just did some googling and I think the OBAS might be a police car engine? high altitude. ? generator for powering radios, lights, siren etc?
I want it!

Weather was very nice indeed. could have been a blizzard but glad it wasn't. I always wish I had taken more pictures when I get home from these excursions! like of the 350 tractors the guy had...

 

Here is some trucks Bob and I found in south west Minnesota

 

I'm glad this came together for Josh. His new '51 F-3 M-H (R32-4) is one I'd had archived since its prior owner dropped by here several years ago. Then I saw it a year or more ago on the small MT lot I try to check on when traveling west. Here's pics of it from when I first saw it on the lot.




When Josh brought up that he was wanting to find one, it was an obvious match. It's fun helping other guys spend their money. Add the road trip and it can't be beat.

And Josh, please text me your mailing address so I can send the R32-4 manual and copy of the '51 M-H "R Series" sales brochure. Stu

 

Did I understand correctly that it has no M-H drivetrain tho? Won't that be near impossible to find?

 

No no, the badly bent '51 F-5 (R6-4-62685-W) (yeah, an R6 is based on an F-5) is the one that's been picked clean. Josh's truck has everything except rear wheel spacers. Those are significant things to have missing since they'll not be easily found, but they can be reproduced. Also I've got a non M-H set that I've offered if they will work for Josh. Stu

 

A quick search for OBAS heads came up with this:
How Uncommon is this "OBAS" Ford Flatty? - THE H.A.M.B.

Years ago I did have a pair of 1BA heads. I figured they were just made in 1951.

 

yes, the F-3 has everything except the rear wheel spacer/adapters. I'm not in any hurry but will look into possibility of having some cast or most likely just machined with steel??

on the return trip we found that beyond beat F-5 MH truck but it was missing the drivetrain.

Thanks again Stu,
oh by the way the flathead is a Mercury and turns over so maybe it will run?

 

That's great. You'll have yours running before I have mine. Hope to test fire mine this coming week. Stu

 

Great pics Josh!

So maybe I missed it (happening more often) but are you going to try to restore the M-H drive line to original. Is that even possible now?

 

I hopefully will never have a "next project", if I do the only tool I will need to make it run will be an ignition key. No more projects, I have two right now that will probably never see the road again. I'll die and my wife will sell them for scrap price, or less just to get rid of them.

 

sorry to jump in, i'm still looking for some MH badges & dataplates form my "intimation'ish 52' 4x4", are they available, for-sale possibly?

 

Bob, I've said that a hundred times. Face it, it's in our blood.......

 

I can't reply to the question about Josh's intentions, but can say that it's possible to restore the drivetrain to original. Mine has been. When I started mine years ago I didn't trust doing it myself so had it all done professionally by Chuck. Bearings, seals, etc, he either had or found. The only custom parts he added were his 4.11/1 ring and pinion sets that we've talked about here before.

There are breed related issues that arise from the hard life these trucks lived. One breed problem can be a fractured long tube on the front axle where it is riveted into the differential. On Josh's truck the front axle looked solid when I laid on the ground looking under it. One of my trucks had had its axle ranch welded at that seam. That same truck became a parts truck because its frame had been fractured in multiple spots and poorly repaired. Two of my other trucks had cracks that were nicely repaired.

Perhaps the aspect that is potentially the most challenging is front brake drums. They are unique to the model, are not being reproduced, and have the same .020" oversize standard as regular Ford drums. Thank goodness one of my sets measured within specs. Chuck told me that he had previously had a set for which liners were made and installed. But he would only warrant them for off road use. I recently talked with a mechanic at a show that has had high end sports car drums sleeved in a similar way. So this is not an insurmountable issue. Stu

 

Stu is very giving on leads. He gave me a lead a few days ago on a 52 Panel truck sitting in a yard 3 hours north of me. Ironically it's in the same town as my Airflow currently (getting engine rebuilt). We're traveling to WA in the next few weeks and I'm hoping to make a stop at the yard if possible. If not, then I'll be up there in a few months when the Airflow is done. Looking forward to the yard visit. Thanks Stu!!!!

 

I'll pass the thanks on to Michael. His job takes him out to where the treasures are to be found. Sorta like Josh's job. Hope that yard turns up a lot of treasures. That panel alone makes it worth the trip. Stu