1941 4 cylinder pickup

[Mart]

Thanks for sharing - they are a rarity and it's nice to see some detail shots.

Mart.

[mrmoose]

Happy to share Mart, and good to hear from across the pond. I have a stepson who is in love with your country, and has been there 3 or 4 times. I bet it rained more here (in sunny Florida) today than it did over there. Please send pix of whatever you're into, thanks.

[1952henry]

Originally Posted by mrmoose

hey Henry, my younger daughter lives up near you....Willison...and 4 beautiful grandkids. I have been there, and when I go again, may just look you up. Watch out. Also, try some Schlitz...I think you can still get it there. You'll want to ditch the Homebrew.

moose

Mr. Moose I would be honored if you looked me up. Williston is not far away. Your daughter's family owe their income to the oil business?, if you don't mind my asking. I don't brew too bad of beer btw!

[mrmoose]

Henry, my daughter and her family owe their income to....get ready....the Lord. Her husband is a pastor, and now due to the oil business explosion, they're in the thick of something nearly beyond them. I figure that as long as they have neighbors like you, they'll be ok. And although it may be awhile, when we do get there again, for sure we'll look you up...and I will try your homebrew thanks.

j

[1937pickup]

Great story and pictures-loved both. The pictures with the brush in Clem reminded me of my truck-May-I load her up with the same type of stuff and haul it off. Great to see these old trucks being used for what they were intended.

[1952henry]

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Originally Posted by mrmoose

Henry, my daughter and her family owe their income to....get ready....the Lord. Her husband is a pastor, and now due to the oil business explosion, they're in the thick of something nearly beyond them. I figure that as long as they have neighbors like you, they'll be ok. And although it may be awhile, when we do get there again, for sure we'll look you up...and I will try your homebrew thanks.

j

You're welcome, and welcome to stop by! Your son-in-law has my greatest respect for serving the Lord in that capacity. My childhood pastor, who also confirmed me, passed last month. That was cause for a lot of reminiscing. I'm sure your son-in-law will leave lasting impressions as well.

[Cecil/WV]

I really enjoyed the story and pics. I have a disassembled 4 banger in my garage that belongs to my son. I towed it from San Diego in 1980 with a tow bar behind a 1970 F-100, and my son who was just out of high school, pulled the 283 Chevy engine out and sold it and hasn't touched the truck since. It has excellent sheet metal and is all there. Maybe someday!!

[columbiA]

It seems odd that the little 4-banger would be hooked up to the non synchro 4-speed that was generally used in the large trucks & optionally in the smaller ones.Your trans should be basically good shape as it is so under stressed in your PU.Once you master double clutching,they shift very well.

[Hamtown Al]

I know it may be viewed as blasphemy by some and I don't know if it is even possible with the 4 cyl engine but should be since the transmission bolt pattern is presumably the same as the V8; but, some fellas around here have put 5 spd trans on their flatheads and RAVE about the difference. I put one behind the engine in a 40 coupe I had and it became a ball to drive. Yeah, those of you with a memory might recall that the engine was a Desoto hemi BUT it was ALREADY in the car when I got it!

Anyway, just a thought. Most of us do more thinking than working now a days but thank the Lord we're able to keep trying. I appreciate the sharing of pictures and words by Mr Moose and commend him on working to improve his truck and trying to drive the wheels off it! ATTABOY!

Keep working,
Al

[Cecil/WV]

The one in my garage has a different pattern for the transmission because of the starter being on the opposite side and I guess I need to check closer, but it looks to be a 3 speed.

[jimTN]

The easiest improvement to make would be to change the rear end to a 4:11, its a bolt in and the 4:11 gear sets are plentiful and not in demand near as much as others. Another inexpensive item would be to mill the head. Custom head and pistons are so scarce that even with the cash, they are very hard to come by. At one time some of these engines as well as Fergunson engines were used in midgets.

[55 dude]

cool truck! did they put 4 cyl. engines in 38'-39' trucks?

[ken ct]

No,only 41 had them. ken ct.

[keith oh]

I remember at one time in the late 40s, Dad a Ford Dealer USED Car manager then, had on his lot 4 different engine Ford vehicles, A 194l 4 cyl pickup, A 1942 6cylinder panel, A 1937 60 Hp coupe and a 40 85 Hp tudor. That was unusual Even at that time.

[Byron Warwick]

WOW, that is an eye-opener for me. Great truck, and hope you keep driving Clem, Byron.

[bobH]

A friend of mine, here in the socal area, has a 41 flatbed (4-cyl) that he restored. He is a long-time Ford guy, having worked on Fords for over 50 years. He went to great lengths to research it regarding what is correct and original, and he submitted it for judging and got a Dearborn for it. Since receiving the Dearborn, he has driven it a little, shown it some, and last I heard, was offering it for sale. I don't believe I've ever seen another 4-cyl in my area.

[1952henry]

Originally Posted by 55 dude

cool truck! did they put 4 cyl. engines in 38'-39' trucks?

The "economy" engine for those years was the V8-60.

[bgarrett]

thank you for this thread and the information! Can you tell us the difference in the front crossmember and maybe a picture?

[41panelmark]

Originally Posted by mrmoose

A lot of folks here and over at the HAMB have been looking for information on the 4 cylinder available in Fords for a short time in the 40s. I've owned for the last 6+ years a 1941 Ford pickup with that 4 cylinder engine. While I'm no expert, mine is largely original and I've learned a little bit about them and was asked to share.
Here is Clem before he arrived in sunny Florida from Wisconsin...previously owned by 2 working farmers and one "gentleman" farmer...

1941Jan06 by mrmoose1, on Flickr

Polished up a bit by the new owner...an ungentlemanly farmer wannabe...

100_0354 by mrmoose1, on Flickr

And here's a shot of the little 4 banger. These were exactly the same as the 9N Ford tractor motor with the exception of the air cleaner, fuel pump (gravity feed on the tractor, mechanical on the pickup) and governor (none on the pickup) and were mated to the Ford 4 speed non-synchro transmission. I've seen the HP rated from anywhere from 23 to 40 HP...they are slow, very slow, and as a result did not sell well...it is thought only a few hundred were produced, but I have never been able to verify production numbers. Being rare doesn't make one especially desirable, as again, they are slow. That does not stop me from driving Clem every weekend, and occasionally on weekdays, in Florida traffic. All I do is force everyone around me to have a little more patience...and it has worked thus far. I have had him up to 60, but it took some time getting there. 4.55 rear end. Cruises comfortably at 50 though.


040708 025 by mrmoose1, on Flickr




I have rebuilt the front end and replaced the spring, replaced brakes, and the little truck really goes down the road nice. Clutch is nearly gone though, and Clem shifts very hard and sloppy, so will need to pull tranny in the near future.

040708 023 by mrmoose1, on Flickr




After replacing a blown head gasket and a little cleanup, the little motor looks a little better..(note original wiring harness...risky)

to 120609 007 by mrmoose1, on Flickr

You'll see Clem change little by little over time..

1941 Ford pickup "Clem" by mrmoose1, on Flickr

Had the running boards coated with a bed coating called LinerZ...was applied very hot....tough stuff, and I don't slip off the boards when wet now...

1941 Ford pickup runningboard by mrmoose1, on Flickr

Clem does not shirk from work....

to 062809 016 by mrmoose1, on Flickr

1941 Ford pickup by mrmoose1, on Flickr

1941 Ford pickup by mrmoose1, on Flickr
Family and friends go for rides regularly (note unsecured lawn chairs in the back end-living large and dangerous)

truck ridz by mrmoose1, on Flickr

A year and a half ago....time to ditch the wiring harness (fire hazards don't get much more obvious than this)

wiring harness-in process by mrmoose1, on Flickr
Headlight harness before...

headlight wiring-before by mrmoose1, on Flickr
Headlight harness after...if you wonder about the shiney stuff in the bucket, when I repair the old iron I generally grind and paint, or scuff and coat with Gibbs brand as I did here...seems to slow or stop rust. I'm not intent on restoring Clem, only keeping him sort of original.

headlight wiring-after by mrmoose1, on Flickr
Uh oh, fat boy down! They'll probably need a crane to git me outta there! Stuck under there working on the harness. Note the 60mph speedo. Of the few of these you'll see most have replaced with the 100mph speedo which is correct for the 6 cylinder and the 85HP V-8 but not for the 9N.

031211 030 by mrmoose1, on Flickr

031211 028 by mrmoose1, on Flickr


052811-2 007 by mrmoose1, on Flickr

Neat item...an Optima battery inside a Ford script case....I got tired of replacing the NAPA 6V batteries (generally old when you buy them) and not being able to count on them, so spent the long $$ on this. Very pleased so far.

081812 002 by mrmoose1, on Flickr

So there you have some of the basics. I have thought of replacing the little 4 with a proper flathead, and have the correct front crossmember and a rebuidable radiator in the shed, but generally have decided to keep the little 4 in there. The decision is aided by a lack of funding, which I guess isn't always a bad thing. I hope I've helped a little with what you may not have known....if questions be patient as I do not get hereas often as I'd like sometimes.

mrmoose

Always fun to see more photos of Clem.

[oldrelics]

Thats a cool truck, I always wanted a rare one with the 4 or a v8-60. Also, sorry but what is wrong with that right rear fender?