F-1 steering column

[packrat5]

Here's the deal #1 son has a 51 F-1 with I think is a 53-56 column in it. It has a jacket with a column shift with the handle removed. A 48-52 steering wheel is on it, and doesn't match at all. How do I determine for sure if it is a later unit, and are 53 to 56 the same or not?

[Barry-ct]

What does he have for a transmission? 3 or 4 speed? The light duty 3 speeds, which most had, used a column shifter for late 1950 and thru 1952 . 3 speed H/D units were floor mounted as were the 4 speed. Get the casting numbers off the box to determine 48-52 or 53-56.

[packrat5]

This is a hot rod, has a 312 Ford engine, and a late 60s full syncro 3-speed with a Hurst floor shift.

[42merc]

F1 steering gear ('48-'52) has a splined pitman arm held in place with a large nut & lock washer.
F 100 ('53 & later) has a pitman arm held in place with a pinch bolt.

[Dick]

Here are some pictures of a '54 F-100 column in my pickup. The top of the column has turn signal switch and is larger than the original. They are splined as previously mentioned. Hope this helps.

The larger box is '53 - '56 and takes a pinch bolt.

[Mart]

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Look at the steering box itself. The f1 is underslung, with the worm underneath the sector. The later 53-56 f100s are overslung with the worm above the sector.

Mart.

[packrat5]

Thanks, you guys have been a big help. I will look at the truck in a couple of days to determine which it has.
Another question. Will the 53 and later front hubs fit on the 48-52 spindles so I can use later brake drums? If not, are roller bearings available for the early spindles? His has ball bearings yet, I think original, as the brakes were all still original believe it or not!

[Mart]

Taper bearings on the fords, not ball bearings. Don't know about swapping hubs and drums, I wouldn't assume they will swap.

Someone will chime in with a definitive answer.

Mart.

[Ross F-1]

Looks like the bearings are the same OD, as I recall the spindles are a little different. Check the measurements below carefully. I don't know if F-100 backing plates will fit F-1 spindles without interferences. Brand-new chinese F-1 brake drums are about $100 each, but will likely last our lifetimes.

[42merc]

An inexpensive F-1 front drum fix are '86 F-150 rear drums. About $50 bucks each at Autozone & O'Rileys.
Works for me.

[Ross F-1]

Originally Posted by 42merc

An inexpensive F-1 front drum fix are '86 F-150 rear drums. About $50 bucks each at Autozone & O'Rileys.
Works for me.

I know MTFlat has used those, but they aren't a real good fit to the shoes. I haven't heard long-term performance of those.

[42merc]

Originally Posted by Ross F-1

I know MTFlat has used those, but they aren't a real good fit to the shoes. I haven't heard long-term performance of those.

Explain what you mean, 'not a good fit'.

[Ross F-1]

As I recall, they are 1/4" (1/2"?) wider on the shoe surface, and the shoes ride toward the inside? So the shoe pressure isn't directly adjacent to the vertical surface. How long have you been running them? Any problems with fade on big hills?

[42merc]

Granted the shoe surface of the drum is wider, but the vertical surface to the shoe center line is the same dimension.
The shape of the drum is different. Looks like a wide F-100 drum.
I have about 6000 miles on them.
Going to the Moonshine Festival through the hills of Tennessee & Georgia presented no problems.

They work & I'm happy.

[Ross F-1]

Sounds like a good solution then!

[JSeery]

That's what I run on my F1 hubs, late Ford F150 drums. U.S made drums for around $25-$35 each at RockAuto.

[packrat5]

Does the size of the center hole on the 86 drum fit the 48-52 hubs?

[JSeery]

I don't remember how tight the fit is, not home at the moment. I will check when I get there and post a photo. I will also check the year and part number on the drums.

[Andy]

Sounds great! Please post the info!

[packrat5]

My son bought this truck about 10 years ago, and has done nothing to it, including driving it. It had no brakes, so I did a full brake job, converted to self-adjusting, etc. When it came to the front drums, there were none available at the time, so I just used some 53 and later ones. Problem is the center hole is too big. Now they can be had, and I will get some. ($100 each, yikes) I haven't done the master cyl yet, I want to convert to a dual master. The kid wants the pedals to look stock. Any ideas on a master cyl? Don't want power brakes.
If those 75-86 rear drums fit on the front, I will get some wider shoes to fit the drums.