1950 Ford f-1 help

[old45guy]

Hey guys,

I have been reading the forum for a year now and signed up and making my first post. Great stuff on here by the way!

I inherited a 1950 ford f-1 with a 8ba and Holley 94 carb that is in very good condition. It was my uncles but he didn’t drive it much and not at all the last 5 years. I received it a year ago. I had some maintance work done like distributor, brakes, new carb, rebuilt radiator etc. I love it but I am not a mechanic by any means. I changed the plugs and check the compression and it is between 92-100 on all 8 cinders. The plugs are already black after 20 miles. The oil is black and was just changed 150 miles ago. It has hard starts after letting it sit for more than 20-30 minutes and really have to crank and sometimes when cold fires up most of the time right away but sometimes really has to crank but more so when warm and let it sit for 20 minutes or more. I also believe I have a vacuum leak.

So here’s my question. I’m in corona ca (SoCal) and wanted to see if anyone has a reputable shop or even if someone on here would be willing to work on it. I would gladly pay. I just want it right. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated! ThanksIMG_9553.jpg

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[KiWinUS]

Let’s start with the “New” carb. Where did it come from? Does it have the correct vacuum port for the loadamatic distributor? What happened to the original carburetor? Possibly better off with original carburetor rebuilt.

[mercman from oz]

[Ford Freak]

Very nice F1 pickup!

[old45guy]

The original carb was rebuilt by a shop. And ran worse so they ordered a new Holley 94 and put it on. I have no idea about the vacuum stuff. Like I mentioned I am not mechanical at all and just want it to run good with no issues. If anyone has any recommendations for a shop in SoCal I’m in corona or if anyone has any extra time and is in the area I would happily pay them. It seems like this forum has more knowledge than most shops.

[old45guy]

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Originally Posted by KiWinUS

Let’s start with the “New” carb. Where did it come from? Does it have the correct vacuum port for the loadamatic distributor? What happened to the original carburetor? Possibly better off with original carburetor rebuilt.

The original carb was rebuilt by a shop. And ran worse so they ordered a new Holley 94 and put it on. I have no idea about the vacuum stuff. Like I mentioned I am not mechanical at all and just want it to run good with no issues. If anyone has any recommendations for a shop in SoCal I’m in corona or if anyone has any extra time and is in the area I would happily pay them. It seems like this forum has more knowledge than most shops.

[tubman]

If you have the ability to remove and replace your carburetor, your best bet would be to take it off and send it to Charlie Schwendler in New York. He is an old time craftsman that knows these things inside and out. He will rebuild your carb and run it on his test engine and return it in perfect shape. Many people have used this avenue to solve these kinds of problems.

Charlie NY
aka Charlie Schwendler
Orchard Park, NY
Home phone: 716-662-9159
Cell phone: 716-440-8952

Another thing to look at is the fuel pump. Some later replacement pumps have too heavy a spring and put out too much pressure and overwhelm the float valve. I would just box both the carb and fuel pump up and send 'em out.

Not that there is nobody in your area that can do it, it's just that Charlie is a sure thing.

[mercman from oz]

Welcome to Ford Barn - Love your 1950 Ford F-1

[leon bee]

There's always a time limit on "run good with no issues".

[pbsdaddy]

Some good information here. Black plugs indicate too much fuel, (as a start). The fuel pump on your 8BA should be running at about 4 to 5 pounds pressure. Nothing more! The second black plug issue, (in my book), is spark. Are your points set right? If the gap is too small, the spark will be less, thus failing to provide enough spark to ignite all the fuel. Third is basic carb jetting. If you don't know how to properly set the jet, find someone that does. It's not difficult, to set, but can easily be damaged. Sending your carb off to be tuned is good. However, in my opinion, it cannot truly be properly tuned if it isn't on the engine

[1942deluxe]

Originally Posted by pbsdaddy

Some good information here. Black plugs indicate too much fuel, (as a start). The fuel pump on your 8BA should be running at about 4 to 5 pounds pressure. Nothing more! The second black plug issue, (in my book), is spark. Are your points set right? If the gap is too small, the spark will be less, thus failing to provide enough spark to ignite all the fuel. Third is basic carb jetting. If you don't know how to properly set the jet, find someone that does. It's not difficult, to set, but can easily be damaged. Sending your carb off to be tuned is good. However, in my opinion, it cannot truly be properly tuned if it isn't on the engine

That's the neat thing about Charlie rebuilding your carburetor, he dials them in on a flathead test engine. Got to watch him set my 21-29 (42 Ford) on his engine. Plug and play when it got home!

[pbsdaddy]

Originally Posted by 1942deluxe

That's the neat thing about Charlie rebuilding your carburetor, he dials them in on a flathead test engine. Got to watch him set my 21-29 (42 Ford) on his engine. Plug and play when it got home!

I'd like to see that. I have watched other operations being performed on test engines. It would be interesting to see how the tune translates from one engine to the other.

[wga]

Old45 - I'm down the 91 from you. Contact CW Moss in Orange. They should be able to recommend someone. I'm busy with a 56 F100 for a customer, and there are 3 projects in line.
800-322-1932

[old45guy]

Thank you all for the advice. I have some work to do!

[tubman]

Originally Posted by pbsdaddy

Some good information here. Black plugs indicate too much fuel, (as a start). The fuel pump on your 8BA should be running at about 4 to 5 pounds pressure. Nothing more! The second black plug issue, (in my book), is spark... ...

Isn't this a little high? I thought 2 1/2 to 3 psi was a maximum.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by tubman

Isn't this a little high? I thought 2 1/2 to 3 psi was a maximum.

I was watching to see how long it took for someone to make that point!
As for myself, I found that 1 lb worked well.

[pbsdaddy]

Originally Posted by tubman

Isn't this a little high? I thought 2 1/2 to 3 psi was a maximum.

I'll have to look it up again, When I redid my 8BA, I went with a 4 pound pump. I'm sure that is what I found to be recommended.

[pbsdaddy]

This is the first thing that came up after a google search.

"Between 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 lbs
The maximum fuel pressure for a 1950 Ford 8BA engine12345 is between 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 lbs1. The stock fuel pump pressure is 3-1/2 Psi2. The Holley fuel pressure regulator should be set at 2.7 psi"

It appears the difference between the pump pressure and the regulator setting are what causes the difference in opinion.

[chap52]

These trucks are individuals and as you drive it you will figure out the little tricks like using the choke a small bit at times. We have all driven miles forgetting that the choke was still pulled out a bit.
Black plugs sounds like rich fuel mixture to me. I used a fuel pressure regulator on my 8BA with duel 94's set at 3 pounds. Ran great.
Dark oil is probably from it not getting driven enough. These trucks need to be "driven" not just cruised around a low speeds.
I am sure that there is a flathead mechanic near you. sending the carb to Charlie would be great but a l o n g way when the truck probably needs timing and points set to specs also. Anyone nearby that can help??? Please chime in...
Beautiful truck, enjoy the adventure... Chap

[Planojc]

Another option is to find a Early Ford V8 Club in your area to join. There are usually good mechanics there that can help you.