WooHoo!

Great videos! Nice truck and great progress. You'll have her running smoothly in no time.

 

The easiest quick way to set your timing is the static timing method. With the engine off turn the crankshaft until the bump on the pulley is just before or on the timing pointer. Loosen your distributor clamp so that you can rotate the distributor. Take your distributor cap off. Turn your ignition on. Rotate the distributor as far clockwise as it will easily go. Now slowly rotate the distributor counter clockwise while watching for a spark at the points. As soon as you see a spark stop rotating the distributor. Tighten down the distributor without rotating it. Your ignition should be timed well enough for comfortable running.

If you have to use the choke to keep the engine running, you may have old gasoline or you may have a vacuum leak.

 

Rob, thanks...that's Ruby our Irish Terrier...she loves to ride with me...she got to take the maiden voyage in ole Buck.

 

38 Coupe...thanks for the tips...I'll have to figure out how to find the bump on the pulley you mention...sounds pretty simple. I boiled out the gas tank a few weekends ago and put in fresh gas...I was thinking maybe a vacuum issue...something I'll start looking at this weekend if everything works out schedule wise. It is a lot of fun tinker with this great old Ford.

 

These are a couple of pics my wife took Monday when I took ole Buck out for the first time after getting him running again...still a long way to go to get this great old truck road worthy, but I'm really happy that it's running well...the redhead is our Irish Terrier Ruby...she goes everywhere with me.

 

Great videos and pictures.
This one is AWESOME!!!

 

Thanks Joe...definitely a good combination...classic Ford truck and a good dog!

 

I agree on the pic Joe. It reminds me of the Ford truck ads from that era. Only 50 some year of use later and still going strong.

 

Exactly, it is classic Americana. A man with his best friend in his trusty truck off to keep America running.

 

You can find the bump on the crank pulley by feel. It is about the size of a weld glob on the large diameter at the back of the pulley. Once you find it, put some chalk or white out on it. Same with the pointer. Makes them a lot easier to see.

 

I took ole Buck out for a short test drive this afternoon...just to Oskaloosa and back. I was really happy that it ran and drove well...a few issues that need to be addressed...sticky brakes and a hesitation in the carb, but man does that engine purr.

 

Jeff Ole Buck looks right at home there and damn proud to be working again.

 

If it's now being driven, I'd suggest reading up on your 17" wheels. Suggest a Google search for Firestone RH-5°. Stu

 

Trust me I've spent many hours researching the 17" wheel issue...not the least of which are your many excellent posts on this issue. I just wish there was a reasonable and cost effective solution...I bought an old trailer from a friend that has a serviceable Dana 60 on it...but I don't have the tools or experience to do a swap...I'm wondering if it would be feasible to replace the 14' drums and brakes with the 12' F2 brakes?? Just a thought...still trying to sort this one out.

 

That's an option. Probably could find a whole F-2 axle, just need to have the same era axle with the parking brake at the wheel ends. Edit - also as I think of it I know a guy that has a set of the 17.5" x 5.25" tubeless wheels for sale. He lives in WI so there would be shipping involved. I can give you his name and number if you do me a private message. You might also look at CarlH's truck in the below thread. He has a set of these on it. Stu

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...9-ford-f3.html