Hello, first post and I've tried searching forums for answer first so i'll go ahead and ask... I just bought a 57 f100 with 272 and the guy I bought it from said it needed to be converted to 12 volt. I understand that ford switched in 55\56 to 12 volt or am I mistaken? I don't think the guy knew too much about the truck and he never had it running so I'm asking the experts. Obviously I don't want to hook up a 12 volt battery and try to get it cranked before I know for sure. this is my first f100! engine isn't frozen, it's rusty, but a head turner for sure.

Thanks for any help

 

12 Volt. Ford changed from 6-12 on our old trucks in 1956, one of the main reasons 56's are very popular, along with the fact that they have the "classic" body styling.

 

We are gonna need some pictures of the truck to verify its a 57. :-)

 

I put a new album on forum. Title and vin number say 57 . Thanks for helping me out. Guess ill put a spare battery on and see what happens. P.owner had a 6 volt battery on it...no wonder it wouldn't run

 

Welcome to FTE! hope you enjoy your truck. My good friend is a pastor and he "partly", relieves his stress by working on old John Deere tractor.

 

Yes...partial stress reliever is better description

 

He also has 7 kids with the oldest at 16!

 

MAN, does he ever need a stress-reducer! Say, a two year afternoon nap.

 

And can I assume its 12 volt negative ground? I ask cause dad has an old car that's positive ground I think

 

Yes it is. If you plan on getting very serious about this truck, you will want to get a shop manual at the least and a Master Parts Catalog to get even more detail. Very valuable books and well worth the investment!

 

Steve is right, the shop manual, available reprinted on eBay, should be the first tool you buy.

I would strongly urge you to empty out the gas tank of old fuel, try to flush the lines, and maybe go through the carb. If it has sat for some time, there will likely be a varnish type build up in the fuel system. If there is rust in the tank, you do not want to pump that into your carb.

I think that you might also want to totally flush the cooling system as well, then flush the brake lines. I always do these three things - fuel system, cooling system, brake system - whenever I get a new(old) vehicle.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the pointers...I realized right after I posted that all I needed to do was follow battery cables to see if negative grounded to chassis or the positive...duh

 

Maybe you should check for a loose nut behind the wheel as well! LOL!!

 

This forum seems to be fitting both for my mechanical issues as well as my need for bad humor to be met.

 

I`m sure most of us have been there at least once.