I have quite a few questions right now that maybe you guys could help me out with.

1) I was wondering if anyone might know where I could find a FordOmatic transmission dip stick and tube? I have spent hours searching and come up with nothing. My tube is bent with a kink in it and the stick is broken.

2) I am also looking for 5 (four for sure) 15" steel rims with the 5.5 bolt pattern. But I need the set with the innie tabs for my hubcaps. I have a set of 5 16" rims with the 5.5 bolt pattern along with the innie tabs. The only thing is they are 16's but they are for a 48 F1 so they are a little narrower as well.

3) And also I was looking at my gauge cluster the other day and was wondering how I could repaint the face plate and put the lettering back on? There are a few small rusty spots but the rest is for the most part ok. I was going the get some hobby paint or spray paint and redo the needles. But I was more concerened about the lettering on the face plate. Are there decals?

4) Just yesterday I picked up my truck from storage and brought it home so I could put the engine and transmission in it and I noticed a few small holes on the back of my cab and was wondering if anyone might know what they are for. They look to be almost factory, look to be in about the same spot on both sides of the cab, but they are a wierd shaped hole. I looked at my original cab and that one didn't have these holes in it. So I was wondering what they might be for or should I have the body guys weld them shut? I'll try to get a few pics later.

It was a very disappointing day for me I thought I was going to see my motor in my truck for the first time in 4 years today but the project went bust after finding out the torque converter is not the correct torque converter. So I had to bolt the engine back to the stand and wrap it all up again and roll it back in the corner.

Let me know what you guys think and I will try to get a few pictures.

 

don't know much about the fridges .......... but try the classifieds here at the top for your parts and maybe someone can answer the other questions . as far as rims go i have a set of the rims here , but for the earlier ones like yours . i have at present a set of 15 x 6 late model rims on her with 57 ford fairlane dog dish hubcaps , and to all but the die hards it looks like it might be the oe set up . soon i will be going over to the 5 x 4 1/2 car pattern and running a full set of 52-56 ford car rims with the same hub caps ............... i don't get hung up too much on oe stuff like that as it can drive you bonkers trying to locate some of it at times !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the gauges i fyou got a steady hand go for it . i have to do the ones in my 53 yet { just the speedo as it has new oe look 12 volt gauges from the house of sy } and a little patience and a steady hand ....... which means mine will look horrible if i don't get aggravated and smash it first ............

 

If nothing else I will probably just powder coat the rims I have and make them work for the time being.

I am not to excited about painting the gauges by hand either.


Here are a few pictures of the holes in the cab. I did slap a tape measure up to them and the one on the passenger side is actually a little lower and after seeing that, it makes me think they shouldn't be there. I just want to be sure though because I bought this cab bare sheet metal. Nothing bolted to it so I don't know what they would have been used for if there was indeed something mounted to them.

 

See information above in blue.
Keli

 

They are a non-factory hole. Weld 'em-up and keep going forward.

When repainting gauge needles, it's best to use spray paint and apply very lightly. Too much paint can make them heavy and alter their readings.

 

Thank you for the links for parts.

Here's a few pics of the gauge cluster. I am looking at the black face plate with the fuel and temp. writing. It probably would take much to just touch it up but the trick would be to get it to not be noticable.











Once I did measure them it made me think that they weren't original. Plus I can't even think of anything that I will even need them for anyways I guess.

 

I know it is not always the cheapest way, but have you thought about finding either replacement analog or digital gauges to replace them? I am not near this step as of yet, but we are thinking of the digital. We saw a few venders at GoodGuys this year.

Let us know what you decide and keep the pictures coming. Pictures help some of us with motivation when the funds are low or the muscles are sore. ;-)

 

I guess I didn't really think about digital but I think that is because I like the old mechanical ones better, and thats how I kind of want to keep it.

But I do have this other set of gauges that I will probably practice with first and see what happens haha!



Here's the truck they come from, '57 F-350. Funny thing is I am using the hood and glove box door from this truck on my truck.







An elderly lady owned this truck and she let me scrounge for parts of this truck at my leisure so I have lots of doubles but that is a nice thing to have. I don't have a clue as to how long this truck was on its side. Notice frame was cut probably for a trailer.

 

Well here are pics of the gauge cluster. I don't have any lettering on it though. I am thinking I will either leave them off or get some decals to stick on there.

Before:


After:


Before:


After:


Before:


After:


All together:

 

Keep up the nice work, it is looking good.

 

you could find nos gauges and a good used panel on ebay (I've done it a few times, you just have to be patient). Also look on the HAMB you might find someone in your area that will trade you for the 16's........I would if you where closer.