Completely off-topic: Grain Trucks

Hello, all. Hope you had a Merry Christmas. I'm hoping to upgrade my grain truck before year's end and I know, time's a wasting. I'm looking at a few online and trying to set up appointments to drive them in the next few days. I want air brakes and a diesel engine this time - at least air brakes. I might consider another gas burner if the price is right, and that brings me to my question. Does anyone have any experience w/the Ford 534 gas engine? I've found 2 good looking trucks with that engine. I'm sure it's a given it'll be a gas hog. I'm more curious about power, reliability, any unique issues with it, etc. Anyone have experience w/the 534?

Parts are extremely hard to find. Used in old fire, semi and stationary irrigation engines. Ever try even getting parts for this, even a commonly used part like an aftermarket water pump for this engine? I would avoid this engine if possible.

Agree. There is no demand for components other than plugs and such. So there is not much in the way of fixing. See if you can find a manafold gasket, then decide. Jim

I test drove one a few years back. Something must have been off with it because I have never seen such a gutless engine in my life. It was a tandem, 20 ft. box. No way could you get that thing up to 60 mph. empty. This one had a 5 and 4 trans.

I have had a 1971 Ford with 534 engine for about 25 years with no major problems. I put electronic ignition on it and it runs good and has good power. The repairs have all been 10-15 years ago, but I replaced water pump, exhaust manifold gaskets, and in tank fuel pump. At that time local repair shop found the parts ok. It has 5x3 transmission, twin screw, air brakes and 20ft box. It is for sale as I have retired.

Would you mind telling me how much you want for it and where you live? Feel free to email me at [email protected], please.

We had one in a single axel dump truck ,ran great but you couldn’t keep gas in it. Never had any major issues so I can’t say on parts availability. If your going to run it more than just a couple trips to the field / elevator(?) a year you might want to look at a diesel , especially if you’re ever going to resell it down the road. If you have the option to buy a truck with bud wheels instead of spacer rings&locks that will save you a few headaches and increase resale at the same time.

I ran one almost 30 years and yes it used lots of fuel but only was able to use a 5 speed trans air shifter never worked but it sure would roll down the road. I have a spare 477 motor instorage and even a new gasket set but the 534 is gone

I had to replace one with a ventilated block 30 years ago. Had a very hard time finding a block back then and it needed an overhaul. Those parts were also hard to find.

Just get a diesel. For working on, convenience I would stay away from those S series trucks and all those where the engine is half in the cab like them. No room to work and all crammed in there. Get and old KW,Pete,or freight shaker. With the big flat hoods. Room to get to the perishable parts like oil filters,alternators, and such. Yup they will not be the 10,000 cheap tandem but they will be around when the others are in the junk. Plenty of drive train. I would not want to go to a tandem. Since you will be in the CDL size anyway might just as well go with the semi. I have been looking at a big single axle with a regular trailer behind it. Would haul about 1200-1400 bushel legal with that setup depending on empty weight. Could also use the truck to go to the bin while loading the trailer and would be reasonable to hook up. Just the tongue to lift or jack up. Could also use the trailer as just a trailer on the other truck if wanted so more versatile to me. This would be in my situation. OLd regular cab road tractors are really pretty cheap compared to straight trucks. Another reason for using one of the previous models mentioned is the sleeper has a boot between the cab and sleeper that can be split for a box and hoist. This will gain you about the right amount of frame without stretching the frame for the box. I looked at this on my one truck with a 60inch sleeper. I could put an 18 ft box on with a 30 or 36 inch overhang for the hinge. I'm still up in the air which way to go. With just a trailer I could have 2 semis's or a semi with a tandem. I really don't want a tandem the empty weight to payload is not good enough compared to a semi or a truck with a regular trailer set up as a short double sort of.

We load 800 bushels on our ten wheelers

My boss let me order a L800 back in 79. Drove it till 92. 534 with a 5 and 2 speed axle. 6.19 rear end. Air ride. Engine in front of firewall. Ran mostly trouble free. Loved it. But they pull down low. Revving them to governor 3200 just a waste. Would out pull all the 466 Ihc's he got after. But would not go 250 miles on 50 gallons of gas. Just go 225. I could have got a new truck in 5 or 6.years but I turned it down. But now would want a fuel injection 429. Still get parts for them. Never pay for a Diesel farm tamdem. 2 more mpg dont matter.