56 Ford F-100


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By Outlaw56 - 16 Years Ago
I hope I am not out of line asking this question. I am a Yblock fan restoring a 56 Ford F-100 that came to me with a Y-Block that I became fasinated with after doing some research on them.  Becasue I found a total of 11 wires in the electrical harness dead ended with nothing but a bare end hanging loose, I have made the decision to install a wiring harness. That led to removal of the existing harness, to include some pretty nasty insulation and floor covering on the inside of the cab firewall. Now that I have everything out, that led to a closer look at the dash. Previous owner/s cut and welded holes in the dash, and repaired with too much bondo covered with enamel paint. I think the dash is repairable, but would be easier to work on or consider replacing if I had a clue on how to remove the dash. So, without asking a question regarding my Y-Block, I'm hoping I can ask a question regarding what process is used to remove and install a dash in a 56 ford F-100.

Darrell R Howard

Outlaw 56

By Doug T - 16 Years Ago
Everything I have seen in crawling around under and over the dash in my cab is that the dash is welded in. It is pretty roomy under there (compared to a T bird). With the instrument cluster, heater and glove box out of the way there is good space to work.   My dash was cut in front for a radio and in the top for a speaker.  The speaker had a grill from the previous owner which I kept in place and I made a new panel to cover the butchered hole for the radio and put a new radio in the same place.  Not show quality but OK for my purpose.  The worst thing about this setup is that the lever that opens the cowl grill was taken out when the radio was put in the first time and I haven't sorted out a new lever.  Mine can be opened from the outside which isn't too convenient!
By paul2748 - 16 Years Ago
My first recommendation is to get a service manual as it may have the steps necessary to remove the dash (if its removable). Also get electrical manual if you are going to replace the wires with a factory type harness. Be sure the dash is removeable before unfastening everything.



I have removed the dash from a 56 TBird and although it is not the same it is probably similar.



There are a number of things to remove. The first thing I would remove is the front seat. This makes it much easier to get under the dash and do what has to be done (or undone as the case may be). It also helps when reinstalling. If you are using a factory type harness, put the harness in the dash before reinstalling-makes it a lot easier to hook everything up. If you are not doing a concours type rebuild, paint the inside of the dash white or a very light color as this makes it easier to see everything later if you have to do any maintenance.



Just look around to see what has to be removed/undone. Inner windshield garnish moldings. Heater controls. Vent controls. Screws holding the dash to the cowl. More than likely the steering box will have to loosened and dropped to the floor for clearance. If the dash is anything like the TBird, it has to be pulled back. If you are replacing all the wires, cut the old wires in the engine compartment off at the firewall so you don't have to pull them through.



Before reinstalling the dash, clean and paint (rustoeleum works good) everything. You can use a brush here as most of it won't be seen after the dash is back in place. Any surface rust can be lightly sanded and the rusteoleum can be painted right over it.



If the electrical manual is any thing like the TBird manual, it shows where everything goes, especially handy if you are using a factory type harness.



Good luck - its quite a bit of work.
By Outlaw56 - 16 Years Ago
Thanks for the input. I have everything out already. The seat has been removed. The only thing left to interfere with the dash is the vent opening and the steering wheel. Doug, if you need some digital photos of the vent handle assembley, I think I could get in there with everything now removed and send you some. I also know where there are two donar trucks and I think they both have that assembley in them. I could probably get them pretty cheap if your interested. Id be willing to check it out and send you the handle and linkage if you would pay whatever it costs me and shipping. The guy has been giving me really good deals on what I take. I have not seen a single bolt holding the dash in place I see some welds, but they are on the end skirts of the dash. Mid Fifty sells a fiberglass dash that fits between the skirts so I think it comes out there. I was afraid it was going to be a challenge, but then thats what these projects are all about. This would be a good one to really get into and figure out I guess. Windshield is comming out this morning, then steering column. I will then make the decision to remove or try and repair in place. Thanks for your input guys and Doug, let me know if you want some digital photos of the vent linkage and hardware.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT

Outlaw 56

By Doug T - 16 Years Ago
Hi Darrell,

I have had the dash out of my Bird and it is not the same as the truck.  The car has 2 L shaped brackets bolted to the A pillar and to the bottom of the dash and screws along the flange under the windshield,  there is nothing like that in the truck. 

I would be interested in seeing what the linkage looks like. If you have it out could you take a pic and post it here?  Others may be interested as well. 

Also I would be very interested in getting good window and door regulators for my '56.  The splines are ruined on mine.  If you have a source of good ones I would be glad to buy them and a vent handle.  I will try to send you a Personal Message with e mail.   I see you don't have PM as I and Paul have (his is turned off) but mine is turned on so you can send me a personal message with you e mail and I can get back to you.

By Outlaw56 - 16 Years Ago
For anyone missing the dash linkage to the cowl vent, here is two digital photos illustrating the correct linkage and installation. The lever, support bracket, and linkage is dead center of the cowl vent and most likely this is why many have been removed and discarded to accomodate radio installation.
By Missouri Mike - 16 Years Ago
Darrell

Thanks for the photos, that was a help to me on my 56 F-100 too.

Now if I could find a heater core for it.

Missouri Mike