So much SLUDGE! Barn Find 1949 Ford F1 Truck - Will It Run?

The Flathead V-8 in this barn find Ford F1 pickup is FILLED with oil sludge. Can Davin and Jeff get it cleaned out enough to get this beauty of a farm truck running again?
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[@imanutnur7]

Several years ago I lived in a small town and each time I would get gas at a service station I would see a 1950 Ford pickup parked in the weeds. I asked the guy whose truck it was and they said it was a parts delivery pickup and after the owner died it had been sitting there. I finally bought it for $25 dollars and only rebuilt the carb and repaired the radiator drove it for a few years. What great memories.

[@tetedur377]

Similar story back in '78 or '79, I think it was. Guy said it wouldn't start, so I ended up trading him a couple of shotguns for it. Ended up pulling the starter out of it and having it rebuilt. Put the starter back in and drove it for several years until I sold it. THAT was the one that got away. Not the hot, honey-blonde girlfriend who called me a male chauvinist pig (I was 22, in the Navy, and had no clue what that meant - except that I wasn't getting any). Nope, it was the truck. Okay, and the '67 Shovelhead. And maybe the '68 Bonneville that I replaced the zener diode on and drove it even in the winter. In Tulsa.

[@matthewshambler2644]

Diesel is a winner for flushing that sludge out. Really beautiful old truck, great to hear it running again!

[@everready19373]

Doesn't kerosene work too?

[@theda850two]

@@everready19373,, perhaps but at nearly double the price 😳

[@Zzus321]

I've used Diesel to clear a knocking lifter. Worked great 👍👍

[@prototypecycle8977]

Hard to hold a good Ford Flathead down. My 1950 F-1 was purchased in 2010 from a farmer in Wichita, KS and shipped to my home in Detroit. It get driven regularly with it's recently rebuilt engine. Flatheads forever.

[@nadenolam8368]

Wichita, my hometown.

[@JorgeDiaz-ly5qp]

Everyone who loves old trucks REALLY love 1948 to 1950 Ford F1's with the crossbars for a grill, BIG, hold-many-a-beer fenders AND a flathead that exists for one sole purpose - TO RUN! Sludge aside, that was one SWEET survivor you guys tooled on. PLEASE follow up with some good stuff. That galley deserves a good de-sludging and multiple diesel runs to fully clean out those grimy, sludge-y (grudge-y???) innards - especially on the bottom end! NO restoration needed - just make that cool patina beauty start, stop and RUMBLE with that sweet flatty!!! BRING 'ER BACK!!!

[@999torino]

You two do a great job of presenting, without any foolishness or BS. Very refreshing!

[@sheldondyck8631]

Coldwar Motors just dealt with the same issue in their flathead revival but their engine was also seized and a few valves were broken. I wasn’t really surprised this one ran as well as it did.

[@BruceWayne426]

This series is becoming one of my favorite online things to watch. Please keepem' coming!

[@delcyvoisine1395]

Great video. Glad you two were not afraid to get grease on your hands as a first step in restoring what has been my favorite pickup since it was introduced in 1948. I hope you will paint it Ford green.

[@kristoffermangila]

Well, its up to the new owner... and he might go for the patina look.

[@jameseastwood4984]

A lot of that colour will come through if you cut the paint with 1000, then 2500, then a compound, then a polish and rust converter the rust areas. You'd really be surprised. When you look closely at rust spots, often there's a very small hole in the paint, but the rust has bloomed over the paint. The cutting takes the bloom off to reveal good paint underneath. I would certainly restore the paint and run it like that for a few years, especially if it factory paint. Just think the guy that sprayed that has long since passed away. It's real history you can touch and feel.

[@Qquasar007]

As I live in india🇮🇳 I cannot enjoy hagerty's all subscription & membership....but it feels good to watch you all...thank you...❤😊

[@johna1160]

Took a minute for Davin to realize what the bore scope was clearly showing him. Glad they both eventually came around and yanked intake manifold. Would've like it even better if they changed out oil filter cartridge before firing it up. This is at the very least a two flush operation. Good luck, Jeff.

[@mr.iforgot3062]

Yeah pull gas oil bad truck strong drive.

[@Hanzyscure]

Jeff had already changed the oil and filter.

[@simeon2851]

I'd love to see that truck fully restored. It has to be one of my favourites from that era.

[@scottimusgarrett15]

Holy crap (literally and figuratively)! It actually sounds okay! Very nice work, gentlemen. I love the fact that this old dog is gonna be back out there, doin' its thing! Thanks everyone!✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I would LOVE to have a vehicle like this. I don't care what year, make, model, engine type or size, whatever. I just want something old and original to slowly bring back to life. But since I'm barely surviving financially. I don't see how that is possible

[@Cenobites4213]

It’s awesome to see Jeff again, and to see “Vancraft Speed Shop” history in the making.. definitely would love to see more of these videos..

[@davesrvchannel4717]

I’d bet $1000 that the farmer used Quaker State. Of all the sludge engines I’ve been into back in 70’s and 80’s, 90% of the owners always used QS.

[@stevemadak6255]

Davin it seems like it would be great to hang out with you guys and work on stuff.

[@darnoldie]

I got my work done early this morning. Now I have the rest of the day watch great videos like this one!! Excellent job on getting that ole dog to bark again.

[@Hagerty]

💪🏻💪🏻

[@Ed_in_Md]

Wow. That started right! Can’t beat those older machines.

[@DocBain1]

Very nice Ford pickup. Regardless of what some people say, Ford, especially back in the day, made some very reliable trucks. That's why I will keep my old 94 F150 till the wheels fall off. Then I'll fix it and drive it on down the road. All that sludge because of the old oil recipe and it still runs with a little TLC. First on Race Day!

[@michaelbrutallyhonest6026]

I have a '94 as well with 0 intentions of ever letting it go. Want another 9th gen, but a diesel 250 and pull an airstream around the country, hopefully one day soon.

[@8avexp]

Non-detergent oil, short trips and infrequent oil changes = sludge factory. No PCV valve, either. Those blowby gases would collect in the crankcase and react with water and other byproducts of combustion, forming more sludge.

[@JoDoDesigns2011]

😊 was good to hear that old engine fire up. Good job guys 💪

[@dgiorgi1725]

I love watching these vids of these Ol Gals breathing life again... An Ol Timer once told me to run the engine for 10 minutes with a few quarts of Kerosene to clean up that sludge caused by Non Detergent Oil. It sure did clean it up too. 5 Gal buckets and Old Milk crates are a must have in any garage, lol. I would have done a compression on those cylinders while I was replacing the plugs.

[@cinsc556]

Love these old F-series pickups. Especially the first gen trucks. Nice work!

[@alextimofee]

I realise now that I've missed Jeff, actually. These guys compliment each other nicely as a barn find starter duo.

[@jeffvanhusen9895]

Thanks very much!

[@geralderdek282]

I remember a comment by the late great Tom mcahill car tester for mechanics illustrated magazine concerning non detergent oils versus detergent ones. Back in the early 50s, he said he'd rather have the gunk settle on his crankcase walls like the cake in a good old pipe rather than circulate piecemeal through the bearings. Of course like you said, that was before most cars had oil filters!

[@douganderson771]

Those old flat heads are so simple and that's why I love them. In high school a buddy and I bought a 49 Mercury that had been sitting for a while. We pulled the spark plugs doused it with marvel mystery oil , let it set overnight . Changed the oil the next day .added new plugs, replaced the points and cleaned up the cap and wires . Started her up , payed the owner $50.oo , and motored away.

[@MarkMeadows90]

I like the first gen F series pickups, but the 1953-1956 F1s are my absolute favorites!

[@michaelbrutallyhonest6026]

I love everything you guys do, every stage, but these types of videos may be my favorites.

[@corporalclegg914]

thanks Davin, Jeff & Crew, for your repeated badass productions. 13:50 Dudes are Happy. this is another cool ride & she rivals Hag’s Green Shop Truck in the Survived Relic Dept. how’s Davin’s ‘66 Chevelle? it’s been while since he converted her over to Holley EFi & I’d like to know whatever Good, Bad & Ugly there may be since the swap. whazzup? I watch whatever you guys deliver, so thanks again for the videos, HagTeam

[@davebarron5939]

WOW! Looks like the old Paraffin Pennzoil!

[@patbullard9276]

I love it when that happens! Vroom Vroom. One thumbs up isn’t enough for me, add to that another 1000👍

[@QuantumTime-pc9ts]

Really a solid truck and virtually all original. For me it would be an honor to own this amazing piece of automotive history.

[@mikestaihr5183]

Holley "Bug Spray" .... That was one of the carbs we used in the old days to hop up Volkswagen Beetles to a 2bbl carb....LOL

[@williamfowler616]

my dad had a fleet of trucks in the 1960's, he used Quaker State oil and it had sludge exactly like that, tons of it in the engine

[@kencreten7308]

My Grandfather had a Ford very similar to that. When I was a kid I remember that when he pushed in clutch and let it go, it would go, "thunk thunk." heheh.

[@MoparDan]

I don’t know Gavin, interesting video but if it were me I certainly use gloves instead of exposing my hands to that mess!

[@captainsergeant]

The 4.0 in my XJ had 160K and looked just like this. It ran, but it wasn't pretty. I pulled the valve cover and scrubbed everything down with ATF and a toothbrush. The ATF liquified the sludge just enough that it could be easily wiped up, but not enough that it was running back down the inside of the block and pan.

[@carsonanderson89]

One of my favorite front ends 48-50 f1 what a wicked ride

[@AsswipeGarage]

@@carsonanderson89 50-51 have a different grille; one big bar, with 5 big teeth. I had two of em.

[@terryraymond7984]

I have a 49 Ford Truck just like yours, now I really want to work on mine, its been sitting since 1972

[@johnpowell5433]

As a John, born in 1949, I'm loving the truck. She's a peach!

[@adventureswithedna]

Love the Ford F1❤ Our whole channel is based around our 1950 F1 Edna

[@ThisPartIsAndrew]

Postwar, pre-1950s Ford trucks are my favorite. They have an otherworldly look of serenity about them. Terrible ride quality but who cares when it looks that cool!

[@markk3652]

And some people just hate on flatheads?!! This is exactly what makes these engines so great, it isn’t fussy. Sure, it’s been neglected, but it fired up so easily and ran so well. My flathead in my 40 pickup was at least this bad after sitting for 23 years. I was able to do much the same with pulling the intake and clawing out the mess. I also gasoline flushed the engine a few times. Ultimately the diesel soak over a winter helped too. A more rapid process is to give it a gallon of diesel with a quart of 30 wt oil, fire it up and let it idle till it gets warm. Do that two or three times, letting it cool down after each, and the sludge is pretty much gone. I love these engines.

[@Edgar-and-Wrench]

Today i learned i could literally fill a block up with diesel to dissolve the sludge. Learn something new everyday

[@robertmercer5759]

My grandfather had a 1949 f1 that supposed to be left to me but got sold when he passed away so unfortunately I didn't end up with it. My favorite f series ever

[@jomatthews8776]

It's good to see Jeff & Davin together again. Davin said they were at Jeff's, but should have mentioned Vancraft Speed Shop. Jeff does great work and should be commended!

[@vettekid3326]

Back in 1982 I was working on a 1978 Pontiac Grand Safari Wagon for a customer that had a noisy lifter. When I pulled the intake and valley cover it looked just like that. Talking to the customer he said he had bought the car new and had changed the oil every 2000 miles but had used only Sears 30 weight non detergent oil. The lifer was badly cupped and the cam lobe worn down. When I told him it would require at least a new cam and lifters he had me put it all back so he could trade it in.

[@ronniebraine9692]

Awesome truck. Awesome job getting it running guys. Cheers!!

[@brucemadden1626]

My favorite segment for HAGERTY(along with Tom's barn finds)😀

[@cratecruncher4974]

Nice F1. I like the grampa repairs. The whiskey dent in the front fender at 1:14 looks like they used a ball peen hammer to push it out. I hope there's enough original paint to just seal it and leave it like it is.

[@turkin73k]

Unlike these other truck shows Hagerty gets his hands dirty real work in progress.

[@spaceflight1019]

Helpful hint: when tinkering with a vehicle that has been sitting for a while always wear gloves when sticking your fingers or hands into places you can't see, and have a wingman with a fresh can of wasp spray. Getting stung or bitten will ruin what should be fun.

[@apismellifera1000]

sometimes a bumblebee nest

[@AR-rs2dy]

Here in the UK I've never understood the whole truck thing but that is an absolute beauty. Very cute, pretty, dainty little thing. I'm hope you show more of this thing cause it wld be great to see it slowly come to life and hopefully be used.

[@jorgeb9715]

Pick up/ El Camino's/ Ranchero's part car,part Pick up truck are handy to have,,great haulers,,look up. The 1940's Hudson,,those were precious and Diamond Reo,Studebaker,,International Harvester

[@jonathanmiddleton1141]

An old mechanic friend of mine, many years ago, taught me a very simple and inexpensive way to clear sludge out of your engine, without having to disassemble it in any way. You drain the oil, replace the required amount of oil with diesel, crank the vehicle, let it run for around 5 minutes, drain it out, refill it with good cheap oil, run it for another 10-15 minutes, drain it, change the oil filter, put new good oil in there, and, voila, your engine is clean as a whistle, and, you didn’t have to do much of anything to get it that way.

[@davidgalea6113]

Yes soaking it with diesel works but I would be very worried about metal to metal contact by running it with diesel instead of oil even if its just for a few minutes. not something I would do on engine I care about..

[@southernstreamer1092]

Transmission fluid is a little safer. Replace 1-2 qts of oil with transmission fluid and run it for about 30 min. Drain it, change the filter and it’s good to go.

[@danontherun5685]

Late 60s/70s no end of post war to late 50s cars and trucks dead on farms and back of gas stations. $25 hay bale money, junk yard battery, junk yard tires, fix the points, top off the fluids and down the road again. Girls and beer were far more important than oil changes. Well they're not $25 anymore, just paid $10K for a 1959 barely alive survivor but another fun winter project and add it to my collection. Keeps me sane.

[@MegaRetr]

Love these old F-series pickups.

[@Unicornart389]

what a beautyfull pick up, hope they rescue this beauty.

[@-joe-davidson]

8:48 Looks like years of Quaker State and Penzoil. 🤣🤣

[@lizketterer]

Looks like fun! Awesome project for Vancraft Speed Shop 🤘🏻

[@mahmoud-bakheet]

Good job , I'm waiting for the next part 🎉

[@JohnnyAFG81]

The Flathead lives!

[@jrpark22000]

I can't wait to see if again!

[@jimmywilliamson8540]

It's always very cool to see something like that. Start up, but this isn't an episode of the A Team. It seems like it would have been prudent just to tear The Thing down. You're going to have to go through absolutely everything. Our truck had been sitting for about 10 years. We got it running, but there was some kind of grumbling in the brakes. So on the way to church, Sunday morning, bright early. We couldn't stop turning it over and totaled it.

[@annalorree]

That truck is an amazing find!

[@ImStokze]

Fantastic loved every minute of this, Well done guys...

[@howardnielsen6220]

Fun Stuff. Thanks Guys. From La Pine Oregon

[@caseyspeer8179]

Love you guys's channel I was born in traverse City Michigan

[@Friedbrain11]

Nice '49 truck and it is altogether too!

[@pb3033]

That was a nice one guys !!

[@jonathanmiddleton1141]

That’s a Ford for ya!!! I mean, that thing just fired right up, and, idled like a champ!!!

[@sonnicman]

Love these old trucks. This one looks like it would clean up well. It should be restored.

[@maxeluy]

Woow beautiful patina, looks gorgeous

[@BennyHubba]

Great video. Loved it.

[@kobusdutoitbosman6240]

Great watching : you make it look so uncomplicated 🤓❗️ 💫👊🔥 Thanks 🪖

[@UncleManuel]

For this age this truck is in an amazing shape! Totally worth cleaning it and getting it back on the street. 😎🤟

[@toddbob55]

Ford trucks will always be #1 Henry Ford was the man

[@apismellifera1000]

Neat how the owners manual is still inside the truck

[@jaysonschor]

I just spotted one today 9-25 behind a house in leadville Colorado

[@kyleforeman4543]

Ole flat heads never die..super nice find😊

[@timothykeith1367]

One of my favorite trucks

[@johnschutt9187]

Nice video. Thanks.

[@sparkplug0000]

Those great, big wide flat fenders. You could probably take a little nap laying on those while working on the engine.

[@WalksInThunder]

My dad had a 49 in black when we lived in CA.

[@bugs5644]

a 1952 is my dream truck.

[@eugenetalley7447]

Sure, many diesel and oil changes would bring this beauty to perfection Mofo would run on grease. I love it.

[@nickkunz5793]

So someone i know has one of these. Just thought it might be helpful to someone. The motor rus on leaded gas. Fill the tank with 87 and dump a shot or two of lead additve in it. And Away ya go. It saves the heads from burning up. Saves ya some money if its as original as possible. Hopefully it helps. But if you should have one these reserch the crap out of what it takes for gas (if engine has or has not been replaced) im not a mechanic but thought someone might at least find it helpful.

[@killerontheloose80]

Thank you for posting Hagerty. I have a 1968 Chrysler New Yorker which has probably 50% of the amount of sludge underneath the two valve cover gaskets on my 440 V8 engine and I ran some Marvel Mystery Oil in it and some heet and some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank and instead of old lead additive and I do the oil changes every 3000 Miles and still get 10 miles per gallon of the city in about 15 on the freeway I believe my car is 65,000 miles on it or maybe 165,000 or maybe 265,000 but I'm going to add a windage tray to a next time I change the oil next year and also I'm going to run some seafoam in it and cross my fingers and hopefully won't destroy the engine is also an exhaust manifold bolt broken off in the head.

[@islandaerial3414]

Call Tom... He likes to polish up old beaters! 😉

[@joesprague1464]

I’ve got a 48 f1 with a four speed crash box,real adventure to drive.

[@FourDollaRacing]

Best pickup ever! 🤩

[@roflfml1]

Makes me really happy about how the condition my 1950 F1 flathead is in I was super surprised when I pulled the oil pan on it there was no sludge just a little build up in the bottom of the pan pickup screen was spotless and the was very little wear I was very surprised

[@tyhogue8316]

Super cool! Good job.❤️

[@terrancesweeney1870]

Well done!

[@danjones7862]

I use to fill motor with gas and drain a few times good to go.

[@kristoffermangila]

Now all it needs is additional "desludging", reattach the rear bumper, fabricate a new exhaust, and a good wash, possibly a patina job (if the new owner so desires), and this truck's good to go!

[@FabienSCALLIET]

Good job 💪

[@colintrachsel4651]

I picked up a 50 f68 last year (thats the Canadian version of f3) would love to make that ol flathead run but it is unfortunately locked up tight

[@garyjones2582]

Nice old Ford... You guys could pass for brothers...

[@focus82grothm]

Awesome job and love the truck 🥰

[@tiredagain6722]

SLUDGE KING!

[@martyscncgarage5275]

How about running ATF (1qt.) in with the oil and doing some frequent oil changes. I have done this in the past with good results.