Thanks Ed, I'll have to find or make one. Doesn't look right back there just open.

 

Converted a SBC Accel Dual Point for my Flatty.

 

May not be most desirable model but, I got a couple super cheap. Vacuum advance "should" help fuel economy. Recurved it to work with my engine.

 

Fires right up, idles smooth runs great and no ping.

 

Also working on getting a bed installed. Even though it's plywood, it looks too nice for the truck right now.




It's 7 ply 3/4". I couldn't find any thicker.


I almost made the mistake of just soaking it with Linseed oil as recommended by a home center "expert". I saw a bed wood test of many finishes on Mar-K website. Linseed oil was the worst.

I love the look of a nicely finished bed but, I am going to use this as a truck and the Arizona sun destroys just about any finish.

The Mar-K test showed an oil based paint holds up the best so that's what I'm going to do. I bought some Valspar Tractor and Implement paint for my frame so that's what I'll use for now.

I still have to cut the wood for the bed strips and drill the holes. I ordered plain stainless bed strips. The polished ones must be amazing.

I'll post up the finished bed once it's done.

 

Since I am looking for a '48-'52, your project caught my eye and it looks great! It gave me some insight into what I might expect. Keep up the good work.

Later!
Mr. Ed

 

Thanks Mr. Ed. Only an old Ford truck lover could say that. My neighbors think it's an eye sore.

It'll be purdy to them some day too.

Scott

 

Scott, not sure if you guys ever get any rain down there, but if you cut the plywood for the strips I think you will have lots of layers peeling off in between them.

I used red oak for my by but laid the strips right on top of the wood without notching. This way when I put plywood on top of the strips the wood will not get damaged.

If there is no moisture to speak of down there than sealing the edges of the plywood is probably not a great concern.

 

Jules, thanks for the input. We don't get much rain but, when we do it floods. The Mar-K tests had wood out in Texas sun, rain, heat and snow. I know it wasn't plywood but it was oil based paint that has been holding up for years.

I think you're right about de-laminating if I didn't paint it. I'll take your advice and not notch for the strips. I'll put them on top as suggested to hold it together. Good idea.

I'm "hoping" as long as I paint all sides and ends I'll be ok for a couple years at least. Until I do paint and body. If not, I'm only out $36.

I'll be getting loads of landscape rock and crushed granite for artificial turf base next week. I wouldn't be doing so if I had the nice stuff installed.

I was going to use my old bed strips but, I was short one.

 

I just did a stain and SPAR varnish over that, we don't get the sun here in seattle but plenty of rain. My truck just sits outside. I plan to get a piece of 5x8 3/4 plywood and cut it to shape to fit in the bed for hauling stuff.

<a href="http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/SandersBallistics/media/20151128_140707_1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a440/SandersBallistics/20151128_140707_1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20151128_140707_1.jpg"/></a>

 

Jules, Did you make the flange around the edges? Mine is under the wood.

Also, my planks really need to be at least 1" to sit almost flush with the end of the bed.

 

Scott that bed looks how mine used to, PO listed it as "serviceable"

The edge are supposed to be on top of the wood I think. Although yours is a 52 and mine is 55 so maybe they changed that? My boards were the standard ones you get from lowes and about 0.75" thick

 

Why 3/4" plywood? If itnisnjust to protect the bed wouldn't 3/8 or 1/4" do just as well and be lighter for you to move. I tried plywoodnto protect my bed years ago and I found it rubbed paint off thennbed strips and also scratched the bedsides ifni wasn't careful putting it in. Since I repainted my truck and got a new bed I bought a 4 x 6 1/2 roll of 1/4" rubber matting from Tractor Supply. Actually it is cut in two pieces in case I onlynhaul a small load.

 

It is to protect the bed when I put a 500lb engine block or 300lb transmission and Tcase in the bed. So I should have said load handling protection, not just for sun block.

 

Jules, the flange in my bed lines up with the end of the bed .........so the wood HAS to go on top. Just thought you may have bought or made a trim piece.

Abe, I just need to be able to use the truck as a beater right now as I do mechanical repairs. I don't want to spend a bunch on beautiful bed wood at this point.

ANY wood I looked at locally was pretty expensive. Almost as much as buying the good stuff from a bed wood place.

You guys can all say I told you so if it doesn't make it at least until next year. I'm not afraid to admit when I screw up. This is temporary to get me by while I fix the important stuff.