Is there a trick to removing the spindle bearing from the shaft? I can't detect any pins in the housing of the bearing, but the bearing won't budge past a certain point.

 

Do you have the type of fan hub that is a large diameter, like almost 3"? Or is it a sealed 1"-diameter type?

If it's the sealed type, there is no way to get into the bearing without destroying the hub. It is a cartridge bearing, and you can replace it, but would have to weld the hub back together after putting in the new bearing and shaft.

If it's the large diameter type, they have oilite bushings that are lubricated with a few drops of oil thru a plug on the hub. On those I believe the whole hub disassembles from the fan end.

 

Does this help?

 

Where is the oilite bushing in that picture?

 

IN the picture, the bearing is part no. 8626. The spindle/hub is part no. 8603. Where there are shown holes in 8626, there are no pins and it seems illogical that there would be, as 8626 spins around the shaft. The bearing wasfrozen tight onthe shaft, but with penetrating oil and enough hours, I was ableto free it enough to reinstall on the truck. I still have a brand new bearing waiting to go on.

Thanx--Charlie

 

Charlie, the procedure for oiling the fan hub is to put the fill plug (26498-S) facing up and remove it. Pour an oz. of 10wt oil in there, let it sit 1/2 hour, then rotate the hub so that hole is facing down. Let excess oil drain out, then put the screw back in.

 

I've had those apart and was quite amazed at the mechanism that
Henry came up with to lube a spindle bearing. The large hub you see is an oil sump that rotates around the shaft with a plate at the end, a scraper on the hub channels oil from the plate through a passage into a groove in the shaft that carries it into the bearing. When you service the truck you turn the hub until the plug is up and as said dump an ounce of oil in the hole which is actually a tube that extends down into the sump, then you turn the hub till the hole is down and the excess oil will drain out to the top of that tube which is the oil level for the hub. turn it back up and replace the plug and you are good for another three thousand miles.

 

There are so many examples of simple, elegant solutions like this on our trucks! Compared to the disposable, non-rebuildable later model sealed bearing fan hubs, these are truly superior.

 

Thanx, gentlemen. I'm going to not fix what doesn't seem to be broken anymore. Drove it the last couple of days and the fan is working well. I'm just starting on this project. It was my Dad's truck and the one in which I learned to drive. I had shipped down to Norfolk, Va from Montana and it's been a great project for me. Thinking about replacing the rear axle with one from a later model to get a better street/highway speed. don't need it to pull the hay wagon anymore! A local mechanic told me about the interchangeability of the later model (into the mid-60's) of the rear axle. Any thoughts on that?

Charlie

 

Hey Charlie,
The rear axle is a pretty straight forward replacement. I've got a 1950 F1 & we went with an 8.8 inch axle out of a Ford Explorer (2001) I believe. We had to put the shock perches in a new location (a little welding). We also took the emergency brake from the explorer & moved that over too.
This particular axle swap also delivers rear disc brakes (a nice addition). It does change your wheel configuration.

The more common swap is for a Ford 9 inch.

Ben in Austin

 

Why couldnt I find the oillite bearing: doesnt exist, the bearing is the spindle housing, one piece. Why does it leak out the back, too much oil and on an angle. There is no seal to prevent leakage out the back. Good news is mine is fine. Note: book says to use 80-90w hypoid oil.

 

Tire Question--What size tires are recommended for 1949 F-1. Currently have LT 215/85 R16, which were put on 10 years ago and have dry-rotted sidewalls. Not confident that they were the most preffered. Suspect they were what the "tire guy" had which he could make work with tubes inside.

 

You're better off posting a new thread with your tire question. It'll get more attention and response.