.

The engine is a 272 and trans is a 3 speed on the colume.

Im looking for the following:

• engine book
• engine rebuild book
• general 56 breakdown book/maintance book (haynes style)
• any good catalogs
• anything else that everyone seems to have or would be helpful.

I have the parts catalogs from the big companies but if you guys know of any other ,preferably FREE catalogs, please let me know


Thanks

stephen

 

I also have a 56 F100.

The first book you will absolutely need is "1956 Ford Truck Shop Manual". The first chapter is about power plants, trouble shooting, etc. The third chapter is devoted to rebuilding the 272 V8 engine. It has everything in it about the stock truck. It has been invaluable to me. If you get no other book, get this one. It is available on line. Just google it at any book seller or eBay.

The best aftermarket catalog in my library is the "Mid Fifty" catalog, free for the asking at 1-800-252-1956.

Good luck!

 

Welcome aboard can't wait to see some pics of your new truck I like the 56s; I second what Randy Jack said I have a 55 that came with the shop manual which is what I used solely until I got savy to all these other books to compliment it. I didn't have this forum for the first 11 years so I purchase all stock parts except the engine which PO had put in a 71 302CID which is still there running strong. MF catalog has lots of great tips and other information.

 

Hi and Welcome to FTE!

Here is a prior thread about Manuals and Catalogues:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-everyone.html

I have an (for my 51):
1951 Ford Truck Owners Manual;
1949-1951 Shop Manual (with the 52 Suppliment);
1948-1952 Truck Chassis Parts Catalogue;
1944-1952 Body Parts Catalogue;
1966 Shop Manual (for my 390 engine, C6 and 9 3/8 rear);
1948-1956 Ford Truck Parts and Accessories Illustrations Catalogue (this is a 2 book set. The "Illustrations Catalogue" has exploded drawings of the major components - and is invaluable; and, the other book is the "Text Catalogue" which has parts descriptions and I really didn't find much use for it) .

And just for grins and better pictures I also bought:
Chiltons and Motors Manuals for my year truck
1949-51 Ford Car Manual (different descriptions on common systems)

One of the books I bought that hasn't been important for maintenance or work but is the best source of information on the trucks has been the Truck (Salesmans) Handbook.

If you can find one of those for a 56 you will pay hundreds of dollars for it. Mine for the51 was $179 five years ago.

E-bay is a good source for these manuals. Most of them are also available on CD on E-bay as well and are much cheeper. Also most of the restoration parts places have these but they are cheeper on e-bay as well.

In my opinion (and this will probably get a stir from Bill) The Ford Manuals are somewhat lacking. No one manual contains all the information you will need. For example th etorque spec for the front spring U-bolts in not in the Shop Manual, it is listed in the back of the owners manual.

If I were you and just starting out I would definately get the Owners Manual and Shop Manual in hard bound, and the 1948-1956 Ford Truck Parts and Accessories Illustrations Catalogue on CD.

Here's a few manuals:

1956 FORD TRUCK SHOP MANUAL-ALL MODELS-F100 THRU F900:eBay Motors (item 400066358279 end time Nov-05-09 09:42:17 PST)

1956 57 Ford Truck Parts Catalog_F-100/F-250-600 Models:eBay Motors (item 130336169802 end time Nov-08-09 05:43:09 PST)

https://secure435.hostgator.com/~dlv...=1&s=1&g=1&t=1

 

This topic is a sore point with me...in addition to the Ford trucks that I own, I also have a 56 BBW Chevy 3100. Chevrolet published a 1955-1959 Truck Factory Assembly Manual (this book is 1-1/4 inches thick and can be bought as a reprint) that covers every nut, bolt, bracket, etc and how they go together in great detail. I don't know why Ford has not released a similar manual but in the absence of this manual I would suggest the Ford Parts and Illustrations catalogs to supplement the shop manual.

 

I have alot of brocures and pamphlets I pick up on ebay and along with the manuals helps me with pics of how truck works.
I think the longer you have the truck the more you gather along the way.
I restarted my love affair with the 56s in 2006 and in 3 years have amassed a huge library of truck literature......contact autoliton internet....Bill

 

Mac's has some of what your looking for. Other vendors (lmc, mid-fifty) have this stuff too. As others mentioned check e-bay too.

1956 shop manual
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000021F

1948-1956 parts illustrations manual
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000021F

1956 operators manual
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000021F

Free catalogs
You probably already have these but if not...

MAC's Antique Auto Parts - Catalog Ordering - 800-828-1051

Mid Fifty F100 Parts

LMC Truck Parts: Chevy Chevrolet Blazer S10 GMC Jimmy S15 Ford Bronco Ranger Pickup Pick Up Accessories/Catalogs

Dennis Carpenter Ford and Cushman Restorations

 

You are smart to make an investment in manuals!

Don't overlook your local library. The one near me has a bunch of old Motor Manuals that someone must have donated (the town didn't exist before the '70's). You can't check them out, but you can xerox pages out of them.

 

FREE FREE FREE

1967-68 Thunderbird Shop Manual - The Old Car Manual Project
Group 6 - Manual transmission
1958 Ford Manual - The Old Car Manual Project