Well, I decided to totally change the direction of the 53...again. I'm no John Niolon, but it seems like this has to be the 6th or 7th time I have gone a different direction and probably not the last. I have never even driven the thing or had it all together but I think sometimes the change keeps me interested in it.
My plan for the last couple of years was to put in a 351C in the 53, but I ran across a 223 and 3-speed from a 1955 f250 that I just couldn't say no to for $75. Dirty as heck and has been sitting for 15 years but still turned over fine. These are the before pics.




The engine sat covered for a long time. I got it home and cleaned it up pretty good with oven cleaner and simple green. I wish I would have took it to the car wash before I took it home to save the greasy driveway. I will probably clean it up and reseal it; replacing whatever parts I need to.
I'll post more pics later of it more cleaned up.

Now I gotta sell all my Cleveland stuff I have accumulated over the last few years so I can buy more stuff for the 223.

I have seen some nice looking 223 engines with 2 or 3 glass bowl carbs that sure looked cool. I have also been reading about hooking up a T-5 to it. Sounds like that may be in the works down the road.

Anyone else have a 223 and want to chime in with stuff to do to it or things they did to it... any pics?

 

Has anyone add power steering pumps to theirs or know a good donor for one? I have the toyota box I was going to use with the 351C before I changed my mind and hope I can still get power steering for this engine. I saw a pic somewhere of a stock power steering pump on a 63 galaxie with a 223. Did the F100's ever have bolt on units?
Is anyone running power steering with the 223?

 

To see what can be done with the 223,check in with the guys in the Inline 6 section of FTE.

Also,see what member Col. Flashman has done:

1958 Mercury M100 4x4 - '58 223c.i. I-6

 

I recently added a dual OFFY with glass bowl Holleys to my 215. I might add the valve cover that Col. Flashman has if I could ever find one.

 

Illya,it's available new - If you can afford to open your wallet.

Offenhauser L6 Inline 6 Ford 223 Valve Cover Mustang: eBay Motors (item 390241586977 end time Oct-18-10 14:57:09 PDT)

 

And I just changed the valve cover gasket on mine! Wallet will be opened in a few days.

 

While your at it,I've a small list............

 

I found it $20 cheaper directly from their website.

FORD 6 CYLINDER 223 CI VALVE COVER

The only thing I can afford from your list is a slurpee from 7-11.

 

I like the finned valve cover as well...with matching intake...maybe when I have some extra dough!

I did pick up a set of headers this weekend though, pretty cheap. ($60)

 

If like you said , keep changing the direction of your build I wouldn't go dumping your 351c in a hurry because if you think things over and decide again it's going to cost you more later. I'd oil up the cleveland and put it under a tarp in the corner of your shop if not for this project but maybe another one or at least until your 53 is on the road.

 

I really love my 53 with the 223. It is all stock, but makes a great extra truck.
I use it for all my chores and after 57 yrs it still runs and drives li ke a champ.

If you build yours the way I think.....it will be classy as all get-out!! I think you will be happy with the idea of a 6.....

 

1953 should have a 215 to be all stock. 223 were introduced in 1954.

 

Yeah, mine was stock with a flathead. I would love to put a flatty in there, but all the ones I come across are ether cracked or way expensive.

I am pretty sure I am set on putting the 6 in it now...It should be a good engine for a daily driver and with gas going up it will be even better.
I would love to keep the 351C for a future project...it I just don't know if I can afford to keep it when selling would mean having extra funds for the rest of the truck. I really do like the 351c. I will hold off as long as I can and try to sell other stuff first.

 

What I mean't Illya was the 223 is stock. No sfter market carb setup on this baby.

 

What I mean't Illya was the 223 is stock. No fter market carb setup on this baby.