The Ford Barn

mhsprecher · 07-05-2018, 07:39 PM

Some of you have followed my exploits with my 1945 pickup. To summarize, I had a charging problem that led to my replacing all the under hood and cab wiring and replacing the voltage regulator with a NOS one picked up at Hershey last year. Last summer I replaced the tie rod and all the spring shackles in the front end. In the fall, a water pump started leaking, so I had Skip rebuild them and rebuild a coil while I had the truck apart.

While I had the radiator and shroud out, I decided to repaint them rather than put it all back together like it was. Not show quality, but better than it was. It sat pretty much through the winter and spring, but I finally got it all buttoned back up and started her up. On July 4, I took the truck out for a nice spin. It did great.

As Skip recommends, I didn't put the thermostats back in. On July 4, with the temp in the high 90s, the coolant temp was 165. My next thought is to put in Shewman's 180 degree thermostats. Skip recommends Shewman's thermostats over the stock. In any event, I am happy to have the truck on the road again for some summer cruising.

VeryTangled · 07-05-2018, 08:58 PM

Great report mhsprecher. Always a good day when another old Ford is back on the road!

GB SISSON · 07-05-2018, 09:17 PM

And a ford TRUCK at that! Congrats on getting it back on the road. Do I need to remind you we love pictures?

Darrell S · 07-05-2018, 10:38 PM

I'd be interested to know if the new voltage regulator solved the battery/amp gauge problem you had.

Congratulations on the job.

mhsprecher · 07-06-2018, 08:37 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yes, the new VR fixed the problem.

I had bought a new NAPA VR as one of the first things I did ttry and fix the problem. Didn't work. I ended up buying a bunch of NORS VRs at Hershey last year. The first one I tried did the trick. Unfortunately, it had been too long since I had bought the new NAPA one and couldn't return it.

For pics, go to my profile. You can see it is a handsome truck, but, as is often the case, you get dazzled by looks and lose your critical eye. It is a nice truck, but it took me months to sort out the electrical and other issues. I hope I am in good shape now. Some things they did very well, like the brakes, paint and bed. The electrics were a mess. Thanks to Tyree Harris for the wiring and some tips along the way and Jseery and others who helped me get to the bottom of my problems. Thanks also to Cliff Green of the NVRG who got to Hershey before me and had bought a bunch of NORS VRs and gifted me one.

Jeff, maybe now I can show up at a V8 function with an actual flathead V8! I love the truck by the way, even if it is too fancy for me. My wife asked me what we could haul in the truck, given how nice the bed looked? Pillows, is what I told her.

07-05-2018, 07:39 PM	#1
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Truck back on the road Some of you have followed my exploits with my 1945 pickup. To summarize, I had a charging problem that led to my replacing all the under hood and cab wiring and replacing the voltage regulator with a NOS one picked up at Hershey last year. Last summer I replaced the tie rod and all the spring shackles in the front end. In the fall, a water pump started leaking, so I had Skip rebuild them and rebuild a coil while I had the truck apart. While I had the radiator and shroud out, I decided to repaint them rather than put it all back together like it was. Not show quality, but better than it was. It sat pretty much through the winter and spring, but I finally got it all buttoned back up and started her up. On July 4, I took the truck out for a nice spin. It did great. As Skip recommends, I didn't put the thermostats back in. On July 4, with the temp in the high 90s, the coolant temp was 165. My next thought is to put in Shewman's 180 degree thermostats. Skip recommends Shewman's thermostats over the stock. In any event, I am happy to have the truck on the road again for some summer cruising.

07-05-2018, 08:58 PM	#2
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: Truck back on the road Great report mhsprecher. Always a good day when another old Ford is back on the road! __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?

07-05-2018, 09:17 PM	#3
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,916	Re: Truck back on the road And a ford TRUCK at that! Congrats on getting it back on the road. Do I need to remind you we love pictures? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

07-05-2018, 10:38 PM	#4
Darrell S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everett WA Posts: 346	Re: Truck back on the road I'd be interested to know if the new voltage regulator solved the battery/amp gauge problem you had. Congratulations on the job.

07-06-2018, 08:37 AM	#5
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: Truck back on the road Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yes, the new VR fixed the problem. I had bought a new NAPA VR as one of the first things I did ttry and fix the problem. Didn't work. I ended up buying a bunch of NORS VRs at Hershey last year. The first one I tried did the trick. Unfortunately, it had been too long since I had bought the new NAPA one and couldn't return it. For pics, go to my profile. You can see it is a handsome truck, but, as is often the case, you get dazzled by looks and lose your critical eye. It is a nice truck, but it took me months to sort out the electrical and other issues. I hope I am in good shape now. Some things they did very well, like the brakes, paint and bed. The electrics were a mess. Thanks to Tyree Harris for the wiring and some tips along the way and Jseery and others who helped me get to the bottom of my problems. Thanks also to Cliff Green of the NVRG who got to Hershey before me and had bought a bunch of NORS VRs and gifted me one. Jeff, maybe now I can show up at a V8 function with an actual flathead V8! I love the truck by the way, even if it is too fancy for me. My wife asked me what we could haul in the truck, given how nice the bed looked? Pillows, is what I told her. Last edited by mhsprecher; 07-06-2018 at 08:55 AM. Reason: Add more info.