Work on My F8, No. 11

Jim Price · #1 12-08-08, 02:40

Bob, my welder and engine techie, came over on Day 60 and the two of us discussed the cooling system. Determined that the crankshaft location for the fan was much too low on the engine and that it would need to bolted to the alternator.

Not a problem said I; I'll order a new pulley with the necessary bolt holes and we'll be on our way! Got to looking at the pictures of the alternator I'd ordered (but has yet to arrive) and noticed immediately that the pulley on it was much smaller in diameter and the larger one I intended to order was much larger thus would result in a slower turning alternator.....

So. I determined that I needed to talk to a flathead expert at Speedway Motors, Nebraska and did so today. Much to my dismay, not only was my concern about the larger pulley on target but that alternators are not generally built strong enough to support a fan.

So, I'm back to square one with the need to have a generator that has a bearing supported shaft and an alternator that's on its way that cannot be relied upon for any regular use when a fan is mounted on it. Will have to find a 12 volt one somewhere!

Ordered a manual titled "The Official 12 Volt Conversion Guide" so as not to continue wandering around in a wasteland of ignorance.... Nothing like getting some timely direction .....

Ordered a supressive core wire spark plug kit for use with the electronic ignition. One needs this type of wire so as to not interfer with the operation of this type of ignition.

Took Day 61 off being Sunday.

Got up early this morning and gave the fan a coat of paint.

Today all were on the job and Bob began wire brushing off the engine in preparation for painting it. See Bob at work below.

Dylan, my college guy, is back on the job and continued work on the steering wheel resto. The second picture is of him hard at work.

I took all the springs and accessories over to the media blaster and spoke to the painter when I did; both advised that I should have everything back by this coming Friday.

It reaching 111 F by noon today, we stopped work at 1 PM.

Regards,
Jim

cletrac (RIP) · #2 12-08-08, 03:59

Jim, why not use the car style fan that bolts onto the intake manifold separate from the generator and then mount the alternator to one side?

Mike K · #3 12-08-08, 05:30

Hi Jim

I really dont see why or how the 12v system is going to be a huge benefit in the long run.... The later 6v system with the crab distributor and stand alone coil is quite OK and reliable. It's only the divers bell distributor ( up to 1941 ? ) that gave the problems and also gave Ford V8's a bad reputation with ignition breakdowns.

I guess a lot depends on what your plans are .. how many miles per year is it being used and night time driving . In terms of aftermarket accessories , yes, 12v is the way to go. Are you installing halogen headlamps ? Sounds like your planning a high power system with that alternator .

6V components are around, motorbike shops and VW specialists are good places for 6v flasher cans and other bits . Mike

Radek · #4 12-08-08, 10:11

Hi Jim

what material use your friend for repaire the stearing wheal. I have broukened it on my 2nd Austin K30.
Thanks Radek

Tony Smith · #5 12-08-08, 13:36

Maybe this cold be helpful?:

12v Generator on e-bay

Jim Price · #6 13-08-08, 01:04

Tony:
Thanks for the eBay tip; I have that generator on my watch list now.

Regards,
Jim

peter simundson · #7 13-08-08, 01:08

Grab that 12 volt Generator. It looks like your answer.
Hell..He offers the regulator also...Go for it.

Peter S

Jim Price · #8 13-08-08, 01:18

Radek:
We used The Steering Wheel Repair Kit from POR-15, Inc. of Morristown, NJ. USA. See this eBay US Item number: 150241646591. Although it says it is for a VW this kit can be used on any vehicle's steering wheel. Hope this helps!

Regards,
Jim

Jim Price · #9 13-08-08, 01:31

Mike:
My engine came with the "diver's bell" distributor which needed to be replaced. I considered going to a "crab" style but the location of the distributor led me to decide to install an electronic 12 volt system. The ease of adjustment as well as the efficiency with which this Mallory system performs was the deciding factor. By the way, it looks quite similar to the "crab" style.

As for the 12 volt system, it's just easier to get electical parts!

I do plan to drive it at night to and from and during WWII reenactments and parades but will not install halogen lights. As far as other aftermarket goodies are concerned, I have no plans whatsoever to install any thing of that nature. I fully intend that the outward appearance of the F 8 will remain the same as it was originally.

Regards,
Jim

Jim Price · #10 15-08-08, 04:57

Continued on the things-to-do list and completed the following over the past three days:

Cleaned the transmission housing in preparation for painting it.

Riveted the double-row beaded material on the frame that supports the windshield. See the picture. The material was a bit narrower than the original but turned out ok.

Finished cleaning the engine and painted it with the Ford engine green paint applicable to a 1940 engine. Bob did a great job on it! See the picture.

Finished restoring the steering wheel. Although there were many cracks it turned out to be a nicely done job! See the picture.

Put a coat of paint on the wheel rim sides that bolt to each other; the painter had left them unpainted. We got lucky on two missing studs; Bob found replacements for the two and welded them in place on the rims affected. The new ones were a bit different and needed some good tacking to stay in place.

Received the starter, electronic ignition system, carburetor, sparkplug wiring, coil, alternator and pulley for mounting the fan on the alternator. Am going to go with that type of mounting as the truck will not be a daily driver.

Dug out the emergency/parking brake parts from the parts removed box and cleaned them. Will be replacing the cables but the rest of the parts are good to go.

Sealed the fuel tank with a sealant made by the same company that made the steering wheel repair kit, POR-15, Inc. See the picture. It's a plastic-like material with silver coloring in it. Dries to a really nice, hard finish!

Finished sanding the plywood seat inserts. See the picture. As I'm fairly handy with a sewing machine I'll probably restore the seats myself. We have several upholstery materials shops in the area and I should be able to get some suitable period material for the seats and seat backs. I'd earlier picked up some springs of the appropriate size and length to replace some of the ones that had failed or were missing from the seat backs. I do have an original seat back to use as a pattern. I did check out Dirk's store and he has some really nice sets but decided to go it on my own.

That's all for this report!

Regards,
Jim

Jim Price · #11 23-08-08, 00:38

The past week has been a transitional one with Dylan, my college student returning to college, and Loren, my new guy, coming on board. We did accomplish the following:

Took last weekend off!

Picked up the springs from the painter on Monday and installed them and the axles today. Had to have the spring shop fabricate the front springs' rear brackets; the originals were trashed beyond belief!

Installed the steering wheel and column.

Finished cleaning the transmission and painted it.

Painted a number of small parts too numerous to take to the painter.

That's it for now!

Regards,
Jim

Bob Carriere · #12 24-08-08, 04:47

..... I took 5 long agonizing years to get were you are at today.....

What do you take...... Geritol ......or what do you smoke.....???

What ever keep it up!!!!!

You are an inspiration.

Boob

Jim Price · #13 13-08-08, 01:06

David:
I hadn't thought of that arrangement and will keep it in mind. Did some preliminary measuring today and am not sure that it'd work. However, will see once the engine is in place on the frame.

Regards,
Jim