Intro and noob question
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Intro and noob question
Hello FTE members. My name is Steve. I'm brand new to old trucks but I've been active in the Model A community for a while. I love the Model A (it's a '31 Slant Windshield Cabriolet) but it's pretty much a garage queen and put to bed for the season in October. I wanted something that I could use more of the year and my wife always wanted an old truck like this. As you can see, it's a '54 standard cab that is restored to original except for the 12V conversion.
Noob question: I changed the oil and filter yesterday. I put four quarts in and it read full. Ran it for a few minutes and it's still at the full mark. The manual said 5 quarts +1 for the filter. Is this unusual?
I've been lurking here for a few days and I know how much you guys like pics so I've included a couple below.
Noob question: I changed the oil and filter yesterday. I put four quarts in and it read full. Ran it for a few minutes and it's still at the full mark. The manual said 5 quarts +1 for the filter. Is this unusual?
I've been lurking here for a few days and I know how much you guys like pics so I've included a couple below.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,172
Likes: 4,772
From: Burbank, WA
Welcome, Brother! 
That's a good looking fleet you have. You didn't mention which engine you had in your truck, but either way, I would think 4 quarts wouldn't be nearly enough. Perhaps you didn't run it long enough for all the oil to get sucked out of the pan and through the system for it to read low, or you may have the wrong dipstick. Do you know where it read before you drained the old oil, and how much came out? I'll let the '54 experts help you with verifying the dipstick for correctness. They'll be along shortly.
That's a good looking fleet you have. You didn't mention which engine you had in your truck, but either way, I would think 4 quarts wouldn't be nearly enough. Perhaps you didn't run it long enough for all the oil to get sucked out of the pan and through the system for it to read low, or you may have the wrong dipstick. Do you know where it read before you drained the old oil, and how much came out? I'll let the '54 experts help you with verifying the dipstick for correctness. They'll be along shortly.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 171
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From: Long Beach/Crestline, Ca
Hi Steve and welcome to FTE..most engines of that period take 4 quarts and 1 for the filter . making a total of 5..might have an incorrect dipstick..replaced/wrong oil pan..or i could be way off base as it's early and i haven't had my morning wakeup yet..nice pics of the pair..if you haven't figured out my screen name yet i'll give you some help ..
FORD-1914-T-pickup..yes it's a turtleback roadster with a 3x3 wood bed..dead stock down to the manual crank only ..always draws a crowd when i start it ..only knuckle slapped once in all the yrs i've owned it
FORD-1914-T-pickup..yes it's a turtleback roadster with a 3x3 wood bed..dead stock down to the manual crank only ..always draws a crowd when i start it ..only knuckle slapped once in all the yrs i've owned it
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: Central, IL
Welcome! Always nice to see another Blue Oval Brother. You've passed a major test here by including pics in your first post! Both the A and the truck are very nice. Good to hear your wife is into it as well. I also like Model T's and drive a 14 Speedster and a 27 Touring as often as I can.
One suggestion is to update your profile to let us know what part of the country you're in. This is good if you might need some help or parts from FTE members in your area. We won't show up on your doorstep unless you ask us to!
One suggestion is to update your profile to let us know what part of the country you're in. This is good if you might need some help or parts from FTE members in your area. We won't show up on your doorstep unless you ask us to!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 851
Likes: 1
From: NE Washington
Welcome Steve, beautiful vehicles you have. If you are looking to adopt I'm available! 
I think I speak for many when I ask if you could post more pictures, I'd love to see the motor and interior of the truck. Also, post one of the dipstick next to a measuring stick and one of the oil pan.
I think I speak for many when I ask if you could post more pictures, I'd love to see the motor and interior of the truck. Also, post one of the dipstick next to a measuring stick and one of the oil pan.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31
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From: Connecticut
Thanks for all the compliments on the cars. I have to confess that I'm only a blue oval brother with the older gals (1965 and older). I tried to have a relationship with a new model and found I had irreconcilable differences with her and her family (i.e. Ford stealership).
I'll try to answer some of your questions:
I live in south central Connecticut in the summer and southwest Florida for the rest of the year.
I'm a Model T Speedster fan as well. I almost bought a 1917 rolling chassis to build one but I thought I'd rather have a Fat Fender Truck instead.
The engine in the truck is a 239 with 3 on the tree. It only has about 3000 miles on it since the rebuild. I took it for a longer ride to make sure the oil had time to find its way around and it still reads full. The stick showed full before I changed the oil and I drained about 4 quarts as well. Here are the pics of the stick and the pan. I'll post pictures of the interior and engine soon.
Thanks very much for your help with this.
I'll try to answer some of your questions:
I live in south central Connecticut in the summer and southwest Florida for the rest of the year.
I'm a Model T Speedster fan as well. I almost bought a 1917 rolling chassis to build one but I thought I'd rather have a Fat Fender Truck instead.
The engine in the truck is a 239 with 3 on the tree. It only has about 3000 miles on it since the rebuild. I took it for a longer ride to make sure the oil had time to find its way around and it still reads full. The stick showed full before I changed the oil and I drained about 4 quarts as well. Here are the pics of the stick and the pan. I'll post pictures of the interior and engine soon.
Thanks very much for your help with this.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, Virginia
Welcome, nice looking truck. I'm from Connecticut myself, in the Bridgeport, Fairfield area. Living in Virginia outside DC now. That Model A is sweet. Lots of good people here to help.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,292
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Welcome and congrats on a nice collection of vehicles!
It appears you have the 239 OHV V8. Your filter is a full-flow type, unlike the flathead's bypass filter. The attached lube chart says 5 qts and I'd bet that includes the filter. No expert on those new-fangled engines, tho...
It appears you have the 239 OHV V8. Your filter is a full-flow type, unlike the flathead's bypass filter. The attached lube chart says 5 qts and I'd bet that includes the filter. No expert on those new-fangled engines, tho...
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FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
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From: paradise, northern calif.
Hello from a Californian visiting family in alabama, Im glad i checked in today so i got see your truck/car, they are beautiful. So for now ill give you a big FTE welcome and ill catch you later.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 696
Likes: 48
From: Central Connecticut
I really like your "A". I've got a '31 S/W Town Sedan. If I had room for another "A" the '31 Cabriolet would be my first choice.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 851
Likes: 1
From: NE Washington
Hello Steve,
I have a '56 272 Y block in my truck. The pans looks the same, as do the dipsticks. I've attached pics for you to judge for yourself. I held the tip of my dipstick against the end of the tape. I wish I could tell you how much oil mine holds, but haven't added oil to it yet! Mac's catalog shows the same dipstick was used from '54 to '60. Ford Pickup Truck Oil Dipstick - 239 Overhead Valve, 272 & 292 V8 - MAC's Antique Auto Parts
I have a '56 272 Y block in my truck. The pans looks the same, as do the dipsticks. I've attached pics for you to judge for yourself. I held the tip of my dipstick against the end of the tape. I wish I could tell you how much oil mine holds, but haven't added oil to it yet! Mac's catalog shows the same dipstick was used from '54 to '60. Ford Pickup Truck Oil Dipstick - 239 Overhead Valve, 272 & 292 V8 - MAC's Antique Auto Parts
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Thanks James. I was sure hoping that it was something as simple as the wrong stick. I have the owners manual for the car and it definitely indicates 5 quarts plus 1 for the filter. By the way, I have the spin on filter. I'll give Chuck's Trucks a call tomorrow I've heard a lot of good things about him.
Here are the pictures of the engine and interior that were requested as well as a better view of the A.
I haven't started the engine compartment detailing yet because I can't make up my mind about whether the firewall should be Meadow Green or Black.
Just a stock Standard Cab interior but I am thinking about a carpet from LMC.
The Model A is pretty special. This is a frame off restoration. I'm still working on a few interior details to complete it.
Here are the pictures of the engine and interior that were requested as well as a better view of the A.
I haven't started the engine compartment detailing yet because I can't make up my mind about whether the firewall should be Meadow Green or Black.
Just a stock Standard Cab interior but I am thinking about a carpet from LMC.
The Model A is pretty special. This is a frame off restoration. I'm still working on a few interior details to complete it.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 851
Likes: 1
From: NE Washington
The firewall is the same colour as the truck, the inner fenders are black. I love your truck just the way it is, and up to just recently that stock floor mat was gold. I got a NOS one off eBay a few months ago, probably the only one available at the time. Another recent thread announced that reproduction mats are available again.
Thanks for the pics. I've never seen the decal on the top of your air cleaner. Is that original? Anyway I wish I could have been more help, but it is a blessing you are so close to a shop that specialises in old Fords.
Hey, I just had a thought. I wonder if the dipstick tube is the correct length. I'll go out and measure mine later.
Cheers.
Thanks for the pics. I've never seen the decal on the top of your air cleaner. Is that original? Anyway I wish I could have been more help, but it is a blessing you are so close to a shop that specialises in old Fords.
Hey, I just had a thought. I wonder if the dipstick tube is the correct length. I'll go out and measure mine later.
Cheers.