New to the forum and first time poster. For full disclosure, I am also very new to vehicle restorations and auto mechanics, so please excuse me if my questions are not worded quite right - I am still learning. I recently bought a 1952 Ford F1 with a 215 I6. I am currently in the process of breaking it down to have the body media blasted and have a few dings and dents fixed. I also want to rebuild the 215 and I am looking for some advice about how I can increase the horse power a little but keep this awesome original engine. Any advice is welcome.
Some of my thoughts, research ideas:
1. Dual carb manifold? I have seen a couple Youtube videos of 215 engines with a dual carb manifold, but can't seem to find any after market sellers. Is there a model of Offenhauser that works for the 215?
2. Has anyone put dual exhaust on their 215?
3. Anyone change out the original rear differential to a higher gear ratio to make driving at current highway speeds a little easier?
4. Anyone bore out the 215? Put in a high performance cam shaft?

Thank you for any advice. Max

 

Hi Max and welcome! Plenty of good advice on this site. I had my 215 rebuilt a couple years ago but have not started it yet. Been a slow process getting everything else together. I did have an overbore done but just up to 223 cubic inches. Had the cam reground to a good street grind. Added full length headers and a Clifford intake manifold. Also added an HEI distributor from a 300 with some modification. Also put in an 8.8" rear axle from an Explorer with 3.73 gears and a posi unit. Post pics if you got'em.

 

Welcome Max. You've come to the right place for help and support for your "Fat Fender Ford" project.

I recently had my 215 cid engine rebuilt. A local shop did the machine work. We re-bored my engine to 223 cid because it was easier and cheaper to find replacement parts. The engine work cost about $2200. Getting the engine in and out, taken apart and re-assembled, and painted; are things I did with a friend's help. They are not reflected in the $2200 charge.

If you go with a non-stock multi carb manifold, it is my understanding that you have to also change the distributor. I have no experience with dual exhaust, but I've heard that restricted air flow is an issue for Ford I6 engines. Patrick (previous post) started a thread a few days ago about the Clifford intake he just purchased. He's going to put a 4 bbl carb on an engine like yours. If you do a forum search, you will find threads and pictures of various multi carb attempts like you are thinking about.

Here are some pictures of my engine:







The colors, I believe, are pretty close to correct. Post some pictures. Ask some questions, and you'll get lots of advice. Good luck.

Jim

P.S. I kept my stock 3.92 gears. I can cruise 55-65 mph without a problem. I recently took my truck on a 1400 mile adventure that included some time on interstates. I'd estimate top speed for my truck is somewhere in the low 70's. For a 65 year old vehicle without seat belts and limited braking and emergency handling, 60 mph is fast enough for me.

 

This thread may be of interest to you:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ake-today.html

 

PHOLMES350 - Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me what model Clifford intake you used, and what carb set up went with that?

 

Jim, thank you for the reply and the pictures of your rebuilt 215 - look great! I especially like the glass bowl 1904 Holley. I will post some pictures tonight of my 52. Appreciate the advice.

 

I agree with you on the "cool" factor of the glass bowl Holley 1904 carburetors. If you have a 215 cid engine, you almost have to have one (or two as the case may be). I went looking for some in my local scrap yard, and surprisingly, found (Three). One was off an International Scout and another one came from a 57 or so Ford car. The third one my friend found for me, and I never heard what it came off of. I paid about $25 a piece for them.

Something else cool that you need is the glass sediment bowl for your fuel pump. My original fuel pump was junk, but I was pleasantly surprised that the replacement pump I bought from the local parts store accepted the cool glass bowl from my original pump.

Jim

P.S. (edit) I learned something. You can delete pictures.

 

Here are a few pics of the engine. My friend and I have given it a basic tune-up and cleaning, rebuilt the carb, installed electronic ignition, and a few other items.
As Patrick mentioned in this thread the Clifford Performance 6=8 single and dual carb manifolds for the 223 are supposed to fit my 215. I will be interested in how you make out with yours Patrick.

 

m9gray1 Here is the link to the intake I got. It is for the 4 barrel carb. Ford 223/262 Intake Manifold
I have a Holley 600 cfm but was advised that it will be too much for this engine. The Holley 390 cfm 4 barrel or a two barrel is probably going to work better. When I test fit the intake to the engine I can see that I will need to dent two of the header tubes to clear the intake's water jacket and may need to work the header flanges some. The intake and header have different flange thickness. I didnt use the Clifford header since it was twice the price of the one I bought.