I had to look to make sure my avatar hadn't been hacked! Opinions on my '52 vary, kind of like you mentioned about yours. Some laugh - others think it's cool! Sounds like you've got the vacuum advance issue covered. Does it idle much different with the advance on at idle speed? I've never tried that on a Flathead, but have experimented a bit with the vacuum advance source on OHV V8's. You used to be able to buy an adjustable battery hold-down from NAPA (Balkamp) that was nearly identical to the originals - been a long time ago, though. Keep up the great work! - Bob

 

Bob, The idle speed went up when I hooked it to vacuum but, I turned it back down with the idle screw.

I'll take the compliments but, quit pointing out my safety violations!

 

Put it to work today. A little over a ton of base for some artificial turf.




I was more worried about the tires. My innies are at the powder coater. New rubber when they're done.




So much for my plywood paint job.


Truck rode good with weight in it. Had to take off in 1st though. Vinyl seat and no A/C make for a wet back. (That's not a racial comment) I think A/C is in my future.

 

Looking good! It is nice to see a truck doing what it was built to do.

Are you thinking of building your own A/C brackets or buying one?

 

Fred, I've gone back and forth on the A/C decision. I want to stay "somewhat" original "looking" with the truck.

I've got to be honest and say I probably won't be driving it in this heat without A/C. Most likely a cloth seat as well. It wasn't too bad with the windows and hood vent open but, once you stop........MAN it's HOT!

I'm looking at a universal evaporator with 4 duct holes I can hopefully hide up under the dash. I want to keep the stock heater. Probably use a stock type heater control to mount the two A/C switches.

A Sanden A/C compressor with the wide belt pulley mounted near the distributor and run from the fan belt. Fab the bracket.

Stash the hoses behind the inner fender and run through kick panel area. Big enough condenser to keep pressures down in this heat.

Paint components black. Won't be invisible but, won't be in your face either.

Either turn the idle up a bit or just use the hand throttle. Don't really want to put a solenoid on the carb.

Can't tell I've been thinking HARD about this can ya?

Scott

 

I like your thoughts. I have the experience of an A/C install on the 215 in my 53 sedan. Sanden not painted, in your face, and the condenser blocks enough air through the radiator that the engine now runs warm even with the air off. All together it is not a good installation. Your ideas sound much more successful. I have ridden in a 41 Mercury sedan with one of the new small plastic under dash evaporators. That little evaporator cooled that big car down. The lack of insulation in the car made it warm up quickly, but their is no need for a big evaporator.

 

I was concerned about the size of the small evap but, it has the same air flow and BTU ratings as the ones in kits designed for the truck.

I will definitely insulate the cab which will help a lot.

I have a shroud and 6 blade fan which moves quite a bit of air, a fresh 4 row brass rad. good pumps and a squeeky clean system.

I don't like to put the condenser right against the rad. It still gets air standing off a bit and allows good flow through the radiator core. I'll get arguments there but, have done it successfully before. I can always augment with electric too.

I won't know for sure until I do it but, that's my thinking.

 

Got my 16" Innies powder coated and some new rubber today. Original 48 F2 hub caps are pretty beat.

 

Truck looks more "finished" with matching wheels, tires and hub caps. Notice the towel on the seat back and my A/C set at 100%.

 

Truck looks good, maybe add a trico vaccum fan? I have seen those although somewhat rare.

 

Wouldn't a vacuum fan suck instead of blow? A fan would help for sure.

 

I like "your AC on 100%."

Tires, and wheels look good. Hubcaps look good too. They fit in with the truck. They do reproduce them. But brand new ones on your truck may look out of place...

 

I'll get some shiny new hub caps when it gets body and paint.

Got my 5th ton of rock today and it is 112 outside. Realized my heater was putting out some BTU's on top of the outside temp. Need to replace my water shut off valve.

Truck's running good. Was worried about vapor lock but it fires right up even after hot shut downs. Not sure what the actual temps are. Dash gauge stays in the middle.

 

Is the humidity in your part of Arizona low enough that one of the evaporative coolers would work for you? I occasionally see one on a show car in south Texas, but our humidity makes them purely decorative.

Your truck looks a lot better with the bed and correct wheels. Nice.

 

Fred, those coolers actually work here. I've seen them on vintage cars around town. I'm pretty sure I'm going to run A/C.

I agree, it does look better with the correct wheels. My family liked the stake bed better but, I'm with you and prefer the pickup bed. It's still kind of a beater at this point but, it's slowly improving. It's an absolute blast to drive.

Another week or two of Honey-Do's (landscaping) and I'll be back at it.

Scott