Jumping in - (hope I'm ready)

[Shootinok]

I wasn't really ready for this, but I came upon a seemingly complete (and running) '53 F250 and I kinda got hooked. So... I'm jumping in with both feet. And I have a couple brothers jumping in with me.

I got it home, and to me, its a thing of beauty next to my trusty F150. Wife is not as thrilled as I am.

I found this place and I hope to get educated - a lot. I also bought a book from Bishop and Tardel.
This will be a project for me and my two brothers. No rush, just when we can get together to turn a few wrenches and tip a few cold ones.





I believe this could be a Ford Ad...

[jrvariel48]

Congrats! That's one beautiful truck! There's a lot of amazing people and info here on the Barn. I couldn't done half the things I've done without the help of the people here!
Good luck

[JSeery]

Looks like fun!

[Ford Freak]

Welcome aboard ! We love trucks around here , and that looks like a good one ! - F F

[alanwoodieman]

wish I had seen it first! nice project truck, last year in the states for a flathead, most guys on this site are very eager to share their knowledge about flatheads and trucks. put your location in your header--you meet this nicest people driving an old ford and there may be some close to you! post plenty of pictures

[WABOOM]

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Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[mhsprecher]

I had a 54 F250. A great truck. If you get it nicely restored your wife might like it? Not sure you are going to go that route.

[Tinker]

Nice project! Sounds like a good way to hangout!

[Bored&Stroked]

Welcome to the Barn! Looks like you have an excellent project truck - you'll find a lot of folks willing to help you your journey on this site. Good luck.

[Frank Miller]

What is you intention for it. Stock or modified. Hard to tell but looks like you could restore the mechanicals and retain the patina.

[chap52]

Welcome aboard. You will find lots of folks here ready to walk you through the process. Just remember, "it's your truck", make it like you want it, take and post lots of pictures and "Enjoy the adventure!" Chap

[corvette8n]

Nice looking project. As far as books go scroll down to post #10.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ooks&showall=1

[34PKUP]

Looks like an interesting project.
One observation is that it appears to have passenger car heads or a passenger car engine replacement.

[54vicky]

you people are lucky any thing of that age up here wold be a pile of rust whereas you guys find them with surface rust.it will be fun to track your progress as mentioned earlier lots of knowledge and help on here

[joe 1950]

from your opening title it almost sounded like you were going to ask us if it was ok to get married but you did clear that up great old ford truck as was said lucky to find one in that good of shape we’ll help you the best we can have fun with it and tell the wife you’ll name it after her

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Welcome - real nice project you have there!

[rotorwrench]

It looks like it's been worked on before. The 8BA head in the photo is likely a replacement. They will work fine for a truck though. Not too many engines from so long ago haven't been overhauled or traded out for better runners. Everything is a little heavier on the F-250 but it had to be to be a 3/4-ton. A lot of stuff on the 53 trucks were one year only due to the change over to the Y-block in 54 but parts are still out there and a lot still interchanges.

[53F250]

Could it be possible that ford used whatever they had left to leverage existing inventory since the Flathead production was over? Meaning since this truck was built in December 1953 - maybe they just used an 8BA because they didn't have anymore 8RT's on the assembly line?

[flatford8]

I wouldn’t have gone home without it either....nice truck!!.... Mark

[tubman]

Originally Posted by 53F250

Could it be possible that ford used whatever they had left to leverage existing inventory since the Flathead production was over? Meaning since this truck was built in December 1953 - maybe they just used an 8BA because they didn't have anymore 8RT's on the assembly line?

It's possible, but Ford didn't do things that way, ever. In any event, it is irrelevant. The engines are identical internally except for the 8BA heads, which are higher compression than the 8RT's, which is a good thing. In the intervening 66 years, I'll bet the engine has been changed out more than once. Back then, people used whatever was available. Unlike muscle cars where you can determine whether an engine is original to a vehicle by checking the numbers stamped (sometimes fraudulently) into the block against the registration or VIN number plates, there is no way to determine whether a flathead is the original or not. Just be happy you have a truck that looks to be in good shape with an original type motor.

Although I personally don't like the whole "patina" thing, it's your truck, do it the way you want. In my opinion, the truck looks quite solid and deserves to be done "right".