Advice on which engine

ShaneF205

ShaneF205

Member
Hello,
I can't decide on which engine & transmission to put into my F-1 pickup. I bought it in late April 2024. I want to be able to drive this pickup everyday and to drive it on the freeway whenever I want. I also want to be able to work on it if something goes wrong, but I know nothing about flathead engines. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Also, where would be a good place to get the engine & transmission?


TIA
 
Just not a SBC. If you don't want a flathead consider a SBF or maybe a 300 Ford six but not sure about fitment. JMO Try the classifieds here, the HAMB, or check your local Craigs list or FB Market place. As far as being able to drive on the Freeway consider a T-5 O/D trans. Especially important for Texas driving since everyone flys low in Texas.:cool:
 
Actually, given your desire to "every day and to drive it on the freeway", you should first plan your drivetrain. The stock rear end will probably be much too low for normal use these days. That means a rear end change and/or an overdrive transmission. I'm not a pickup guy, so I have no suggestions on a preplacement rear end, but there are plenty of guys on here who are eminently qualified to advise you. An overdrive transmission usually boils down to a T5 or maybe even a Ford T-170. I have heard cases of other units (Ford AOD, Volvo, and Toyota units) being used, so maybe a little research may be in order.

As to an engine, a flathead will be fine. You should stick to the later model 24 stud 3 3/16 bore blocks and look for a Mercury 4' crankshaft. This will allow you to build the quintessential 276 ci stroker that many of us love. You should probably check out a thread titled "276 stroker from 35 years of parts" thread on this forum. Except for the freeway driving part, he did essentially what you want to do.

Add a mild cam, a small 4-BBL or larger 2BBL carb along with a suitable ignition and reworked heads and you should be "good to go".
 
Drake now offers highway gears for these rears. It would be a wise investment so you don't have to deal with the fabrication that comes with changing out the rear.
 
Have you driven an F-1? I have driven one a lot, but not as a daily. They are a truck and in my opinion not that comfortable. The lack of refinement is part of the charm, but it wears thin in 95+ F weather and in heavy traffic. I really like old trucks, but will not consider one for daily use in a big city. I have driven old Ford cars as daily transportation.
 
38coupe makes a good point.
Without power steering the fun of driving an F-1 on a daily basis will fade, especially when you need to maneuver in tight spaces.
 
My father has a '49 F-1 and what 38 Coupe and 19Fordy said is something to really think about. If you want to daily drive it, I would seriously consider a frame swap or at least IFS.

They are designed to be low speed trucks and don't take pot holes, bumps especially well.

That, combined with the stock seat, makes for a quite a bumpy ride at speed.

Low speed, they are fun to drive, especially with some weight in the bed.

Not trying to rain on your parade, but I would try to get a ride in or drive a stocker before you commit to making this a daily.
 
51504bat said:
Just not a SBC. If you don't want a flathead consider a SBF or maybe a 300 Ford six but not sure about fitment. JMO Try the classifieds here, the HAMB, or check your local Craigs list or FB Market place. As far as being able to drive on the Freeway consider a T-5 O/D trans. Especially important for Texas driving since everyone flys low in Texas.:cool:
Click to expand...

i had a 51 pickup with a 302, a c 4 trans, it was a good runner
 
Thanks to everyone for the great advice. If I can't drive it on the freeway, that's fine too. I don't mind just driving it around town, but I do want to enjoy it on a daily basis. Where would be some good places to look for a 302 engine? TIA
 
ShaneF205 said:
Thanks to everyone for the great advice. If I can't drive it on the freeway, that's fine too. I don't mind just driving it around town, but I do want to enjoy it on a daily basis. Where would be some good places to look for a 302 engine? TIA
Click to expand...

Craigslist, wrecking yard, facebook marketplace come to mind.
 
GB SISSON said:
Craigslist, wrecking yard, facebook marketplace come to mind.
Click to expand...

Like GB said, I'd start there.

A lot of the Fox bodies Mustang guys that drag race don't use the 302, so they are out there.

If not already done, higher ratio roller rockers add some bolt on HP to a 302. Add an intake and matching carb, you'll have a good runner.
 
What is the level of your skills?.Have you done engine,trans and rear ends swaps? Pic of your project so we have an idea.
 
Level of my skill....
Well, this '52 pickup will only be my 2nd project. My 1st was a '36 Ford pickup; My Avatar pic is what I began with. That project did not have an engine when I purchased. I will say.... I had help with the engine, trans, & rear-end swap. Here is a few pics of that project:


After having help with the engine, trans & rear-end swap, the rest was all me. I did the inside of the truck bed, all wiring and interior. Actually, i don't show much of the interior.
 

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GB SISSON said:
Looks like an awesome job you all did! But you got the distributor too close to the firewall.
Click to expand...

Friend of mine made the same mistake when he put a SBC in a Model "A" Tudor. A speed shift into second and it would run like crap or not at all. All that activity would allow the engine to move back just enough for the distributor to hit the firewall so the cap fouled the rotor and broke it.:D

Nice lookin' truck!:)
 
I've never done it, but I recall lots of info that the small block fords (302) are a hard fit in old ford frames due to the oil pump and filter being on the front of the block. No ?
 
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