|
1941 4 cylinder pickup A lot of folks here and over at the HAMB have been looking for information on the 4 cylinder available in Fords for a short time in the 40s. I've owned for the last 6+ years a 1941 Ford pickup with that 4 cylinder engine. While I'm no expert, mine is largely original and I've learned a little bit about them and was asked to share.
Here is Clem before he arrived in sunny Florida from Wisconsin...previously owned by 2 working farmers and one "gentleman" farmer... http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/7...9d9bc642_z.jpg 1941Jan06 by mrmoose1, on Flickr Polished up a bit by the new owner...an ungentlemanly farmer wannabe... http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7...174d27a3_z.jpg 100_0354 by mrmoose1, on Flickr And here's a shot of the little 4 banger. These were exactly the same as the 9N Ford tractor motor with the exception of the air cleaner, fuel pump (gravity feed on the tractor, mechanical on the pickup) and governor (none on the pickup) and were mated to the Ford 4 speed non-synchro transmission. I've seen the HP rated from anywhere from 23 to 40 HP...they are slow, very slow, and as a result did not sell well...it is thought only a few hundred were produced, but I have never been able to verify production numbers. Being rare doesn't make one especially desirable, as again, they are slow. That does not stop me from driving Clem every weekend, and occasionally on weekdays, in Florida traffic. All I do is force everyone around me to have a little more patience...and it has worked thus far. I have had him up to 60, but it took some time getting there. 4.55 rear end. Cruises comfortably at 50 though. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2156/2...16015a01_z.jpg 040708 025 by mrmoose1, on Flickr I have rebuilt the front end and replaced the spring, replaced brakes, and the little truck really goes down the road nice. Clutch is nearly gone though, and Clem shifts very hard and sloppy, so will need to pull tranny in the near future. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7...e0361e20_z.jpg 040708 023 by mrmoose1, on Flickr After replacing a blown head gasket and a little cleanup, the little motor looks a little better..(note original wiring harness...risky) http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4045/4...a0995d25_z.jpg to 120609 007 by mrmoose1, on Flickr You'll see Clem change little by little over time.. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2443/3...84a98368_z.jpg 1941 Ford pickup "Clem" by mrmoose1, on Flickr Had the running boards coated with a bed coating called LinerZ...was applied very hot....tough stuff, and I don't slip off the boards when wet now... http://farm1.staticflickr.com/73/164...c22c6ad7_z.jpg 1941 Ford pickup runningboard by mrmoose1, on Flickr Clem does not shirk from work.... http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3379/3...4e6d7784_z.jpg to 062809 016 by mrmoose1, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3470/3...8b6aab18_z.jpg 1941 Ford pickup by mrmoose1, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3615/3...6ae97bed_z.jpg 1941 Ford pickup by mrmoose1, on Flickr Family and friends go for rides regularly (note unsecured lawn chairs in the back end-living large and dangerous) http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2617/4...c8ccd2a8_z.jpg truck ridz by mrmoose1, on Flickr A year and a half ago....time to ditch the wiring harness (fire hazards don't get much more obvious than this) http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5096/5...36f6bac2_z.jpg wiring harness-in process by mrmoose1, on Flickr Headlight harness before... http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5260/5...e49a8074_z.jpg headlight wiring-before by mrmoose1, on Flickr Headlight harness after...if you wonder about the shiney stuff in the bucket, when I repair the old iron I generally grind and paint, or scuff and coat with Gibbs brand as I did here...seems to slow or stop rust. I'm not intent on restoring Clem, only keeping him sort of original. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5251/5...a6a55890_z.jpg headlight wiring-after by mrmoose1, on Flickr Uh oh, fat boy down! They'll probably need a crane to git me outta there! Stuck under there working on the harness. Note the 60mph speedo. Of the few of these you'll see most have replaced with the 100mph speedo which is correct for the 6 cylinder and the 85HP V-8 but not for the 9N. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5251/5...65477c28_z.jpg 031211 030 by mrmoose1, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5056/5...7539708b_z.jpg 031211 028 by mrmoose1, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2744/5...45e53d53_z.jpg 052811-2 007 by mrmoose1, on Flickr Neat item...an Optima battery inside a Ford script case....I got tired of replacing the NAPA 6V batteries (generally old when you buy them) and not being able to count on them, so spent the long $$ on this. Very pleased so far. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8438/7...da05d633_z.jpg 081812 002 by mrmoose1, on Flickr So there you have some of the basics. I have thought of replacing the little 4 with a proper flathead, and have the correct front crossmember and a rebuidable radiator in the shed, but generally have decided to keep the little 4 in there. The decision is aided by a lack of funding, which I guess isn't always a bad thing. I hope I've helped a little with what you may not have known....if questions be patient as I do not get hereas often as I'd like sometimes. mrmoose |
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup A vote for keeping the 4! And a question. Am I correct in my thinking the serial number on the engine does not have a 9? Does it start with N?
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Jeff, outstand story and photos and, if it counts for anything, I'd keep the 9N four banger and everything else just the way it is... Hope to see you soon. Vic
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Quote:
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Thanks Vic, and you are probably right. maybe I'll listen to you for a change!....ahahahahahah
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Quote:
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Mr. Moose - Great to see Ol' Clem, and to re-hear his story!! I'm with Vic (for what it is worth) and keep the 4-banger!! Besides, all you have to worry about in that Florida traffic is WHEN is Granny going to FINALLY make the left turn she has been signalling for the past 9 miles.......HUGE GRIN!! Clem and Clyde have much in common - starting with WORK trucks.......!!
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Change that 9:41 center section out to a 9:37 (4.11) and you will be able to up your speed and on flat ground should work fine. Those are great engines and believe it or not, some perk up stuff is around for them. Sherman head and pop up pistons. Thought I would never see another set of them and low and behold there was a set on Tbay about three months ago even if I got out bid at the last minute. That same engine was used in the 41 prototype model GP jeep. It had a slightly different front plate, conventional up right dist and down draft carb. I have one of those and it does not have sleves like a the n tractor engine.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Marcus, you need to take a break from the court stuff (and congratulations, by the way...I understand you are really making a difference up there...we need more of that here) and come on down here for a little r&r. I think little Clyde is a jewel, by the way. Jewel or no, work his patooti off. They seem to like it.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Jim, hoppin up Clem isn't an option, due to finances and general lack of gumption. That said however, I'd sure like to hear your thoughts on the hop up. The 9N is a sleeved engine, side draft carb, that is anemic as can be. Years ago I had a couple of 36HP VWs that could run circles around old Clem and come back and give you change. As I understand it the plan was to put the 9Ns in these for awhile but they were only put in '41s and a very limited # of 42's. Plenty of torque but no pizazz. But Clem is fun anyway.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Jeff, it's a Ford and its flat, what could be wrong...:D:cool: I'd change nothing and use it the way it was intended...;) I've got some tree stumps that need pullin' and I still don't have an 8N...:eek::eek::eek:
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Cost you some pizza. Maybe a Schitz too.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Hi Jeff. Thanks for sharing those terrific photos of Clem and the interesting info about the 9N and if I may add my vote with the others...keep the 4 banger! Hope to see you in the near future. Steve
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Quote:
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Jeff,
Nice pics and history on the 41 four bangers. Hope to see you and Clem in a few months. John |
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup hey Henry, my younger daughter lives up near you....Willison...and 4 beautiful grandkids. I have been there, and when I go again, may just look you up. Watch out. Also, try some Schlitz...I think you can still get it there. You'll want to ditch the Homebrew.
moose |
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup John, when you and Barb get down I am going to take you for a rapid ride around the block (many blocks if you're up to it). Clem corners amazingly. Well, maybe not amazingly..but fun yes.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Great story Moose. Clem is good just the way it is.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Stop by when you find a moment....I want a ride in that old blue '36.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Ha, I just typed that in your Amos thread! Will do!
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Thanks for sharing - they are a rarity and it's nice to see some detail shots.
Mart. |
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Happy to share Mart, and good to hear from across the pond. I have a stepson who is in love with your country, and has been there 3 or 4 times. I bet it rained more here (in sunny Florida) today than it did over there. Please send pix of whatever you're into, thanks.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Quote:
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Henry, my daughter and her family owe their income to....get ready....the Lord. Her husband is a pastor, and now due to the oil business explosion, they're in the thick of something nearly beyond them. I figure that as long as they have neighbors like you, they'll be ok. And although it may be awhile, when we do get there again, for sure we'll look you up...and I will try your homebrew thanks.
j |
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Great story and pictures-loved both. The pictures with the brush in Clem reminded me of my truck-May-I load her up with the same type of stuff and haul it off. Great to see these old trucks being used for what they were intended.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Quote:
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup I really enjoyed the story and pics. I have a disassembled 4 banger in my garage that belongs to my son. I towed it from San Diego in 1980 with a tow bar behind a 1970 F-100, and my son who was just out of high school, pulled the 283 Chevy engine out and sold it and hasn't touched the truck since. It has excellent sheet metal and is all there. Maybe someday!!
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup It seems odd that the little 4-banger would be hooked up to the non synchro 4-speed that was generally used in the large trucks & optionally in the smaller ones.Your trans should be basically good shape as it is so under stressed in your PU.Once you master double clutching,they shift very well.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup I know it may be viewed as blasphemy by some and I don't know if it is even possible with the 4 cyl engine but should be since the transmission bolt pattern is presumably the same as the V8; but, some fellas around here have put 5 spd trans on their flatheads and RAVE about the difference. I put one behind the engine in a 40 coupe I had and it became a ball to drive. Yeah, those of you with a memory might recall that the engine was a Desoto hemi BUT it was ALREADY in the car when I got it!
Anyway, just a thought. Most of us do more thinking than working now a days but thank the Lord we're able to keep trying. I appreciate the sharing of pictures and words by Mr Moose and commend him on working to improve his truck and trying to drive the wheels off it! ATTABOY! Keep working, Al |
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup The one in my garage has a different pattern for the transmission because of the starter being on the opposite side and I guess I need to check closer, but it looks to be a 3 speed.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup The easiest improvement to make would be to change the rear end to a 4:11, its a bolt in and the 4:11 gear sets are plentiful and not in demand near as much as others. Another inexpensive item would be to mill the head. Custom head and pistons are so scarce that even with the cash, they are very hard to come by. At one time some of these engines as well as Fergunson engines were used in midgets.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup cool truck! did they put 4 cyl. engines in 38'-39' trucks?
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup No,only 41 had them. ken ct.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup I remember at one time in the late 40s, Dad a Ford Dealer USED Car manager then, had on his lot 4 different engine Ford vehicles, A 194l 4 cyl pickup, A 1942 6cylinder panel, A 1937 60 Hp coupe and a 40 85 Hp tudor. That was unusual Even at that time.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup WOW, that is an eye-opener for me. Great truck, and hope you keep driving Clem, Byron.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup A friend of mine, here in the socal area, has a 41 flatbed (4-cyl) that he restored. He is a long-time Ford guy, having worked on Fords for over 50 years. He went to great lengths to research it regarding what is correct and original, and he submitted it for judging and got a Dearborn for it. Since receiving the Dearborn, he has driven it a little, shown it some, and last I heard, was offering it for sale. I don't believe I've ever seen another 4-cyl in my area.
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Quote:
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup thank you for this thread and the information! Can you tell us the difference in the front crossmember and maybe a picture?
|
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Quote:
Always fun to see more photos of Clem. |
Re: 1941 4 cylinder pickup Thats a cool truck, I always wanted a rare one with the 4 or a v8-60. Also, sorry but what is wrong with that right rear fender?
|
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:00 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.