. Well maybe... Haha
Here goes!! (aka: I'm drinking the kool-aid)
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Natchez, MS
Thanks all for the warm welcome!! I'm excited to join the community in an official way. 
Ben- The reason I have to wait until May is that's when we have a trip planned out to Seattle (where the truck currently is) and I can't get a weekend off between now and then. Figured since we'll be out there in a month and a half, may as well lug a flatbed with me and tug 'er on home.
The hood does have me a bit concerned - notice where the FORD emblem is and how it's all smashed? Is that just a body hammer and elbow grease to pound it back to straight? Anyone got a link for how to do that, body-101 style?
Last question, since it's related to getting Frank. He's been sitting on old tires for 30ish years. I'm guessing those won't hold air anymore? (Didn't actually get a chance to see the tires under all the stuff.) For transport, do I just roll on flatties, or do I swap out wheels, or do I...? How do I roll it out of the garage and up on the trailer? Winch and pray?
Thanks guys!!
Ben- The reason I have to wait until May is that's when we have a trip planned out to Seattle (where the truck currently is) and I can't get a weekend off between now and then. Figured since we'll be out there in a month and a half, may as well lug a flatbed with me and tug 'er on home.
The hood does have me a bit concerned - notice where the FORD emblem is and how it's all smashed? Is that just a body hammer and elbow grease to pound it back to straight? Anyone got a link for how to do that, body-101 style?
Last question, since it's related to getting Frank. He's been sitting on old tires for 30ish years. I'm guessing those won't hold air anymore? (Didn't actually get a chance to see the tires under all the stuff.) For transport, do I just roll on flatties, or do I swap out wheels, or do I...? How do I roll it out of the garage and up on the trailer? Winch and pray?
Thanks guys!!
Elmo
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 11
From: paradise, northern calif.
I remember when you posted that you were thinking of buying this truck. I'm so glad you decided to pull the trigger and get it, you will not be sorry. These old beauties provide so much joy, they are fun to work on, and fun to drive. The fact that yours is mostly stock and looks pretty sound makes it very desirable and the price is more than fare. Any how, welcome to the FTE family.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 3
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Another welcome...from California. That is a classic barn-find (well a garage find in this case). After 32 years you should look out for unwanted wildlife that may have moved in. Mice love the original seat materials. Seattle isn't too bad from a spider standpoint, but sometimes a bug-bomb is a good way to start the day on a truck/car rescue.
Good luck!
Dan
Good luck!
Dan
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 7
From: Moyie, BC Canada
Warm welcome here. I like the Frank story, reminds me of my 49. It came out out of the factory roughly about the time I was hatched. Yup, the guys ahead of me pretty much summed us up. We are all nuts, truck nuts. I'm about an hour north of you, and on occasion drop on down to your neck of the woods. There is so much info and suggestions and whatever else, so you'll have fun on here. Let's see some pics of the trip to Seattle when you get going to get her.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
I add my welcome to the forum.
"The hood does have me a bit concerned - notice where the FORD emblem is and how it's all smashed? Is that just a body hammer and elbow grease to pound it back to straight? Anyone got a link for how to do that, body-101 style?"
Thanks guys!![/QUOTE]
The large crease on the panel with the F O R D letters looks like a large rounded object, a crowbar, may have been used to pry up the hood at some point. I would take wrenches and a good hood tiedown to enable you to remove the triangular shaped panel (the one with the spring on it in that photo) so that the hood does not jam in position again. Then firmly tie down the hood for the trip home.
"The hood does have me a bit concerned - notice where the FORD emblem is and how it's all smashed? Is that just a body hammer and elbow grease to pound it back to straight? Anyone got a link for how to do that, body-101 style?"
Thanks guys!![/QUOTE]
The large crease on the panel with the F O R D letters looks like a large rounded object, a crowbar, may have been used to pry up the hood at some point. I would take wrenches and a good hood tiedown to enable you to remove the triangular shaped panel (the one with the spring on it in that photo) so that the hood does not jam in position again. Then firmly tie down the hood for the trip home.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Natchez, MS
Thanks all for the warm welcome!! I'm excited to join the community in an official way.
The hood does have me a bit concerned - notice where the FORD emblem is and how it's all smashed? Is that just a body hammer and elbow grease to pound it back to straight? Anyone got a link for how to do that, body-101 style?
Thanks guys!!
The hood does have me a bit concerned - notice where the FORD emblem is and how it's all smashed? Is that just a body hammer and elbow grease to pound it back to straight? Anyone got a link for how to do that, body-101 style?
Thanks guys!!
Elmo
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Kalispell, MT
Thanks all! Appreciate all the info.
The good news is it's not on a dirt floor, so the wheels are *probably* not rusted through. But then again, who knows. That's the adventure, right?
Love the suggestion of what to bring - that's a big help. I've also que'ed up the Metal Bumping book, as well as the Ford Service Manual that everyone says I can't live without.
The hood was definitely stuck down when I got there. He grabbed a wood stick and used it to get the hood up when I was there. I like the idea of just removing it for my trip home.
Thanks again guys! I'll definitely keep everyone apprised of my progress! Now to figure out how to bide my time for the next month and a half.
The good news is it's not on a dirt floor, so the wheels are *probably* not rusted through. But then again, who knows. That's the adventure, right?
Love the suggestion of what to bring - that's a big help. I've also que'ed up the Metal Bumping book, as well as the Ford Service Manual that everyone says I can't live without.
The hood was definitely stuck down when I got there. He grabbed a wood stick and used it to get the hood up when I was there. I like the idea of just removing it for my trip home.
Thanks again guys! I'll definitely keep everyone apprised of my progress! Now to figure out how to bide my time for the next month and a half.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 38
From: Valley Center, California
Another welcome from San Diego.
Noticed your air-cleaner is not installed which may have allowed weather or critters access. When it's time to see if it runs, there are several pre-run tasks to do. When you get to that point, shoot a post to us knckleheads for advice.
E-Dawgie
Noticed your air-cleaner is not installed which may have allowed weather or critters access. When it's time to see if it runs, there are several pre-run tasks to do. When you get to that point, shoot a post to us knckleheads for advice.
E-Dawgie
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 79
From: Northville, MI
- Things are easy to take apart (except door hinge pins and spring shackle upper pivot pins . . . and maybe a couple other things I prefer to forget). But they are much harder to put back together correctly. Hopefully you have a digital camera. Take lots of pictures as you take things apart. . . from different angles. You WILL refer to them later as you reassemble Frank.
- Have a plan but be prepared to be flexible. There are lots of new items coming available every day that would make Frank a better truck.
- The last 20% of a restoration takes 80% of the time.
- Don't be afraid to post a question here on FTE. You might want to search the forum first but sometimes things are hard to find as so much good information has been posted over the years. There is no such thing as a dumb question here. But the number one rule is to post pictures.
Good luck,
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 1,249
From: Jefferson City, MO
Welcome. I'm looking forward to more updates.
Here is another book (on CD) you need to get:
1948-56 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog CD - HiPo Parts Garage
This is a very valuable resource and well worth the $22.
Also, I will reiterate, take pictures then take some more. After that take a few more. It will save you later on.
Here is another book (on CD) you need to get:
1948-56 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog CD - HiPo Parts Garage
This is a very valuable resource and well worth the $22.
Also, I will reiterate, take pictures then take some more. After that take a few more. It will save you later on.
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