Back in the winter I built an 8BA to keep me busy and I have been itching to crank it. I want a load on it to break it in so I have been actively searching for truck #2. Almost every truck I have looked at needed a floorpan or was across country without the right vin plates etc. A local enthusiast has had a 52 F1 here locally for a while and we agreed on a price and I took possession of it today. It's a good start and glad I am able to save it. It needs the normal fender stuff but most of the big stuff either came with it or I have already. Just going through it today making my shopping list I know I need a radiator support, side radiator air deflectors, and shield. The floor is pretty bad but it came with a mint cab in great shape in all areas. First order of business is confirming year. Vin on plate and stamped in frame is F1R2DLXXXXX. Pretty sure it's a 52 and what bill of sale says just want to confirm. Reason why I want to be sure is that it appears I have a 51 hood and 51 hood trim / front V8 emblem. Plan is to take it all the way down and built it back up 100% stock.

More to come....

JB

 

Take off the nose piece on the hood. It doesn't appear to have holes to match, i.e., a '51 nose piece on a '52 hood. (hard to tell from pics)

Whatever is stamped on the frame is all that matters.

 

F1.

R = 239 V8.

2 = 1952.

DI = Dallas TX Assembly Plant.

XXXXX = 1952 Numerical Sequence of Assembly, the trucks specific serial number.

 

Here is how my inner fenders attach, via a tab sticking off the cab mount arm. The problem I think I am going to have is that my 51 cab that is in such good shape doesn't have those tabs?

JB

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You can transfer the tab over or make your own. I cut my inners for fenderwell headers so I added a couple extra tabs.

 

I agree, looks like someone just threw on some 51 trim, the self tapping nut on the right of the nose trim is a dead giveaway the F1 circles and spears can be difficult to find. I got lucky and found them on a completely rotted truck about 15 miles from my house. Honestly they were the only things left that were any good and not a ding in them. It's interesting you and i are on the same mission. I built an 8BA as well and working on acquiring a motorless 1953 F100 that originally had one in it. Hoping to close on that deal soon.

BTW, "Dallas"? Really? i was thinking the Pittsburgh Steelers or something. You know "Steel City" LOL

 

Here are a few up close of the hood. The upper hood catch appears to be welded on and not held on with screws.

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Missing the spring on the upper latch

 

There should be a cage nut welded to the hood. The rod has a slot in the end to use a screw driver. Loosen the lock nut on the shaft and it is supposed to unscrew from the hood. Lots of penetrating fluid required. And yes it is missing the spring. , Doug.

 

It's been awhile since I fixed mine. The nut you see from the bottom is welded to the hood. Up inside on top there is a nut and washer. Take the nut and washer off and the stud screws out from the bottom. ,Doug




This is my 52 M3

 

PS the hood has '51 spears on it, I'd say it's pretty likely it is a '51

 

We started in the cab first, getting it stripped down and ready to take to the blaster.







No rot or rust through that I could find yet.

 

Working on the seat today. We broke it down yesterday so that I could take the frame and springs to the blaster. Where is the best place to get a correct seat cover?



Each spring seemed to be a rats nest.

JB

 

That looks like a solid cab. Be sure the "blaster" knows not to warp the sheetmetal.

 

Thanks Ray - it is, no rot at all in the corners, doors, or door posts.

one of the things that's really impressive on this truck is door fitment. It's almost perfect and the lines are straight. Part of my plan is to take the doors off for total paint/rust removal behind the hinges so I hope I don't mess up the fitment.

Thanks for the tip on the warpage.

JB