I'm using this post to introduce myself and my project and to get some expert help form the folks in this forum. I am a retired engineer and have wanted this truck since I was a teenager and would hang out at Smitty's Drive In on Highway 66 in Amarillo. I picked up this pickup through the internet a couple of years ago and have been gathering parts plus sharpening some skills before I really jumped into it. I live in Dallas, TX, and have taken a MIG, TIG and OXY/Fuel welding classes at Eastfield College to be sure that nothing fell off when I have it completed. I am currently enrolled in a street rod course at the college and I'm in the process of installing a No Limit Engineering IFS and 4-bar rear suspension. The great thing about doing the conversion in the class room is that the garage area is very roomy, the school has great equipment plus there is plenty of labor around to help with the heavy stuff, and there are some very experienced instructors and students to help with technical issues.
The VIN number indicates that the truck came with a 239. When I bought the truck the previous owner stated that it was a 292 -- he knew this because he had it rebuilt about 3000 miles ago and that is what the mechanic told him. I have pulled the engine out of the truck and I think it started out as a 272. It has the Dearborn block casting marks near the distributor and the heads have the ECG D casting marks which John Mummert's website indicates are from a 1955 272. I'll pull the heads and see if it was bored to 292 but it really doesn't make any difference for the truck at this time.
The engine has the high fan with the wide belt and I don't think it has a harmonic balancer. I will be adding power steering and AC so that I can drive it here in the summer time. I am asking for help and advice on the different pulleys, brackets, etc to install these modern conveniences to the engine. I also have gathered a 9425-B 4 barrel manifold and a nice set of ram horn exhaust manifolds. I plan to add a modern Holley carb and I also need to address the distributor.
I am preparing to send the bell housing out to John Mummert to have it modified for Mustang T5. I wil have to add a S-10 tail piece to the transmission but I expect the members of this forum will forgive me for this small transgression.
Here are some pictures the picture of the truck and the engine with the sheet metal removed. The truck looks pretty good from 20 feet but she is like the gals at the dance hall around 11:00, if you get a little closer you can start to see the warts.
Any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
John Scoggan