I finally thought I had completely finished the truck (pics coming later). Wheels are on, pinstriping/lettering is done and I had run out of things to do on it except for cleaning it up and driving it! I backed it out of the driveway and discovered my accelerator was barely working. It looks like the accelerator spring needs to be replaced. This is the spring that is at the end of the rod that attaches to the bolt that goes through the firewall. Does anyone know if this spring can be taken off/replaced without having to remove the rod from the firewall? It will be a huge undertaking if I have to remove the entire rod.

 

What a beautiful truck. I can't wait to see pictures. I have never had my Throttle linkage off at the firewall so I can't offer any help sorry. You might go on line and ask Vanpelt I have never stumped him yet. I just put side rails on the pickup bed and thought I might add a few pictures here. I have been driving my truck for a few years now. The other day I took a long ride about 150 miles away from home base. I developed a leak in the radiator and heated up the motor so the head gasket let go so I had to call AAA for a haul home. 37 miles from my front door I died on me. I have taken out the radiator to have it boiled out and repaired. I took the heads to a machine shop to be leveled up and so now to put it back together. The life of and old truck or car owner is not always easy but a lot of fun. Good luck with that throttle and get us some pictures to look over. Thanks Steve

 

Here it is. Still need to buff it out to get rid of all the minor scratches I caused:

 

That sure is pretty out in the sun! Now, go drive the hell out of it like you are supposed to!

 

Very beautiful job! You should be very proud of this accomplishment.

 

did you find anything for your accelerator pedal. mine is all apart if you want i can post pictures !

 

Thanks for the offer. I ordered the spring from Mac's. Now I just need to figure out how to get the old one off and the new one on without removing the linkage from the firewall. It looks like I should be able to, but you know how that goes!

 

Here is a picture of the spring installed if this might help you. The spring can be installed by unhooking the carb throttle rod from the accelerator linkage and then shimmying the spring along the accelerator rod until you get in place. The spring tension might give you a little difficulty when trying to get it into final position.

 

Fantastic job, you have done well. I had one just like it years back, seeing the finished truck makes me wish I still had it. Thank you for sharing.

 

What an absolutely beautiful truck! There's nothing better than a truck restored to factory condition!! Great job!

 

Thank you for the info and posting the picture. The spring on mine was painted over when the firewall was painted so now I have a much clearer view of it. You made my day - At least it won't be as big of a job as I had anticipated!

 

I am going to be working up by you later this spring, would love to stop by and see your truck all done.

 

Beautiful looking truck. I really like it. Too many of the 42-47 trucks end up with chromed grills and white wall tires. Just doesn't look like a proper truck anymore. Yours is sure nice.

 

I am starting to think my truck is cursed. It's been one issue, after another, after another... Generator was squeaking so I brought it in for repair. Then I was having overheating issues with the 52 flathead. I would drive it a couple miles and it would be at 230-240. I replaced the thermostats (180s) and it still overheated; I put in a new 3-core aluminum radiator, 6-blade fan, shroud, fan spacer, new Speedway water pumps and it still was too hot (220). I took out the thermostats and it runs at 180 now. Don't know how it will be for longer distances, but for now it is good and it runs much better. When I pulled it in from my successful test drive, the brake lights were stuck on. I just ordered a new stop light switch. I can't imagine what will prevent me from driving it next; I don't think it's destined for the open road!

 

Hang in there! You've done a ton of work so far and now it's just a matter of cleaning up some details. There is some very good info on overheating and brake light switches over on the Ford Barn site. Your truck is flat out gorgeous!