Just bought a 51 F1 from Southern France that was imported from California earlier this year and registered it over here.

There could be a chance that one of you recognises it from the Santa Rosa area - (previous US plate was 4R64303)



I'm a 38yo Brit living and working in Mid-West France at the moment, recently sold my 29 Model A Sedan to a french guy in Cannes that I bought from the HAMB last year and imported over myself from CA and got the F1. This is my first truck.

Been searching the FTE for info on the truck in order to get parts when needed as these are all new to me - have discovered that the rear axle in the Dana44 so thats OK.

The front brakes are discs and although the bracketry looks like the kits available from a number of suppliers I dont have any idea of the calipers that are on it... still trying to work those out.

Not a problem though as it stops on a dime .... - or a 'eurocent' as it is here


The steering however is a different story - I drove the 740 kms (460 miles) back from the seller's place with a 4 inch 'free' wander on the steering wheel... so am looking to get a No Limit rack set up or similar.

The motor is a 302 with a C4 ... no one knows what year tho ... yet.

I'll sort a gallery on here soon.

Alex <!-- / message --><!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig --><!-- END TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig -->

 

Welcome to the FTE forum, Alex! It's always exciting to me to hear from owners of our vehicles from around the world. I have a great appreciation for the efforts people from "across the pond," in either direction, put forth to work on old American cars and trucks, without nearly the support network we have here in the states. Between the unknown, and the added expense of shipping parts from here to there, I tip my hat to you. It looks like you've got a very nice truck, so hopefully, you won't need to buy too much stuff to keep it running and maintained.
Congratulations on your find.

 

That looks like a very sweet truck. Look forward to more pictures. Do you see other trucks of this era around? Welcome and enjoy!

 

Alex,

Welcome to the FTe family! Congrats on getting your truck.

The front calipers are probably GM big car calipers. It seems like most of the disc brake kits use the GM calipers.

I'm betting that if you post the casting numbers from the engine there will be someone around here who can tell you what year it is.

Order every free catalog you can find, they typically have great pictures and parts diagrams. Here's a list of links that can be helpful;

ACDelco Parts Catalog
parts, interchange guide, and application guide
AirBagIt.com - Air Suspension Kits, Mini-Truck Parts, Sport Compact Parts! Airride, Airsprings, Towing Kits, Lambo Vertical Doors, Airbags.
American Autowire: Wiring Harnesses, Accessories, & Parts for GM Restoration, Modified Restoration & Custom Street Rod
http://www.autokrafters.com/
53 and up
AutoReWire.com
great links to tech articles on wiring
AutoZone.com | Get In The Zone!

B:
racing equipment intake manifold flat at baronracingequipment.com
flathead stuff
http://blueovaltruckparts.com/catalog/
Bob Drake Reproductions, Inc. Street Rod & Original Ford Parts
Bob's F100 Parts and Restoration - (951) 681-1956 - 9372 Mission Blvd, Riverside, CA 92509
48-78 parts
http://www.borgeson.com/products.htm
Bossap.com - boss ap Resources and Information.
http://www.brockmancustomparts.com/index.htm
Headers, mufflers, custom parts
Techno Source for the 1932 thru 1953 Flathead Ford

C:
Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market
http://www.cgfordparts.com/early_ford_parts.htm
48-79 parts
http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/
Chucks Trucks LLC., Ford Truck Parts and Restoration, Chuck's Trucks, Chucks Trucks
Serving the community since 1974 Specializing in Antique
Disc Brake, Steering and Suspension Products for classic Chevy and Ford cars and trucks
steering, brakes, and suspension
Classic Trucks - Classic Truck Shop
Classic Ford & Thunderbird Parts Supplier - Concours Parts
C.W. Moss


D:
DAN CARPENTER'S SPECIALTIES,1951-52, 1953-56, 1957-72 Ford Truck Beds
http://www.daycoproducts.com/daycowe...ction?OpenForm
interchange guide
Dennis Carpenter Ford Car, F-100 Pickup Truck, Tractor and Cushman Scooter Restoration Parts
ITW Devcon | Two of the most recognized brands in all of industry; Devcon® and Permatex®.

E:
Early Ford V8 Sales, Early Ford Parts, Classic Car Sales, Antique, Restoration, Cars, Trucks
Engineered Components, Inc. - Hot Rod Brakes and Brackets - Your One Stop Brake Shop!
ecs HyLites -StreetRod,Custom Lighting &Electronics
EGGE Machine Company - Parts and Services for Nostalgic Motors
Ford parts
48-52 cab corners, lower front cowl, cab floor
Springs 'n Things
Home of EZ Wiring


F:
Fatman Fabrications
Flathead Jack, USA's Hot Rodding Headquarters
Flatlander Racing - Ford Flathead Parts
Flat-o Products, Inc.

G:
Gabriel.com
Quanta Products
gas tanks, radiators, belts, brake lines, etc
Catalogs | Gates Corporation
interchange guide
Glenn Marion Ford
Goodyear Engineered Products
interchange guide
Green Sales Company - Obsolete Ford parts, Lincoln, Mercury parts Green Sales Company, supplier of obsolete Ford parts and Lincoln / Mercury parts. Our Ford parts inventory represents all Ford and Lincoln / Mercury products from 1950 to the present.
Obsolete parts for Ford and Mercury

H:

Home page Horkey wood and Parts
bed parts and sheet metal
http://www.hotrodstrucks.com/index.html
48-56 truck parts
Hotronics Products
motors, servos, electronics

I:



J:
JEGS Performance Auto Parts - Accel Billet Specialties Edelbrock MSD Moroso Mr Gasket
http://www.joblotauto.com/homepage.jsp
John's F-Fun Hundreds-Home
48-79 parts
Juliano's Hot Rod Parts & Interior Products - Custom Car & Street Rod Accessories

K:
Truck Parts
kustompinstriping.com
Welcome to Docs Kustom

L:
LeBaron Bonney Company - Antique Auto Upholstery
LMC Truck Parts: Chevy Chevrolet Blazer S10 GMC Jimmy S15 Ford Bronco Ranger Pickup Pick Up Accessories/Catalogs

M:

McMaster-Carr
a little bit of everything, fasteners, materials, etc
MOTORCRAFT PARTS FOR FORD, LINCOLN OR MERCURY VEHICLES
parts, interchange guide, and application guide
Monroe Shocks and Struts - The industry Leader in Manufacturing OE & Aftermarket Ride Control Products for Import and Domestic Vehicles
Bed
https://www.mackhils.com/
bed parts and sheet metal
http://www.midfifty.com/
53-56 parts
MAC’s: Dealer of Restoration Parts for Classic, Antique, Vintage Ford Autos, Cars & Trucks: Street Rod Parts, Vintage/Classic Ford Manuals & much more!
48-79 parts
Midwest Early Ford - Ford Reproduction Parts - Ford car and truck parts from 1928-1956
28-56 trucks, 49-56 cars
Disc Brake & Brake Conversion Kits, Suspension Kits: Master Power Brakes.

N:
NAPA Online
Ford Truck Parts and Repair Panels for your classic truck at Northern Classic Trucks
NPDLink | National Parts Depot
48-96 parts
New Port Engineering - Home of the Clean Wipe Wiper-Drive
Classic Hot Rod Parts & Accessories for Chevrolets Trucks, Ford - NoLimit Engineering



O:
http://www.olpartsmine.com/index.html

P:
http://www.partsamerica.com/
The Paddock Performance and Restoration Parts -
Parr Automotive Inc.
http://www.pro-werks.com/index.php
Pete & Jakes
POSIES Rods and Customs - Super Slide Springs - Street Rod Parts - Hot Rod Parts - Truck Parts - Ford and Chevy Suspensions and Chassis Parts Home
http://www.pressenter.com/~cmeyer/

R:

RockAuto Auto Parts
Rivets - rivet guns - copper rivets - rivet tools - rivet nuts - Jay Cee Sales and Rivet Inc
rivets, etc
Radiators, automotive radiators, condenser, oem radiators, truck radiators
Ron Davis aluminum radiators for racing, offroad, performance street car, and other custom applications
Raybestos Brakes - Home
Red's Headers and Speed Equipment
speed equipment for old Fords
Classic Car Restoration - Classic Car Parts, Restoration Parts, Classic Car Accessories
http://www.recks-relics.com/index.shtml
Restoration Specialties & Supply, Inc.
weather stripping, window channels, clips, etc
Ford Stroker Kits Flathead to 304 from RPM Machine
flathead stuff
http://www.racepartsolutions.com/index.htm
Mandrel bends, tubing, AN fittings, etc
RRE Mandrel Bent Exhaust Bends and Intercooler Bends
Mandrel bends
RICHMOND Street Performance Calculator
Rhode Island Wiring Service Inc.

S:
http://www.spectrapremium.com/products/index.html
gas tanks, oil pans, etc
Schneider Racing Cams: Performance Proven Cams & Components.
Summit Racing - High Performance Car and Truck Parts l 800-230-3030
Speedway Motors - Street Rod Parts, Race Parts, Ford Flathead Parts, Sprint and Midget Racing Parts, Pedal Car Parts
Street Rod Garage
Construction Material Index
Fabrication parts
Sherco Auto Supply
Gotta Show Products Home Page Featuring Hot Rod Plumbing
power steering hoses

wiring supplies

T:
Catalogs
Tatom's Web Site
flathead stuff
TABZONE by DTProducts, Inc.
Chassis and suspension fabrication part
Transmission Adapters
TP Tools & Equipment

U:
U.S. Radiator Catalog

V:
The Ford Flathead V8 Site
Classic Car Parts, Vintage Car Parts & Accessories | So Cal Speed Shop Arizona
SoCal speed shop
Sacramento Vintage Ford :: 1.888.FORD.100

W:
Wheels of Time
Wilcap Company Home Page
Welcome to Waytek Wire
wiring supplies
http://www.wire-works.com./

Y:
yourkansasconnection.net
used 28-70 truck parts


Bobby

 

looks great,is that a "flat" blue like that or just weathered?

Welcome to the forum.

bob

 

Yes, for your engine identification, you will need to drop the starter and look for these numbers on the block. It's the cast identifier and date code, as shown here. Find them and post them back. We can tell you what you have from that.

 

HI Alex!

Welcome to FTE and the (literally) World of "Bonus Built" Trucks (48-52 Fords)

Probably the first thing you want to do is purchase a Shop Manual. They are available from all the restoration parts houses here in the US, and they will usually ship to the UK. Most of these are also available on E-bay.

Here is a thread on the available manuals you may want to look for:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-everyone.html

Also, here is a list of links for some of the available Parts suppliers:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/901018-1950.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-to-socal.html

On your steering, there is a procedure for adjusting the "lash" on the steering column. It's quite straight forward and is described in teh shop manual.

But since youmay not have one try this for your steering: Jack up the truck so the front wheels are off the ground. On the side of the steering box you will see a Machine screw locked in place by a bolt. Loosen the bolt slightly and screw in the machine screw until just tight. Check the full movement of the steering wheel. You should feel it "catch" at some point. If not tighten the machine screw a dash at a time until you can feel the wheel bind slightly. Once it does, slowly back the screw off just a bit so that eventually the steering wheel JUST does NOT drag. Then hold the machine screw in place andtighten the locking nut - test the movement again.

While you have the wheels up off the ground, check the kingpin bushings for wear. Place your hands at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions on each tire and try to rock it in and out. If it moves, it's time for bushings. Also check the wheel bearings. Place your hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and try to rock it in and out (without "steering" the wheel) If it moves, it's time for wheel bearings.

Then, let the truck down on the ground and have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you inspect for any movement in the drag link. If there is any movement, rebuild it. Kits are available at most of the parts places listed in the link above and the procedure is quite simple.

Lastly, while your friend turns the steering wheel back and forth look for play in the tie rod ends. If there is movement replace them.

All these procedures are in the shop manual as well. I just replaced all these things on my truck and the difference is amazing. Here is the link where we describe that process:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-end-savy.html

Good luck with your truck. I look forward to "seeing" you here!

 

Welcome to the FTE forum Alex! Lots of great people on here and as you can see from above post lots of great information. Look forward to your progress on the truck. But from the picture doesn't look like you need to do much to it. Beautiful truck!

 

That really is a sweet looking truck. Yeah hard to find something like that even in the states! Good find.

 

Welcome to FTE, Alex. Great looking truck you have there. All good info. above. You will have a lot of fun driving it if you bring it across the chanel to the UK with the steering wheel on the wrong side. I have had some experience in the reverse, I took a British car across to Germany and spent about eight months working over there. It is good to have a spotter riding with you to help you pass another car. Jump right in and enjoy the fun. Looking forward to following your project.

Gil

 

Hi everyone ans thanks for the replies It's a good lookin truck, got a parts order on the way from Macs - door lock/key , fuel sender etc ... small stuff to be messin with over Xmas. Most of which can be bought from the suppliers in the UK - but atm the dollar rate makes it cheaper to buy direct , even with the shipping costs.


I have stuck some pics in my gallery


Thanks - Pretty rare tin around these parts, I have lived here in Mid-France for 5 years - so far I have seen 2 classic American cars - 1 of which my own 57 Plymouth Belvedere - One 55 Ford Truck and 2 hot rods - 1 of which being my own 27 T - and my 29A Sedan ... not much in rural France due to the extortionate prices of parts, sales tax and
the fact that heavily customising cars is not strictly legal here - it's not a 'free' country - but you can earn three times as much as you can in th UK

Thanks Bobby, great list too

Cheers - the paint is matt blue so yeah, flat, was layed on in 06 or 07 as far as I know - some pics in my gallery of the spray work. Shame it's light blue - my overall least favourite colour - but round here .... 'find another' as the adverts say!

Cheers - will do during this holiday time - was searching for tags and stuff but found nothing so I'll get under it some time.

Thanks Julie - I'll try to adjust out some of the play - I did that several years ago on a 54 Chrysler I was running around in. I havent started yet though as I will have to remove the header that was, unforunately, reworked to fit between the steering box and the block so I cant get to the adjustment screw at all with it in place. So from Wednesday onwards I'm not working for a couple of weeks and can get things done.

Cheers Gil, at the moment I have my Ex-English RHD car with me in France and have had several US cars in UK so I'm used to it .... still can be tricky when trying to overtake lorries and tractors when you havent got a pasenger!


Cheers Alex

 

Nice truck i like the colour.

 

Nice one Alex - I agree ordering direct will save you a fair amount on anything thats not a stock item. I've ordered in almost everything I've needed direct to the UK including a new bed kit and it saved me a fortune sorting it out myself.

 

How far from Paris are you? I am vacationing in Paris again this August.

 

I'm about 4.5 hours south west of Paris - couple of hours from Spain