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my name is Uwe, I live in Germany and since a few days I’m the proud owner of a 1955 F100.
Even before buying the truck I’ve been looking around to gather as much info as possible about the “details” of that vehicle. So it happened that I tripped over this forum where I could find some good hints and links to look further.
I did quite some searching but some things I couldn't find, so I decided to register and well, sorry, as probably most new members start my first post with a bunch of questions.
Before I start asking just a bit about the truck. It is “almost” stock and that’s the way I want to keep it. The engine should be a 239 (according to the VIN), the registration paper says it is a 292 but the engine code says ECG, which is actually a 272. As this motor was available in these trucks in ’55 I consider it not too far off being stock.
It has 3 (correct according to VIN Tag) on the floor and as exact as it shifts (no wobbling of the stick at all) I assume that this is how it was from the beginning, no conversion. VIN tag in the glove box says it was black, so this is also pretty close.
The Rearend is a 9 inch(as far as I could decipher), so not stock, but also not too far off (acceptable for me). But here is where my first questions will come.
Maybe you can help me with some mysterious behavior and decoding. Unfortunately there is no tag present so I checked for all hints and castings:
9 inch:
- Almost round
- 2 dimples and Oil plug in the rear (so most likely before '67)
- The 2 bottom bolts cannot be assessed with a socket, only wrench
3rd member housing type:
- Standard
Castings found on Pinion support:
- 58
- 4F15
- C2AW
Castings on Carrier:
- DIF 35
- 4F22
I couldn’t find anything on the web that might help me with the usual questions:
- Where does it come from?
- What year?
- Any other useful info?
To determine the gear ratio didn’t work as I normally use to do it:
- Lift up vehicle
- Both wheels off the ground
- Mark one tire and the drive shaft
So far everything just normal, but then:
- Turning one wheel – no movement of the other wheel
- Counting the turns – 1 turn of the wheel resulted in 1,5 turns of the driveshaft
- Turning the driveshaft both wheels turn (opposite directions) – so obviously an open diff
- Counting the turns results in just shy of 4 so I guess it is a 3.89
Maybe one of you guys has an idea why it behaves in this “strange” way?
Looking at the axle shaft (I didn’t take it out) and checking the web I assume that it is a 31 spline. The castings I decipher as: TAA 423S or 5, need to try to get it cleaned up more.
As I also want to use the truck in my orchard I plan on upgrading it with a limited slip. But before ordering anything I want to be sure to get the right parts. Getting the necessary info without taking it apart would be nice but worst case I have to go the “hard” way.
Well, that’s about the rear end. The big mystery is on the other end of the vehicle, under the hood.
Does anyone know or have a clue what this jar was for? It looks like it has been there all the time but I can't think of a purpose. The connector at the front is pretty small, maybe for vacuum?
Well, enough questions for the first post and upfront thanks for any help.
Hi Uwe,
welcome here in the FTE forum. A big hello from the “neighborhood” (Westerwald). Where exactly do you live in Germany? I’d guess it’s in northern Germany (the style of the farm house looks that way). I really like your truck! The paint appears to be semi-gloss? The 272 could be original although the most ‘55 trucks came with a 239. That glass bowl is a windshield washer jar. It seems to be disconnected. I can’t help you with the rear end, but I bet the guys here will know where that is from!
Welcome to the forum! You are correct your rear end is an early 9" Ford. Based on what we can see in the pictures, it is likely out of a F-100. They have the same width and spring perch location from 1948-1972, and is the only application with the 5 on 5.5" lug pattern. The date code on the castings 4F15/22 would place it 1964, F=June, and date 15 and 22 respectively. Best guess is it came from an early-mid July built 1964 F-100.
It's difficult to determine the gear ratio in an open differential by turning the wheel and counting revolutions. There isn't enough drag in the diff to turn the same as a limited slip diff does. Here's a handy calculator to help determine your gear ratio if you know tire size, speed and rpms. https://www.summitracing.com/newsand...tio-calculator
Rico is correct, the glass jar is a rare windshield washer option.
welcome UWe, that is a nice looking that you have.you sure have come to the right place.these guys have a ton of information,they will help you any way they can.and welcome to the best ford site there is.good luck with your truck
Thank you all for the welcome and info provided. I do have a feeling that this forum is the right place to learn more about these trucks.
To make it easy (for myself ) I put my comments / answers in one post.
I live in the Stuttgart area, the picture was taken from the previous owner, he lives in the North. The paint is matt black on the outside, inside still original black. I will try to post a few more pics, probably after next weekend (depending on the weather).
Thanks for the Info on the diff, this is helpful getting details what is is in/ under the truck. I know it is not exact by turning the wheels, but at least an indication in what range it is. The speedo is not working exact, that's one of the tasks I'm looking into these days (comparing it with GPS). Thanks for the link with the calculator.
Mystery jar:
- No pedal on the firewall (I will check if there could have been one), no nozzle on the hood, will check if there could have been one.
If for a windshieldwasher isn't the hose connection a bit too small? A combination of vacuum and windshieldwasher? I need to look into that a bit closer when I find some time (most likely during winter).
If for the Marvel Mystery Oil, would the ACME Mystery Oil work too?
Anyhow the truck is running very good, the engine is as smoothe as a new one (might have been overhauled at one time, tranny probaly also), suspension is OK for far a vehicle that age and purpose, the steering is a bit bumpy at certain positions, most likely worn out, but hey, who wants a classic truck where there is no work to do - isn't that the basic idea behind this?
Mystery jar:
- No pedal on the firewall (I will check if there could have been one), no nozzle on the hood, will check if there could have been one.
If for a windshieldwasher isn't the hose connection a bit too small? A combination of vacuum and windshieldwasher? I need to look into that a bit closer when I find some time (most likely during winter).
If for the Marvel Mystery Oil, would the ACME Mystery Oil work too?
....Uwe
"Top end oilers" to feed light oils like MMO into the manifold were a "thing" back in the 50's and 60's. They had an orifice that metered the oil using vacuum. Here's some info, https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives...0Servicing.pdf
Kind of looks like yours?
I guess I have to apologize, I thought the "Marvel Mystery Oil" was kind of a joke. Never ever heard of anything like this.
Great info, it really looks similar to what is in my truck, different jar but you never know what various types were available during the years.
I did some research and found the German equivalent to the Marvel Mystery Oil. It was called "Obenöl" and used starting in the 30s. But they didn't have the nice oiler, it was (still is) used as a fuel supplement.
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so I checked for all hints and castings:
) I put my comments / answers in one post.
