I am trying to work up the nerve to drill 2 holes in the hood for the windshield washer jets . Always hard to do , I wish I had thought about this before I painted .

 

Don't do it! There were factory optional washers, and they were thin metal tubes that snuck alongside the cowl vent from the firewall, no holes needed. I've never seen them except in ads.

 

Here is a photo of a NOS factory accessory windshield washer nozzle I installed on my F4.

I did have to drill a hole in the cowl. I ordered it from Mc Donald Obsolete Parts (812)359-4965 He had 3 in stock a year and a half ago. Ford part #8C-17586 fits '48-'52. I was reluctant to drill my hood and install washers as I wasn't sure how I would know if I was installing them where they would actually work.
Mark

 

Hmmmm, that's not the one I saw, obviously. Could there be a factory option style, and a dealer-installed style?

 

Still has 3 according to rearcounter.com

 

Ross, I think this one is from a dealer/customer installed kit. A couple of years ago there was a complete washer kit for '48-'52 truck for sale on Ebay. The seller posted photos of each piece individually including the installation instructions. IIRC he had a buy it now price of $350.00. The instructions gave the part # of each piece and showed where to drill the hole for the nozzle. I called Antique Auto Parts in Arlington about the nozzle and they told me they didn't have one but McDonald Obsolete did. McDonald said he had three and wanted $15.00 each plus shipping, so I ordered one. The spray ports on each side are adjustable, they are actually a ball with the port drilled into it. You stick a wire into it and move the port until it sprays where you want it.
Mark

 

$15 each! You got a bargain!