26 replies to this topic

[Ryan313]

Good idea, as it's a huge job to restore such a machine. It is a solid looking truck and a worthy project! Quite a rise to load GT's onto, as you don't want much tilt to the bed at all while loading. Best to build a long long ramp. Now if you had a hydraulic liftgate.......!!

Personally, I if I had a place to, I would make a dirt pile loading ramp. Back the truck up to it or drive along side of it and then drive the tractor up the pile. I do not like ramps at all, I'm not trusting of them at all and thats quite a high fall on a tractor.

[johndeereelfman]

Boy, would that truck look awsome with a Candy Apple Plum cab and hood, and Silver fenders. Violet plush interior, wood grained console, gloss black chassis, oak stained bed, and polished aluminum rims. Lucky, lucky you Michelle! Have fun with it.

Edited by johndeereelfman, April 29, 2012 - 07:19 AM.

[michelle]

The exhaust ports are probably rusted through, and the block is most likely cracked. It's hard to find a good flathead.

Such a Negative Nelly!

[Amigatec]

Unfortunatly that is the nature of the old flathead V8. The the exhaust ports run from the top of the block through thecwater jacket, to the outside and are famous for being rusted out. Also these V8's had a problem cooling the back cylinders. The trick here was to use restrictors in the water necks to force more water into the back of the block. These are just some things you need to be aware of.

[caseguy]

That looks to be in really nice shape for a '47! Congrats and Happy Birthday! I would also caution you about the "Armstrong power steering" that those old trucks had. It's called that because you'll need strong arms to steer it while sitting still! Should be OK on the open road though. My FIL had a '52 Ford pick-up that had the flathead V-8 and it ran like a champ! Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[michelle]

Well she now has spark! Didn't want to stay running, only with gas getting poured into the carb. Time to find a rebuild kit and get that carb cleaned up.

Took off the red piece of wood that was rotting away.

[KennyP]

Glad to hear the old flathead is still running. Good luck!

[michelle]

Rebuilt the carb today and got it running!

[powerking56]

Great news!! the flatheads have their issues, but they are one of the sweetest sounding 8's out there. Good luck getting the truck cleaned up and moving and stopping. It will make a great tractor hauler for going to shows.

[michelle]

[KennyP]

That will let you unload those GT's real quick! Great to hear the old flathead running and seeing the lift going up and down.

[MH81]

Used to be a gent around here with one similar that he hauled his tractors to the shows with. His had hydraulic winches in the front of the bed and he pulled them up instead of trying to drive them on.

Nice present Michelle, great to hear it running.