38 truck resto
 

Probably will end up with a ton more questions as they come up. But due to living in the north I have pulled apart some of the smaller assemblies of my 38 tonner and moved them to my basement to clean and get 80 years of grease and dirt off. First part on the table is at 4 hrs and counting. Looking to find some information on the stock painting of the brake bracket 81t 2468. Was the shaft painted as well as the metal bracket and how are the bushings on wear in them it was very well greased by the looks of it.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Probably chassis black.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Most suspension/brake parts are black. Springs are color coated on mechanical brakes. I can take pictures maybe this weekend. It was -30 yesterday. I only took a walk and filled the bird feeders outside.


I have a standard truck, not a tonner. The tonners are way cool.


Have some old ads for the tonner I can post. Or if your hanging on to it maybe it'd be decent framed garage art.


Look forward to the progress. Pictures are nice too. :)

Re: 38 truck resto
 

try moving the clutch/brake pedals side to side to check for play, a little won't hurt a thing, but if is sloppy it will just continue to wear the shaft because the bushings are worn out

Re: 38 truck resto
 

It has side to side as it would sit on the truck but that appears to be original design not wear related inside the bushings is tight. As of now I dont ever plan on selling it when it's done but as it goes everything is for sale as long as the price is right. So pictures and brochures of it are something I would be interested in for sure. Have a few missing parts to find or reproduce at some point.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

That's the part I'm cleaning

Re: 38 truck resto
 

That's as i brought it home. Needs some TLC but it was my house or the grave.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Missed it on the upload

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Not a tonner, 1.5 ton. Still a nice project.

How are the arms? loose? or tight? With it out you could add bearings. I found they don't get a lot of sideways wear and hold up very well.

You have all the cables needed?

Nice project!! What are your plans???


GB SISSON is your man for big trucks.



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Re: 38 truck resto
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1549082323
Here is a larger picture of your new project.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1549531353
Keep up the good work on your project 1938 Ford Truck, and before long, it will be looking like this beauty from Australia. The owners are not shy about driving this truck, as they drive interstate to attend the various Australian Early Ford V8 Nationals which are held every two years, shared by the 4 Regional Groups. Since the restoration, they have driven this truck thousands of trouble free miles.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Well Sparky... You have taken on a big project. More power to you. When I first saw this post I was thinking maybe you now owned my old 38 tonner pu. It was bought by a local couple here on this island who shipped it to their son in NY somewhere. I often wonder how it is faring. I have a '47 two ton now as well as some ther jailbar trucks. Your best sources of parts are Chuck's Trucks in Conneticut or Bob Selzam's 'half ton fun' in New Jersey. Bob only does email these days. Sorry can't find Bob's email. Keep us posted on progress and we like pictures. Look for posts here by 'bernette'. He's doing a similar truck restoration.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Tinker none of the cables survived the years. I would love to see it looking like the Australian one. I know it's a long road but knew that going in. Best part is I can justify new tools to the wife. I would like original as possible doesn't need to be perfect correct as long as its goes and stops and looks pretty.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Sparky79, maybe keep an eye out for a rolling chassis that's all complete as a backup plan, people do frame swaps and almost give them away. Sometimes it's cheaper then buying parts and pieces.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Yes Some project, always amazes me why someone has to shoot the crap out of these old vehicles.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Give it character I guess. Wife asked if I was leaving it to look like a moonshine truck.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Next painting question. The two plates on the steering gear box, where the light switch housing mounts and the sector shaft back end plate, trying to find out if they were painted or if they were left natural. They didn't seem to have paint on them but it took some elbow grease to get the dirt off them and not sure if it took the paint too. My basement is starting to look like a meat locker of parts hanging ready for paint and warmer weather.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

Not sure on that sparky. My end caps were just metal, if I get you correct.

Be careful you don't inhale too many fumes de-greasing your parts in your basement.


Post up some pictures if you can. It helps.

Re: 38 truck resto
 

It's all good that's why the wait for warmer weather and no solvents super clean and wire brushes. I'm a bit crazy but can't afford too many more dead brain cells.