New Ford Guy here
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Near Madison, WI
New Ford Guy here
Hi guys,
I finally made the leap to the F100 gang. My father in law owned a Ford, Pontiac, Kaiser Frazier, AMC dealership for 50+ years. I have been a GTO guy but recently bought a 53 F100.
I will have lots of questions for you guys but here are a couple basic ones to start.
What are the best sources for parts and resto supplies for these trucks?
Is this Ford Forum site the most used by you guys? For Pontiacs, I like Performance Years forums and they are completely free sponsored by the vendor, Performance years.
My 53 has the original motor. Premium leaded without ethanol is the best gasoline choice, right?
Best oil is 5w-30 synthetic for summer use only??
Thanks in advance forall your help.
Fred
I finally made the leap to the F100 gang. My father in law owned a Ford, Pontiac, Kaiser Frazier, AMC dealership for 50+ years. I have been a GTO guy but recently bought a 53 F100.
I will have lots of questions for you guys but here are a couple basic ones to start.
What are the best sources for parts and resto supplies for these trucks?
Is this Ford Forum site the most used by you guys? For Pontiacs, I like Performance Years forums and they are completely free sponsored by the vendor, Performance years.
My 53 has the original motor. Premium leaded without ethanol is the best gasoline choice, right?
Best oil is 5w-30 synthetic for summer use only??
Thanks in advance forall your help.
Fred
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Weston-super-Mare (UK)
Hey welcome to the site!
You've found a great place for help and info (and sympathy if anything goes wrong!!).
For parts try Hot Rods truck parts or MidFifty- both very good (get the catalogues if nothing else as lots of info in there). others include Dennis carpenter, Blue Oval, LMC, Sacramento Vintage ford, no limit, bob drake, classic perform plus many others.
You've found a great place for help and info (and sympathy if anything goes wrong!!).
For parts try Hot Rods truck parts or MidFifty- both very good (get the catalogues if nothing else as lots of info in there). others include Dennis carpenter, Blue Oval, LMC, Sacramento Vintage ford, no limit, bob drake, classic perform plus many others.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,644
Likes: 55
From: Moro Bay, AR
Lack of good gas to run my engines on is one of the reasons that I have gone almost exclusively diesel in my vehicles. 
Oh Yeah, Welcome to FTE
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,149
Likes: 4,749
From: Burbank, WA
I don't know where you're going to find leaded premium gasoline without ethanol. Are you raiding an airport? lol
That said, these are not high compression, high performance engines. Premium gasoline is not necessary. The flathead was designed to run on pretty much crap, since that was all that was available in the 30's and 40's, compared to the refinements we have today. Plain ol' regular gas should work fine.
For oil, you'll find as many opinions as options on this, and any other forum. Run what you feel comfortable running. Again, like gasoline, oils today are far superior to what was available when these trucks were new, it's not a huge issue. Just try to find one with enough zinc still in it to operate a flat tappet camshaft.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,292
Likes: 8
From: sparta ky.
welcome to are part of the world and let us know where your from. Hot Rods Classic Truck Parts in Carlisle, Ohio has been a real good source for me and they are great people to deal with, Garry
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
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From: Near Madison, WI
Thanks guys, sheesh...I meant unleaded premium. Yes, I have the V8. The reason I asked about premium is that is all I can find around here (Madison, WI) that doesn't have ethanol. There may be a source for regular gas without ethanol but I'd have to do some looking. It doen't exist at the stations near my house. Wouldn't ethanol be an enemy?
I avoid ethanol for all my rides if I have a choice.
@52 Merc, thanks for the zinc tip.
I avoid ethanol for all my rides if I have a choice.
@52 Merc, thanks for the zinc tip.
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and if you really want they sell lead additive that you can add to your tank at every fill up to turn the unleaded into leaded. i used to use it in my 64 and i assume you can still get it unless they outlawed it as a toxic chemical or some bs by now.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Hello and Welcome to FTE.
First and formost, you need to buy a Shop Manual, and an Operators Manual - both available on e-bay. Those are good sources for day to day stuff like oils, torque values, etc.
Here are two links for parts places and sites:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-to-socal.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/901018-1950.html
Some AVGAS still has lead in it. Lends new meaning to "Super" grade gas.
First and formost, you need to buy a Shop Manual, and an Operators Manual - both available on e-bay. Those are good sources for day to day stuff like oils, torque values, etc.
Here are two links for parts places and sites:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-to-socal.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/901018-1950.html
Some AVGAS still has lead in it. Lends new meaning to "Super" grade gas.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
heyya from another 53 flatty owner ! welcome to the madhouse !!! dennis carpenter , national parts depot , mid fifties { great folks to deal with !!!!! } , and so many others out here that if you do an online search you will come up with . for the driveline ya got reds , speedway , flathead jacks , on and on . seems the lil' l heads are back in vogue , although i don't think they've ever left it myself . as someone said these things will run on anything , my favorite quip is i can take a leak in the tank fill it up and drive off ............. i've abused the daylights outta mine , used it as a truck , drove it daily and just flat out had a fantastic time being with her !!!!!!!!!!!! it's kinda in peices right now in the garage ......................................... p.s. don't overthink the flatty it is after all just an 8 cylinder briggs and stratton in simplicity . may not be as powerful as yer poncho's , but she will give you many smiles per mile !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! do yerself a favor and go 12 volt and electronic ignition to ease some of the crankiness of it in daily use !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. don't overthink the flatty it is after all just an 8 cylinder briggs and stratton in simplicity . may not be as powerful as yer poncho's , but she will give you many smiles per mile !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! do yerself a favor and go 12 volt and electronic ignition to ease some of the crankiness of it in daily use !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
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From: Near Madison, WI
Thanks for all the great advice, guys and Julie.
Where can I find a shop manual? I've googled and googled...is there another year or years I can use?
I prefer plain old book form so I can drag it under the chassis with me rather than CD versions you have to print pages from, if available.
Where can I find a shop manual? I've googled and googled...is there another year or years I can use?
I prefer plain old book form so I can drag it under the chassis with me rather than CD versions you have to print pages from, if available.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 208
From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
My thoughts exactly..!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Thanks for all the great advice, guys and Julie.
Where can I find a shop manual? I've googled and googled...is there another year or years I can use?
I prefer plain old book form so I can drag it under the chassis with me rather than CD versions you have to print pages from, if available.
Where can I find a shop manual? I've googled and googled...is there another year or years I can use?
I prefer plain old book form so I can drag it under the chassis with me rather than CD versions you have to print pages from, if available.
Here are a couple of links for both the "Shop Manual" and the "Operators Manual:"
53 Ford Truck Shop Manual items - Get great deals on eBay Motors, Books items on eBay.com!
53 Ford Truck owners Manual items - Get great deals on eBay Motors, Collectibles items on eBay.com!
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