1954 F-100 Restoration
 

Well, since I am a long standing member of the Oregon Chapter, and after some harsh butt chewing, for not being around enough (not really), by our Chapter Leader, I am submitting, for your viewing enjoyment, a build thread of my latest project. This little old Ford, is an original, unaltered F-100, produced in the early months of 1954. This truck was purchased by the grandfather of the current owner, and it has been brought to me for a complete, body off, as close to perfect as reasonably possible, restoration. So far, I have completely disassembled the truck, and have the chassis, and drivetrain completely rebuilt. We were able to preserve the original engine, and were successful in mantaining the original cylinder bore, and crankshaft journal dimensions. The originall camshaft, and lifters were able to be reground, and reused. The original wiring is being replaced, with correctly colored, and cloth bound replacements. The original suspension has been rebuilt, as has the entire original braking, and steering systems. This truck is to look almost exactly like it did the day it left the St. Paul, Minnesota assembly plant. Correct stickers have been applied to the engine, where appropriate, and correct ignition wires have been used. With this truck, came the original purchase agreement between the original purchaser, and the dealership it was purchased at. Many "vintage" items were also found inside the truck, including era correct match books, business cards, and other items. An original dealer brochure for a slide in camper was also found inside the truck.

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The chassis was cleaned with "Awesome" from the Dollar Tree, and a wire brush, then treated with Eastwood "Rust Converter," "Rust Encapsulator," and "2K Ceramic Chassis Black." So far, I have aquired new parts from Mid-Fifty, in Arizona, Concours Parts, in Carson City, Nevada, and Mac's, in New York, as well as some incidentals through the local NAPA, and CarQuest. To date, this truck has cost approximately $2700. Another $3000 is anticipated, including the purchase of a good donor cab, along with the remainder of electrical wiring, body weather seals, and bed wood. We also will be replacing the seat foam, and covering, and installing new interior trim panels. The dash electrical switches will be replaced too. The original starter, and generator have been rebuilt, and I received a call yesterday afternoon stating they are ready to be picked up. The original radiator, however, was not so lucky, as it was determined to be brittle, and was compromised during a pressure test at the radiator shop (I personally think they over charged it and popped it, but I will not be able to prove that). The donor truck we will be aquiring, has good original Ford script glass, and minimal amounts of rust in one or two cab corners. The hood on the donor truck has no rust, nor do the doors. This truck, has suffered extensive rust in the cab, doors, and hood.

Very nice work Joe! The owner should be very happy with what you've done. Can't wait to see it finished!

Nice work Joe, keep the pictures coming.

What size engine is in it? Looks like a Y-block 292.

Y-block, yes, 292, no. 239.4 cubic inches. First year of the Y-block used in the trucks smaller than F-750, as well as cars. All, received the flathead until '53. This is also a one year only Y-block, as the cam journals are larger than all the other Y-block motor. There is also a different tooth count on the ditributor, and the oil pump is a tang drive, as opposed to the later hex drive.

It's also the year of the upside down fuel pump.

Beautiful truck. Can't wait to see the end results

Did you go into the engine and see what condition it was in Joe?

Well duh....hahaha. It's been completely rebuilt. New cam bearings (VERY, VERY hard to find), new rods, mains, and rings. Had the cam reground to take out some minor pitting in the lobe surfaces. Had the solid lifters turned, and refaced. Heads rebuilt, with pressure test, and valve grind, and resurface, guides, and seats were perfect, didn't actually need a valve refacing, but did it anyhow. Had the piston pin bushings changed, and the cylinders honed, since it didn't actually need an overbore. Everything tanked, and items that could be bead blasted, were. Oil pump was cleaned, and tested. All new gaskets, and seals. New soft plugs, Ford script plug wires, new points, condenser, cap, and rotor. Rebuilt carb, rebuilt the fuel pump, new motor mounts, new clutch, removed, inspected, cleaned and resealed the transmission, removed, inspected, and resealed the rear diff. New king pins, and bushings, new tie-rod ends, new brakes front to rear, except rebuilt the master cylinder. Turned the brake drums, boiled out the fuel tank. New fuel line from tank to hose, new fuel hose, new brake lines (stainless, with spring covering), and hoses. New park brake cables, and clips. Rebuilt the steering box, with a new worm gear (man, those are HARD to get off the shaft), gaskets, and seals, the roller was flawless. All new suspension bushings, and grease fittings. Need to go pick up the rebuilt starter, and generator. New electrical, from end to end. Like the title says, this is a full ground up restoration, which means that nothing will be left without being disassembled, cleaned, inspected, and rebuilt. This is a restoration, not a resto-mod, nor is it an extensive repair, it is a complete restoration. It will be 98% concours perfect (correct woven vinyl seat material is too difficult to get, and it has radial tube type tires, instead of bias ply tires). Originally, it didn't have a back bumper, and it only had one tail light, however, the dealer installed turn signals, and a second tail light, so I will be doing the same, except as if it came from the factory that way. The original purchase invoice is available, so I will be able to refer to it for future references.

Very nice! I'm jealous...