351 into 52 Ford F1 - What Am I In For?

I am rebuilding a 1952 Ford F1, and am looking to upgrade from the original straight 6, 3 on the tree...
In putting a 351 windsor in - What obstacles should I expect to run into? Any lessons learned?

Steering probably in the way, custom motor mounts a given, I am looking for any work arounds, advice, or experiences gained from doing this in the past?

Looking at C4 Trans.

Thanks in advance!

 

I have a '52 F1 with a 302 Windsor and a C6 transmission. You've already mentioned most of the issues. Have you decided what to do about the front suspension?

 

you will love that six if you give it a chance and the real bonus is the gas savings, i was dead set on changing out my six in my 56 f100 but ended up falling in love with it, i'm glad because it saved me a bunch of money and installation challenges/aggravations

 

My 49 has a 5.0/AOD and it was not a problem at all, just be sure to use a rear sump pan. you hit on most of the issues.

 

Mine has a Camaro frontend, 351 Cleveland with big FMX....and RHD.

Used the shallowest possible Bronco Sump, mounted a finger over the crossmember....

.....and it STILL fits pretty well. Just needed an extra inch and a half clearance at the very front of the trans tunnel/trans cover.

Also, running the 'overhead' part of the trans mount in the 'rib' in the floor that the front of the seat mounts to bought us precious inches!!

So I'm not imagining too much trauma for you!

 

the 351 will fit with the stock steering...that said, you will have to fabricate the mount for the transmission...no big deal...the engine mount cradle (crossmember) can be purchased from JCWhitney...you can use stock mounts with it...the rear can be a piece of heavy angle iron bolted to brackets welded to the frame rails .you MUST upgrade the brakes to a split system...disc/drum...drum brakes are fine for stockers, but not with a higher powered v8...they just don't stop well...I put discs on my f1 about 12 years ago and it stops safely now..I still have the master cylinder in the stock location, but it is a disc/drum unit w/adapter...my f1 has had a 390FE in it, and the stock flathead...now I have an early Dodge Hemi in it...still using the stock steering/axle....I have Posie's two leaf lowering springs up front and all works well.good luck with your project...I hope this helps.....BTW...when you perform the swap, it's MUCH EASIER to remove the entire nose sheetmetal and get it out of the way...this is a great swap that you have planned...get the engine into the ch***is and you will see that the front sump oil pan is not an issue...My 390 had six inches clearance above the axle and never touched it...that big block weighed way more than your 351....should be an easy straightforward swap for you !!!

 

Great thread- so far, none of "the great brainwashed" has chimed in with "put a Chebbie in it"
Only a matter of time, though

 

how about a replacement radiator - what fits best?

 

Here is a pic of the ****** mount I made when I put a 393w and c4 in my f-1



once I had the tanny mount in place that dictated where I put the motor mounts.. fir headers a pair of block hungers missed the steering box.

I used a rear sump pan and set the motor as low as I could get it...pretty much level and it worked out great.


here is a pic of my mocked up motor mounts back when I first put a 302 in it.

 

With a fatman Mustang II frontend with R&P steering there is PLENTY of room.
Used early Mustang Tri-y headers, and rubber biscuit type motor mounts bolted to the frame.

 

I put a 351W into a '51 F1 Panel truck years ago - my very first hot rod. I bought the engine mounts and trans mount - think from trans-dapt. I used a van pan with a center sump, but a rear sump pan would work just as well, if not better. I think I used headers from a '68 Mustang.

I ran a C6 and found the reinforcing ribs along the top of the bellhousing-to-main case area rubbed the inspection cover in the floor. I'll bet a C4 or an AOD would fit better. I used the original column shift to shift the C6 - the pattern was backwards and no 'indicator', so you had to 'count' the clicks as you put it in gear, but no big deal.

Ran the original rear for a while and later put a 9" out of a mid-60s Mustang in there.

Kept the original front suspension, but did put a disk brake conversion and dual-chamber M/C (original was worn out & leaking).

All in all a pretty easy swap.

 

Wow, Thanks for all the great response everyone.

I am thinking about keeping the stock front ***embly.

I have the whole front clip off, and am trying to rig a single piece front ***embly from the 6 pieces to be mounted a little bit easier for complete dis-***embly over stock. No more gaps either, smooth front section.

Any suggestions on what brake upgrade to do? Any brands to stay away from?

 

This is what you don,t want to do.
And after thought putting a Toyota power steering in to fix another setup.

 

This is 302 and think its 1970s car raditor.

 

I would rebuild the front suspension - especially the spring shackles & bushings. Those old trucks are notorious for bad bump steer and worse once that front end gets loose.

Check over on FTE (Ford Truck Enthusiast) - those guys have these swaps down.