Hey guys I work for an electric company and get to see alot of the rural areas. I finally got up the nerve to ask a farmer about a couple of trucks he has out behind his barn. Come to find out one is a 41 ford with a good body but bad frame and the other is a 39?? with a good frame and rough body. They both have V8 flathead motors. The 41 motor is complete 24 stud and the 39 is mostly there 21 stud. I don't know anything about these trucks. I am very strongly considering buying these. I can get them for $500 and he will even help me load them and rebuild the flatheads if i want to use them. What do you guys think. Any info on 41 ford pickups would be greatly appericated. Thanks
I have always wanted to use a flathead V8 motor. I would say this is my best bet. Can anyone tell me which one is better the 21 stud or the 24? Here is a pic of the front of the 41. Thanks
If you have the means to get those home and the place to store them, I'd say buy em. If you don't build one, you can at least part them out for the $500. As far as the flatties go, most perfer the 24 stud. By looking at the picture, the 39 has a 24 in it. Not a 21. But I'd probably bet that the engine in the 39 is probably not gonna be worth rebuilding since it looks like it's been out in the weather for many years. The 41 is the same as a 40 so that will help with parts. Let us know if you get them or not. If you decide against them, PM me. I might be interested in them.
24 is better. If the engine in the 41 doesn't look any better than the one in the 39, you probably need to look for an engine. $500 is buying you alot of sheet metal. Go for it.
Here is a pic of the 41 engine. It is stuck but still has carb and most of it is there. What ya think???? Thanks
Do they have ***les, if they do its a real good deal, and if u do but them and want to part out the 39 let me know. I am still looking for a few parts, and a ***le. Also get me a picture of the inside of the 39, and i will tell you if indeed its a 39.
Have any pics of the sheetmetal? That's what you'd really be buying. Looks like they both have pushed in roofs. Did you check to make sure they don't have pinholes in them from sitting water? What's the lower ends and door bottoms look like?
No ***les but i was able to score a couple of model a straight axles and spindles for $20. I would really like to rebuild the 24 stud in the 41, but i have no clue when it comes to flatheads. What do i look for when doing the tear down? I am going this weekend to buy them. What do you need for the 39?????
That's cool! The '40-'41 Ford trucks are arguably one of the best looking trucks to hot rod. With the car like nose and gorgeous teardrop shaped fenders, it doesn't take a lot to make those trucks look good. That '41 in the shape it's in is worth twice that alone. Trust, me-I've looked at lots. A mild chop done well on those can really make them *****in lookin! You see way more mid fifities Ford trucks rodded out, but they don't hold a candle to the 40/41 IMO looks wise. Go by them before I beat ya to it!
The 41 body is in good shape. Does have the top of the cab pushed in some. The bottoms of the doors are mostly there. I am basicly buying the 41 for the body and the 39 for the frame, axles, spindles, The guy is also throwing in a box of old ford parts and some V8 hub caps too. Take a look here i think the pics are up now. Look at the bottom ones. http://community.webshots.com/album/326012119JEUNpU
Sorry, to highjack your post I will pm you about the parts. Btw one way to tell if its a 39 or 38 is look on the dash if the windshield crack hole goes straight up its 39 if it fases the back of the cab its 38.
Anyone have some pics of 39-41 pickups. with fenders and without. I think I like without better but not sure if the cab would look right? Thanks
You'd better buy those if you are even remotely thinking of a project. You get a lot of the little things when you buy complete. That 41 looks half way descent.....from the cab forward.... special, nuts, bolts, etc....
I don't know my sheet metal prices individually. But, if the one frame is REALLY good, it's worth what the whole shooting works is worth. 35-40 (41 truck same, all the same for hotrodding purposes) frames are hard to come by if they're good.... As a package deal I don't think you can go wrong........there's alot there to work with. Flattys are expensive to rebuild, however.....
I know this is a tough question to answer but what will a rebuild of a flathead generaly cost? Thanks
I can't give you a specific answer. I had the luxury of find an engine that was etremely low mileage. There are couple of ways to looks at it You might be able to freshen it up for a couple of hundred bucks; gaskets, rings, bearings. You can do it cheaper if you buy stuff here and there and at swap meets. This is how my grandpa does it....pistons here, bearings there, etc. However, he can do this. He has many engines and it may take him years to get all he needs. Full on rebuild (someone will have to step in with prices, I don't have a clue). There are a lot of variables here. All your machining will add up quickly, your rebuild parts and any speed equipment. If the one motor isn't stuck, you may be suprised if you just freshen it up. Sorry I can't be specific. I can't speak from experience on the machining costs. Here are some trucks I like that have been on the HAMB before....
I'm thinking i will build the 41 with fenders and the 39 without. I really like the pics above. Coooool Thanks
I've seen 41 grills that are straight go for $300 or more. It's hard to tell, but looks like yours has some bends in it. Looks to be easy to fix though. I wouldn't worry about it, just trying to get you to understand what a deal this is.
Cool. I am going to pick them up tomorrow morning along with 2 straight front axles. I was orginally thinking about just using the cab of the 41 but it seems a shame not to use those fenders and hood. Does anyone have a p***enger door for the 39, take a closer look, choprods tells me it is a 37 cab. I really like the no fender, not hood look. Thanks
Hey guys thanks for all the help. Went a bought both pickups today and a couple of straight axles he had. Also while we were driving around found an orginal 1931 model A sedan that is sitting up on blocks. Stopped and asked about it and the old guy doesn't want to sell it but I think his wife does. They mentioned that they "courted" in that car. They have been married for 66yrs. WOW what a story. Very solid car. The lady took our name and number before we left. Thanks
I dont' which is uglier, the three men standing or the trucks! Good find, glad you go them. And the best part, cheap!
Excellent find and good for you!!!! Welcome to the world of parts stocking. It was not long after I got into rodding that I soon found myself in the parts trading/collecting business. Seems like the two go hand in hand. You will invariably find something for someone else when looking for your own parts. I've developed the theme of buying whats worth owning even if I have no clue what I'll do with them or desire to own it myself. It's always good trading stock because there are thousands of other rodders doing exactly the same thing. Who knows maybe these trucks could have been headed for the s****per by the guy that buys the farm someday. If you are going to build it yourself, double good for you!!! The story behind some of our cars is what gives them special value to us. My favorite car is one that I "rescued" myself from a cow pasture. My Dad's came out of an Iowa barnyard. Dad and I loaded it with the aid of the farmer's manure loader tractor. What humble beginnings! As for the flathead, I love them. There are lots of resources right here in Iowa (I'm a native of Lee county) that will help you out with the famous flathead. Flatheads are a culture by themselves. Send me a PM if you need any info local info with flatheads.
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