How do you make an f1 go fast?

Ken Arms

Ken Arms

Well-known member
Can anyone help me with some type of change to the ring and pinion of my 52 f1, I considered a t5 conversion but I love the 3 on the tree. I just want to get to a modern cruizing speed..65mph without reving the flathead to death. Truck is stock with 3.92 rear. I have heard a f100 rear in the 60s is a direct bolt on and is a 9" so I could choose any ratio I want. Im thinking about 3.25 would be close to what I need. any and all sugestions welcome. Ken
 
Why would anyone want to cruize 65 in an old truck. Buy a Honda if you want to go fast. OMO.ken ct.
 
I've got a '51 F-1 with the stock 3.78 rear and a '53 F-100 with the 3.92, both are Flathead V8's and both will sustain 65+ mph on the highway without taxing the rpm's or overheating.
 
Yes the 57 to early 72 9 inch from an f100 is the same width and the spring perches are in the same spot. I put one from a 60 f100 in my 52 because it has the smooth round back and looks centered from behind. I had to lengthen the driveshaft and used caster shims on the leaf springs to get the pinion down for the flathead. I have a 3.50 gear in it and it seems to be ok on my tired flathead. A 3.25 might be ok if your flatty has been rebuilt so as not to lug too much when taking off. I have not gone on the highway with it yet just around town stuff. A 66 and newer have self adjusting parts.
 
If you want your FI Ford to cruise good on the highway put an Overdrive trans in it. My father bought a new '52 Ford F1 with a V8 and OD trans.... That was the best running truck I ever drove.. I had a '59 Ford F100 with an OD trans for many years, it was a pleasure to drive on the highway.
The OD's are a little hard to find, the best source might be from a '50's model car, they would bolt right into a pickup.
The gear ratio your truck has would work well with an OD because the OD equipped vehicles always had low ratio's, about 3.89.
The standard gearing for a '57-60 F100 V8 is 3.72 with 3.89 in OD equipped vehicles.
If you improve your gearing either with an OD or a higher gear ratio put a steering damper on the tie rod... This will improve the steering stability at higher speeds.
 
blucar said:
If you want your FI Ford to cruise good on the highway put an Overdrive trans in it. My father bought a new '52 Ford F1 with a V8 and OD trans.... That was the best running truck I ever drove.. I had a '59 Ford F100 with an OD trans for many years, it was a pleasure to drive on the highway.
The OD's are a little hard to find, the best source might be from a '50's model car, they would bolt right into a pickup.
The gear ratio your truck has would work well with an OD because the OD equipped vehicles always had low ratio's, about 3.89.
The standard gearing for a '57-60 F100 V8 is 3.72 with 3.89 in OD equipped vehicles.
If you improve your gearing either with an OD or a higher gear ratio put a steering damper on the tie rod... This will improve the steering stability at higher speeds.
Click to expand...

Amen.. I agree totally, I have owned many old cars with o.d. and they performed nice all around... JDL
 
Ken,
I switched the stock 3:97 Spicer rear end for a 3:48 Ford 9" into my
'51 f1....wish I could tell you what it came out of, it was in a stack of
rear axles at my favorite junk yard. The spring perches lined up within
1/8 inch and the drum to drum was about plus 1 1/2 inches...close
enough. I worried that the 3:48 would not be high enough but it was
perfect...amazing what 1/2 ratio can do for road ability. Don't forget
your speedometer will be off.
Charlie ny
 
gearhead has your info... I have a 65 9" with 3.50 gears in my 48 F1. It cruises about 62 mph around 2400 rpm with LT215/85/16" radials. It'll do 70 mph pretty easily.

If you have a 3 spd HD trans you could probably go with a 3.25 rear as first gear is lower than in the regular 3 spd, otherwise I'd stay around 3.50
 
In my 51 f1 I went with a 1972 9" 3.25 out of a 2wd pickup. That era was still 5x51/2 bolt pattern. It fit with no modifcation except wedges to get the pinion right and a new drive shaft. I have a t-5 and run 65 at 2200rpms. Of all the modifications the t-5 is the one I put at top of my list. If you go that way use a Hurst short throw shifter. The t-5 has a big throw and the stock shifter will come close to the seat and dash as you go through the gears.
 
+1 for the overdrive. Remember your F1 is quite a heavy beast, and a 3.25 may be a bit high for a stock flattie.
 
Put a 63 Ford F1oo 9in. under the 47 and the wifes 48 too. Both have the 3:55 gears. Right on the money for the Rs at 65. Love seein' the F1s go fast! Ken
 
The overdrives don't clear the transmission mount cross member in these trucks. Ford did not offer overdrive in pickups until '53 when the rear motor mounts were switched to the bell housing.
 
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