Hi,
I finally managed to log on to this site, after too many tries to count.
I bought an F3 last summer and have done some work on it to get it started. New plugs, new coil, new wires, new battery. It all looks good and it turns over but just won't ignite.
Should I put gas in the carburetor or in the fuel pump to prime it or will Quick start do just as well. I'm not sure where to trouble shoot next.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Julie

 

Welcome to FTE. It is nice to hear from another F-2 / F-3 truck owner.

First make sure you are getting spark to the spark plugs. Pull a plug and crank the motor over (the bottom of the starter solenoid should have a push button on it that engages the starter). Also, does the engine have good compression?

If possible please post pictures.

 

Thank you. I'll try that and get back to you. Feels great to talk to others who have experience with these machines.
Julie

 

Welcome Julie from California. Glad to have you. And glad to see a 51 being saved, and an F-3 all the better.

You can't see it, but I have a big grin on my face. For many years we had a member, Dan from CA with a 51 F-1. He got sideways with FTE admin and got kicked off the site. He returned with an alias of Julie, same truck, and after more years got outed and kicked off again. So please don't be offended if you hear some Julie comments. Stu

 

You know, Stu, I thought of him/her when I read Julie's thread. But I didn't remember the irony of them both being from CA and both having 51's!

 

Welcome Julie!
Fred has offered some good guidance. Perhaps you might also share the work you have done on the fuel system. Not knowing the history of your F3 (running recently, parked for x years, found in a field, ...), will generate some suggestions that aren't well placed.

Help us help you. Give us a sense of the recent history of the truck. it certainly helps with the next steps.

 

I'll add comment that you'll want to learn about the stock 17" F-3 wheels if you haven't already. Called widow makers, trade name Firestone RH-5°. Google those terms and my user name to find pictures and discussions. Stu

 

Thank you gentlemen,
The CA stands for Canada, not California, so it's not your buddy going for round 2.
I don't have spark, despite having changed the coil, spark plug wires. The distributor cap looks good.
Thanks too about the widow makers, as soon as I know this thing runs I'll be getting good rims! I don't know what the idea behind those split rims was?
I bought the truck at a farm auction last summer. The guy said it had been running but that he had parked it about 5 years ago, I think.
I can send a photo if you tell me which section of the motor you'd like to see.
I learned to drive on an old Fargo so this F3 brings back memories, the engines were so simple back then.
Thank you for all your replies, much appreciated.
Julie

 

Oh sure, I read your profile wrong. Sorry. I'll follow along and see what the engine guys think might be your spark issue.

On the widow maker issue it would be helpful to know if your truck was built early in 1951 or later in the year. Early 1951 F-3s have Lockheed brakes shared with the 1948-1950s. These trucks have 14" rear drums that are the reason Ford fitted the 17" wheels. Later 1951s got 12" Bendix rear brakes that were then shared with the 1952 trucks. An easy way to figure out which you have is by the location of the parking brake handle. Early trucks have the handle in the left footwell which connects via cable to the parking brakes at the rear corners. Late year trucks have the parking brake located behind the transmission and operated by a handle in the middle of the floor next to the shifter. All of this matters because late year 1951s can be fitted with 16" wheels from many later F/E 250/350 trucks. The replacement options are less easy on the early trucks. Once we know which you have we can go into greater detail on both. Stu

 

Steps I'd take to troubleshoot the ignition system:
-- check for battery voltage at the coil primary (small) terminal, the terminal may be marked (-)
-- you haven't said whether the truck has a 6 cylinder or V8?
-- the wire that goes from the (+) side of the coil to the distributor runs under the points plate, and frequently gets its insulation worn off, shorting the points. Best to note rotor position and pull the distributor to investigate. While it's out, you can check for correct point gap, and shaft wobble.
-- If it's a V8 check to make sure the distributor shaft is actually turning while cranking the engine. The timing gear is made of fiber and they have been known to fail.

 

Great. Just another F3 like mine. Good luck!