North Central US | 4020_404 - 12/10/2025 11:32
Looking at purchasing a 1959 Ford F-350 with a 292 Y block and 4 speed manual transmission. To anyone that has had experience with these trucks/motors, would it be a good daily driver for a farmer? I have a 1999 F-250 with a 5.4 and 5 speed manual currently. And while it works fine, I'm looking into the future of when this one needs work, newer vehicles are even worse to work on, quality older vehicles are even harder to come by, etc. I think I may be money ahead to buy something old that's in fairly good shape now, and use both to extend the time when I have to get something newer. How would both compare power wise, specifically hauling a 24ft. gooseneck full of hogs? From what I can see by the numbers online, the 292 has less HP and torque, but not by a whole lot. Any idea on the gas mileage comparison? I know the 292 being that old is probably less efficient, just wondering how significant it would be. Thanks!
First, go to the 1980s, unless you're doing this because you have money and are bored. Even 90s Diesels are still mechanical.
The FE engines and their associated pickups parts aren't terribly easy to find. I have a 352 350.
24' with a early 70s, now, today, is not something I would want to do. When it was new and everything was in perfect working order, maybe. Remember, trailers back then were for semi's, you put stock racks on everything else.
Gas mileage empty is single digits. They were built when fuel was basically free and if you had a 350 you were a business hauling things and fuel wasn't a concern. Even a 100 wasn't considered to be a personal vehicle.
On late 60s, early 70s 350s, brake parts aren't common, drivetrain parts are going that way, cab parts are the same. Salvage yards don't really have a whole lot either.
We have a few 50s to early 70s vehicles big and small. The few times a year they get used they do their job. 70s and onwards is where I would even consider thinking of using it as a daily anything. Technology advanced extremely fast in the early 70s that everything massively improved over the 60s vehicles just a few years earlier, brakes, longevity, economy, design, capability, there's a reason why you still see 70s onwards vehicles but not a whole lot before the 70s. 70s also brought power steering and hvac that actually works. |
Wanting Input on Purchasing an Old Truck
