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Where is this truck stu? Do you need pictures of it undercarriage ?
About a 45 minute drive outside of Casper, WY. And yes, the owner's name is Dana Jones. He has one of the, if not THE, largest M-H collections known to exist. He and I have talked and he'll be sending me pictures. Stu
Thanks guys! You wouldn't think two tone green would be attractive, but it sorta is. Might be a stretch though surrounded by red body work.
This thing has been challenging for reasons I wouldn't have figured on. The M-H aspects I expected, but trying to find good factory pictures of the production 215 was hard. Artists drawings, and Chassis Catalog schematics, but no production pictures. There are pics in one or two of the generic Ford books, but they don't match up with pictures of old original unrestored trucks. Ilya's and Kevin Kessler's are the two that I relied on.
The other thing is oddball parts. Below is the upper radiator pipe that Ilya let me talk out of him. This piece is NLA, and Ilya said he bought the last two he found at one of the vendors. Chuck had one and sent me a tracing of it assuming I could have one made. Problem was the angle of the mandrel bend, I couldn't find a company that could match the tracing. And the legs proved too short to allow exhaust pipe to be bent.
I then found the pipe that Ford substituted for the original. I think it's the 223 piece, but it was way too short. That's when I emailed Ilya. Pictures below. Stu
Stu is right on point regarding rebuilding the 215 to how it came from the factory. I also used Kevin Kessler's build pictures as a reference, along with the factory drawings and manuals. I also used three other 215 engines that I had on hand that were pretty much unmolested and pictures from another 215 that I scrapped some time ago. Before scrapping it, I was able to powerwash it in order to see exactly what color all of the parts were. I found a few small differences between each engine, however, but they're not major enough to be distinct.
I think that between Kevin's, Stu's and my engines, we have them as close to stock as possible.
As for the metal upper coolant pipe, I didn't know that it existed until I saw it in pictures. A quick search revealed only two at Green Sales. I bought both thinking that it's one of those obscure parts that will be hard to find if needed. Even though my 215 has the pipe, it will need to be replaced soon. I always like to keep a spare obscure part, but Stu's restoration was worthy of me letting go of the spare NOS part. I know that it went to a good home. I thank Stu for graciously reimbursing me for the part, even though I was going to "donate" the part to the cause.
Stu, that is going to be a nice rig when you done! Shoot, it's already nicer than most.
The 215/223 has got to be the best looking 6cyl motor anybody ever built. There's 63 F250 with a 223 around here that I fell in love with, but I'm a day late, dollar short and got no place to put it.
I always like to keep a spare obscure part, but Stu's restoration was worthy of me letting go of the spare NOS part. I know that it went to a good home. I thank Stu for graciously reimbursing me for the part, even though I was going to "donate" the part to the cause.
This above section of Ilya's posting deserves comment. There's been threads over the past year where we've given or received "attaboys" for having "paid forward" a parts sharing favor. As Ilya says above, he was gonna just give me his upper radiator pipe, but that just seemed wrong to me. Giving away a part that is well used or otherwise of limited value is one thing. But this piece was NOS, and made of "unobtainium". I sure appreciated the offer, but it just seemed wrong to not pay the man for this golden part. Besides, I know his Paypal address. Stu
I think I would find some one to replicate that coolant pipe, I am sure others might need one in the future.
Yeah, as it becomes more common to take one of these engines back to factory stock pieces like this will become more commonly sought after. Probably either Ilya or Chuck would be guys to do this since each has one in inventory. No chance I'll take mine out of service to do it.
That said, one of my remaining big expenses is having a spare (nicer tanks) radiator recored. So at least for a short time the thing could be pulled for copying. But I also still have Chuck's diagram, so could use it to pursue other mandrel bending companies. Stu
I've had discussions with Chuck regarding reproduction of certain parts, including some for the 215 (and 223). However, there's not much demand yet for the specific 215 engine parts, so places like Dennis Carpenter would not invest in having a part reproduced for a slow return on investment.
Here's another oddball part that I suspect few of these engines still have. I have four of these engines in my shop at present and none had it. Part #EAA 17595-A, windshield wiper silencer. It's pictured in the 1/52 Chassis Catalog schematic drawing, but no 17595 grouping is listed in the text. But it is listed in the 1/54 Chassis Catalog as used on 52-54 six cylinders. In the 1964 reprint catalog the part number changes to B8A 17595-A and shows it used on 223s as well through 1956. I think I found this one at Antique Auto Parts in TX. Stu
I don't think that neither of the engines that I had still had this part. Luckily, I don't have to worry about this part because my truck was equipped with electrical wipers.
Between the two part numbers, Antique Auto shows a total of 15 and DC shows a total of 10 in their inventories.
Interesting about electric wipers. I have at present five Marmon-Herrington trucks, and two 2wd parts/project trucks. Seven. One is a Five Star Extra original '51. All V8s, except this 215. All have vacuum wipers. Looking in the '51 and '52 Salesman's Handbooks, and sales literature for each year, I find nothing to show electric wipers being included in the Five Star Extra package. Seems they were a stand alone option like the Magic Air heaters, radios, etc. I think I recall reading past go rounds with Dan/Julie about this but don't recall whether any other insights were gained about it. Do I have it right? Stu
I thought that in 51, the electric wipers were an option and in 52 they were standard. I've mostly parted out 48-50 trucks. The few 51-52 trucks that I've had were a mixture of vacuum and electric wipers. The last 52 F2 I had was a 5 Star Extra and had a radio and electric wipers, but no MA heater.
The '52 Salesman's Handbook shows it as an option. Both of my '52s are M-Hs, and are base 5 Stars. The 215 will be upgraded to 5 Star Extra, but will still have the vacuum wipers. Trying to make certain that's a real factory configuration. Stu
I'm sure that some Extra cab trucks came with electric wipers from the factory if ordered that way by the consumer...???? Maybe your next truck could have the electric wipers.
01-06-2014, 10:04 PM
