1950 Ford F-47 (F1)

[kirkf]

I thought I'd start a thread for the 1950 Ford F-47 (Canadian F1) I've recently started working on.

This one sat in a field since the early 1970's, until I procured it in April.

Its original colour was Sheridan Blue, with Tan interior.

Overall its in good condition for a truck that hasn't moved in forty years.

Kirk

[kirkf]

I started off by getting the truck up on a hoist so I could have a look underneath.
A quick inspection found a serious frame crack on the drivers side, at the front bed mount point, and a shatter crack at the passenger side cab rear mount bolt.

I removed the box to have a closer look.

[kirkf]

Next I hauled the truck outside, and spent a couple of hours pressure washing it inside and out. There's actually an engine underneath all that oil and mud.

[kirkf]

Next I decided to do a brief test run of the motor, to see whather it would run or not.
I replaced the oil with some fresh non detergent, replaced the plugs, rotor, cap and hooked up a temporary fuel source.

It was a bit rough but it started and ran.

See youtube video here:


https://youtu.be/MVEzvJJG-2Y

This was the first time i've ever uploaded a youtube video. Thankfully it was a painless experience.

Kirk

[kirkf]

After the test run, it was time to continue the tear down.
Front clip and radiator came off next.

I was very happy to see lots of green antifreeze come pouring out of the engine.

[kirkf]

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I removed the cab and got it set to one side.

You can see an additional bend in the frame at the transmission mount on the passenger side.

[kirkf]

Motor and transmission came out next.

Note the unique colour used on Canadian V8's. Its sort of a beige colour. (Ivory?)

I haven't found an exact paint colour for this yet. I've sent a query to Ford Canada Heritage Department to see if they can answer it.

Other rebuilders have been using either cummins beige or packard ivory.


Kirk

[corvette8n]

Great looking project, looking forward to seeing the ongoing build.

[kirkf]

I stripped down the carb and got it soaking in carb cleaner for later reassembly.
It was cleaner than I was expecting it would be.

[kirkf]

Motor teardown began with the oil filter.
Canadian V8s all came with the larger filtration system to meet Canadian military spec at the time.

My filter was basically filled with tar at the bottom.
Upon close inspection I noticed that the feed line to the filter had been plugged with a roofing nail at the inlet.

I think the PO might have done this to try and get more oil pressure to the engine.
Or maybe they didn't believe in oil filters. Who knows.

Sad fact, the Canadian FRAM plant that made this filter all those years ago, recently closed. after some 70 years. Globalization...

[kirkf]

I had my eldest help me with some wrenching as we removed the rest of the engine accessories, intake and exhaust manifolds and heads.

Both heads had block heaters in place of one of the head bolts. Sadly one of them snapped off in the block.

The oil pump pickup was completely blocked with sludge. I'm surprised any oil could make it into the pump.

Note in the picture, that #6 valves were stuck open.

Kirk

[alanwoodieman]

we have just begun to rebuild two 48 F1's. One is a stopped project, still needs body work , wiring, etc. The other had the cab/front fenders removed and installed on a 68 F100 frame/motor/auto trans--we are going to put it back on the 48 frame with a flathead. PO had filled the flathead with over 6 gallons of oil--probably closer to 8 gallons--would never believed that much was in there!! po had plugged the dipstick tube with a rag and kep filling. motor runs with good oil pressure. we will watch you build and post some pictures of our two soon

[kirkf]

Oil pump removal was a bear of a job, to say it was stuck is the understatement of the year.
I tried everything to get it to come out. I even hung the entire motor from it, and banged it with a hammer, hoping to free it up.

It was utterly miserable. It would move a tiny amount and feel like it was locked somewhere in the block.

In the end I had to drift a wedge in under the edge of it and drive it out inch by inch. The pump itself actually snapped on the way out.

Needless to say, this is one part that won't be getting reused.

[ButchRed33]

Originally Posted by kirkf

Motor teardown began with the oil filter.
Canadian V8s all came with the larger filtration system to meet Canadian military spec at the time.

My filter was basically filled with tar at the bottom.
Upon close inspection I noticed that the feed line to the filter had been plugged with a roofing nail at the inlet.

I think the PO might have done this to try and get more oil pressure to the engine.
Or maybe they didn't believe in oil filters. Who knows.

Sad fact, the Canadian FRAM plant that made this filter all those years ago, recently closed. after some 70 years. Globalization...

Interesting to hear of the Canadian F-47...that is odd they plugged the feed line to the filter, everybody has their ideas I suppose. Looks like a cool project, always liked the older trucks. Best of luck.

[kirkf]

Corvette8n / alanwoodieman
Thanx, There is a daunting amount of work ahead. I'm starting with the basics.
1. Get the frame stripped down and off to a frame shop to be straightened and welded up.
2. Get the motor stripped down and off to a machine shop to check the block.

Due to the laws where I live, this truck will have to be 'safetied', which basically means that everything mechanical on the frame will have to be replaced with new working parts that pass inspection. Although the truck only has to meet the specifications as it was originally built, as long as I don't alter anything. Even cracked rubber on a tie rod is reason enough to fail a safety inspection.

Hopefully I can get the frame off to the frame shop in the next week or so. Its hard to find a frame shop that can still work with full frames. Almost everywhere I called can only do unibody.

Kirk

[GaryU.]

Kirk, lots of luck on your project. Don't know if you tried this but Walt Dupont has posted to use a pipe wrench to remove oil pumps. I've done this a few times with good success, they can be very stubborn.

[kirkf]

The next part of the motor tear down I have fewer pictures of.
My hands were filthy and it was a pain to clean them up enough to grab the phone for pictures.

I removed the valves, guides, etc. Which was an interesting job.
This is my first flat head rebuild, and I have to admit looking at the books really didn't clue me into exactly how valve/guide assembly was assembled.

I have to give those Ford engineers credit. Its an ingenious setup.
Since i'm not planning on retaining any of the valve assembly, it was a straight forward removal procedure.

The cam came next. The distributor drive gear on the front was a bit tough, I had a hard time getting a small enough puller around it.

Then after that the crank shaft was removed, and bolted back onto the flywheel for storage till it can go into the machine shop.

At this point the block is almost ready to go in to be cleaned up, inspected, magna fluxed etc.

-The cam bearings are still in place, but I'll let the machine shop handle those.
-The oil idler gear is still in place, and I have no idea how to remove it yet.

-I think there is still an oil pressure relief somewhere for the camshaft.

This is basically the point where I'm going to start needing all this expert advice to help me along.


Kirk

[mercman from oz]

This lovely 1948 Ford F-47 was on display at the Early Ford V8 Nationals held in Echuca earlier this year. This Pickup was imported from Canada and converted to Right Hand Drive. One day, your 1950 Ford F-47 will look like this beauty.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a "before" picture enlarged so that you can see it better. Good luck with your project.

[Ken Crans]

Fun project you got... Red does do the trick, and i sure love the right hand drive F-47. Ken