Hello!!!
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New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Hello!!!
I'm new to the site and just wanted to say hi to everyone here. Unfortunately, I really don't know much about fixing up or working on trucks but I did just purchase a 1951 F1. It's going to need quite a bit of work on it (which I have no clue how to do 
) but hopefully I'll see some helpful tips through this website. So, I hope everyone don't mind if I pop in here and there with some random questions.
Take care,
F1Jayhawk
) but hopefully I'll see some helpful tips through this website. So, I hope everyone don't mind if I pop in here and there with some random questions.Take care,
F1Jayhawk
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 36
From: Las Vegas NV
Hello welcome.My name is Seth and i live in California,I also have a 1951 ford f1,unfortunately I have a motor from a different truck.
What you got there is the flathead v8,I dont know the numbers but the people who really know these trucks will be here soon.
Your motor looks to be in working condition but your sheet metal is rough.
Do not worry there is more sheet metal around either some patches or some panels available.
have fun with your truck,ask away and post lots of pictures.
What you got there is the flathead v8,I dont know the numbers but the people who really know these trucks will be here soon.
Your motor looks to be in working condition but your sheet metal is rough.
Do not worry there is more sheet metal around either some patches or some panels available.
have fun with your truck,ask away and post lots of pictures.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 20
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From: Kansas City
Good to meet you Seth! I live in Kansas City. Thanks for the info too. The background on this truck is that it's been in a storage unit for a long time. My wife is from Illinois and we recently found out that her uncle hadn't paid on the unit for over 2 years and it was about to go to auction. The truck was my wife's grandfathers. She was pretty upset to hear about this because there was a bunch of family stuff in the unit and she has nothing from her grandparents. So, she went out of town this week for work and I'm surprising her with the unit. I had her uncle turn it over to me and I paid it off. Now is the fun stuff. Let's get her grandpa's truck restored. I will post the other pics I've got of it right now and hopefully people can lead me in the right direction to get this bad boy started in the restoring stage. Thanks again.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,960
Likes: 260
From: East KY
Welcome. That is a flathead V8 which was the standard engine along with the flathead 6 in these trucks. Considering that thing has a gas can propped up on the frame rail with a hose running to the carburetor, I'd imagine it was parked in running order. Looks like somebody started the restoration and stopped. What is stamped on the head (bw the 2nd and 3rd spark plug on the picture)? Is it "8BA", "EAB", "8RT", etc.?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 36
From: Las Vegas NV
Wow a lot of people have started with less.
nice truck and it is awesome what you are doing,saving old iron.
nice truck and it is awesome what you are doing,saving old iron.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Kansas City
Mountaindoc thanks for the info. I've got to apologize, I'm not sure what is stamped on it. I've yet to see it in person. The pics were sent to me from the guy who owns the storage company. Yes, you're right about the restoring starting and stopping. My wife's grandfathers brother (thats a lot) had started working on it probably 15-17 years ago but was in his late 70's early 80's and ended up passing away. That's as far as he got.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,765
Likes: 547
From: Kalispell, MT
From the pics it appears to be in decent shape - except the running boards. These trucks all tend to rust out at the same spots.
To help you get started: Purchase a 1949-51 Shop Manual w/ 1952 Supplement. Ebay is your friend - you can find them for about $35 from several vendors. It will answer most of your questions and has pretty good diagrams for some of the specific issues you'll face. It also has a spec section that is invaluable.
I think what you're doing is really cool. Congrats on the acquisition. Ask as you go along and prepare to be overwhelmed by unrelated advice from these guys! (grin)
To help you get started: Purchase a 1949-51 Shop Manual w/ 1952 Supplement. Ebay is your friend - you can find them for about $35 from several vendors. It will answer most of your questions and has pretty good diagrams for some of the specific issues you'll face. It also has a spec section that is invaluable.
I think what you're doing is really cool. Congrats on the acquisition. Ask as you go along and prepare to be overwhelmed by unrelated advice from these guys! (grin)
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,663
Likes: 1,249
From: Jefferson City, MO
Welcome to FTE! I'm a couple of hours West of you in California, MO.
Here is a great article by one of our group, John Niolon
TRIALS OF A FIRST TIME BUILDER
I would also suggest this manual 1948-56 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog CD - HiPo Parts Garage
It is a pdf file and has great pictures to help in your tear down and rebuild.
I'm kind of in the same boat you are in. I'm not a mechanic of any sort, but with the help of the guys on this site and some good manuals you can get most things accomplished.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Here is a great article by one of our group, John Niolon
TRIALS OF A FIRST TIME BUILDER
I would also suggest this manual 1948-56 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog CD - HiPo Parts Garage
It is a pdf file and has great pictures to help in your tear down and rebuild.
I'm kind of in the same boat you are in. I'm not a mechanic of any sort, but with the help of the guys on this site and some good manuals you can get most things accomplished.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 76
From: Utah
Awesome story, you get a cool old truck, your wife gets famiy things! Its a win win! The fact that it was her granddads truck is really cool and you hopefully don't find any resistance by keeping it. Ditto on the "its in better shape than my 51 was in, and still is in lol. Someday ill have it back together.
Good luck
Josh
Good luck
Josh
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New User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Kansas City
I found out that stamped on it is "8BA". Also on it says F and then NK3-0.