The Ford Barn

Seabees · 05-17-2023, 10:53 PM

Howdy boys, after reading as much as I could about engine and trans colors, I looked at the pictures I took of the engine and 4 speed I removed from my pickup and it appears the engine is red, and the trans appears to be blue. I believe the red engine is correct for an early '48 F1, but I'm not sure about the transmission. This truck was bought new by my grandfather, and only had 37,000 miles on it when I got it. The engine has a rebuild tag on it, so it's been out at some point. It always had a 4 speed in it as long as I can remember ( back in the '60's) so I believe it is stock also. Your thoughts please on the blue transmission. Thanks!

FortyNiner · 05-18-2023, 07:43 AM

You are correct that the engine color for trucks in '48 was red. Also, the available transmissions were the light duty 3 speed (appears to be most common), the 4 speed crash box, and the rarely seen heavy duty 3 speed.

On the trans color, it is certainly possible that yours was blue from the factory. I've also seen units that carried no trace of any paint which could have been a practice at one or more assembly plants. My experience hasn't been as extensive and should be taken as just one opinion.

1952henry · 05-18-2023, 08:48 AM

My 52 F3 MH had faint traces of black on its 4 speed.

Bob C · 05-18-2023, 09:50 AM

Here's a piece of Ford literature.

petehoovie · 05-18-2023, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Here's a piece of Ford literature.

Seabees · 05-18-2023, 01:34 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Well I reckon I'll go with blue. Ford blue I assume. Thanks guys!

05-17-2023, 10:53 PM	#1
Seabees Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 205	Early '48 F1 trans color Howdy boys, after reading as much as I could about engine and trans colors, I looked at the pictures I took of the engine and 4 speed I removed from my pickup and it appears the engine is red, and the trans appears to be blue. I believe the red engine is correct for an early '48 F1, but I'm not sure about the transmission. This truck was bought new by my grandfather, and only had 37,000 miles on it when I got it. The engine has a rebuild tag on it, so it's been out at some point. It always had a 4 speed in it as long as I can remember ( back in the '60's) so I believe it is stock also. Your thoughts please on the blue transmission. Thanks!

05-18-2023, 07:43 AM	#2
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,137	Re: Early '48 F1 trans color You are correct that the engine color for trucks in '48 was red. Also, the available transmissions were the light duty 3 speed (appears to be most common), the 4 speed crash box, and the rarely seen heavy duty 3 speed. On the trans color, it is certainly possible that yours was blue from the factory. I've also seen units that carried no trace of any paint which could have been a practice at one or more assembly plants. My experience hasn't been as extensive and should be taken as just one opinion. __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

05-18-2023, 08:48 AM	#3
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,621	Re: Early '48 F1 trans color My 52 F3 MH had faint traces of black on its 4 speed. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.

05-18-2023, 01:34 PM	#6
Seabees Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 205	Re: Early '48 F1 trans color Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Well I reckon I'll go with blue. Ford blue I assume. Thanks guys!