GB it seams we are in opposite jobs, by day I work for a diesel engine manufacturer so I get my fill of greasy straight six cylinder engines used in tractors. I come home, yet I still work on my trucks! It’s a disease…But really those are some nice looking pickups, wishing for some warmer weather

 

Finally warm hear in Iowa, back out in the garage…nothing too crazy. Did the brakes on my dana 60, painted the new drums, and pulled some more dents on my front end. Got it straightened out to where I’m happy with it and doesn’t look too hideous.

Engine update: all the work is complete except the valve seats so I’m impatiently waiting for a call from my machinist. Front brakes are a little different path so bare with me guys, I am using the front assemblies off of a 68’ F250 4x4 dana 44…yup you heard me. I’m insane but I had parts on the shelf (drums, wheel cylinders, shoes, and spring kit). I’m having my F3 hubs turned down to accommodate the F250 drums, should see those shortly. Also redrilling backing plates for my 47 axle. I wanted disc brakes but these f250 drum brakes will make it easier to source parts and should provide some stopping power.

once summer hits it’s time for patch panel galore, as in I’ll be doing cab corners, grill, and rear fenders. Then cleaning up the underbody to preserve from more rot (cause I hate rust), all front suspension/steering components, and lastly figuring out how to match some rust oleum to my current paint job cause I don’t have plans to paint this tonner.

Sam

 

I love what you are doing. I have been repairing metal on my heavily patina'ed old ford trucks for 30 years now. We need to discuss my journey with patina painting sometime. I have never painted a whole truck with 'patina', but when a repair or other fender is required on a faded old truck I can match it up quite well. None of it is conventional auto painting stuff. Not even close.

 

Here's a red 38 tonner I traded for 30 years back. It had a rotten wood bed. The bed was hideous. I found a box trailer in Seattle made from a '47 tonner bed. It was 2 1/2" too wide and was painted a horrific metallic sparkle bue, But.... It was a tonner bed. After sectioning it to proper width I sanded it down, primed it with black primer , then mixed up some red barn paint with a bit of rustoleum flat white. Too pink, so I kept it more red and added cornstarch to the paint to dull the shine. Next I wet sanded to dull and brought up some black primer. No I did not clear coat what I created. I daily drove it for 11 years and it looked more and more real with each passing year. I have repaired perhaps 25 more heavy ford tucks in this same manner since then. Edit: The kid in the green beenie is gonna be 28 at the end of this month.

 

Got my Dana 60 installed over the weekend, heres a 1 ton 47 sitting on 8 lugs for anyone that is interested. Wheels will be painted don't worry. Axle will be too. I am satisfied with the stance thankfully, makes my life easier. Also got my 50’ F3 out finally after winter, i think im going to enjoy this 47’ more

 

Dangit Sammy... Yer killin' me with that s#!+ !!! The stance those, gol-dang eight and a quarters.! And who'da thunk the 8 lug fronts were a bolt on. Yer killin' me here kid!

 

Thanks GB, still gotta sort out a few things to make this 8 lug swap a reality but yes she sits on all 4 8 lug rims but the brakes are another story.

in all reality im terrible at finishing projects, 95% complete and Im out. These past couple weeks Ive spent wrapping up my 50’ Ford F3, little details and such. Been working on it since I was 17, 8 years ago…its time to finish it off. Needless to say Im not sure Ill ever do a frame off resto again…but I love the truck regardless.

back to the tonner, since then Ive finished gutting the cab and found some more rust, seems under the dash was pretty ugly. So I cleaned it up and shot it with some rustoleum primer. Let me say, this is the nastiest cab Ive ever worked on as far as mice…Will paint later when I paint dash doors etc. I have some patch paneling ahead of me, then I can strip all the way. My F3 is going away for a few months so ill room to pull this thing out and patch up everything. Oh and hey my windshield seam is SOLID I was scared about this…

in the spirit of starting other projects I pulled the front axle and cleaned, painted. My spindles are at my friends shop getting reamed/honed for the new king pins.

Lastly I got my engine back, got the rotating assembly in except for assembly #6 cause I broke a oil ring. Cam is in along with tappets.. I spent many nights measuring bearings, the main bores, cylinder bores, crank mains, and throws before assembly. 10/10 crank, .030 over, and had the head shaved to bump up compression. Should be a nice mill. If anyone is curious to see what I have in rebuilding this engine I have a spreadsheet…now to the pictures.












Checking endplay

Of course Im happy putting it all back together

 

Stuff looks great! Good pics and keep them coming.

 

nice work looks good with them new rubbers.

 

I finally got the engine put back together. It went together fairly easily until I found a crack in a lifter bore, which almost derailed the 226 build. After talking to a few straight six guys they assured me to continue with my build as it wont likely affect its performance. Even my machinist told me that, so I said screw it and continued on with assembly. All thats left to do is oil pump, rebuild starter, and find a cheap alternative to the 12v alternator kit thats overpriced with chinsey brackets. im pleased with how the little mill turned out! Just need to paint tranny and button it all back together. Reassembling front axle next, got my bushings, pins, tie rod ends etc…

 

Well guys the hogshead is cracked on my transmission…needing to replace. Does anyone have a hogshead/clutch housing for a 1948-1952 4 speed? As many people who replace these crash boxes I should be able to find one…


sam

 

I'm not familiar with the straight sixes and what you refer to as a hogs head. If its like one for a V8 then I can't help you. If its a 1/2 bell like this one I can. Its for a straight 6 since it doesn't fit on an 8ba block.

 

Hi, Sam. I have a couple of them. I can send you one, $50 plus shipping sound ok?
Mark

 

sending a PM

 

Sam, here are the photos. This half bell actually came out of a '47 tonner. The serial number prefix is 799Y. I replied to your PM.


Thanks, Mark