pre61-list-digest Sunday, August 16 1998 Volume 02 : Number 227



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1960 and Older trucks and vans
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In this issue:

Re: FTE Pre61 - Re: Fenton Headers and 1950 Ford F-1 Flathead.
Re: FTE Pre61 - Re: Fenton Headers and 1950 Ford F-1 Flathead.
Re: FTE Pre61 - Re: 12V Conversion
Re: FTE Pre61 - 12V Conversion

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Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 09:28:43 EDT
From: Flathead52 aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE Pre61 - Re: Fenton Headers and 1950 Ford F-1 Flathead.

Try this, put a couple of large washers under the driver side motor mount,
then get a counter sunk allen head bolt to replace the top bolt in the
steering box cover.

Tom Grover
Flathead52 aol.com
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Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 11:13:01 EDT
From: JRFiero aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE Pre61 - Re: Fenton Headers and 1950 Ford F-1 Flathead.

In a message dated 98-08-15 00:56:11 EDT, you write:


I have rebuilt my V-8 Flatty...has 77B Isky Cam & 390cfm / 4bbl. Holley.
Now I am installing the engine...and, my cast iron Fenton Headers
are cramed up against my steering gear box! The engine won't fit!
I am going crazy try'n to come up with a good solution.
Has anyone had the same problem? What is recommended?
>>
Had a similar thread going a few weeks ago. My headers aren't Fenton, they
are (were) referred to as econo tube headers by some, I got them from Early
Ford F-1 F-100 Pickup Parts Inc in Springfield, Ohio, with an 'oh yeah,
they'll fit.' (I don't recommend those guys in general - details on request)
They don't fit, you need to dimple them for the gearbox and use a little
shorty bolt in one hole. However, I just replaced the left side with a tube
header set from Red's Headers in Fort Bragg, CA. Fit fine, no interference
with the gearbox or the dipstick tube (another problem with the Econo headers.
They aim toward, but don't really interfere with, the clutch equalizer shaft.
I'll have to clear that with the new pipe 'tween the headers and the
glasspacks.
'Course, since you already have the Fentons this story might not help much.
FYI, Red's told me that Fentons wouldn't fit our application (mine is a '51
PU), so they seem to know what they're talking about. They can be emailed at
redshedr mcn.org, called at (707) 964-7733, and they have a little home page
at http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mboese/EarlyFords.htm.
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Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 10:17:12 -0700
From: sdelanty sonic.net
Subject: Re: FTE Pre61 - Re: 12V Conversion

>> Thanks all for the information on the 12V upgrade of my '37.
>> What does the ignition ballast resistor do?
>> If it is just voltage drop before the coil?
>> If I upgrade to a 12V coil do I still need a ballast resistor?

>All Ignition Coils are 6V, even on a factory 12V system. Therefore
>they all have a ballast resistor.

I think if You measure some coils You'll find that's not true...
The primary impedance on 6v coils is usually lower.

>You can keep your original coil by
>using a ballast resistor.

You can, but You end up wasting a lot more energy in the ballast
resistor and You get less spark energy out of the coil.
You can make a 6v coil work on 12v, but it's best to use a genuine
12v coil and appropriate ballast when converting to 12 volts...

Steve
Homepage: http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.sonic.net/~sdelanty

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Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 10:17:10 -0700
From: sdelanty sonic.net
Subject: Re: FTE Pre61 - 12V Conversion

At 05:56 PM 8/12/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Thanks all for the information on the 12V upgrade of my '37.
>What does the ignition ballast resistor do?
>If it is just voltage drop before the coil?

The ballast resistor provides current limiting when the coils magnetic
field reaches saturation. It keeps the coil from overheating and keeps
points from self-destructing so quickly.

>If I upgrade to a 12V coil do I still need a ballast resistor?

Yes, all the coils need a ballast resistor. Some coils have one built
in and need no external ballast, and electronic ign systems may have
the ballast built in to the electronic box, but regardless of whether
the ballast is built in to the electronics, the coil, or is external,
it needs to be there somewhere...
For 12v systems the ballast is typically around 1.5 ohms.

>Is there electronic iginition for a flatty?

I'm sure someone must make them...
If You can't find one or You're on a tight budget, there's also a way
to add a cheap transistor ign system to Your stock distributor.
It doesn't eliminate the points, but it reduces the current thru them so
the contacts never burn out and it also produces a much hotter spark than
the stock points ign system.
I added the transistor ign from a mid 70's toyota to a friends '38 dodge
and it works very well. The '38 starts easier on cold mornings now, and
his points should last until the rubbing block finally wears out...
There was a ton of the toyota transistor ignitions at the local wrecking
yard and the total parts cost was under $10.
I wrote an article a while back on how to do the conversion. If You're
interested, go here to find it:
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.sonic.net/~sdelanty/tools/

Steve
Homepage: http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.sonic.net/~sdelanty

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End of pre61-list-digest V2 #227
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