Thread: 1951 Ford F-1 NEED HELP!!!!!!!

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HEY EVERYONE! Im really new here, and I just bought my first car, a 1951 Ford F-1. Taking that im only 16 i need alot of help with this. Im repainting it my self at my uncles shop, and i was also going to add a 327 chevy in it, think that is a good engine for truck, i also have a blower i could add on to it should I (it came out of my dads 57 chevy)? I am very short on money, i already have 3 jobs to help pay for it and i dug up my front yard and my back yard worked on it for over three weeks and my dad said he will buy me a brand new bed. But i need help on what type of tranny i should get, i want to get a manual and a 4 speed but i cant find anywere to buy it, every were i ask they say they dont make them for a 1951. And this truck is all stock so you have to double clutch the tranny in it right now. THere are no syncros. I also need help on a rear end, my brother said that the 327 will have around 400 hp, so i talked with this guy over in the east coast about a rear end and he told me $2,600! To much for me, is there somewere i could get a rear end that could uphold 400hp for less than that. I know 400 hp is not alot at all but its my first car. Thank you guys for helping, if you need any stock parts ask me because im selling a whole bunch off this truck. OOOO YEA one last thing what is a good colar for this truck, ive been looking and cant decide between black, silver, midnight blue, ford escort blue, bmw blue, are cherry red. THank you., heres some pics of it.

Well now..............that's a lot'a question.

Only you can determine the color for YOUR rig. We can all throw out ideas, but you have to live with it. When you see the "right" color you'll know it. Since you plan on doing the paint work yourself I'd suggest you work within your skill level, whatever that is. If you're doing the body work too and you're just getting started I'd recommend against a dark color. Black, and any other of the dark ones requires absolutely PERFECT body work to not look like a desperate attempt. Live within your talents til you progress if you're a neophyte.

Here's a link on some well engineered "kits" to do some of the stuff you're talking about doing. http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com...d%20pickup.htm While they may seem pricey to you, if you haven't developed the skills yet to fab your own stuff these will prove more satisfying. Too many cobbled up "projects" out there that were started by the under informed and now just languish.

Those old Ford trucks did have a 4 speed, but it was geared for pulling stumps........not the best choice. Ask your dad what a "granny gear" is. As for putting a 4 speed behind a small block Chev, that's about as cookie cutter as it gets. You'll need a stick shift bellhousing, flywheel, clutch assembly, and have to work out a linkage, but then the trans choice is plentiful. The most popular, and strongest, is called a Muncie. They come in several varieties, but all would hold up to 400 horse (I think your brother is being optimistic unless you're talking about with the blower). Also available is a Saginaw (not too common), and a Borg Warner T-10, and Super T-10. You can find these at almost any swap meet on any weekend there in Cali. Go on ebay and do a search and you'll get an idea of the price range for the various options. Price should move with condition, used the lowest, properly rebuilt the highest. When you figure out that these can be expensive to assemble a properly done one, think about a Turbo Hydro 350, again the cookie cutter approach for sbc apps. If you've got a good trans guy in your area who works out of a low overhead situation you can put together a pretty inexpensive setup. I've got a guy I use who will rebuild a th350, with a shift kit for $350, a core is around $100, a good torque converter is around $100-150, and a flex plate $50. You can be good to go for $600 bucks plus whatever you decide for shift linkage. Usually a decent used Muncie will go for around $500, and may still need bearings and synchros to make it really sweet. Your choice.

A good rear choice that won't break the bank is a Ford 9", and if you go with the automatic an 8" would work just fine. Again, the gear ratio effects the price of these. Don't know what the junk yard situation in your area is, but you should be able to pick up a complete rear (avoid trying to buy them piece meal, especially brake assemblies)for around $100-150 with an automatic ratio (say 2.79), stick ratios run higher because of demand. You may get lucky and get a good one to start with, but you should plan on at least axle bearings (some call them wheel bearings) and seals. If you have to have the center section redone with new gears plan on a minimum of $800 with a posi, $500 with an open.