So while getting me 254 running I forgot that when I bought the truck there was a governor (Ford Part number 8MTH-18201) mounted under the Holley 897 carburetor. Does anyone know if these were common on trucks? Or were these for the industrial power units? The truck came with it so it was obviously used. I did notice without it my choke is inoperable because part of the linkage hits the intake manifold.

I read somewhere that the governor is from 2500-3550rpm...I can't see that old engine running past 3550...

Any input is appreciated

Sam

 

8MTH-18201 .. Engine Governor - 254 I-6 / Obsolete

1950/53 F6/F600 (TH); 1953 F700 (THQ).

 

Well this answered my question and in a timely manner. Thank you!! Just ordered a new old stock one off e-bay cause mine is damaged.

 

My '51 F6 with a 254 six has a governor. It was originally a fire department tank truck, so maybe it was ordered with a governor since it would have had several different drivers?
Mark

 

Mark I think you may be on to something there. My 50' F6 came from a hand full of other trucks I believe, all the 50' F6's painted up the same, so fleet trucks. This is a the only survivor in the area I know of. Maybe it is because it would have been used by many different people from the fertilizer company...

Sam

 

Also Mark would you happen to have a picture of yours along with tour carb? Just for reference. No rush.

Thanks!!

 

The 254 ive got here out of a 50 f6 farm truck has the governer.

 

The 254 engine in my mixer also has the governor, easy to understand why. They floor the throttle when discharging concrete.

 

Sam, Here are a couple of photos. Let me know if you need a different view.
Mark

 

Both of the F6's I had that I parted out had the 254-6 and governors.

 

 

The governor was probably installed to set the limit on engine speed for pumping operations. It's adjustable range is 2,550 to 3,550 RPM's.

 

The transmission doesn't appear to have ever had the PTO cover off of it. I believe the truck was only used to haul water to support a pumper and probably had a separate gasoline engine with a pump to fill the tank. There were no hydrants in our area when this truck was in service, so it would have drafted from creeks and ponds.
Mark

 

If I remember right, all the larger trucks had the governor and it was sealed with twisted wire and lead slug. One of the pictures above appears to have the wire still attached. The governor was the air vane type and was to prevent engine overspeed.

 

I would think with 8.11/8.81 gears with the rear end in low, the tendency to rev up to redline would be easy to do in short order. No doubt the governor was there to protect the engine from abuse, as well as for keeping the speed of the trucks to a manageable level given the loads they would carry and the braking ability (or lack thereof) of these likely overused farm/work trucks.

Today, if all we're doing with them is parades and general driving, I would be less concerned with having a working governor than if it was being used by a working employee or farm hand.