Hey guys - I stumbled upon this 56 F100 a while back. Truck is in great shape. No rust, everything is there. It has a Y-block in it, I'm assuming that's original as well. I believe its a 272, 3 on the tree. However the motor is shot, which is fine. Truck needs a few minor things, but overall its almost impossible to find them in this condition anymore - unmolested.

My plans for right now is to drop a 302 with a C4 in it. I already picked the motor up, put new gaskets everywhere on it. Painted the motor, got some new valve covers, edlebrock performer 4 barrel intake, MSD electronic distributor, and so forth. I believe I have the running gear covered.

I want to keep the original suspension for "now". So I ordered the transmission crossmember & engine crossmember with mounts from f100central.com. I also jumped on speedway and got a rear sump oil pan, the 302 I have now has a front sump. I plan on bolting the engine cross member in, getting everything lined up then welding it up. Should I leave the existing cross member in? I plan on using a shorty type, foxbody mustang header. A few concerns is, will the axle travel hit the oil pan? From research, I should have plenty of clearance. But what about if I put a drop axle in the front? I plan on keeping drums at the moment, but adding a power assist unit, preferably mounted under the cab. Anyone have any experience with that and a C4? I should have plenty of room, the C4 is rather small trans. Which shorty headers do I need? Is it possible to hook up the transmission cable to the original 3 on the tree shifter? I'm undecided on what I want to do, if its a lokar shifter on the floor or a column shift.

I'm trying to make a nice driver out of it for the time being, something very dependable that I could drive a few hundred miles one way and not worry about it. I'm on a limited budget, so that's why I'm not doing a IFS yet. I plan on keeping this truck for the rest of my life, and have it passed down in the family, so after I enjoy it for a while I will tear it down and do a IFS as funds become available. Anyone have any pointers or tips for installing the new cross member? I've been a gear head for my whole life. Never done a swap like this, but I've rebuilt plenty of motors and done my own wrenching. Thanks for all the help.

 

 

Its a shame if it really is "unmolested" to modify the truck at all.

we need pics and welcome to the site!

 

 

the truck has some surface rust, but no rust through any of the panels. mainly around the inside of the doors. you could take some 120 grit to the areas and clean up the rust.

I most definitely will not be keeping this truck stock. 56 is my favorite year, and this has been a toy I've wanted for a long time.

 

Nice truck, If it were mine, Id put me another 272 y block in it. but its yours so do what makes you happiest.

They can be "original" only once!

 

 

 

y blocks aren't really known for their reliability. The 302 is a proven platform. I had a 302 in my 91 notch mustang, with over 250k miles, and 50k of it had over 100 bottles of nitrous ran through it. Car ran like a champ, used a little oil, but never left me stranded once.

 

check this out
Charlie McCraney - YouTube

all y block powered vehicles

 

here are some performance #'s
Dyno results for a 343

this is worth the watch as well