My Dad recently passed away, and he left me his '49 Ford F1 with a V8 flathead. I just got it to start, but the oil gauge on the dash is not moving. I've ordered what I think is the right part from Mac, but I can't seem to figure out what type of oil to buy. Any helps, tips, know-how's? Thanks.

 

Use strait 30 weight or 40 weight, no 10w-30 or 10w-40 was that motor ever rebuilt? Also get some other guys to weigh in on this as well.

 

I really like 15W-40 diesel oil. Better hot oil pressure and it is made to deal with contamination.

 

That is true, it maybe a better choice

 

Nothing at all wrong with plain old 10w30, unless you have really low oil pressure (don't judge by the dash gauge, they are not real accurate).

 

I use Castrol GTX 10/40
Ed

 

Welcome to FTE!

Please give more information about the truck. How long did it sit without running?

Can you show us some pictures to feed our addiction? We love pictures.

The problem may be the oil pressure sending unit on the engine, or the gauge itself.

You should get the Shop Manual for troubleshooting these problems.

Here are the pages from the Shop Manual.

 

I would start with an inexpensive mechanical gauge.

 

There are two posts on the back of the gauge. You can test the gauge itself by running a wire from one post, to a C or D battery, and then another wire from the battery to the second post. The needle should move to the center of the gauge. Two C or D cell batteries should move the needle all the way to the end.

Make sure you check the wire running from the gauge to the oil pressure sender. I had an issue just a couple weeks ago with no pressure reading. I found the first couple of inches from the sender was bare and badly frayed.

Are you running 6 volts, or has the truck been converted to 12?

 

7RC-9273 .. Oil Gauge / Obsolete

1948/50 F1/F8 & F5/F6 COE

NOS PARTS SOURCE in Olathe KS has 1 = 913-220-5746.

WESLEY OBSOLETE PARTS in Liberty KY has 1 = 606-787-5293.

MCDONALD OBSOLETE PARTS CO. in Rockport IN has 1 = 812-359-4965.

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 25 = 800-476-9653.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41A-9278 .. Oil Pressure Sending Unit / Obsolete

1948/52 all trucks / 1953 F100 / 1953/55 F250/600.

NOS ONLY in San Jose CA has 2 = 800-667-6659,

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 2 = 800-543-4959.

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS has 1,026.

 

All the responses have been a great help!
- I'm not sure if the motor has been rebuilt or not.
- It probably sat 2 1/2 yrs. without running
- I replaced the fuel tank because it was rusted out, cleaned the fuel lines because they were full of gunk.
- The carburetor was in good shape
- It's a 6 volt, but I plan to convert to a 12 in the future.

I'm still not sure on which oil to use! I'll post some pictures soon - again, thank you!

 

Someone can correct me if Im wrong, but I believe the owners manual states that you should use a straight 30 weight oil. So you could always go with that.

Personally Im running 15w40 rotella. I read posts from others who have been using it, and that what I decided to go with.

 

Straight weight oil is all there was back then. Do your starter a favor and use multi-vis.

 

 

Wow that truck looks great! Congrats and enjoy. It!