Thread: 1959 F100 Inline six banger

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Dave, all great ideas but way more than I need to do right now. I just want to go through it and make it mechanically sound so I can drive it on a regular basis. It needs some engine tuning, a little suspension work, and some wiring. Since it is complete and original for the most part, I will just leave it as is. The only mod I might do it drop the front end depending on the rake once the suspension work is done. I like the idea of a straight six. My biscayne is a gas hog. Plus I can practically walk around inside the engine bay. So things are pretty easy to work on.

Originally Posted by 65cayne

Dave, all great ideas but way more than I need to do right now. I just want to go through it and make it mechanically sound so I can drive it on a regular basis. It needs some engine tuning, a little suspension work, and some wiring. Since it is complete and original for the most part, I will just leave it as is. The only mod I might do it drop the front end depending on the rake once the suspension work is done. I like the idea of a straight six. My biscayne is a gas hog. Plus I can practically walk around inside the engine bay. So things are pretty easy to work on.

Yup, easy to work on. Built back when things were easy to work on!!!! The old 6 was a decent engine, not a racer at all but solid and reliable. Driven in a reasonable manner and not trying to keep up with freeway speeds should be able to get some decent mpg with it. They're just a neat old truck no matter what. Heck, just enjoy what it is and make some "round to it" plans for someday!

Keep the six and enjoy it. That is what I am doing with my 67 F-100 I-6 & three on the tree. I am still running the 1 barrel carb with the oil bath air cleaner. I did put a split Headman Hedder on it for true dual exhaust which really let it breathe easier. It's no rocket but it is simple, reliable and purrs like a kitten.

Had a few 223's, they're a pretty good engine. Yours is probably a 215, same basic style. Ford made a 250 or so on the same design, I think I have one in a 3/4 ton, never tore it down to be sure. Only trouble I ever had was timing chains, two of 'em went. Easy to fix. The last year of production went to gear drive and a reverse rotation cam.1963? I think.

Should be a 223, never heard continental get credit. If you go to the Fordsix site you can get some good info. The truck version was a 262 I think but I don't think a straight out interchange on parts, those are fairly uncommon. 1964 was the last year for the 223.
When changing a timing gear, remember the marks don't line up like later engines, they have 12 pins (chain links) between them. Ask me how I know, lol.
Also the head bolt sizes changed somewhere. I put a 60 head on a 63 block once and had to drill out all the holes in the head.
To me the 57-60 is a way nicer and more desirable truck than the 53-56, better looking too except for the 60 and it has an ugly mugg. The best looking one is 57 with the single headlights, then 58 still had the nice hood lines and round turn signals, 59 looked like a 58 but had the uglier hood and square turn signals.
These are very good cabs but the cross brace will rust out, you can pull up the matt and see if it is coming through. Also look at the door/fender gap. If it is starting to be wider at the bottom then you need some attention to the cab mounts. I have actually jacked the cab back in place with a floor jack and put 2x4s on top of the frame to keep the doors out of the fenders, worked good for a couple years.
My ideal truck would be a red/white or turquoise/white 57 big window, short wide with a 312 and 3 speed with overdrive.

65 Cayne - Truck looks great as is. Those old six's have great torque, and are very reliable. You better install a security system, like Dave said theose trucks are more valuble than 401k's these days, as evidenced by the guy hidding in the bed of your truck in the above photos, he looks to be waitng for the opertunity to go for a joy ride!

Find a late '70's pickup toploader four speed overdrive trans, it should bolt right in and give the six a break at highway speeds. 70% overdrive.

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

Should be a 223, never heard continental get credit. If you go to the Fordsix site you can get some good info...

Already registered over there... agreed. And yes, it is a 223 for sure.

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

To me the 57-60 is a way nicer and more desirable truck ...

Thanks

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

59 looked like a 58 but had the uglier hood and square turn signals...

Thanks I guess...

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

These are very good cabs but the cross brace will rust out, ..

Yes, and that is about the only spot I have rust. The rest is solid.

Just got a 1960 MOTORS manual from pops. Go tthe truck running/starting reliably, rockers adjusted, timing adjusted to 4 initial, and I am getting about 8-9 degrees advance from the vac set-up.

I still have NO power though. It falls flat on it's face with even the slightest load. I am suspecting the carb but not sure.... suggestions?