I will be going to look at a 1948 Ford dually that the owner says is a one-ton - the VIN is not accessible. Did Ford make one-ton duallies in 1948? If not, what would you expect the truck to be - F7, F8? From the photos, it looks like the truck has an air compressor (air brakes?) and a two-speed rear end. I can't see the engine from the photos, but the air cleaner is off-center to the passenger side. Would any of you care to speculate on what model this might be, and which engine it would probably have. OBTW, the owner says it has an automatic transmission. Did Ford make any big trucks with automatic transmissions in 1948? Thanks for the help.

 

The one ton dually option was only available on the 51-52 trucks but they had to be special ordered and I think they were a Canadian only thing.

Maybe if we just list the things you know and see if we can come up with a truck that fits:

Dually - F-4,5,6,7,8
Air Compressor - F-7,8
Two-Speed rear axle - F-5,6,8
Air Cleaner on Passenger side would mean a I-6 - F-1,2,34,5,6

I would guess it would be an F-6 truck.

 

Thanks for the guess. This truck looks like something of an odd-ball. It only has one upper radiator hose, which implies that it has a six-cylinder engine, and is probably an F6. But, it has an air compressor, which, if I understand you, should only be on an F7 or F8. One of the photos shows a blurry image that could be an F3, F6 or F8 - it looks most like F8. Did any F8 have the six-cylinder engine? And what about the automatic transmission? No original? Thanks, again. for your interest.

 

The Automatic is the confusing part as there wasn't one available for the 48-52 trucks. They never put an automatic behind the 226/254. The Lincolns had an automatic that would fit the 337 flatheads but that would mean a F-7/8. This wouldn't explain the air cleaner and radiator hose. It could have a later inline 6 engine. Wouldn't be a 215 or 223 since the air cleaner is on the drivers side so that would only leave the 240/300 engine and they have several automatics that would work. There are the 170/200/250 engines but they aren't strong enough to last long in a truck.

 

The f-4 was considered a 1 ton. Ford did not offer an auto in the bigger trucks at all and I don't think they offered an auto in there light trucks until 55 or so. Whatever the engine it is not original. I f the truck has eight hole bud rims it is an F7 or F8, assuming it is on the original frame. The two speed axle was optionaal on F5-F8 trucks.

 

1950/51 Lincoln 337ci flathead V8's used a 4 speed single range Hydramatic transmission.

First automatic transmission in a Ford F100/350: 1953 (Ford-O-Matic). Cruise-O-Matic was available for the first time in 1959. It was only available on F100/350's.


First automatic transmission in a large truck (F500 and up): 1957. This automatic was made by Allison and was never used in F100/350's or passenger cars.


The intake/exhaust manifolds on 240/300 I-6's are on the passenger side of the engine. These two engines were introduced in 1965.

1952/64 Ford passenger cars with either the 215 or 223 6 cylinder engine had a low mount air cleaner to clear the hood. The air cleaner portion is on the right side, and is connected to the carb wih a scoop like extension. The intake/exhaust manifolds are on the drivers side on 215 and 223's.