I recently bought a 1950 F3 from a guy in Nebraska. The truck had been parked for 34 years (had 1972 Nebraska plates). They said it had a bad water pump and before that it had been used by a local lumber yard to deliver with. After I got it I tried to turn the motor but it was stuck. A radiator hose was off and other than that the motor looked like new except for a half an inch of dirt. We hooked a chain to it and pulled it about 6 feet and the motor broke loose. I had an extra gas tank and the original tank smelled like shellack so we changed it and cleared the gas lines, hooked up the battery out of my 50 Plymouth, jumped it, primed it and it fired right up, idled smoother than my 52 F1 daily driver. These old flatheads just blow my mind. There is no smoke at all, and I drove the truck around the yard (no brakes yet) and it drives real nice. The truck has 8 lug, 17" wheels, and I think split rims. My question (sorry for being long winded) is what options do I have to get away from split rims and going to 16" or even 15" tires, staying with the 8 lugs. Or is there an easy fix to go to 5 on 5 1/2" wheels? Thanks for any ideas or comments.

fifty2f1
george
s.dak

 

First,

Second, this subject has been discussed quite a bit before but there was a discussion in the last week or so:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...and-tires.html

Good luck on your truck.

 

You can change your bolt pattern to 5 on 5.5 by using F-1 brakes and rear end. The 48-52 hubs and backing plates should bolt on to your F-3 axle. Any F-100 rear end from 57-72 would be close to a bolt-in for the rear. That would enable you to use 15 or 16 inch wheels.

 

Wow- the idea that it would start and run.

You got to be a proud papa!

 

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate your help. It is snowing and blowing now but as soon as it warms up a little I am going to fix the brakes, clean it up, and start driving it. The heater even works-no leaks. Love these old fords.

george