So I thought I would finally contribute something to the forum, the contribution being photos of a project that was never supposed to take this long... though that happens when you have way too many. I bought my 59 F100 about a year ago and have so far spent more in welding wire than what I paid for the truck (well not quite, but close). I am finally getting around to building the ole 223. Figured I would fire it up and drive it as is, but ended up replacing and reworking all of the internals (along with dual glass 1904's, header, rockers, etc...). Finally got the engine mocked up last night and thought I would share. Didn't get to fancy wth paint, but works for me. Hope to have it on the road by the end of the summer.... If I can only finish the powder coat oven.. [/IMG] [/IMG]
Here's some shots of the "Hidden" rust... and some after shots. Body is done for the most part, need to patch up some holes and finish weld some areas.. Need to get some newer photos. [/IMG] [/IMG] [/IMG] [/IMG] [/IMG]
More photos and more work to be done... Not sure how I welded to the original cab considering most of it was rusted out. Should be an interesting test drive. [/IMG] [/IMG] Sid's drop axle up front and all "new" suspension, steering and brake components, minus the leafs (may try to salvage them...). [/IMG] Various colored sheet metal from around the US thanks to Greyhound Bus. [/IMG] [/IMG] Estimated date of completion....
The engine looks great and the rust removal looks like you have your hands full. keep plugging along the work looks real nice.
Looks like a lot of work on the rust but you are getting it done. I like the clean look of your engine but I think you need to replace your dizzy, that looks like the old Load-o-Matic type with no mech. advance. It will run much better with a later type.
Thanks guys! Here are some more photos from this afternoon. I hope the patriot header fits past the tranny cross-member and the manual steering box... Also apparently the paint on the Patriot Headers is not heat resistant and is only applied to keep rust from occuring (whats the point!?). Guess I will strip the header and spray some VHT or try my hands at high temp powder... I also got around to fabricating some alternator brackets for a 3 wire GM alternator. I was going to modify the original brackets however decided to check out the junk yard. I ended up grabbing the brackets below off an early 80's gmc with a 350. Made some modifications to the junk yard brackets, sliced some 2 x 2 to make the backer plate (all I had in the scrap metal pile) and then welded it all together. It worked out pretty well, though the true test is when I start it for the first time. [/IMG] [/IMG] [/IMG] [/IMG] To be continued....
nice job on the alternator bracket ! <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
I love headers on inline motors. Would put one on my Buick but can't afford to pay somebody and not physically able to do it myself. Motor is looking good.
Detail can be a good thing and a bad thing... So I decided to stiffen up the alternator bracket some and therefore added another gusset. I had to bend the gusset to clear the front bolt. Its a little tight but will work well. [/IMG] [/IMG] I thought I would take it easy this morning and slap on the Barker High Lifts. The rocker shaft had some surface rust so I cleaned it up. While wiping it down I noticed that several of the Rocker oil holes had burrs and one looked like they forgot to machine it all the way through...... So I ran to the parts store and grabbed some 1/2 freeze plugs so that I could pull the old ones out and clean up the holes. Cleaned up the holes and buffed it up, went to install the freeze plugs and they fell in with no resistance. So I guess the plugs are actually 9/16 or something of the sort.... [/IMG] [/IMG] [/IMG]
So it looks like you built your own front cab mounts, do you have any more pictures of them? I have a cab that has the same rust issue there and plan on building some new ones. Your truck is off to a great start, definitly going to keep up with this one. Chris
CTMCCA - I think I picked those up from LMC for $45 bucks a pop. I probably could of made them if I had originals... I did add the plate shown in the photo (top of mount) and some tube between the plate and cab mount (should help keep it rigid once the cab mount bolts are tightened up. Now that I think about it, if you do add the plate put it flush with the top of the cab mount as it was a pain getting my "custom" floor boards to plug weld to the mount ears. I will add some photos in a bit.
Don't use VHT, it will eventually flake. I sand mine with 80grit and buy "RUTLAND" black stove paint from Menards. It will never blister or peel. I used that on a Camaro of mine, after a couple years of hard driving the hot spots faded - but never peeled. It is on the shelf where the black wood stove stuff is sold. BTW, I'm in the Peoria area too - hope to see you out soon.
Here are some snapshots of the cab mounts and such.. Now that I look at it those plug welds look awful... must of been hungover. [/IMG] [/IMG]
Did you fab the cab mounts or buy them somewhere. I'm needing a couple of them and was planning to fab them. Those look nice.
Well it looks like you are moving right along. If it makes you feel any better I have a parts hauler that needed wiring and piddly stuff when I got it and its been here 2 years today. Like the old truck (yours) hoping to see it on the road soon.
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