New guy
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington Delaware
New guy
Hey fellow Ford folks, My name is John Smith ( yea its a real name.......hold the Pocohantas jokes}. I just picked up a 1952 F-100 panel truck. It runs rough, seems to shift OK, wiring is 1/2 there, needs shocks,gas tank leaks a bit, body is decent. Its been 20+years since I did mechanicals and then it was on a 68 International. Have owned Ford and Mercurys most of my life. Never owned a FLATHEAD.I have the enthusiasium,spare time and spurts of disposable funds to creep along with but my confidence level is low. I got the Ford F1 series shop manual,Operation manual,George McNicholl's "how to build a Ford Fathead, andFord Flathead V8 builders hand book by Frank Oddo. I need a few more tools to boot. I am going to ask a lot of new guy question. I need help. I have been self employed/motivated my whole life and am a custom kitchen installer/ general contracting. I am also an accomplished Blues guitarist( part money) and this will be my Bluesmobile.Not looking to di a total resto, just want to drive a new old truck, I will greatly appreciate any and all help you may give! Thanks John
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
STICK AROUND, you're in the right place....
Most of us got into this just wanting. We got a truck, and we just wanted to do stuff...
We learned from there, and this is where all of the teachers ended up. We teach others what we learned the hard way....
Also because WE LOVE IT!
Most of us got into this just wanting. We got a truck, and we just wanted to do stuff...
We learned from there, and this is where all of the teachers ended up. We teach others what we learned the hard way....
Also because WE LOVE IT!
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
Welcome to FTE!!! I owned a 68 IH truck once, too. I recognized yer post from the MSN flathead group, too. There's a few of us here that are on both. Good luck with yer panel, and get that gallery started so we can all drool, lol.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,298
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Welcome to the forum! Take some time to learn about flatheads, it's worth the trouble! They are really very simple, very reliable unless abused. Time spent up-front (before trying to use it regularly) to verify everything is in decent shape will pay big dividends. Personally I think the small amount of time it takes to pull the intake manifold to see the amount of junk that's in the valve chest, and dropping the pan to clean the sludge out of there, are well worth the time it takes. (It's EASY!)
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,292
Likes: 8
From: sparta ky.
Oh, your gonna have fun here, not saying you'll ever get the truck going but it'll be fun, WELCOME,gotta love them BUCK TEETH!!!!!
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Texas
Welcome John, glad to have you. Looking forward to watching your progress on the panel. Don't be shy, ask any question that comes to mind. There will be someone here with the answer. Sometimes, it's the right answer.
Gil
Gil
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