Hi there, I have a 1961 Econo p/u that is getting near to completion, but I need a bit of advice.

1. Steering wheel - Mine is badly cracked and is in need of replacement, but in Mac's auto's and C&G parts, they don't list an econoline wheel, is the F-100 wheel the same? I would like an aftermarket wheel, classic 3 spoke style in wood, is there a boss kit that works for the econoline, or do i have to make steering column mods?

2 Turn signal switch/ lever - this is damaged and in need of replacement but again it is not listed in mac's or C&G for the 1961 model but does have the switch for 63 onwards, is this compatible? and again with the lever, are f100/bronco parts the same for the yr?

3. Accelerator pedal.- same again, no listings for it so do I use other models part?

4. Wing mirror. - I need a set of the small round mirrors with the 3 screw fixing to the body but again am struggling, I have one in poor condition and saw a stem on ebay but it was going for $50 + just for a single stem, is there an aftermarket solution using the same 3 point fixing as the painting has already been done so need the same type fixing or one that will cover the holes.

5.
Wheels/tyres/susp - What is the biggest/widest/ lowest wheel and suspension setup I can have without major alterations? I don't know how you go about lowering leaf spring setups, I am looking at stockton wheels for the wheels, anywhere else worth a look?

Thanks in advance for any help, please bear in mind that I am in England so I can't just go to the scrapyard for parts, I only know of 2 other Econoline/Falcons in the country!

Cheers

Frank

 

internet parts search ongoing...brb watch this post.

C1UZ-3600-A229 .. Black Steering Wheel

C1UZ-3600-B .. White Steering Wheel

C2UZ-3600-A .. White Steering Wheel

Fits 1961/66 Econoline
-------------------------------------
C1UU13341A .. T/S Switch / G S C has 4.

C2UZ13305AP .. T/S Handle / G S C has 10.

Fits 1961/66 Econoline
----------------------
C1TZ-9735-B .. Accelerator Pedal

Fits: 1961/64 Econoline
-----------------------
*Wing? What is a wing, a fender?

The following mirrors mounted on the door, there are no fenders on these Econolines.

C1UZ-17696-D .. Mirror Assy w/6" Round head- Painted

C2UZ-17696-C .. Mirror Assy w/6" Round Head-Chrome

The mirror heads were available separately but not the "stem."

C1UZ-17723-C .. Mirror head-6" Round-Painted

C2UZ-17723-C .. Mirror Head-6" Round-Chrome

GSC: greensalescompany.com sells Ford obsolete parts, and will ship Fed-Ex to the UK: 1-513-731-3304 or G2172@hotmail.com

 

FTE glitch, my post disappeared. It has all the parts numbers, what I found on the internet. When I went to edit to add further info...poof...it disappeared.

If it shows up, I found additional parts, and will add a new post on what and where.

If not, I'll have to type the entire GD *^$## post again.

This is the second time in two nights this *(*&(*&( has happened!

 

DC: Dennis Carpenter has an obsolete parts site in addition to his reproduction parts site. The three mirrors he has are three different part numbers, but the mirrors are all the same because Ford updated later the part numbers. He is prolly unaware of that.

He shows 1 of C1UB-17696-C & 1 of C1UZ-17696-C

Ford later replaced both to C1UZ-17696-D.

If interested, here's the contact info:

info@denniscarpenter.com

subject: C1UB-17696-B & C1UZ-17696-C & C1UZ-17696-D mirrors.

I was unable to find the other mirrors, steering wheels, or gas pedal.

 

Thanks alot Bill for the part number info, its a great help at least knowing the correct numbers. Sorry for the confusion with the mirrors, we call them wing mirrors over here even though they are mostly door mounted nowadays, must be an old saying. I hadn't heard of GSC so I will check them out.

Thanks again,

Frank

 

Your last post only just showed up for me, many thanks again for all your efforts Bill.

Cheers,

Frank.

 

Post #4 also had disappeared when I went to edit it.

According to FTE (IB), posts with email addresses are subject to approval.

hipoparts.com sells the "1957/63 Ford Truck Parts Catalog" on a CD / Also sold on ebay, the cost (for you) is about 13 pounds Sterling.

While I'm using the original bound paper catalogs (3 volumes total), this CD has all the volumes and the same part numbers the books do.

 

welcome Francobones.
The steering wheel from a truck is larger than the wheel in the Econoline. I was able to get a steering wheel repair kit and repaired mine. It is yet to be painted.
The turn signal switches are different also. They are bigger in some trucks and some years have smaller ones that may interchange.
The mirrors your looking for are like hes teeth to find. I have yet to find a set for my 64. with the proper stems. I got pictures of them. Came from another Econo buff who took the pics and explained the difference to me from the different years.
By the way. Lovely truck. Soem year I will get mine done. Probally when I retire and get tiome to finally work on it.

 

Thanks 66, though i'm cheating and paying someone to do it as I would never have the time myself! Looks like i should have bought that stem when I had the chance eh? I think i will go for some aftermarket classic mirrors as they are close to the ones I need and just hope the base covers the holes. Do you know if I can put an aftermarket steering wheel on at all? I,m not too bothered about having the correct style wheel as the p/u isn't totally original. I'm trying to get her on the road for what's left of the summer you see (English summers last about 3 weeks if your'e lucky!!) so don't mind a quick fix that I can change later if needs be.

Cheers

Frank

 

Yes an aftermarket wheel can be put on. Like you said a wood 3 spoke style can be ut on. It should be about 14" across so it does not effect steering abillty. Small tiny wheels cause excessive over steering and more chance to lose control.
Thet usually come with a horn button set up, but signal switches mount under the new wheel are usually still the factory.

 

I've had a quick look into the aftermarket steering wheel but am coming up blank, I read somewhere that Grant don't do the kit for the econoline, something about it not having a hollow shaft for the horn mechanism. If anyone has put an aftermarket wheel on without altering the steering column I would like to hear from them.
I was rooting around in the garage and found a second correct mirror shaft that I didn't know was there so they are off to get chromed, I just need the mirror heads now.

I am having to get new kingpin set as there is movement, when the mechanic was showing me this he also showed me some perished rubbers on an upright bar behind the drum brakes, he called it the anti roll bar link (he has no experience of Econolines, normally does Jags) but I can find nothing that it could be at mac's autos.It is the rubber bushings I am after, does anyone know what this part is called, I have my parts cd on order but will probably take 2 weeks from US.

If you are wondering why I'm only finding these problems now it's because I bought it as a part finished project which wasn't quite as finished as I thought!

My mechanic is also telling me the wiring harness/loom is shot, he is going to do the back end with a caravan loom as it will be easier and hidden away anyway so I basically need the in cab/dashboard section, I have seen some general classic ford looms, is this what to go for or does someone do one specifically for the econo?

I also have the VIN plate details for decoding if anyone wants to have a go

E10SH140106
WB 090 COLOR L MODEL E104 TRANS A AXLE 02
MGW 04350 HP 74 RPM 4000 DSO 6206

Thanks again for all your help and advice guys

Frank

 

There is a steering wheel company that makes the wood steering wheels. I remember the first part oif the name as Performance ?something. You need to find a palce that sells those wheels.
The rubber bushings are called Stabilizer bushings and bolts. They sell them in kits that provide new bolts and rubber bushings. Macs should have them as the Kingpins also.
You can also check out another place called Dennis Carpenter. They specialise on a lot of rubber componenets for Econolines and other Ford trucks. They make window seals and door rubbers and mats and lights and lens. also some brake rebuild kits.

The serial number.
E10 Econo truck
S 144 CID eng.
H Lorain Assembly plant
140106 Built in Feb. 1961

I hope this helps a bit more.

As for wiring loom I do not know of any place that really makes a set. For my truck I bought 3 looms from Econo Vans and started from scratch and redid them.

 

Right then, update time, She's not far off being completed, just a few issues left.

I am finding out that my mechanic is a top guy when it comes to classics,he has repaired and re-sprayed my steering wheel which is looking fantastic, he just recommends not to use it when climbing in and out so that will be good for now, he has fitted a window wash bottle and jets (legal requirement in UK) all chrome work in back on,floor mat in, he has re-wired it from scratch and has found and fitted tail lights that with integral amber turn lights (not essential for UK MOT because of the age of the vehicle but I wanted them on for safety whilst keeping the single lights as it keeps the tail looking clean) he has fitted turn signal switch from an old Land Rover that just clamps around the steering column and only cost about £20 and any bushes, bearings etc I haven't been able to find at Mac's or C&G he has found equivalents over here or machined new ones so the bodywork and chassis is just about done and looking great. He also gave the wheels a paint up and polish and they look lovely, so I can put the new wheels on hold for now.

Next thing was the engine, he fired it up and it wasn't looking good and was looking at engine strip and rebuild which wasn't good as I am getting close to my limit on funds and his labour charges ain't cheap! He investigated and found a bent push rod so that is getting ordered and the oil pressure sender is shot so a new one of those, the carb has been rebuilt badly so I am looking for a new one or alternative as they are only offering a rebuild service now at Mac's and my mechanic reckons rebuilds are only 50% succesfull anyway. He says that the enginge is actually in quite good condition giving 150 psi compression (which he said was good, I wouldn't have a clue!)

He drove it to the MOT station and back to get tested which it has passed!
(MOT is the yearly safety and compliance check in the UK, MOT standing for Ministry Of Transport) but there is a knocking when you release the clutch after changing gear, without an expensive strip- down of the clutch and gearbox, my man reckons it is the clutch pilot bushing that is gone not the gearbox as the vibration is different each time you release the clutch, sometimes hardly vibrating at all so I am going to hope it is that! The gearbox back mounting bushing had been repaired with some liquid rubber stuff, and was out of line and the metal rod was showing through so he found one off a Vauxhall Vectra that fitted (UK General Motors car) the speedo cable and nylon gear needs replacing and the only other issue is there is some play in the back end side to side, he reckons it isn't the bearings as the wheels are fine, more likely some shims/gaskets are missing (the guy I bought it off was definitley a bodywork specialist, not a mechanic, there weren't any engine mount bolts fitted!) but that's about it!! I am now in the process of getting UK registration plates, as she has passed the MOT, so she should be on the road in 2 weeks time (fingers crossed) giving me the time to get these last issues sorted.

If anyone has any ideas on the clutch vibration or the side to side movement on the back axle that would be great, and also where to get a 144 1bbl carb for a '61 and also speedo gear and cable as there is nothing listed on mac's for econo's. Also, I bought one of those locking gas caps, but it doesn't seem to fit right, it sits too far off the bodywork for my liking, does anyone know of issues with these?

Thanks again guy's

Frank

P.S. A word of advice to anyone restoring an econo, BUY THE PARTS BOOK/CD mentioned earlier in this thread, I just wish I had done so when I started on this (and so does my mechanic!) It is fantastic, it has exploded drawings of just about everything, and you can decode your vin plate with it.

Here are some latest pics:
link to my photo album: Picasa Web Albums - Frankie

">">">">

 

Good to hear. I see the truck has a endgate that someone has made for it. It looks really sharp. As for finding an original in good shape are like pulling Hens teeth. Meaning next to none are aorund to find. If a person finds a good endgate it is worth its weight in gold.
When you shift gears it shifts into gera fine? Or is it stickyand has to be worked a bit to go into gear? If it is the later. My truck had that problem. The shifting rod where it bolts to the front was wore and I had to build it up again and file down to fit snugg. Also it was wearing where it travels through to the tranny.
Also if the rods are not just right where they bolt onto the tranny. They can cause some binding. Where they bolt to the tranny is a sleeve when you loosen the nut, you can reposition the shifter rod to where it should not binda nd shift ibto the gears smoothly.
As for the axles going to side to side. That worries me. That could be the bearings on the axle are wore out or not seated properly. That can cause a serious damage if the axle comes out. I would surely have that addressed for safety.
Keep the good work up. You are much further ahead than I'am on mine.

 

The only reason I'm further ahead is that I'm paying someone to do it for me! Otherwise it would be rotting on my drive mate.

She is on the road now! well sort of! The tranny/clutch and rear wheel bearings all got sorted, full service, new oil pres sender. There was no clutch pilot bushing at all so it was a good job I didn't run her before, it would have been expensive I reckon. All the vibration has gone now,and she runs straight and true but she died on me yesterday, that carb on her is shot, it isn't the right one for a 61 and has to be run with the choke out at just the right point or she dies, well I took her back to the garage to get the clutch cable adjusted as it was only biting with the pedal nearly fully released and that was much better but on the way home she died and wouldn't restart, the tank looked about empty on the gauge so more fuel went in but she still wouldn't have it, she turns over, tries to fire and dies. there might be a fuel pump problem but that carb is definitley no good.

I have managed to find the correct carb (Holley 1bbl) so am waiting for it to come over from your side of the pond. my mechanic seemed to think a downdraft carb off any 144 six cylinder woud be fine as long as you could make an adapter plate to fit (2.4l land rover he was looking at I think) but I didn't know how well it would work so am going for the holley.

I think I have found the speedo gear and cable but that means dropping and stripping the trans again so I might wait for a bit with that, I'm using a speed camera detector (road angel) as a speedo for now.

It's the first time she has been run in at least 10 years so these things are to be expected, she is certainly a different driving experience!