INFO NEEDED: Ford Super Duty Engine (401, 477, 534)

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

An uncle and I have been wanting to restore a large heavy duty Ford work truck. Here's what we are thinking about, it's for sale for $1800 OBO:

It's a 1958 Ford FT 850 with a 10 speed. The truck is powered by this BEAST of a gas burner

It's a 534 cubic inch gas burning V8 in the "Super Duty Truck Engine" family. It is equipped with a 4 bbl holley carb. This motor produces close to 500 ft lbs of torque at only 2000 RPMS, while only producing 260 hp . I'm surprised at the lack of information which can be found on these motors, considering how many volunteer fire departments and farms are still running these motors. Does anyone know where I could find a shop manual or a good source of parts for these monsters? I've found a small ammount of information on other Ford truck forums, but nothing which compares to the information in the tech library located on TRS.

 

[greasemonkey01]

best bets either ebay or google, if you can't find it on their its probably not available. or you could go to that place called the library Thats a good looking truck by the way especially for $1800.

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

best bets either ebay or google, if you can't find it on their its probably not available. or you could go to that place called the library

I've found a few gaskets, ring kits, and replacement carbs on Ebay. I also found a complete master rebuild kit in another online store, but I need to find more on specs and tech info. From what I am reading on other forums, NAPA is about the only parts store which might have some parts. Considering they were manufactured from 1958-1981, I'm surprised at the lack of sources available.

 

[baddis]

what braking system does it have? air/hydraulic or air? if so it takes a special endorsement on your license to drive along with an upgrade due to its size

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

what braking system does it have? air/hydraulic or air? if so it takes a special endorsement on your license to drive along with an upgrade due to its size

Air. The skirt has a provision for an air compressor. It would remain on a farm. My family has 1,000+ acres of farm land outside of the the Talladega National Forrest. It would be a project truck. I am still researching on how easily I can find parts for it. The engine series has very little information available except for several inactive forums, which worries me considering how long they were made.

 

[pud]

ford-trucks.com has a forum specific for these engines....continue your search there.

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

ford-trucks.com has a forum specific for these engines....continue your search there.

Thanks, I found that forum a few days ago. I have been reading through some of the threads over the past couple of days. I also plan to check with a local fire equipment distributor who has worked on a few fire trucks which are still running that series of motor.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

what braking system does it have? air/hydraulic or air? if so it takes a special endorsement on your license to drive along with an upgrade due to its size

Farm trucks don't require that endorsement in my state. You can get by with a lot of stuff with farm plates.

There probably isn't much of a demand for them as far as parts go, they made them for a long time... and now their only users are short distance farmers and small town fire depts, they don't really rack up that many miles and at the first chance they are dumped for something newer.

It would be unusual for only Napa to have parts for it, usually for oddball stuff like that we can get still a price comparison between O' Reilly's, Napa and Carquest. They will be slow moving parts so they may have to order, but they should still be available. Keep an eye on Ebay, go to swap meets and garage closing sales and look for books. They are out there, but it will take some work to dig them up.

We are looking at getting a 1970's L7000 grain truck for a tow pig, supposed to have a 360 in it (which it shouldn't). It was retired due to a rusted grain box (yours looks perfect from the outside) and the owner was tired of it hammering down the gas and replaced it with a diesel semi. Plans are to repaint the cab, scrap the box, shorten it up and make it a tractor to pull our gooseneck with.

 

[despeshante]

....is this truck still available for sale? I am extremely interested!!!!! If so please contact me a despeshante@gmail.com or 310.890.4280 Thank you.

 

[347 Ranger]

....is this truck still available for sale? I am extremely interested!!!!! If so please contact me a despeshante@gmail.com or 310.890.4280 Thank you.

When I was a kid My dad used to haul lumber on a truck like that

I use to go to work with him when I was about 10 years old, He drove that truck for about 10 years then they bought a new Kenworth with a 335 Cummins Diesel! The Kenworth had lots more power but he had to pull a pup trailer!