Ok,
Guys sloooooooooowly but surely taking the front of the truck apart, what's the logical sequence to getting all the bolts removed? There are several that are hidning in very hard to reach spots.
So far have removed headlight assembly, parking light, have started with the lower bolts that hold the grill to the body, this is where about 4 or more bolts are very hard to reach, should I be removing other components first?
as always any advice is appreciated.
Brian

 

Brian,

I experienced the same thing when taking off the grill on my '59. There are a couple-few bolts hidden up around the top curve of the headlights that hold the quarter panels on, huh? If you have a friend or an extra set of hands, it's easier... but here's what I did:

Jack up the front of the truck by putting the jack in the middle of the straight axle. Once the tires clear, use a jack stand on both ends to support the truck safely. Remove tension from hydraulic jack and let the jack stands do all the holding up. Remove tires.

Then, I used a ratchet with two long extensions to go in from the wheel well to the back side of the hard-to-reach nuts (7/16ths?). Use another ratchet to reach the bolt head from the front (or grill) side of the truck. Remove screws! (NOTE: if they are REALLY tight on there, consider using some kind of lubricant to loosen the 42 years of rust first; trust me, you DON'T want to strip a head off one of those hard-to-reach babies!). Dowt!!!!!!!

I used zip-lock baggies for each different size bolts removed in the front end and separated them by location. I wrote on a piece of paper where each of those kinds of bolts in that particular baggy go to. I replaced rusty, nasty bolts with new ones with locking washers and/or threaded nuts so I wouldn't get the notorious "Ford rattle" sometime down the road.

Hope this answers the question on those hard-to-reach bolts. If not, try me again, only explain exactly which bolts you're gunning for.

Good luck; be PATIENT in unscrewing them; and most of all... BE SAFE UNDERNEATH THAT TRUCK!!!

 

Daryl,
I have sprayed the nuts and boltz several times over the course of a week or so, seemed to help some.
I have already stolen my wifes platic baggies, and got a sharpy marker, so far have a dozen or so bags labeled and boxed ready to be misplaced.
I have found all the bolts, like you said though not very accesible, and when you couple that with the rust factor, kuckle busters for sure, anyone know how long a tetnus shot is good for?
some friends have suggested heating them up if possible, I actaully ordered the booklet on assembly the body off e-bay last night so I can see what the factory has to say about it, surely there is a logical way to dissassemble? yeah right,,,,,
thanks
Brian

 

Brian,
These things use clip-nuts on the grill side. There is a real art to disassembling these things without destroying the grill if they are rusty. Get access to the backside of the clip-nuts. Sometimes you have to support them with a tiny vicegrip on the backside to keep them from breaking or tearing out the grill. Pulling the headlight buckets helps get to some of these. Typically you will get them to break loose, but as you unscrew them it will start to get harder to turn. DON'T FORCE IT OR THEY'LL TWIST OFF! Reverse direction (tighten) a turn or so . Apply more Penetrating Oil, loosen again. Repeat this back and forth motion carefully monitoring that it is really turning from the backside (NOT TWISTING OFF). With any luck at all you'll be able to salvage most of these. I've seen everything from all twisting off (Minnesota salty dog) to breaking them loose and backing them out with my fingers (my California truck here in Texas).
Good Luck!
Brett
PS. If you have to, sacrifice the clip-nuts to save the grill. Clip-nuts can be had from a supply house.

 

The easiest way I found was to take the whole front clip off first (but I was disassembling the truck anyway). A lot of them were seized, and would just spin. I cut through a few of them (the ones right up in the corners) using a thin hacksaw blade between the fender and grille.

 

I too have had the same problem with my 60 ford that i was restoring. it all takes a little time and patience, not to mention being very flexible or a friend around. unfortunately i lost some of the bolts on mine as well.

I actually worked from the inside of the engine compartment on mine. and had the inner fender wells already out.

not really a easy way to do this. just remember the people that made our favorite trucks usually weren't the kind that work on them. good luck