Recently picked up a 1950 F1. Scratching my head on why the previous owners did what they did in their versions of the restoration. Have lots to do to correct some things. Hoping to gain some knowledge from you all. Cheers, john

 

Welcome to the forum. We have some helpful very nice people here that love to see pictures . I am in maryland so maybe not very far away and know there are several in Va. Tell us about your truck .

 

Welcome John!

Previous Owners (PO) often do few favors to current owners with 'sort of' done changes left to be discovered. If you don't already have one, the 49-52 Shop Manual is a invaluable resource. It is available as in printed and digital format on Amazon & ebay.

What are your plans? How about some pics?

 

Welcome to the forum, lots of knowledge here on your F1 and nice folks who are willing to help. Good luck with your truck.

 

Driveshaft too short. This is how much the driveshaft was engaged in the TH350. Lots of wobble and output shaft seal was hosed.


Before I cut the side pipes off.


Previous owner was a cabinet maker. Have since located some steel running boards that need some work.


Will eventually get a steel tail gate


Thanks all. Have ordered a shop manual. Had custom driveshaft (3.5") made and balanced and installed it the other day. For the haters it's a 350, 9", TH350, and Mustang II front end w/power steering bought it that way and can always change it if I decide to, etc. It's a driver and at some point will do the body work. Mechanicals first.

Work to be done: re set pinion angle, shim leaf springs and also remove 1 each side oddball wrong size leaf, add proportioning valve for disc/drum, change fuel pump (rubs against engine mount and pump fitting leaks, fab new exhaust from collector back, needs radiator work, wiring under dash is a mess lots of red wire, oil pan gasket leak, dash gauges and speedo needs work/cable, windows and doors need tweaking, hood latch needs work, re fit cowl vent currently seam sealed for some reason, need to re clock the distributor-vac advance hits intake manifold, and will find more as I go along.

 

I lived in VA for 34 years; miss the greenery but not the humidity.

Good looking truck. I find mechanical work much easier than body work. I just put a new 383 stroker in mine so there are a few members that committed that “sin”.

Build your truck as you like it. There is some great talent here that will help you along.

 

You're lucky that driveshaft hasn't popped out and fallen down! YIKES!

 

th350 output shaft extends 1/2" beyond seal but did have the thoughts of it dropping out.
Installed correct length driveshaft.

 

It wasn't until later in life that I learned that there is a bushing in the tailshaft housing behind the seal that serves to stabilize the driveshaft yoke. How many times have you heard stories of people having to change output shaft seals on a regular basis and not knowing why they fail so often...bad tailshaft bushing! I would check the play in your driveshaft yoke now that you have the proper length, I would venture a guess that the bushing took a beating with the "too short" driveshaft.
Nice looking truck by the way...lots easier to smooth out the warts on a nicer truck than it is to start from scratch.

 

Thanks and thanks for the info will check that out.

 

That's a nice looking F-1 you have there, welcome! I like it better w/o the side pipes too!