I'm restoring a 1948 F1, with a flathead v8. It's been a lot of fun so far. I've had the frame epoxy dipped, personally rebuilt all of the front end, brakes, and such... It's now sitting on four wheels and tires, with fresh brakes and rebuilt steering/suspension, minus a body and motor. The motor is hanging from my cherry picker, and the cab and fenders and bed are behind the shop.

Now I'm ready to paint the motor, and I realized I don't have any idea what the color codes are for it, or the trans.

I know that the V8 was supposedly dark blue, originally; but that is a pretty vague description. Also, what color was the trans?

Any advice on paint codes, or where to get paint codes would be very appreciated! I'll try to post pictures of what I've done so far sometime soon. =D

 

Welcome to FTE!

Not sure if this is readable or not:


Uploading pics isn't working for me right now, so this has to do.

 

Wow! Thanks! I am having issues reading certain parts of it, but I think it's saying that red is the correct color. I'll have to see if I can find a better copy so that I can read what that Dupli-Color code mentioned is.

I appreciate the welcome. I've read a whole lot on this forum, just never posted before. =)

 

Came through the back door, lol.

 

Win. Thanks again. Will post pix soon. =D

 

NO NO NO, RED was the color for the Commercial engine in the Big Jobs, F7 and F8,

The engine color for the 1948 F1 was Dark Blue, here is a chart of the colors,
New Page 1 unfortunately this list does not include the paint codes.

 

OK, what you are looking for is Dupli-Color DE1606
Or check here http://www.hirschauto.com/prodinfo.a...ion=FOR%20BLUE

 

Ok, duly noted. I'll look into that.

 

There's been debates about that chart before, so I won't argue it. However, commercial stood for pickup, as mentioned on this site before. Towards the bottom of this link, you'll see Van Pelt calls the engine for '48-51 as deep red. Flathead Specifications: 1949-53 V8

 

Interesting that this website defers to the Early Ford V8 Club - which is where Havi's letter comes from.

I've had that color chart printed for 11 years and it hasn't been updated in all that time. Makes me wonder how accurate it is.

 

If you'll notice, that letter is from the Heavy Commercial Advisor.

 

I had this talk with a restorer in Duluth, MN a short few years ago, and I mentioned my 1948 F1 rebuilt engine was light blue. He said that was wrong, it should be red. (his was red) and that 1948 was the last year for the crab style distributor ( I later found out my engine was indeed wrong.... it was dated 1951). So I humbly walked away learning something. As I did further research, I found the chart listed, and through others here, the flathead site, and the HAMB, I've found most everyone disagrees one way or another. I then found the letter I posted. On one thread on the HAMB, 1950effie posted that the pickups were commercial, and the bigger trucks were, well trucks. The big jobs AFAIK, have the 8EQ which is grey. My uncle has one. The F6 I got from 1949 is red, the 1950 F2 engine I got was red, and the 1950 F6 dump truck I have is red. Now, the original engine from my '48 was gone, so I can't compare hands on. Most everything, including the fella from Duluth, have all agreed the '48 Ford pickup engine was actually the '49-53 8BA, and not the earlier car style (up through '49) and many pics on here show red. The only source touting blue for a truck or pickup is that chart. Sources also say the cast in bellhousing was the earlier style engine, and the removeable bell, such as all of my '49 and newer engines were the newer style. So with that, I would ask the OP, if he has a removeable bell or a cast in bell.

I guess it can't be said with 100% certainty that the 1948 F1 engine was red or not. I wish I knew for sure, because my '48 relies on it.

Lastly, the link to Van Pelts I posted shows '48-51 as red for trucks. He has a separate page for the Lincoln V8 which is what came in the F7/8's... so I think he was referring to F1 through F6's.

So that's my view on it. If anyone can correct it, and provide some good evidence, I think we'd all be happy for getting it right. At least to get the history correct, as each year we grow older, is another year we forget the accuracy of history.

 

I don't believe any F1-F6's in '48 had the earlier 59A flathead. Everything I've read indicates the F-Series debuted with the new engine on Jan 16, 1948.

I've heard of 48 pickups/trucks prior to Jan 16, 1948 that used older sheetmetal and came with 59A flatheads. It would make sense that a few were made that way, but I wouldn't know how to verify them as 48's since for all practical purposes they would be identical to '47's.

So I doubt the OP's engine is a 59A IF he has an F1.

 

Well, I don't know for sure either. I mean I do know from my time (many years ago) selling cars, that when you referred to Commercial, you were talking about Big trucks. In Ford's marketing, the 'Truck' line refers to pickups and vans, while the 'Commercial. line refers to the larger trucks (f 450 and up) so that's why I assume that Commercial in that chart refers to 'Big Jobs'. I know on the HAMB there are different interpretations, but I wouldn't go with the guy who thinks Commercial refers to panel trucks and sedan delivery (Courier).
I am actually getting ready to detail and paint my engine and I'm going with the Bronze that Bill Hirsch and Mac's both say is the right color for 49-51 Ford trucks.

 

To my understanding bronze was on cars, not trucks, and truck engines were red through 1951. Then Lincoln Green in 1952. James K. Wagner is the EFV8 Club tech adviser for all trucks, not just the heavy ones. The other pro I have absolute faith in is Chuck Mantiglia (Chuck4850) who has Dearborn Awards on both his Ranger and MH pickup. They have red engines. Stu