50s Ford F1 Build

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Dirtyrat

Got Fins?
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
6,007
Location
Shelby Twp., MI
Figured I would start a build thread, here is day one of disassembly. Hoping to have everything removed sometime next week so I can start taking measurements for the frame build.
 

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That's a nice looking start, Love those F-1s !
What's those funny looking holes in the valve covers on that engine :confused:;) Nice engine choice [cl[cl Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[P[P
 
size

disamble,,, let the fun begin:D

what size is that "FUNNY LOOKING FORD" engine?

what are ya gonna run for tranny and rear-end?

the patina looks good[cl

Later:cool:
 
The funny ford engine in the engine bay? ;P

Anyone want/need a flathead 6?

The plan is to run a T5 ford behind it, I picked one up a couple days ago, rebuilt world class T5, Hurst shifter for $250 from a 92 GT.

I'm contemplating a mustang rear axle assembly, including the suspension trailing and locating arms, coil springs...

Hemi will get taken apart as soon as I grab a compression tester from a friend, I want to see how good/bad it really is before deciding on how much time/money will need to go into the motor _right_ now.
 
Tonight was night 3 on disassembly, below are the pics from day 2, 3.

I decoded the VIN to see that the truck is in fact a 49 1/2 ton F1.
 

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Still sorting out the assembly method of the front springs, the front shackle is not coming apart easily. I think one of these front springs or maybe one of the rears with a couple leafs removed will likely become my transverse front spring

Current Plans:
Hemi 331, T-5 Trans (with adapter)
Minimal rebuild if I can get away with it.
Looking for a 4 barrel intake & carb
Custom frame
Stock front axle & steering, Disc brake conversion
Rear axle Fox body mustang, and locating arms & trailing arms coil springs.
 
Love the 50's F's.

3 on my line up 50 f-6/78 datsun[S, 51 f-1 (every thing but the kitchen sink)[ddd, 52 f-1 started cleaning up for the teardown[;). hope to see lots of pics
 
Nice looking project, I'll be following this one.[P

I decoded the VIN to see that the truck is in fact a 49 1/2 ton F1.

Hey where did you find the info to decode the VIN? I recently bought an F1 cab and bed and the guy told me it is a 49 but wasn't sure...

Looky at this patina! ..bullet holes to boot!:D

07-30-2011004.jpg
 
site was down for a bit, so late updates...

Current Plans:
Hemi 331, T-5 Trans (with adapter)
Minimal rebuild if I can get away with it.
Looking for a 4 barrel intake & carb (bought a holley 600 dbl pumper saturday)
Custom frame (starting in the next few weeks)
Stock front axle & steering, Disc brake conversion (Front axle disassembled, pics soon, disc brake conversion on order from mpbrakes they had 20% off this weekend)

Rear axle Fox body mustang, and locating arms & trailing arms coil springs. - Change of plans, I bought a 8.8 LSD Explorer live axle, disc brakes, and springs, going to use this and the sway bar.

VIN Decoding: (LONG POST) you can DL this from this link: http://blueovaltruckparts.com/etc/2007_botp_catalog.pdf

1948 - 1951
WHERE TO FIND YOUR VIN
For 1948-9/51 the VIN is stamped on the clutch housing and can be seen when the transmission cover is removed. After 9/15/91, the VIN is located on the glove box door rating plate and on the left side of the frame near the steering gear mounting bracket. The first four digits of the VIN number indicate year, series and number of cylinders. The last six digits indicate the production sequence.
Vehicle Identification Number – 98RY137125 (example only)
SERIES PREFIX:
F1 = 1/2 Ton
F2 = 3/4 Ton
F3 = 3/4 Ton Heavy Duty
F4 = 1Ton
MODEL YEAR
8 = 1948
9 = 1949
0 = 1950
1 = 1951
ENGINE CODE
7H = 6 Cylinder
8R = 8 Cylinder
1BC Carburetor
2BC Carburetor
MODELS LINE
C = 1/2 Ton Pickup
Y = 3/4 Ton Pickup
T = 1 Ton Pickup
Production Sequence (series #)
KEY INFORMATION
1948: The 1948 trucks featured wider, longer, and taller cabs. Models were changed with ?--ton trucks becoming known as F1’s and the ?-ton as F2’s. Production totals not available.
1949: The most recognizable change on the 1949 was the deletion of the red pinstripes on the silver painted grille bars. Also, wheels were no longer black but were painted to match the body color. Production total combined with 1950. See 1950.
1950: For the most part, the only change made on the F-1 was the relocation of the standard three-speed shift lever from the floor to the steering column. Production total: F1’s – 148,956 and F2’s – 21,464.
1951: In 1951’s door panels were added to accent the interior of the cab and a larger rear window was added for better visibility. The pickup bed was redesigned using a hardwood floor instead of a metal floor. The tailgate and front bumper were also redesigned. For those trucks equipped with a V8, an emblem was placed on the upper grille support. During the model year the grille was changed from the restyled single bar type argent (silver) grille that was introduced at the beginning of the year to an ivory painted grille with argent (silver) headlight rings. The hood got new side spears and a three-slot embellishment at the front. Production totals: F1’s – 117,414, F2’s – 17,485, F3’s – 19,848, and F4’s – N/A.
1952
WHERE TO FIND YOUR VIN For 1952 the VIN is located on the glove box door rating plate and on the left side of the frame near the steering gear mounting bracket. The VIN number identifies the series, model year, assembly plant, and production sequence.
Vehicle Identification Number – F2E2LB100001 (example only)
SERIES IDENTIFICATION
F-1 = 1/2 Ton
F-2 = 3/4 Ton
ENGINE CODE
D = 215ci 6 Cyl
E = 239ci 8 Cyl
1BC Carburetor
2BC Carburetor
MODELS YEAR
2 = 1952
ASSEMBLY PLANT
AT Atlanta, GA
BF Buffalo, NY
CS Chester, PA
CH Chicago, IL
DL Dallas, TX
DA Dearborn, MI
EG Edgewater, NJ
HM Highland Park, MI
KC Kansas City, MO
LB Long Beach, CA
LU Louisville, KY
MP Memphis, TN
NR Norfolk, VA
RH Richmond, VA
SR Somerville, MA
St. Paul, MN
Production Sequence (series #)
KEY INFORMATION
1952: Most changes on the 1952’s were cosmetic and exterior only. Affixed to the upper grille support panel was once again the Ford insignia. Models with V8 engines had an emblem located in the center of the hood vent. A round emblem indicating the trucks model designation was added to the side of the hood. The front grille and hood trim were painted white. One noticeable thing missing from the front-end of the cab, were the front fender braces. Production totals: F1’s – 81,537, F2’s – 15,136, F3’s – 15,771, and F4’s – N/A.
1953-56
WHERE TO FIND YOUR VIN
For 1953-56 the VIN is located on the glove box door rating plate and on the left side of the frame near the steering gear mounting bracket. The VIN number identifies the series, engine, model year, assembly plant, and production sequence.
Vehicle Identification Number F10V5L100000 (example only)
SERIES IDENTIFICATION
F10 = F100 - ? Ton
F25 = F250 - ? Ton
F35 = F350 - 1Ton
ENGINE CODE
D = 215ci 6 Cyl 1BC Carburetor
1953-54
D = 223ci 6 Cyl 1BC Carburetor
1955-56
R = 239ci 8 Cyl 2BC Carburetor
1953-54
V = 239ci 8Cyl 2BC Carburetor
1955
Z = 256ci 8Cyl 2BC Carburetor
1955
V = 272ci 8Cyl 2BC Carburetor
1956
MODELS YEAR
3 = 1953
4 = 1954
5 = 1955
6 = 1956
ASSEMBLY PLANT
A Atlanta, GA
B Buffalo, NY
C Chester, PA
D Dallas, TX
F Dearborn, MI
E Edgewater, NJ
H Highland Park, MI
K Kansas City, MO
L Long Beach, CA
U Louisville, KY
M Memphis, TN
N Norfolk, VA
P St. Paul, MN
R Richmond, VA
S Somerville, MA
Production Sequence (series #)
KEY INFORMATION
1953: 1953 was Ford Motor Company's 50th Anniversary so all trucks were equipped with a 50th Anniversary horn button. Also introduced was the Ford truck crest located on the front of the hood. Production totals: F100’s – 116,437, F250’s – 23,363, and F350’s – 7,757.
1954: Not many styling changes were made on the 1954s except for the somewhat visible grille design. However, the biggest change was in the engine compartment where the standard Cost Clipper 6 cylinder bored to 223ci could now be upgraded to a new V8 known as the Y-block. Production totals: F100’s – 101,202, F250’s – 20,669, and F350’s – 4,482. 1955: A new V-type white painted grille was added to the 1955. For the first time, parking lamps and hood side medallions appeared. The wheels on the F-100s were painted Snowshoe White. Two-tone paint was optional for the exterior paint. Production totals: F100’s – 124,842, F250’s – 23,505, and F350’s – 5,450.
1956: Recessed headlamps, a wraparound rear window, and a new grille were new for 1956. Trucks equipped with automatic transmission came with the Ford-O- Matic script. Production totals: F100’s – 137,581 (6.5ft bed) and 25,122 (8ft bed), F250’s – 28,341, and F350’s – 6,226.
1957-60
HERE TO FIND YOUR VIN
For 1957-58 the VIN plate is attached to the rear face of the driver's door. The VIN number identifies the series, engine, model year, assembly plant, and production sequence.
Vehicle Identification Number – F10K8L100000 (example only)
SERIES IDENTIFICATION
F10 = F100
F11 = F100 Light Duty
F25 = F250
F26 = F250 Light Duty
F35 = F350
ENGINE CODE
J = 223ci 6Cyl 1BC Carburetor
1957-58
K = 272ci 8Cyl 2BC Carburetor
145hp 1957-58
L = 272ci 8Cyl 2BC Carburetor
153 hp 1957
MODELS YEAR
7 = 1957
8 = 1958
ASSEMBLY PLANT
A Atlanta, GA
G Chicago, IL
D Dallas, TX
H Detroit, MI
K Kansas City, MO
L Long Beach, CA
U Louisville, KY
E Mahwah, NJ
M Memphis, TN
N Norfolk, VA
R San Jose, CA
P St. Paul, MN
Production Sequence (series #)
KEY INFORMATION
1957: The 1957 trucks were completely redesigned. The most recognizable change was the Styleside (Fleetside) pickup bed. The sides of the pickup bed ran parallel to the redesigned cab of the truck unlike the traditional Stepside (Flareside) pickup which had fenders attached to the outside of the box. The Stepside (Flareside) pickups came with a wood floor and the Styleside (Fleetside) came with steel floor. Additional changes were that the running boards were eliminated and the dash was given a new design. Production totals: F100’s – 13,122 (Flareside), 64,050 (Styleside), 2,319 (Longbed Flareside), and 20,114 (Longbed Styleside), F250’s – 4,321 (Flareside) and 10,936 (Styleside) and F350’s – 1,869 (Styleside).
1958: The 1958 trucks were given a few minor changes. The most recognizable changes were the quad-headlights, hood side emblems, and restyled mesh type grille. Production totals: F100’s – 11,818 (Flareside), 56,454 (Styleside), 1,833 (Longbed Flareside) and 20,928 (Longbed Styleside), F250’s – 3,155 (Flareside) and 10,555 (Styleside), and F350’s – 994 (Flareside) and 1,974 (Styleside).
WHERE TO FIND YOUR VIN
For 1959-60 the VIN plate is attached to the rear face of the driver's door. The VIN number identifies the series, engine, model year, assembly plant and production sequence.
Vehicle Identification Number – F10C0L100000 (example only)
SERIES IDENTIFICATION
F10 = F100
F11 = F100 4WD
F25 = F250
F26 = F250 4WD
F35 = F350
ENGINE CODE
J = 223ci 6Cyl 1BC Carburetor
1959-60
C = 292ci 8Cyl 2BC Carburetor
158hp 1959-60
D = 292ci 8Cyl 2BC Carburetor
160 hp 1959-60
MODELS YEAR
9 = 1959
0 = 1960
ASSEMBLY PLANT
A Atlanta, GA
G Chicago, IL
D Dallas, TX
K Kansas City, MO
L Long Beach, CA
U Louisville, KY
 
Thanks for the info! But if the following quote is true:

WHERE TO FIND YOUR VIN
For 1948-9/51 the VIN is stamped on the clutch housing and can be seen when the transmission cover is removed.

Then what is the plate with numbers on the firewall if the VIN is on the clutch housing which I don't have?
 
Thanks for the info! But if the following quote is true:



Then what is the plate with numbers on the firewall if the VIN is on the clutch housing which I don't have?

Good question. I am in the same boat...
 
Some axle work shots, not much to report today

I'm thinking some heat will be necessary to remove the kingpins, and shock mount bolts which I need to replace, and re-bush the spindles. Where are you guys buying the kingpin kits and shock mount bolts?

Some of these pics are prior to removing the pins and such, just pics along the way so I don't forget how things were, when I put them back together =)

I added a couple pics of the front axle, and the rear explorer 8.8 axle.
 

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Not quite sure, I didnt see much on the bellhousing area on my truck either, both the glove box door and fire wall had tags.

I guess the plate on the firewall is a VIN plate too because I went out and looked this morning and the first 4 digits are 97HC which indicated a 1949 6cyl 1/2 ton if I am correctly reading the info you posted. There are 6 digits and then last part of the number is "DL" which I assume means it was built in Dallas TX right?[S

Cool, thanks!
 
I think you have decoded it properly from the list.

Small update, I've been sourcing parts - King pins, etc, still need to get tie rods, and the center bar as mine is beyond repair. I've started cleaning up both the front nad rear axle so they can at least be painted and stop the corrosion on the important parts.

I got all my brake parts for the disc brake conversion, as soon as I can get the kingpins installed, I'll probably fit the disc brakes on the axle.

MPBrakes kit so far seems pretty complete, with the flex lines included, and loaded calipers.
I bought the power booster, and MC, but I also had to get their proportioning valve, and the residual valves. I'll try to take pics as I go.
 

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