Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Help Please

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 3, 2015 | 09:05 PM
  #1  
Ray91827's Avatar
Ray91827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Help Please

My brother has a 1948 F5 truck flathead v8. We need to bypass the ignition switch in order to see if that is why we have no spark at points. This is a 6 volt Positive ground and what we need to know is how do you hotwire this vehicle.
Any help we can get will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
 
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2015 | 09:30 PM
  #2  
EffieTrucker's Avatar
EffieTrucker
Phantom of the Phorum
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 1,697
From: Kentucky
Club FTE Silver Member

There are two posts on the coil. One goes to the distributor, the other to the wiring harness, back to the switch.

Disconnect that second one and run a jumper from there to the negative post on the battery.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2015 | 03:08 AM
  #3  
Ray91827's Avatar
Ray91827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Thank you very much. This is a great place to be and I am sure we will have many more questions.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2015 | 03:31 AM
  #4  
Ray91827's Avatar
Ray91827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Question about wheels 1948 F5

I was told that my rims should be split ring but I can't find a split ring on either side of the rim. can someone tell me what type of rims I have?
 

Last edited by Ray91827; Nov 4, 2015 at 03:33 AM. Reason: wrong term
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2015 | 05:03 AM
  #5  
FortyNiner's Avatar
FortyNiner
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,992
Likes: 420
From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
This reference from one our members may help. Pics of yours would allow our experts to chime in as well. Ford two piece rims
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2015 | 04:37 PM
  #6  
Ray91827's Avatar
Ray91827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
More questions on no spark

We tried the hotwire and still no spark at points. We did replace the wire that goes from the points to the stud on the distributor as it was bare in many spots and replaced the wire from the distributor stud to the + side of the coil; also replaced the points and condensor. Any advice; please and Thank you.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2015 | 06:26 PM
  #7  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
Inside the distributor, from the stud where you replaced the external wire, there is a wire that goes under the points plate to the points. It frequently has bare spots and shorts to the body of the distributor. Easiest to pull the distributor to work on it. You don't need to disassemble the distributor to replace it but there are small nuts and bolts that can fall down under the points plate. The new wire needs to be fine-stranded wire so it can flex easily as the points plate moves for advance.


 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2015 | 06:38 PM
  #8  
Ray91827's Avatar
Ray91827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
We did replace that wire before we put in the new points. Thank you for replying.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 5, 2015 | 12:56 PM
  #9  
Ray91827's Avatar
Ray91827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Wiring Diagram?

Does anyone know where I can get an ignition wiring diagram for the 1948 F5 flathead 8 cylinder POSITIVE ground?
 
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2015 | 01:35 PM
  #10  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
There isn't much to it. A wire from the ignition switch (power) to the (-) terminal on the coil, the wire from the (+) terminal on the coil to the distributor.

Try disconnecting the condenser. Many are bad out of the box. Also check all grounds.


 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2015 | 07:23 AM
  #11  
Ray91827's Avatar
Ray91827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Got the no spark problem figured out. The crimp on wire end on the wire that we replaced inside the distributor was touching the side of the distributor.
Thank you to all who helped.
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2015 | 07:28 AM
  #12  
Ray91827's Avatar
Ray91827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Question on timing

1948 F5 flathead 8 cyl. Positive ground.

Is there a way to time the motor without it running? We "almost" got it started.
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2015 | 09:43 AM
  #13  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
Disconnect the (+) wire from the coil. Connect an ohmmeter to that wire and ground. With the bump on the crankshaft sheave aligned with the pointer, turn the distributor so the points just open (ohmmeter goes to Zero). Make sure the rotor is pointing to #1 spark plug wire.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2015 | 10:20 AM
  #14  
Ray91827's Avatar
Ray91827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Question about finding parts

I have looked and am not sure how to do this. Is it allowable to ask if someone might have a certain part for sale or if they know where to get it?
Thank you
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2015 | 10:24 AM
  #15  
Gertie-The '49 F2's Avatar
Gertie-The '49 F2
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 545
Likes: 15
From: Columbus, IN
Originally Posted by Ray91827
I have looked and am not sure how to do this. Is it allowable to ask if someone might have a certain part for sale or if they know where to get it?
Thank you
Absolutely Ray. Just peruse the forum posts, and you will see thread after thread where some member is looking for a part.

This forum is THE place to network for, not just information, but about anything you might need for your old truck.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:30 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE