Hi my name is Larry and I just got a 1952 F1 with a 239 flathead in it. I have ordered an ez-wire kit for it because I don't know how much of the truck has been rewired for the 12 volt system that is in the truck now. I would like to put power steering on the truck but I see no where to mount the pump on the engine. I also have a problem with the valcum wipers one of the arms is broke. Should I try and fix the arm or go with electric wipers from some other sourse. The engine runs good but only has a top speed of about 40 or 45 and I would like to get more speed out of it. Can anyone help?

 

Welcome Larry from another Larry. Go back into the User CP and add where you are from. That will help in case someone on the board lives close by you.

As far as the vacuum wipers go I would toss them. You can go to a pick & pull and get an electric wiper motor and set that up with your orginal arms if you have fab skills. If not, you can purchase a bolt in replacement electric wiper motor from Newport Engineering in St. Louis.

It sounds like you want to drive the truck down the hiway so you will need to change out the rearend because these old trucks are geared very low. Some purchase the 9" Ford rearend out of another later model truck or an Explorer rear will also work but you have to find the right width in either case. If you keep the OEM tranny you will probably want a rearend with a 3.25 or 3.50 ratio but could get by with a 2.73.

Some of the other guys running the flatheads will give you some info on the power steering. You will probably want to change to an alternator also with the new 12v wiring.

I think it takes a few posts in order to use the search function but when you have 10 or so do a search on these subjects and you should get lots of info. Also take a look at the Articles/Specs at the top. Some good info in there.

Have fun with your new truck.

 

Welcome to the board Larry. You will find this to be a good and sound place for knowledge and whatever comes along with it. Been here since 02 and there isn't a better bunch of folks.

Gear Up

 

Hi Welcome to FTE.

The answers to all you problems are here. there are many threads about increasing speed, power steering, and much more.

Have fun and good luck!

 

The truck has a 12 volt system already I just don't know how far it is run because there are old wires just cut off with no caps on them. Another question I have is that the truck backfires going down the road and I think from reading the different forums is that the plug wires all touch and are run through a rubber tube. I think in one of Jullies forums she said they can't touch or they will cross fire with each other. Got to find some way to get them apart and still look have way good. Anybody got any Ideas that are running flatheads on how to do this without the wires touching thetop of the motor?

Thanks for the help on the other post.

 

Welcome aboard. Lots of friendly, knowledgable, people here willing to share their experience. It's been very helpful to me. Good luck with your project.

 

Welcome Larry. You will find out everything you need here and more. Ask and you shall receive! There are numerous guys and gals with 1951-1952's here.

Freddie

 

My name is Larry and I live in Santa Fe Texas about 45 minutes from houston and about 35 minutes from Galveston. I have lived here all my life and will always I guess. It's a small little town so I have to drive to Alvin to try and get parts. I love my 52 I just don't know much about it yet but I'm sure I will in time.

thanks for welcoming me to the forum and I look forward to reading all the help I can get.

 

Some of theflathead guys use plug wire "looms" to keep wire separate. Back firing down hill lcould be a couple things - maybe an burned exhaust valve too, or an ignition/timing/vacuum thing.

I copied the tubular wire looms the flathead guys use. Here is picture of mine:

 

Wow, Julie, your engine is "over the top" on being pretty. I am certain that you have won many show awards with your truck.

Welcome to the FTE, Larry! From one 'newbie' to another, you will find this forum to be very useful. I have started reading the 'tips and tricks' thread that stays at the top of the thread list. That is going to be very useful. These Ford nuts DO know their stuff. That particular thread is long. I find myself browsing through it and then getting distracted and pursue other things.

Could you get a picture of your pickup and post something to your 'garage' so others can see what your are driving? I will be interested in how you come out on the electrical matters you mention. I have only recently purchased a '51 F1 and I won't collect it until Good Friday (April 2nd) and I already know it will need lots and lots of work. I am wondering if a wholesale, complete redo of the electrical system should be considered.

Good luck and again, welcome to the FTE and the '48 - '60 forum.

 

welcome aboard Larry. lets see some pics!

 

Depending on the model, having the plug wires inside a tube is original equipment for flatheads. That alone should not be your problem. If you have a backfire problem while driving, which is limiting your top speed, that sounds more like a timing or distributor issue. Find someone with a distributor machine and have the dist. checked out. Make sure your timing is correct. And you might replace your plug wires with a good quality set, just to eliminate crossfire as a possibility. I would also do a compression test and perhaps a valve adjust, too, to make sure that isn't an issue.

For your wiring, if what you have resembles a rats nest, or a bowl of spaghetti, you would definitely benefit from an upgrade there, as well. Painless or EZ Wire, among others, make very good kits to help with that issue. Making that change will at least let you know exactly what you have.

 

Julie,looks like you have more tied up in your engine than I have in my whole truck...awsome looking engine and truck.
Griff

 

thanks for all the information I will try to do a compresion test on the truck first to see if something is wrong there. I don't know how old the plug wires are so I will probably change them too. Can't wait till the ez-wire kit gets here so I can start on rewiring the rats nest under the hood. I will also try and figure out how to post pics on here of the truck now. I'm not to good at this computer stuff. You guys and girls are great information getters.

 

Hey Larry, Welcome to the machine (FTE).