Thanks Silver.

Today I installed the new starter solenoid as well as the new fuel pump. The new fuel pump seemed to take forever to get the carb bowl filled, but seems to be working well now... I can't believe how much sediment was in the bowl! Glad I had an additional inline filter installed (as well as the new tank and line). Got some new heater hoses installed as well.

Some of this wiring from the PO is just junk, but that's a project for another day.

 

WARNING - lots of pictures coming...

• new vacuum line installed
• re-routed fuel line from pump to carb
• hung Ford Trucks street sign! (present from a friend)
• patched hood

I was really happy to get the hood patch welded in. Seeing those rust holes in the hood every time I opened the garage was getting tiresome.
I'm happy with how it turned out, and it was nice to add the new emblem.

 

Bill, you do good metal work. Maybe I'll drive my 55 F350 to Philly so you can fix the nose of my hood! Just kidding!

My hood isn't too bad. It is starting to bubble in some spots. I don't think it needs a total replacement.

 

really nice work. Looking good too

mike

 

Hey Bill,
I bet there aren't 2 guys on here who would have used that hood!
No problem you just reskin it like this.... That's a pretty amazing transformation!
You are the man...

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Where did you get the nose piece? Mid Fifty?

 

Finally took the time to scroll through your Build Thread Bill. You are doing a great job! I am sure glad this truck found you, so you could save it A lot of people would have scraped it or used it for parts. I was curious if you know the original Paint code? I saw glimpses of Banner Blue in some of your pictures, which is the color my truck was originally. That would be a "B" code. Also, did you use shaker cans to paint dash and doors? Brand and color? Keep up the good work! Dave

 

Thanks a lot Mike - much appreciated.

MidFifty was back-ordered, so ordered the piece from LMC. They both carry the same part from what I assume is the same manufacturer.

I had a bit of trouble installing it. Once I had the original hood measured and cut, I started tacking the new piece in place only to realize it was sticking out almost 3/4" beyond the front fenders. That looked terrible, so I had to cut it back out and do it again.

The second time around, I was still having a hard time making it fit perfectly, so I finally cut the patch in half, welded in the driver side, and then the passenger. With that method, I needed to fab up and add in one more 1/2" piece right in the middle. Luckily it all came together nicely after about 20 mins burning my fingers at my little belt grinder getting that last piece just right.

Thanks a lot Ben. I really appreciate it.
With a project like this, I think the popular wisdom is to buy as much vehicle as you can up front - because you're going to end up paying for it one way or another.

Having never done anything like this before, I did NOT follow that smart advice. In hindsight, I should have started with something in better condition; I guess I'll keep that in mind for next time.

In case anyone is interested in the dollars and cents:

 

Hey Dave - thanks a lot.

I haven't gotten around to digging around on the frame for the code, but you're right, the original color was definitely blue. (still on the firewall, under bolts, etc.)

I did rattle can the doors and dash. The first color I tried looked too purple under incandescent lights, so I went back to do it again in Rust-Oleum Navy (7723).

Much better the second time around.

 

Hoping this might be helpful to someone thinking about taking on one of these old trucks that needs a lot of work.

Here's how I spent $10K on a vehicle that's worth only $5K at best.

$3,500 truck
$150 tow truck
$236 tags and title
$4 fuel filter
$5 oil filter
$25 oil
$27 wires
$15 plugs
$11 distributor cap
$9 oil drain catch pan
$8 brake fluid
$110 oil bath air filter
$93 shocks (4)
$15 glove box
$77 fender patch panel (x2)
$89 fuel line
$180 fuel tank
$30 radiator fluid
$6 rust encapsulator
$28 bolts for gravel pan and fuel tank supports
$25 epoxy primer
$40 patch panels
$110 battery
$90 radiator hoses, filler neck hose, penetrant
$42 bolts, penetrant, spray paint, cut off wheels, aluminum for battery box
$52 front wheel cylinders
$68 rear wheel cylinders
$16 battery top
$9 battery hold downs
$90 two parking lights
$7 shock stud
$20 fuel filler neck
$7 fuel neck hose
$7 gas cap
$217 full brake rebuild for rear
$282 full brake rebiuld for front
$248 master cylinder, bracket, brake hoses, brake center fitting, brake switch
$12 fuel line hose
$90 more brake parts
$156 bucket seat foam, hog ring, pliers
$22 seat belts
$40 new seat belts
$70 mexican blanket seat covers
$907 tires
$133 seat belt mounting hardware
$16 bolts
$5 bolts
$20 cable lube and tool
$20 seat belt externders
$8 gunk remover
$35 radiator overflow resivoir
$50 valve cover gasket, rear diff gaket, ground cables, battery disconnect
$175 Door patch panels
$170 Exhaust
$50 Carb repair kit
$95 Tow truck
$200 New regulator and generator rebuild
$810 running boards, bolts, tail lights, hood lip, coil
$264 windows, window repair parts, mirrors
$498 Steering box
$18 starter solenoid
$65 fuel pump
$80 side hood emblems
$100 vacuum advance lines, front emblem, return springs


$10,057

 

Don't show this kind of stuff! I prefer to live in denial LOL

 

Wow, Bill. You sure are organized! I kept my receipts, I think, and I roughly added them up. But I didn't count stuff like brake fluid, screws and bolts from the hardware store or cans of spray paint.

Dave, don't let your wife see this list!

 

I gotta tell you when I first started on here and possibly complained about the amount of money that was adding up , a number of the " old pro's " on here told me , you keep every bill so you know where ,when and how much you paid and NEVER add them up .

 

Also, remember some of that stuff is general Maintenance stuff you'd be buying formyojr daily driver....

 

No Shi$. But I have something to hold against her! She has Hor$e$