FIRST DRIVE...!!!

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Aug 20, 2001 | 10:05 PM

truckfarmer

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Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Illinois

FIRST DRIVE...!!!

Aug 24, 2001 | 02:22 AM

thaiciel

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Joined: Jan 2001

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FIRST DRIVE...!!!

I finally got to take my truck out for a spin after eight months of work (on and off). I had set a goal to finish my truck before i started college, and it starts monday! phew! i just made it. I am extremely pleased with how well it runs... It's is a 48 F3 and though i haven't attempted anything above second gear (i just drove around my block), i read the post below about not being able to get over 35 MPH with the F3 Diff. is this true? I guess i will find out this weekend... :-)

Aug 24, 2001 | 09:04 AM

mtflat

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Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 6,777

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From: Kalispell, MT

FIRST DRIVE...!!!

Congratulations!! What a great feeling that is.

I can't say about the F2's and 3's, but my F1 has the optional 4.27 rear end and I can get up to about 65 mph. The flathead V8 is about wrung out at that speed tho.

According to my operator's manual the F2/3's only came with 4.86 gears - doesn't list any options, and that isn't much different than mine.

Aug 24, 2001 | 04:26 PM

barry

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Joined: Dec 1999

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From: Connecticut

FIRST DRIVE...!!!

You have to remember the times when these trucks were new. Interstates were just coming onto the landscape and The only thing around was the roads we call secondary today. If you were doing 45, you were really moving along in a truck. They were geared to work, haul a load, but not get there very fast! I drove a 49 F-2 in High school in the early 70's and it didn't get there very fast at all. It liked the 35-40 MPH range. Above that and you heard the protests beginning. Just keep to the back roads and around 40 MPH and you'll do just fine!

Aug 27, 2001 | 08:36 PM

jeffh

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Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 955

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From: St. Louis USA

FIRST DRIVE...!!!

Congratulations! I remember the first time driving my truck (after it had been sitting behind my parents house for almost a decade), leaky brakes, poorly functioning generator, narrow roads with cars parked on both sides... only a 2-mile trip from the shop but I was in a cold sweat when I got home...

I used to drive my 50 F3 at 60-ish MPH on occasion, but it howled like a WWII bomber and didn't like taking a straight path. Oh, and overheated occasionally...

Aug 28, 2001 | 09:04 AM

cobraguy

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Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 1,793

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From: San Diego CA

FIRST DRIVE...!!!

Ah yes, the first test drive of any project can be a religious experience. I remember the first drive in my 66 Econoline after the 240 was replaced with a potent 351C. No dog house on it working the throttle with my right hand steering with my left, my butt 4" from the valve cover sideways on a rainy night. YeHaa! Can't wait for that first ride in my 61 unibody.

Aug 28, 2001 | 04:38 PM

ihc300

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Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 34

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From: Buckley

FIRST DRIVE...!!!

When I drove my '50 F-6 home last fall, my wife, following in our F-150, reported that I was averaging about 55. This was a 75 mile drive, mostly on freeway, including I-405 near Seattle. Quite a ride, in a truck needs some serious brake work. The brakes function, but need to be topped off frequently. Your F-3 with stock wheels and rear end should be able to reach at least 55 before you get to 4,000 RPM, which should be well within the limits of a flathead.