Merle Coggins

It looks fairly solid and a good truck to work with. It looks like it's been sitting in the weeds for quite a while. Will the engine turn over, or is it stuck? Are the running boards and cab floor solid, or rusted out? If the engine will turn, and the underside is solid, then there is much potential. Get it running... get brakes on it... spray some fresh paint on it... and enjoy. What is the current owner asking for it? I would think if you could get it for between $500 and $1000 you'd be in the ball park. Of course, the lower the better. Merle

Don't forget about the door check arm. Best way to disconnect that is to grind off the top of the rivet and knock it out. You can get screw together rivet posts at your local hardware store when it's time to reinstall. Merle

The sleeves allow you to tighten the bolts up tight without deforming the rubber.

Todd, Rear brakes on 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks use the dual cylinder setup. Front have a single double ended cylinder. You need to get back to work on your 1/2 ton. You've been playing with your big trucks too much Merle

That's interesting. It's got a pretty short bed. And I've never seen horns like that either. Merle

There is typically a difference in size between the spider (cross) gears and the side gears in a differential. If both wheels are turning the same speed there is no movement of the spider and side gears, so the diff ring gear is essentially 1:1 with the axle shafts. When the differential is differentiating, due to each wheel turning at different rates, then there becomes another gear ratio change between the spider gears and side gears. In other words, at this time the ring gear to axle shaft is no longer 1:1 ratio. Without knowing what the tooth count is on the spider gears and side gears it's difficult to know what the ratio will be with only one wheel turning. Merle

Not exactly... Power is equally divided between the two wheels. If one happens to have less tractive effort than the other, then all power can be directed to that one with the less traction. Also, when turning corners, the outside wheel must travel farther due to it's larger arched path. So in this situation the differential will split the difference and allow the wheels to turn at slightly different speeds but still provide power to each. With both wheels in the air, and turning the drive shaft, it's possible to have only one wheel turning. If there is more drag from the brakes or bearings on one wheel, the differential can reroute all rotation to the other wheel. If you hold the wheel that turns, the other wheel should then turn. As Don mentioned, if you were to hold the drive shaft and rotate one wheel, you'll find that the other wheel will rotate in the opposite direction. This is due to the arrangement of the gears within the differential. This is all normal. Merle

Have you backed off all of the adjustments? Could your shoes be oversize?

That reminds me of my first test drive. Looks like you had warmer weather.

Looks like the two cables with the metal ends would go between a plug wire and the plug. Connect the plug wire onto one end and the other one goes onto the plug. The other two, alligator clips would go to the battery. 6v or 12v... can't tell from the picture. Merle

A little information about how spark plugs work, and the differences between "cold" and "Hot" plugs. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ignition-system2.htm Merle

Maybe this will help you understand how your differential works. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm Merle

beyert99, I like the Green & Gold idea. (GO PACKERS!!) It would be a hit around here, but be carefull if you take it down across the border. Dutch, That's a beautiful truck. I've thought that from the first picture that you posted of it.

The paint scheme on the "Spring Specials" is nice, although I've only seen black & white photos. There's just something about the red on white combo used in that truck that I don't like. But again opinions are like @$$holes... everyone's got one.

I don't like that paint scheme either. Either our trucks are getting more valuable, or these people are crazy. Merle

Nice! Your truck goes up to 140? Mine only goes to 80. :D

For the temp gauge... yes, remove the bushing from the head. The capillary bulb will be stuck in side that. On the front pully... As "oldmopar" says, you'll have to remove the nut/bolt and use a puller to get the pully off. Again, I don't remember the size of the nut either. On the plug issue... That is a hole for a dipstick. Your dipstick should be in the oil pan. There should be a cup plug in that hole that looks something like this one

What do you mean by "the fuel pump holes are not alligned"? Here's a picture of my 218 block. How is yours different? If yours is indeed a 251 it is probably a long block. Measure the length of the head. The 218's and 230's are 23" long. The long block engines are 25" long.

Welcome Scruffy, sounds like a good project. I like the family connection. Makes it more interesting.

Front wheel cylinders should have a stepped bore. I don't recall the diameters, and I don't have my manual handy right now. For some reason I'm remembering 1 1/8" and 1/3/16", but don't quote me in that. Merle

As I recall, black would be correct for your '48, and as Reg says it'll look better than the cream color. Mine were the cream color and are still. I just got them stripped and repainted. Hopefully the tires will go on this week. Merle

I believe I read in Don Bunn's book that some late '49 models were designated with an "X" as sort of a pre-1950 model. Ron, welcome to the Pilot-House world and this forum. I suggest you pick up a copy of this book. Lots of good info about these trucks. I believe it'll even explain the "X".

Hopefully you got a baby Naugah. They've got the best hyde.

The extra hole in pic #2 would be blocked by your engine block if you don't have internal bypass. You gasket will seal it off. The other extra ports are for other optional positions for the heater hose connection. And as Ed explained, the upper port difference is so that it can be used with either internal or external bypass engines. It appears to be a universal water pump that can be used with eithee bypass type. Bolt 'er up and go for it. Merle

Got any sauce for all that spaghetti?