Nice looking truck. Thanks for posting the pics. Hope you get it running again soon and get to enjoy it. Welcome to the forum.

 

Hi Justin, that is a beautiful F1 you got there! Clean and check the wiring connections like others have suggested, nothing worse than a crappy wiring connection to drive ya nuts!

 

Thank you for all the great responses! I'll definitely give it a shot when I get home from work. I'm dying to get this thing running.

Justin

 

I still can't get the engine going. I cleaned all the cables and connections and made sure everything was tight. The solenoid still just clicks. The battery is charged, too. I ordered a replacement solenoid, starter button, and ignition coil. Any other pointers are much appreciated!

Justin

 

Will it turn over if you bridge the two main terminals on the starter solenoid ?

 

Try putting it in first gear and push the truck back and forth, the starter may be jammed

 

Justin, wish I was there to help you. I'd be using a meter to checking to see if the voltage was getting to your starter. It should be getting 6 to 8 volts from the post on the starter to the engine block. If you do have the voltage between the block and the starter post, when trying to start it, the starter is bad or it is stuck against the flywheel.
I'd also check to see if the starter was jammed into the flywheel. To check, get someone to get it rolling backwards while you are inside with it in high gear and the clutch pushed in. Once it gets rolling, pop out the clutch. That will turn the engine backwards and unstick the starter. That is, if the starter is stuck.
Wishing you success. Patrick

The reasons to unstick the starter rolling backwards in high gear are two. First, the starter and engine were going forward when things got jammed and stuck so you need to get the starter and engine going backwards to get it unstuck.
Second, having the transmission in high gear gives gives the wheels a much better chance to turn the engine. If you would park your vehicle on a hill in high gear you would find out that the weight of the vehicle would cause it to roll away. So we park it in reverse. Unless you have a 4 speed in a 50 Ford truck. Then you use first gear by the dash, so you can slide to the passenger side and get out, if you want t lock the only door with an outside lock ; )

 

Apparently the starter was stuck after all. After rolling the truck back and releasing the clutch it did get unstuck and it started to crank but did not start. So I ordered a new ignition coil thinking it would solve the problem but it seemed like the starter got stuck again. I rolled the truck back again and when trying to start the truck the starter would give half a crank then stop. What should be my next step? I took the starter to get rebuilt thinking it was the problem so I will try again when I get it back. In the mean time I was able to replace the front and back bumpers with SS and put some new trim on the grille. Thank you all for the great advice!

 

Justin, nice stock truck you have there! I am not a big fan of chrome or stainless bumpers on these trucks that did not have it originally but your black truck looks real good with them.

I went back to the before pics and I was wondering how you fixed the bolt holes in your rear fenders. It looks good and barely noticeable.

I hope you get it running soon!

 

very sharp look old truck Justin..... I really liked that old rear bumper sure wish you was closer and i buy it from you. Keep it posted on it and hope you get it running soon...

mike

 

Can you take a picture of the battery cables and other wiring?

 

Nice truck
One suggestion would be to go through the wiring if you are capable

The original is fabric covered (as evident from pics) which gets very brittle with age and can short, overheat, arc or worse catch fire

Original replacement harness are available and not to complicated to install and not much more costly that aftermarket "kits"

 

We put in the rebuilt starter today and the engine turned over for a second then turned off. It sounds like the starter isn't getting enough power. It sounds like its struggling to crank but is very slow then dies off. The battery is a brand new 6V and all the cables are brand new. I don't think it is the solenoid so I'm not sure what to do next

 

I saw the picture of the wiring on p. 1, the battery cables are on the small size, appropriate for 12v. But it sounds like your main problem is the battery. I'd convert back to 6v or go to 12, 8v is a PITA.

 

I have since replaced both battery cables and replaced the 8V battery with a new 6V.