COE restoration
 

I'm interested in restoring a 1938-47 ford COE. I'm interested in restoring it to stock. I have never had anything to do with a COE. How easy is it to find parts ? I'm not referring to common things like flathead parts, but things that would be unique to the commercial trucks like brake shoes, transmission parts, rearend parts, etc ?


How many of those unique items on a COE would be the same on say a F4 F5 grain truck like you would see on a farm ? Were the frames the same from COE's to a F4 F5 farm/grain truck ?

Re: COE restoration
 

The frame on a COE is the same as a conventional cab truck from the rear of the front spring back. The crossmembers for the engine and transmission are the same but the steering gearbox is mounted farther forward and upside down to a conventional box. The gears in a COE steering box are the same as a RHD conventional box. The front axle is wider IIRC. Most of the drivetrain parts are interchangeable with the conventional cab trucks up to 1952. Brake drums are not available new, brake shoes can be relined. Wheel cylinders are available. Sheetmetal parts are almost impossible to find in my area, north central Arkansas, COEs were never popular here. I used a '47 COE for about 15 years for my shop truck. I loved the truck but I have back trouble and it was getting hard and painful for me to climb into it, so I sold it about 10 years ago. It also had quite a bit of rust and I couldn't find any body parts to fix it.
Mark

Re: COE restoration
 

These old Ford COE Trucks are great looking trucks. There are plenty that have been modified, but doing a stock one sounds great. Attached are some pictures from a Factory Brochure for your information..

Re: COE restoration
 

I know where there is a body of this vintage in southern Maine. A bit rough. Not sure if it is for sale.

Re: COE restoration
 

I can't offer any advice based on first hand experience with a COE restoration. I can offer some real world "rules of thumb" that would certainly apply to your inquiry.
Find a truck that is as complete as possible. Anything can be repaired. A missing part that may be impossible to replace, well, that's a problem. I'd keep an especially keen eye towards the body and interior for all the parts. The chassis parts can be found and are typically reasonable. Although not as plentiful as passenger car stuff, the demand is so low, the parts, typically, simply do not realize high values.
Of course start with the most solid example you can find. That, as you must realize, is going to require patience. These trucks were used and used hard. Still, they are out there.
There was a VERY solid 1940 example near here just two years ago. 38,000 actual miles, very minimal rust and as far as I could tell, 100% complete. Needed tires, brakes and a major tune to run down the road. Guy was firm at $8500. To me at least, that was too much. It sat there for a total of about five years.
I wanted it to haul hay, etc.
I wish you the best in this forthcoming project. I think they are COOL!

Re: COE restoration
 

Agree with Kube about the starting point. Here is a company that makes some COE sheet metal parts. There might be others out there as well considering how this style of trucks has become popular.
Torchie.
http://www.northernclassictrucks.com/new_items.htm

Re: COE restoration
 

Torchie, your link has some great parts. I wish they were around when I was doing my 37 pick up. I spent a long time looking for running boards that they appear to have listed, with the swoop.

Re: COE restoration
 

Thanks everybody for all the info and advice. I appreciate it.

Re: COE restoration
 

While I was growing up we had a fair quantity of trucks on the farm in western Kansas. We never put a lot of miles on them. They would go to cattle sales, farm auctions, and grain elevators mostly and only during the busy season. The worst problem was they set out in the weather all the time so they rust & deteriorate. We had one Non-Ford COE, a 1939 Chevrolet and it was one of my favorites to run even if it did have an old slush box 216 six. I worked on several 50s model Ford COEs for one summer at a local machine shop. They can be a b!tch to work on but not impossible. FoMoCo included some information in their publications about them but not a lot. They have a unique sled tool to slide the motor out the front when it needs work. There is no way to do major work while it's in place.

Re: COE restoration
 

Forder,

I get enthused when others express interest in these trucks and I hope you consider it, being a COE owner myself. We could use a few more examples on the road. I concur with the comments previously mentioned and add the following:

A) All the big trucks share the same radiator (years will vary due to design changes).

B) Tires are available (multiple sources – like Lucas tire) and are comparable in price to other collector tire sizes.

C) Tire dismounting and mounting is potentially dangerous. These trucks have lock-ring or two-piece rims which can cause injury if mishandled. A healthy respect for safety procedures, ensuring your parts are serviceable, providing continuous maintenance, and getting it done right mitigates the risks with these rims. Places still work on these tires/rims but finding one may be a challenge depending on where you live. I’m guessing you won’t find a shop in Times Square that will do this.

D) Because of the tire mounting concerns and the fact that most axles do not share the Ford 5-bolt big truck pattern, most people don’t want them. Good used ones are available for a restorer.

E) You’ll be hard pressed to obtain a near-perfect COE unless you spend the money. I’ve seen several restored ones online in the $40-60K range. “Barn-fresh” or long-term storage originals, which are fairly complete, pop up occasionally. A full restoration on a derelict might cost you some coin though.

My experience:
I found my 1947 101-inch-wheelbase COE stakebed in an online classified ad. It was out-of-state and, to make a long story very short, I ended up buying it sight unseen (except for pictures) – talk about a dumb thing to do. However I got lucky and had a great experience. Price was under $10K.

The truck was far from perfect (which I expected) but looked good and ran well from day one. No major attention or work was required. I’d call it 95% complete. It did have lots of wear, sat for years (some outside), had a few modifications and non-stock parts, the body work was a bit rough in places, and the frame is heavily salt-pitted (previous owner said it hauled coal in Boston at one time). But I was able to immediately drive it and put it to use. Everything works on it with the exception of the right-hand wiper. I enjoy that it’s still a work truck and leave restoration perfection for others to attain. These trucks were designed to be driven and used and a restoration wouldn’t be as much fun for me. When I get more settled in life I may restore it, who knows.

Lastly, if you’re interested, go for it – my COE was my first flathead Ford. I started with almost zero knowledge and am self-taught on all the repairs, parts interchangeability, what is available and not, what tools are needed and different, etc. Potential parts rarity shouldn’t be intimidating. There’s always someone out there looking for a NOS ’32 hood with extra louvers or some equally hard-to-find part. I needed a COE dipstick (yes they are different than all others) and eventually found one, NOS no less.

Growing up around old Fords with my dad helped as have numerous folks on Ford Barn and the V-8 club so I wasn’t totally unaware going into it. After 10 years of ownership, I still don’t regret it. There are plenty of folks out there with bits of knowledge and willingness to help.

If you have questions, I am willing to share what little I know. Send me a PM anytime.

COE Dan

Re: COE restoration
 

COE Dan

Love your Cab over, really cool!!!

Re: COE restoration
 

Try Job lot Ford in NY for chassis components, they do have some NOS parts at reasonable prices. Ask for James.
Good luck, Paul.

Re: COE restoration
 

I agree with Dan go for it if you find one, they are out there and are desirable. Having a big truck my self I can say that they offer their own special challenges but well worth the fun. I have a friend out here who has more than 10 of them in various stages of repair including Marmon Haringtons. People like the looks of them and they are unique.

Re: COE restoration
 

One or two here.

https://www.google.com/search?q=coe+...w&ved=0CDAQ7Ak