Well in the next few weeks I want to get my grandpa's 1954 International running and start doing a few things to it. I need help getting ideas together for it. Are there any parts to hop up the inline six? Did they make any sort of manifolds to run multiple carbs? And how would whitewalls look? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Personally, the only thing I would do to that thing would be to improve the drivability and then drive the wheels off of it. It looks great as is, and in my opinion, anything you did to it would take away from the overall sentimental type value. That being said, I think whitewalls wouldn't look right on it. I'm sure there are all sorts of 'hop up' parts available for what you're trying to do, but you may wind up having to fabricate much of your own as I don't know the availability of the IHC parts. I think about the only thing I would honestly do is look into upgrading the gearing in either the transmission (through a later model swap) or the rear end so that you both (you & the truck) can easily and happily cruise at highway speeds. Possibly add on A/C for the wife and/or girlfriend.
I'd say hose the dust off, fix the brakes and suspension, and drive it. It's a blast driving around an old beater pickup like that. Enjoy it for a while before you start working on it too much. Oh, and put seat belts in it.
I'd do what's been mentioned too.. Clean it up and get it running and driving so it can be driven daily if you wanted.. If you can hop up the 6 with part's along the way go for it.. As for the white wall's, personally i wouldn't. It's a bit 'ol truck that look's like it's ready to do business and i just think white's would take away form the utility look of it..they'd look out of place to me. Cool truck btw.. Tony
Do you want a hot rod? Or do you want a nice old truck to remember your Grandpa. Cause a hot rod, that isn't.
Putting whitewalls and multiple carbs on a 1 ton industrial work truck would be so out of place, it would be like putting a bikini on a fat lady.
Maybe not multi carbs, but a good 4 barrel, and gearing to make it 'drivable' is all I was suggesting. On the other hand, it could be a helluva sleeper.
Do you know what size the motor is? If not, post a picture of the critter here and the gods of the HAMB'll have it identified in mere seconds....
Nice old truck, leave it that way. Clean and polish, brakes, tires, belts and a good tune up. IH probably had a 4 barrel option, look for an IH board.
Langdon's Stovebolt sells adapters to put a Holley/Weber progressive two barrel on a stock chevy 1 bbl manifold. I would bet you could use the same thing on that.
I can't find any pics of the engine. Not sure if the dash is curved or not. Right now the truck is a couple hours away in a barn, so I can't check right now either. Sorry.
Agreed, no whitewalls. They just wouldn't look right on a truck that big. Like others have said, drive it like it is and if/when you're ready to repaint it, build a new stake bed like on this truck.
Find out every thing you want to know about IH trucks/motors here http://www.binderbulletin.org/ depends on what rear gears you have you would want to swap out to taller gears my freind had a 65 with a 6 cyl and 4.56 gears would top out at 55-60 max but would crawl anywear just get it driving and enjoy it
gas it up, knock the bark off it and DRIVE!! that's just bitchin! i know a guy with one sittin but he's lazier than a shithouse rat and it anit NEVER comin outta the garage til his estate sale......
i agree with the majority. just get it safe and drive it, maybe get somebody to paint grandpa's name on the door.
Nice Binder! Unfortunately, there are no aftermarket hop-up parts for the old IH sixes. Farmers didn't really give a rat's ass about dual carbs, headers and finned valve covers. Just as long as the truck was reliable and not leaving them stranded in the "Back 40" in the rain. Supposedly the larger IH trucks of the 50's-60's had the option of a 2-bbl Holley on a matching intake, but I have yet to see one. Get it running, get it stopping. Drive it. If you can, switch out the rear axle to something more highway friendly. Pull a few leafs front and back to ride a little nicer. They are pretty easy to work on, and check out http://www.oldihc.org/. There is a lot of info on that site. Have fun, and good luck! Oh, and the dash IS curved, it follows the contour of the windshield.
Thanks for the advice everyone! I will get updated pics once it's cleaned and running. I plan on having some fun with it and driving it as much as possible.
Original is always better when talking old 1 ton trucks. you need to go here http://www.oldihc.org/index.php http://www.justih.org/Binder-Bench/
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