OT Diesel Repower '49 Ford F-3

Miles · Aug 1, 2008

Hi all...

I have a '49 Ford F-3 with flat-head V8 that I would like to fix up and repower with either Ford 2700 series or Perkins 6/354 and make into my tractor hauling rig.

Couple of questions:

1. What was the approximate weight of the stock V8/trans combination?

2. Which diesel engine would you recommend and are there any 5-speed trans that would bolt up without modification? What do these motors weigh? Will these produce sufficient power to be useable in this application?

3. Ford F-3 had GVW of 6800 pounds...What would be maximum loaded trailer weight? Gooseneck or bumper pull recommendations?

4. Has anyone done this or similar project on this vintage Ford?

Thanks in advance

Jack In Fla · Aug 1, 2008

Miles, I put a Perkins Phaser 1000 series,(new style 6-354) in a 1976 F-250 Ford pick up. I used a allision At 545 auto, at first, till I wore it out, and then an adapter plate to use a big ford truck transmission, (Clark 285 5 speed) bellhousing.The front axel has about 4000 lbs weight on it. Whitch has been no problem. I am really happy with this set up. I get about 14 mpg fuel mileage. It has 16 inch 1 ton wheels on it with 4:10 gears. Pulls my 27 ft Gooseneck fine with what ever I want to haul. Also the truck has a tandem rears with duals, and all three rears are Dana 60"s, so it is a 6x6. Send me an email and I will send you a picture of it. Jack

thurlow · Aug 1, 2008

Always been intrigued with the idea of tandem duals on a pickup.......preferably a 1-ton. Saw a few pictures of one way back when. We wanta see pictures......

T_Bone · Aug 1, 2008

Hi Miles,

It just depends on what type of trailer you get. My dual tandum 27+5 flatbed is rated for 20kGVW. I couple that too my 02 F350 DRW for a total of 31.5kGCW. IMO, that's just too much load weight to be cost effective on this type of rig. IMO, around 26kGCW would be maximum to be cost effective, ie; without extreme repair costs.

After you've pulled a dual tandum trailer, you will not want to go back to a SRW axle trailer as the dual tandum adds alot of stability. The same applies to the tow vehicle.

Since your mod'ing, you might want to consider the Eaton 9spd autoshift, a gear driven automatic that only needs to be clutched for stopping or starting. All up/dn shifts are done via user input RPM shift points. With a triple OD gears and a diesel, I could see where 30mpg plus empty could be possible but still have enough torque to pull a good amount of load weight when needed. The drawback, it's a huge tranny!

T_Bone

Bob · Aug 1, 2008

What'cha gonna do to make the brakes adequate for that kind of load and power and today's highway speeds?

thurlow · Aug 1, 2008

Swap over to 12V and electrisitical brakes or vacuum/hydraulic?

big fred · Aug 1, 2008

And make sure you don't forget about the emergency brake. It's stuck on the tailshaft of the transmission now, and if you take that tranny out, you won't have an e-brake. Probably hafta swap out the rear axle to make it work.

IA Roy · Aug 1, 2008

I would take a look around and look for an old schoolbus as a donor vehicle. My son's buddy got a 1984 Ford chassis with a Detroit Diesel 8.1 or 8.2? (500 cid)non-turbo V8 diesel with an Allison automatic with about 140K on it for $900 a couple years ago. There are others out there with the Cummins 5.9 turbo and either 5 speeds or Allisons connected. If you decided to go with a bigger rear end and tires with big brakes they are already on there and the driveshaft ends are ready to go into a new driveshaft. That is a pretty economical box of parts.

BSer · Aug 2, 2008

We just started a similar product with a F-6;using a bus chassis and remounting the '50 ford cab and putting in the dash,contro;s and pedals.100 hours total or less;with air.Shortening it for a 16 flatbed, Classic looks,modern mechanicals.

Wesley Stephens · Aug 2, 2008

A guy at a local show mounted a 50 ford F-5 cab on a 90's 1 ton chassis with a power stroke to use for a hauling rig. It's a nice looking truck.

Leroy · Aug 2, 2008

That flat head is a valubal engine in any condition, don't junk it

jose bagge · Aug 3, 2008

i agree with those voting for the body swap... suspension/steering/ brakes just flat out inadequate to safely tow. That schoolbus swap might be a little wide for the F-3 front fenders though.
Check out "publicsurplus.com" if you are looking at buses- always a pile of 'em in there dirt cheap.

OT Diesel Repower '49 Ford F-3

Miles

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Jack In Fla

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thurlow

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T_Bone

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Bob

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thurlow

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big fred

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IA Roy

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BSer

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Wesley Stephens

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Leroy

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jose bagge

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