I bought Grace with thoughts of putting cab on late model frame but after spending some time with her, she seems to be telling me "fix me back like I used to be". Almost like I hear it.
Anyway, I thought I should document the process in case it may help someone someday.
So far I have gotten the old 239 YBlock running again and while up on blocks, I ran through the gears wile running and drive train seems ok.
I have been running down brake parts for a couple weeks and now have all the wheel cylinders on hand. Brake shoes front and rear have been at a reline shop in Nashville. I should get them back tomorrow. I have removed front spindles and have the new bushings in ready to be reamed.
Here are a few pics

 

Found some 19.5 tubeless Budd wheels locally. Painting them white.

 

I forgot to take pictures of king pin removal but a bottle jack and 20 pound sledge hammer sped that process up. Here are the spindles before and after cleaning. Don't forget to line up grease holes

 

The 19.5" wheels look good. One thing's for sure, these things were built "Ford tough."
I, personally, agree with you. They want to be just about what they are. As for Albatross, it will have a few hidden surprises (292 with 4 bbl) but it will still be able to tow a building..
..at 45 MPH. Unloaded, she may strike a glancing blow at 55, but, 50 is more realistic. I feel the pride in knowing that it's still running the way it was built five years before I was born.

 

Thanks. It does feel like we are preserving a bit of history.

 

So progress does not come in leaps and bounds on these old trucks, but I got a little accomplished this evening. I got spindles mounted with the new king pins and bushings. Nice and tight again. I forgot pics. I forgot about front brake adjusters after my local parts store had no luck getting them, so I went to work on the old ones. They were rusted together pretty tight, but pecking them severely with a small hammer jarred the rust loose. Wire brush, antisieze and paint made them close enough to new again.

 

Thanks for "Saving Grace" I'm subscribed

 

Looking good so far. I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

 

Thanks guys. Every time I think I am gonna get a whole day to work on her.... well you know... honey-do lists pop up... or it rains... oh well, such is life

 

This is number on box the king pin set came in. 81T-3111. I got them from Job Lots. In New York I think. Seem like greatfolks to deal with. Got'em 2 days after placing order.
Edit- I have found this part number referenced back to 1938 2 ton Ford trucks. It is a Ford part number.

 

By any chance have you found a parts breakdown for the front end or rear end? I have a 53 F500, and I have not found one. Please let me know?

 

Well, I was trying to put a pic here but I just don't get it...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...ctureid=135384
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...ctureid=135384
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...ctureid=135386

 

no J, I haven't..but I haven't really tried to. Numberdummy probably has some info on it. He is an asset to everyone on FTE.

 

I found this casting number (16925 ) on a rear wheel cylinder and went to my local parts store who got the wheel cylinders for front and rear.

 

This is what you are looking for: 1948-56 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog CD - HiPo Parts Garage

It has exploded diagrams on just about every part on your truck. Then the text manual portion has part numbers for everything. It's scanned images of the book so it's hard to search, but it's well worth the $22. Shoot, it's worth that just to look at the cool drawings.