Hey all, anyone want a 53-55 Ford F-750 tandem axle truck? I gotta part ways with my Big Job. I had a couple real minor heart attacks a few weeks ago, and I gotta clean house. Most of you already know the truck. The sheet metal is damned near flawless. The motor is junk (1160 Caterpillar), and I have a Peterbilt air ride rear axle, and good front suspension for it too.

 

what is wrong with the engine ? that truck has style to it , hate to see you loose it , know the feeling of heart attack as had on my self 3.5 years ago .

 

I'm 33, and too young to be having heart troubles, especially ones caused by stress. The engine popped its top, and there's rust inside the motor. I was gonna fix it, but it's too spendy to build an outdated engine that isn't really worth repairing to begine with. I could keep the truck, but I just don't feel like it, and would rather have some extra money right now. I guess it's not accurate to say I got to clean house, but more like I want to clean house.

 

The 1160 uses the same innards as the early 3208s, but the crank, front cover, flywheel housing, block & fuel system are different. Gasket sets are different too, of course. If you bore the block, it should be sleeved, if it hasn't already been done. If I remember correctly, the 1160 block didn't suffer from the casting flaws that plagued the early 3208s.

 

Some of the parts are the same, but the cost to rebuild is ridiculous. They're not worth it. I can buy another Cummins for less than the cost to rebuild a Cat 1160/3208 engine. That's not the point though, It is time to get rid of the truck either as a whole, or as parts. I no longer desire to keep it, or continue to build it.

 

what trans is in it, and what rears are in it?

 

Out of frame kits run about a grand. Machine shops are the expensive part. I'm not trying to cause you a problem, exactly the opposite. It was my hope that my post would have made it easier for you to move your truck. Sorry I made you mad.

 

Oh, I'm not mad. I'm quite familiar with the costs involved with rebuilding the 1160. Believe me, I searched, and researched every affordable solution before chalking the motor up to boat anchor status. I was the diesel tech at my last job, so I am very familiar with the costs, and trials and tribulations of a truck of this magnitude. So, I am in no way mad at all. As to kitchenes question, it has a Spicer five speed direct (can't recall the exact model) and a 4 speed auxilliary. The rears that are in it now, Eatons I believe, and on a Hendrickson walking beam. The front suspension is worn heavily. The frame is a '74 Ford LNT-8000, with all stock drive train and suspension to the LNT. I do, however, have a single Peterbilt 3.73 air ride rear axle for it, along with the matching late model Peterbilt front suspension. I was, before the heart attacks, and other stuff, going to yard the beam, and tandem, and put the single Pete under it, on air, and replace the front suspension. There is a local guy with a 391, and matching 5 speed that I was going to get that from him, and install it. I also have an aluminum Pro-Tech headache rack, section of aluminum frame decking, and a pair of aluminum full fenders for the rear. I was going to shorten it up to a single, and sell it as a toter. The cab, and front end sheet metal have absolutely ZERO rust, only one or two very small dings, all the original glass. If you look at the photobucket link, you can see the truck. The donor 53-55 was a '53 F-750 fire truck with only 7200 miles. The Ford body is absolutely perfect. It alone is worth parting out, and could easily get more than $2500. I did have the truck running and driving, and have in fact driven it. That is until I discovered the head gasket issue, and the internal rust. I had actually driven the truck a total of about 10 miles up and down my street, and down to the gas station and back.

 

While I'm new here, I am by no way new to Ford Trucks, yours is one of a kind to still exist in that condition. Very nice... You have covered a lot of ground in the work you have completed, I'm sure someone will continue the project. I would consider it myself if it were closer. Very nice.....

 

As said "such is life" I just sold my resque yesterday a C8000 no miles
perfect tires and yes a 3208 Cat all for $2500 aint even got to wax it.
Guy just came and filled my furnace $1015 So much for the fire truck/
Ya know what the hell with it. Friend Sam

 

Sometimes this is how life works. Now, all you all that know me, you know that this aint gonna put me down. Aready plotting for the afterwards. My dad did finally get the '55 F-800 I mentioned last year. He is gonna let me take hold of it, as well as a 1950 Silver Streak travel trailer my family has had for the last 25 years. Now, I'm sure you can imagine the plotting going through my grey matter. Also, there is a 55 F-800 here locally, a much better fire truck, that is in need of mostly cosmetic attention, and some brake adjusting. Ideas, ideas.