Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Please help!

Old Feb 26, 2012 | 03:07 PM
  #1  
loren.bymer's Avatar
loren.bymer
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Please help!

Hey fellas,

I have been turning wrenches on my '56 ford for a while now and the thought it would be wise to try to adjust the door so that it would seal. Not so smart. After many headaches i finally got it to a place that it would easily shut. This was Saturday....Sunday, it seemed to have shifted. Are they any tricks I should know about?

Also, my water is not pumping through my heater. The heater core isn't blocked. Could it be the thermostat or the waterpump? Thanks in advance for the help!

Loren
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2012 | 03:27 PM
  #2  
AXracer's Avatar
AXracer
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Did you move the hinges or just the latches?
The 56 has a butterfly valve in the heater hose near the firewall that acts as the temp control are you sure it's open? Is there water circulating thru the heater? Core may be plugged or there may be air in the heater circuit. What engine do you have in it? is the radiator full? Check to see if the thermostat is actually in place and operating properly, is the engine/radiator warming up?
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2012 | 03:54 PM
  #3  
raytasch's Avatar
raytasch
Believe Nothing
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
Likes: 398
From: W. Central FL.
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by loren.bymer
Hey fellas,

try to adjust the door so that it would seal. Not so smart. After many headaches i finally got it to a place that it would easily shut. This was Saturday....Sunday, it seemed to have shifted. Are they any tricks I should know about?

Loren
How about the cab supports? Door posts? Tight, broken loose?
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2012 | 04:08 PM
  #4  
loren.bymer's Avatar
loren.bymer
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
fighting the '56

The cab supports are good. very solid truck.

I adjusted at the pillar, the door, and the latch. As of yesterday, everything was closing very nicely. today when I dropped my truck off (I'm currently living a state away from it so I'm storing it at a friend's house) the door seemed to sag or slip a little and didn't shut as nicely as the Saturday.

There maybe some air lock in the heater core. it's not plugged....the valves are open....everything gets hot. Is there any tricks to the trade on eliminating the air lock? Probably patience, huh?

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2012 | 06:43 PM
  #5  
AXracer's Avatar
AXracer
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
It's been a while since I adjusted mine, IIRC it goes like this: Loosen the latch so it is not engaging. Adjust the hinges so the door hangs evenly in the opening and tighten. Adjust the door star wheel where it engages the latch fully without it raising or pushing the door down when it latches.
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2012 | 06:58 PM
  #6  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Originally Posted by loren.bymer
...

There maybe some air lock in the heater core. it's not plugged....the valves are open....everything gets hot. Is there any tricks to the trade on eliminating the air lock? Probably patience, huh?

Thanks!
Is this something new with the heater? I hate to say it, but back in the '60's Fords had a reputation for easily fouled/plugged heater cores, I had to replace more than I care to remember (always in a bad place under the dash, too).
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2012 | 08:24 PM
  #7  
AXracer's Avatar
AXracer
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
try pulling the return hose off and see if water is circulating. If not pull both hoses and flush with a garden hose. if it still won't flow, replace the hoses with new ones, and/or pull the heater core and take it to a radiator shop have it boiled out and pressure checked.
The passages in the core are small and the farmers etc would put plain water in the radiator instead of antifreeze. The water passages would rust, the particles would circulate into settle and plug up the heater core.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
robenz78
1997 - 2003 F150
6
Jan 11, 2018 11:08 AM
RCrawler
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Feb 6, 2010 01:28 AM
handyman43358
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
7
Dec 18, 2005 03:03 PM
cigarxtc
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jan 19, 2005 11:27 AM
Huggy Bear
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
7
Feb 6, 2002 10:41 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:12 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE