Hi all this is my first post so here goes. this is my f100 53 flathead pickup 4 speed syncro. I've had it 2 months now and have made quite a lot of progress. I have purchased 80% of the parts needed It is totally striped down most of it is at the sand blasters and am waiting for its return in the meantime I have been working on the frame. the whole truck apart from surface is a totally rust free and from Oregon This is my first venture into American iron and I am as green as grass in relation to its refurb anyway here goes. I am wanting to leave it as standard as possible with the exception of pepping the engine up a bit ie just carb and headers so my question is what carb to use, is a 4 barrel the way to go if so witch one also what headers to use any help will be a great help thanks norm Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Nice '53! I too have a '53 F100. Man, I really need to get it finished. Been sitting at the body shop for about 4 years!
Nice truck. There is an F100 Social Group here as well. I'm not sure how to invite people anymore wih the changes, but feel free to join here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/social-forums/h-a-m-b-f100-group.7/
i am building one too . you can buy just about anything for it ,if your wallet can handle it . hrp 54 were not flat heads 53 was last year this is a 53 .
Thanks for the encouragement guys I'm still waiting for the body etc to return from the sand blasters but I'm expecting some more parts from the USA on Tuesday hopefully we will be able to start work in a couple of weeks here are a few more pics of the poor old girl Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Not sure you got your question answered but I think a 4 barrel is way to much carb for a flathead besides not looking as oldschool as your truck. Consider a dual carb manifold instead. Fenton headers are probably the best for your needs also. Best of luck with your build, it looks like you have a great start. Ralphie
Just reread the part about sand blasting. Be real careful about blasting the low crown sheet metal such as doors,hood,roof,rear of cab wall as its real easy for an aggressive blaster to badly warp those areas by using to much pressure or aiming head on. The metal can be warped beyond repair and you will not notice it till you but a straightedge across it.
Thanks ralphies54 all I can do now is hope and pray it's all ok I'll let you know Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The Holley 8007 will work great on your flathead. It's a square-pattern vacuum-secondary 390 cfm 4-bbl with small primaries and secondaries. It'll tune easily, stay in tune and won't drip gas all over your nice clean engine. I love the look of multiple 97s but they are problematic in a variety of ways and may require constant attention. If that's your thing, cool, but if not go with the Holley. Cast iron Fentons are the only way to go for exhaust. They're clean, neat and problem-free. Good luck!
The 390 Holley carburetor is a 500 cfm and works well with a Flathead,,I used one on mine for almost 18 years. HRP
Ok so if I get a Hollie 4 barrel what inlet manifold would I need. Also my truck at the moment has 3 x 16" steel wheels and 1 x 15" Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Nice truck! Have a look in the LMC truck catalog, they have nice headers for flathead trucks. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fa/full.aspx?Page=33
A current production Edelbrock 4-bbl intake for a late flathead will work just fine wth the Holley 8007 carburetor, which is 390 cfm (not 500 as stated above) and will tune just fine wth your stock flathead. Here's a pretty good tutorial on how to tune the 8007 which may help you set it up properly for your engine. http://www.ehow.com/how_7619675_tune-390-cfm-holley.html Stock '53 F-100 wheels were 15 x 5 as I recall, but factory and/or dealer options included 16-inch wheels as well. Could have had either. You've got a very nice truck to work with. Good luck!
The left front wheel on your truck in the photos is not original to the truck. It is from a later Ford pickup or from a '49 - '51 Mercury passenger car. The original wheels had the same design as the left rear wheel, and were available in 15 and 16 inch sizes. Hope this helps.
The traditional hotrodders solution for your truck is a small block chevy with matching transmission. The flathead is an expensive way to go slow and you dont need that granny low unless you are pulling heavy loads
Thanks again guys for all your info well as promised some pics of the old girl coming back yesterday and all looking good all has been primed but I also had quite a lot powder coated ie inner fenders rad carriage etc. I forgot to mention that I am in the uk so getting parts over is expensive I also removed one head today all ok but 2 bolts broke in the outer head looks like I'm gonna need a re build bummer Will keep you posted Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Do NOT use the OFFENHAUSER 4 barrel intake with your Holley 390 because the generator mounting flange is cast so that the generator will be offset 7/8 inches towards the driver side. Because of this the fan pulley will not line up with the crank pulley. Use the EDELBROCK to avoid this problem. However, whatever intake manifold you use make sure you check this out. Also, use a carb. spacer. You will probably have to install the 390 carb. backwards depending on which side your original gas pedal linkage is located. Here's a photo of a Holley 390 on an 8BA in a 40 Ford. The carb is on backwards.
Thanks guys got him he's checking to see if it's cracked fingers crossed it ok View attachment 2665016 Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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