front end removal
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 162
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From: RICHLAND
front end removal
Can someone give me the 123's about removing my 53 ford f-100 front end to remove the engine and expose the front framerails.I just don't want to miss any short cuts as this is my first.Thank You DJ
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 948
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From: McAlester, OK
front end removal
The front fenders are held up mainly by the radiator support (so it should be radiator/fender support), and the cowl. So to the front fenders off all you should have to do is..
Discconnect the fender/radiator mount (of course, take the radiator out first)
Take out all bolts for the fenders to the cowl.
Take out the few bolts for the inner fender wells.
Disconnect the wires to the lights and engine that may interrfere (On the fender well).
Now it should just lift straight up off the frame.
I beleive that 's all, of course it may be a bit different for a '53 (I did a '52) but not that different. Good luck!
Clayton
Discconnect the fender/radiator mount (of course, take the radiator out first)
Take out all bolts for the fenders to the cowl.
Take out the few bolts for the inner fender wells.
Disconnect the wires to the lights and engine that may interrfere (On the fender well).
Now it should just lift straight up off the frame.
I beleive that 's all, of course it may be a bit different for a '53 (I did a '52) but not that different. Good luck!
Clayton
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
front end removal
DJ
Are you asking if you can take the front clip off as a one piece unit? That is an option. Not sure if you are restoring sheetmetal at this time. If not, consider unbolting it from the cowl and removing the clip as a unit. You will potentially avoid tearing up your sheetmetal when nut plates start siezing and spinning.
Are you asking if you can take the front clip off as a one piece unit? That is an option. Not sure if you are restoring sheetmetal at this time. If not, consider unbolting it from the cowl and removing the clip as a unit. You will potentially avoid tearing up your sheetmetal when nut plates start siezing and spinning.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
front end removal
I see an advantage to removing the clip as one piece, but doesn't this turn the job into a two or three man operation?
The stress and twist of wrangling it as one piece seems more harmful then spinning nut plates: which at worst are infuriating, no?
I read this post, drove out to look at my trucks situation and am now up in the air. (although I have many months before I am at this stage in the game)
I do have a clg. hoist.....
Stylesider
The stress and twist of wrangling it as one piece seems more harmful then spinning nut plates: which at worst are infuriating, no?
I read this post, drove out to look at my trucks situation and am now up in the air. (although I have many months before I am at this stage in the game)
I do have a clg. hoist.....
Stylesider
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
front end removal
"The stress and twist of wrangling it as one piece seems more harmful then spinning nut plates: which at worst are infuriating, no?"
Two man job to lift clip assembled, you won't hurt it any lifting it off.
And no, the worst thing that happens with siezed nut plates is they spin, bind and then bend and rip mounting flanges off rust weakened body panels. Try a couple, I have no idea what shape your sheetmetal is in. If you are restoring the body now, then go for it and pull it all apart now. Just suggesting you not open the can of worms until you are ready.
Two man job to lift clip assembled, you won't hurt it any lifting it off.
And no, the worst thing that happens with siezed nut plates is they spin, bind and then bend and rip mounting flanges off rust weakened body panels. Try a couple, I have no idea what shape your sheetmetal is in. If you are restoring the body now, then go for it and pull it all apart now. Just suggesting you not open the can of worms until you are ready.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
front end removal
Fenders way works good.
I helped a friend pull the nose off a 55 F600 dump last fall and with the help of a fat tree limb it was a cinch.
Since the 256 Y was toast he wanted a lot of room to get around in the engine area and swap a PowerStroke diesel.
I helped a friend pull the nose off a 55 F600 dump last fall and with the help of a fat tree limb it was a cinch.
Since the 256 Y was toast he wanted a lot of room to get around in the engine area and swap a PowerStroke diesel.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
front end removal
I have to take mine off in pieces as every bolt and nut holding it on was rusted so bad I had to wring it in two to get them out... must be all that salt they use on the roads here in the Northeast.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
front end removal
"Since the 256 Y was toast he wanted a lot of room to get around in the engine area and swap a PowerStroke diesel."
Carl
Did you guys get it finished? That wouldn't be one of those IH diesels now would it. Real Cool Swap!
Carl
Did you guys get it finished? That wouldn't be one of those IH diesels now would it. Real Cool Swap!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
front end removal
I removed the entire clip off my 48 F1 in one piece, by myself.
The bolts to the running board, splash pan to frame, 1 or two places, the three frnder to radiator bolts and the wires down the drivers side.
Stood in front and rolled it forward, placed a plastic milk crate (A BUCKET would have worked) in front of the assembly and lowered it down.
Took my two wheel dolly and moved it ito the garage of dissasembly.
The bolts to the running board, splash pan to frame, 1 or two places, the three frnder to radiator bolts and the wires down the drivers side.
Stood in front and rolled it forward, placed a plastic milk crate (A BUCKET would have worked) in front of the assembly and lowered it down.
Took my two wheel dolly and moved it ito the garage of dissasembly.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
front end removal
I dont know the exact name for it Dewayne, it came from a 1 year old oil truck that rolled.
I'll ask later, Im going to spend most of the night in it plowing. Its already paid for itself ( the swap, he has had the truck since 1970) this winter.
It out plows the new trucks.
See Ya
I'll ask later, Im going to spend most of the night in it plowing. Its already paid for itself ( the swap, he has had the truck since 1970) this winter.
It out plows the new trucks.
See Ya
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Seattle USA
front end removal
On my '56 F100, I removed the hood and since there was no radiator or engine. I just disconnected the electrical connections, unbolted the fenders at the cowl and running board, unbolted the one bolt to the front crossmember and then lifted the whole unit off as one piece all by myself (and I'm not a big person by any stretch of the imagination). It would definately be easier with two people!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
front end removal
If you use a cherry picker it's an easy one man job for an afternoon. Just run a chain from an inner fender bolt on each side about a foot back from the core support and lift once everything is disconnected.
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