Projects 1948 F1 rattle can rebuild

What a fun thread! Great work on your F1!

 

I was going to do that but all the pins I had were too big, meaning a trip to town. I'll have them ready next time. I need to order some shift arm bushings and will install them at the same time.

 

Great idea! I should have thought of this yesterday when I was adjusting my shift linkages. Next time...

 

Fantastic build and documentation! Truly an enjoyable read.

That hitch is pretty cool. I'd like to find one that would bolt to my bumper, but it doesn't have a slot and I don't want to cut it. Maybe I'll find a vintage-looking one that fits over and around it.

 

Took Mrs. Lowkat out this morning so got a late start.

Got my hitch and bumper mounted. Spare tire carrier (48-52 Chevy) is ready to mount but it'll be in my way right now.




Noticed a snag couple weeks ago but started dealing with it today:

The leaf spring pack on the rear driver's side has 9 leafs. The pack on the passenger side has 6 leafs. It's missing the 2nd leaf down. and a few others. What should be the 3rd leaf down is on the bottom with clamps holding around the smaller ones. Since there's a few missing sombody massivily welded a piece of 1/2" plate to the spring perch to make up for the missing ones.

I'm pulling it all apart and will balance them out. I have a couple other loose spring packs I can cannibalize. I'll leave out a few leafs for a little bit of drop. Maybe it'll level the truck up some.

 

Got the rear spring stuff fixed last night. Ended up with 6 leafs on each side.

The driver's side had a broken locating pin and the leafs had all worked forward. The passenger side had the piece of steel to make up for the missing leafs. The broken off head of the original locating pin was stuck in the spring perch under the 'spacer' that was welded on top of it. The spacer had no hole for a pin and no pin in the spring pack.

This is the 'farmer' fix.

 

Truck is looking great!

 

my hat is off to you sir. this is what its all about.

 

I cant see the pics... But I love the build... The last pics I have seen were on page 4 or 5...

 

That is a great build. It will be great to give the previous owner a ride in it. The 6 cylinder is way cooler in that truck compared to the SBC.

 

This truck looks pretty d**m good. I'm glad I read this thread.

 

this has been a fun read. thanks for letting tag along. interesting choice on how they mounted the trailer hitch back in the day. i like the idea of hiding the modern radio in the old one.. very cool.. i have to have my music no matter what im in.. habit i guess. i know that dose not fly for a lot of guys.. but thats ok

 

I'm really looking forward to that day, I'll let him drive if he wants. The guy had the trucks for nearly 30 years, I'm sure he's thought about driving one.

OK, gotta get new batteries for the camera in the next day or two. Here's a completed (nearly) engine compartment shot to tie you guys over.

 

Haven't gotten much done in the last few days but had been running the buffer over it a little.
You can see it shining back in the garage.



Did get the running boards off of the driveway parts truck.
Stripped, painted semi-gloss and got them installed.



Shoulda' been looking parts truck over better during my build.
It has a few parts I could've used.





Today I'm switching front axles in the two trucks.
The one in the parts truck is tight as new, while the one I'm working on really needs kingpins.

 

Saturday and most of Sunday were spent giving Mrs. Lowkat lessons in Masonry 101. She's building some rock planters and couldn't get the concept. Finally after showing her a dozen times it sunk in.. She's on her own now.

Sunday afternoon I had an axlefest. Pulled front axles out of both trucks to switch them. The parts truck had new brakes and new brake hardware.

Will start putting stuff back together tonight.



Amazing what a little rubbung compound will do.
The truck was probably painted about 1974-1975.

 

Your arm must be ready to fall off-truck looks great!
Keep the pics coming-this is an inspiring build

 

So cool - if you already mentioned it, sorry...but can I ask what the tires are? Brand, size all that good stuff?

Sits nice!

 

oops

 

Really enjoyed the rebuild. You're a very talented person. Appreciate folks like you.

 

I went back and made the photos attachments so they're working now.

I'm at work so don't have the info now but do know size is 215/75/R15.

 

Great build im really enjoying it. You have a lot of great ideas. I must admit I thought the bumpers were going to look kinda weird but you pulled it off, both bumpers and fog lights look great. I think they look much nicer than the ford bumpers. Keep up the great work!

 

Marshall 793 all season radials (a cheap tire)

They were junkyard specials off of this '73 Buick.


They were one inch whitewalls I sanded to make them wider.
Took about 20 minutes a tire.
There's a few threads on the HAMB with instructions.

 

Those boards are nice. I still haven't found a decent set to replace my glass ones.

 

The last few days I've been cleaning up the parts truck. (#1)
Probably gonna send it down the road.

BEFORE:

AFTER:


BEFORE:


AFTER:


BEFORE:


AFTER:



The engine as found.

 

Got my brakes bled last night. Noticed the bolts were loose on the master cylinder and replaced them. Also adjusted the rod from the M/C to the pedal. Now it has awesome brakes.

Went to start the engine and the carb was leaking. When some genius (me) put the float bowl gasket on it wasn't aligned correct. Pulled the carb and made a new gasket cuz the original was ruined. No leaky now.

Should have the truck moving under it's own power this weekend!!

Stopped by the Goodwill looking for an old patterened wool blanket to use for a seat cover. Didn't find that but did find one ($3.99) that matches my door panels better than the Ranger seat does.

Picked up a huge aftermarket console at the wrecking yard so I can have a cup holder. Gotta have tunes and icy beverages on those road trips you know.

Anyways, I cut it in half, turned it around backwards and most of it slides under the seat. I'll make it look pretty later.

 

Nice work, LowKat.

I take it that the parts truck is not currently a "runner"?

 

The guy I bought them from said both trucks were 'runners' but I rarely believe sellers.

The 1st one ran so the parts truck will probably run too.
I did roll it over by hand with the plugs out but it's missing the gas tank and radiator.
Guess I should try starting it.

 

Went to start the engine last night but couldn't get spark.
I just had this thing running great a couple months ago.
BUT....... installed a complete used wiring harness since.

Get out the remote starter switch, test light, drop light,
jumper wires and start troubleshooting.

Maybe I made a mistake on the starting circut for the coil.
Disconnected the 'new' wiring from the coil.

Hot wired coil direct from the battery... nothing.
It has a Bosch coil and I've never had one fail.
Tried a couple different coils anyway... nothing.

Pulled the distributor cap.
Metal tang on top of the rotor was bent to shit???

Went out pulled the rotor off of the parts truck,
installed.... still nothing.

Finally gave-up for the night....
and took a photo of the 'tools of frustration'



This morning I figure I'll try the coil/distributor wire first.
Pull the petrified coil wire (an old wire core one) off the
parts truck, install.... VROOOM!

Reattached the 'new' wiring and it works perfect.
Engine started with the key switch...
First time in 29 yrs.

 

Just found your thread Lowkat. AWESOME. You certainly are the rattle can king. Keep them updates a comin.

 

Cool! Did you take it for a drive yet?