There use to be Truckfest but I'm not sure what happened to it. I went the first year in Normal, IL but that was the only one I went to. It was pretty fun because we actually had it on a farm and we worked on some trucks

 

I was pondering it at one time. I have a nice park a block away from my house. My family also has a farm in Northwest Missouri. That would be a nice place for something. There are hotels about 15 miles from the farm and a nice car show once a year in July...hmmm...The farmhouse has 5 bedrooms, one with three bunk beds.. hmmm....

 

I'd love to help Joe, but with my Mom getting older & Jan's cancer I'm pretty much tied up. I probably couldn't even commit to attend right now.

 

Bob Jones is thinking of hosting a Truckfest type event at his new house/farm sometime next summer. He hosted a similar gathering at his old house several years ago. Bob lives in the greater Milwaukee area. Bob hasn't set any dates yet, but I'm going to try to make his event. I would probably be up for something in Missouri as well.

 

We have a lot going on at the moment, but it would be cool to have one in Missouri. So I will keep thinking about it.

 

I got my carb back on and it's running pretty good now.
My parents were visiting the other day briefly and I started the truck up. I had been having to crank the engine a bit to get gas in the carb. Friday, it started right up. It surprised me a bit. So, I've got a good power valve now.

I got a vacuum gauge and i'm running around 18 inches. It bounces a little while running. I will need to learn more on that.
I did read about adjusting the idle mixture screws to maximum vacuum. Well I was playing with that and one screw I was able to screw all the way in and it didn't impact how the engine ran. If I screwed the other one in (with the first at 1/5 turns) it would start to die like I expected. What's up with the one that doesn't change?

 

No suggestions on the idle mixture screw?

I decided to check the valve lash, some lifters sound louder than I thought they should. Since my feeler gauge walked off, I got a new one today. Most of the valves were a bit loose, especially on the exhaust. I got all of them adjusted and hopefully tomorrow I will get a chance to run the engine for a bit to see how it sounds.
I figure I also need to double check the timing. I might try the vacuum method just to see how that works.

 

Did you find out about your seat?

 

Not yet. I will give him a call this week. I knew last week I couldn't do anything with it because of my schedule, but now if it's ready I can get things done. Hopefully it will be done soon.

 

Picked up my seat at lunch today. He couldn't find the reddish brown for the side so he used black. I'm a little disappointed, but I'm so happy to have the seat.
I will try to install it tonight before my school board meeting. It looks like I'm taking the truck out this weekend. I just might have to sleep in it tonight.

More pictures to follow, but here is a brief glimpse.

 

Looks like you're ready now

 

I got the seat home and was able to put it in.
Of course the first thing I do when attempting to attach the seat to the floor is to drop the bolt down into the cab corner.
Good thing I had a long magnet.



I got it all in. I had to poke a hole in the vinyl to attach the back but everything else went smooth.
Of course I got in and it is a much better height and more comfortable than that wooden bench. Then I had to start the truck for a few seconds. It started right up and seemed to run quieter after adjusting the valve lash the other evening.

I will follow up with more pictures soon. I have to run to my school board meeting. Good day so far. Can't wait for Saturday.....hopefully I will get to get the truck out. Friday is my youngest's 12th birthday.

 

OK, back from the meeting.
Here is the replaced springs. Not stock style, but it should work fine and feels good.


Before:


After:




My daughter saw it first. She hopped on it and put a foot on the dash and approved.
My son (17) got in and pushed the clutch in and started finding all the gears. Then he stated that he could drive this.....We will see.

My wife said I now need to get the body work fixed and get it painted. Sure thing honey, when we find an extra $5000 lying around. But for now, I drive it and hope my son gets the bed finished soon.

 

Looks good, Joe! Have you gotten estimates for the body work? If the wife wants it done then it must be done! You might be able to find someone to do it cheaper. I had my truck painted with rear fenders patched and a new front fender put on for $2000 this winter. Yours shouldn't be too much since all you need painted is the cab, doors, fenders, hood, and grille, no bed. Unless you want the interior blasted and painted.

 

Hey Joe,
I really like your seat! It looks great - I like the black vinyl.
I'm partial to the bench seat look. We went that route as well -
just seems to fit the cabs on these old trucks.

Looking good over there in Missouri!

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

(My youngest daughter was just accepted into the University of Nebraska -
I thought of you. Not sure where she will end up going ...it's nice to be
wanted).