newb with '59 F-100

[59F100]

Hey all,
Recently aquired a '59 short bed "style side" ?(straight) with a 3-sp column shift, solid body, and what I believe to be the original 223 inline six (with new rebuilt carb, new cap/rotor, new wires, etc...), generator, and a funny sounding starter (not like my chevy at all).

My vin indicates that it ought to be a 223 but I would like to know if there is any way to identify the head and block through casting numbers? Any help would be appreciated. Still leaning all the unfamiliar tyoerms like "duraspark" and "ODV" and such....never owned a 50yo Ford before.

Gonna try and post a pic just as soon as I figure out how.. I just got it running smooth after tightening up every bolt in the valve train (literally), changing out what looked like the original oil (and some sludge), and a few other odds and ends. PO threw all the basic parts at it but couldnt get it running. I had a little better luck and it purrs like a kitten now.

 

[Luckyman]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like a good fun truck you got there. This is the place for the best info. I dont have any re. your casting numbers, but someone will be along who will.

 

[59F100]

Thanks for the welcome. Yes, it's a neat model. Get's a bad rap I think coming along after the curvier 55, 56 models. The 59 falls in the "box years" I think they call it?

 

[manglass]

Welcome aboard, best of luck with your "refrigerator." Of course, I have a '58 so I can say that with "love."

Anyway, this comment scared me a little..."I just got it running smooth after tightening up every bolt in the valve train (literally)"

If you were referring to the adjusters on the rocker arms, I hope you're aware that your truck has solid lifters which require clearance. I don't think the "zero lash" valve train came along until later. I don't have the manual handy but I think the lash is around .016". You may want to check your valve adjustment again.

If you don't have a service manual for your truck yet, you might want to find one. Sources of reliable information for a 50 year old truck are dwindling but this forum is a good one. Best of luck with it and keep us posted.

Lou Manglass

 

[63redtudor]

59F100:
here's my ford six ID site (specifically the 215/223/262 engines):
http://www.geocities.com/edwins63/ohvsix.html
I've only got a few pics on the site, but hopefuilly it'll help. I'll have to say that I'd love to have a '59 F100, 4x4, 223 (or, if I could find a 262...), 4spd... ah, but the last thing I need right now is another car/truck.
Edwin

 

[fmartin_gila]

Go to Edwin's site. Note the different position of the Fuel Pump & Dist on the 215 Vs the 223. If your Valve cover is held down with 2 bolts through the middle of the cover, it is early 223 - if the valve cover has 8 hold down bolts around the perimeter, it is the later model. I think the switch from early to late 223 was about 1959 but not sure.

Enjoy your journey with these vehicles and old school technology. When set up and maintained properly, these vehicles are very reliable and trustworthy. I recently completed a 4100 mile trip in my 62 F100(223/T5) to KC,Missouri, then on up to North Dakota and on back to Arizona with only one small problem with the float in the carb(ten minute repair), and used one quart of oil while making well over 20 MPG. I rely totally on my pickup and 69 VW Bug for my transportation, and have no intention of ever getting anything newer.

This got a little more long winded than I intended, but I am trying to encourage you to learn what you can and apply what you learn about these vehicles and you will be well satisfied in this endeavor.

Fred

 

[59F100]

Welcome aboard, best of luck with your "refrigerator." Of course, I have a '58 so I can say that with "love."

Anyway, this comment scared me a little..."I just got it running smooth after tightening up every bolt in the valve train (literally)"

If you were referring to the adjusters on the rocker arms, I hope you're aware that your truck has solid lifters which require clearance. I don't think the "zero lash" valve train came along until later. I don't have the manual handy but I think the lash is around .016". You may want to check your valve adjustment again.

If you don't have a service manual for your truck yet, you might want to find one. Sources of reliable information for a 50 year old truck are dwindling but this forum is a good one. Best of luck with it and keep us posted.

Lou Manglass

When I first heard it run it was making quite a bit of noise in both the valve train and the exhaust. I installed an exhaust gasket at the collector/pipe and then pulled the VC (two hold-down bolts). Over half of the rockers had a 1/16" or more "lash"...very loose...hence the noise. I took the play out of them and it sounded much better but still noisy. While it was running, I went through with an 0.012" feeler gauge and re-adjusted...sounded better still but I still had some lifter noise. That is when I noticed that the bolts holding the rocker shaft assy had backed out. So I tightened those down, fired it back up, and ran through it again with the 0.012" feeler and by the time I got to the last valve/rocker, it was running as smooth as ever. Re-installed the valve cover and now the biggest noise I have is the 1bbl sucking air. It sounds great now.
I owe it to my GFIL (grandfather-in-law) because he showed me the procedure and told me about the solid lifters.
If you think I ought to re-adjust to 0.019" or just leave it, please advise.

What I still need to do is check the timing, point gap, dwell, and carb mixture and I ought to be good to go. Advice is more than welcome.

Other things I need to do before it becomes my driver...new tires, fix emergency brake, fix blinkers and give wiring a once over (lots of wires hanging under the dash), bolts bench seat to floor, rebuild clutch slave cylinder, aquire bezels for ignition and headlight switch, fix/install horn button,....I think that is it. Then "the fridge" will be road worthy.

 

[59F100]

59F100:
here's my ford six ID site (specifically the 215/223/262 engines):
http://www.geocities.com/edwins63/ohvsix.html
I've only got a few pics on the site, but hopefuilly it'll help. I'll have to say that I'd love to have a '59 F100, 4x4, 223 (or, if I could find a 262...), 4spd... ah, but the last thing I need right now is another car/truck.
Edwin

Thanks for posting that Edwin, and thanks for the comments Fred. Every thing points to it being a 223. I can only assume that it is the original motor but you never know.

I forgot to mention, I also need shocks, need to repair a small leak in the top of the radiator, and I also have a noise in the rear that occurs when I let off the gas and coast (in gear). Not serious but definitely requires an inspection. Could possibly need a clutch or maybe just an adjustment if that's possible. Not sure but it doesnt engage until the pedal is almost all of the way up.

Thanks guys.
That's all for now.

-Kevin

 

[59F100]

If anyone knows where I can source throttle and choke linkage brackets, please let me know. My current set-up was "rigged" by the PO. It works...just well, ugly.

Thanks,
-Kevin

 

[manglass]

Your Grandfather-in-law would know! I looked up the spec and it is .019". If the .012" was set with the engine warm, it should be fine. It technically gives you a little more lift and duration but it's so slight that you probably will never notice the difference.

Lou Manglass

 

[fmartin_gila]

Kevin,

Do you still have the Holley 1904 on it? I have a friend out in the county that has his own private junkyard and the last time I was out there I noticed he had a 215 siting there. I intend to get the starter as a backup for mine, and I think it still had all the 1904 and linkage on it.

As to the valve lash - I run mine at .019 and have a lot of noise, but my rockers are very worn and I don't think I am getting a real good adjustment. I have replaced all the self-locking adjusters with ones from a V8 so I have locknuts, it seems to stay in adjustment longer. I will replace all the rockers in the future with Barker Hi-lifts so will have new surfaces to adjust to and should cut down the clatter considerably. I have always refrained from setting rockers to close because then the valve does not stay seated as long and thereby does not transfer heat and could result in burnt exhaust valves. Just my opinion.

Let me know if you want me to check on the carb linkages and if so, exactly what you need.

Fred

 

[59F100]

Fred,

I has a rebuilt 1bbl Holley on it. If you shoot me a pm with your email I'll send you a picture of it. There is a sticker on with a number in the form of x-xxx. I can find out the exact number tonight.

The carb has linkage, it is actually the bracket(s) that hold the throttle and choke cables that I need. Also short an air cleaner too.

Thanks,
-kevin

 

[fmartin_gila]

PM sent.

Fred

 

[59F100]

PM sent.

Fred

Inbox empty :

 

[fmartin_gila]

Second try sent, I may have neglected to insert subject, don't remember

Fred

 

[59F100]

Got it...email sent.

Thanks,
-Kevin

 

[59F100]

first time trying to post pics...

 

[59F100]

What you see is what I got. I basically got it running and installed a new gas cap. The rest is "as is"...

Hope you enjoy the pictures. If anyone would like to share some of their own to help me get this back to it's original configuration, please feel free.

Oh yeah, I intend to keep the slotted mags. Some kind of weird nostalgic throwback to my childhood. The rest of the truck is retaining the "stock" look. What are your opinions on blackwalls vs white walls vs raised white letter ? I am in the market for new tires...
-Kevin

 

[fmartin_gila]

Kevin,

Got your email w/pics. Will see about stuff this afternoon.

Watch that kid, he looks like he is about to take over your pickup. Enjoy them while you can, as they grow up so quick.

Fred

 

[rmt]

Lose the slotted mags.

Send them to me, you can be certain you will never see them again. Their horrid looks on your F100 will be nothing but a bad memory.

I'm just trying to do you a favor by helping you achieve your goal of getting back to the truck's original configuration, which is far superior to the way it looks now.

I'll even pay the shipping.

Roger