A New Member, and a dilemma

[David BB 33]

Greetings to all. I am a new member, but not new to Model As. I have a Model BB dump truck with 12,000 miles on it. It was last registered in 1940, has lived in a barn all its life, is rust-free, and was used as a utility truck on an estate in the Hudson Highlands area of New York. I will get into the 'renovation' process we've done in a later thread, but have a dilemma about the truck's classification. The serial # is 5185037 - according to Vince Falter's chart, this makes it a Jan 1933 truck. When I look at the body type chart in the original parts catalogue, the body type is 208-B for a 1932 truck. I don't see an appropriate body type for 1933. The engine has a plate on the back of the block that says it is a "Remanufactured Engine" but gives no other info. The numbers on the left frame rail and on the top of the bell housing match. First dilemma - what year do I call it? And second, where on the Ford Barn do I belong? Are there clubs that would make sense for me to join, or are there so few of these around that there isn't really a home for me?
I feel honored to be among all of you who have - and share - so much of your knowledge. I feel a bit guilty simply 'taking' when I have so little to 'give'. Thanks to all of you who share so much, and for your passion.
David Frese

[700rpm]

David, I think you'll get more complete info on the Early V-8 forum than here, since this is the Model A forum. No doubt there are guys here too who can help, but prolly more of 'em on the V-8 site.

[David BB 33]

Thanks Ray. The problem is that the truck is basically an AA, as far as I can see. It doesn't seem to bear any resemblance to the early V-8 stuff.

[Mike in Mass]

Hi David , Welcome to the Barn ! Please post some photos of this little darling . just reading your post ,I can,t wait to see it It sounds awsum Allot of VERY knowledgible people on here . I would not be where I am on my rebuild/restoration without some of the guys on here . Please post on the early v8 forum you won,t regret it AND Hello from Plymouth ,just down th road ! mike p

[Bruce Lancaster]

Is radiator vertical or slightly sloped back? '32 is vertical.
Firewall...mostly slightly recessed into cowl (1932) or bulges out forward. looking a great deal like '30-31 Model A...'33-4.

[David BB 33]

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Bruce - thanks. Radiator is vertical. Firewall has no bulge forward.

Mike - thanks, and good to know there's someone close by. The problem is that the truck has a B engine, not a flathead. So it doesn't seem as though the V-8 forum is the right place for me.

[Juggler]

There's a 32-34 Model B Four Cylinder sub group on here you are welcome to join

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/group.php?groupid=80

Either way, would be very interested to see pics of your truck

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by David BB 32

...The problem is that the truck has a B engine, not a flathead. So it doesn't seem as though the V-8 forum is the right place for me.

There is a "B" group here within the Model A forum:
1932-34 Model B Four Cylinder Group

Lots of "B" engines in Model A's here also.

[Bruce Lancaster]

Sounds like the truck is '32, then.
One final thing, though getting to be a certainty...you have speedometer, ammeter, and gas gauge in an oval surround. On '33-4, the oval is stamped into the dashboard and gauges bolted on from behind.
On '32, if you look closely, the oval with its gauges is set behind a dash with an oval hole in it, and that actual oval panel is held by legs running to firewall.
Trivia...Ford of Germany manufacture '32 style BB's up until at least 1940, and many served in WWII

[Brian T]

Hello David,
Here is the link to the Ford Double A truck forums, although they discuss 28-31 trucks some there have later model trucks BB etc and are sure to be able to help you.
Regards Brian.

http://forums.aa-fords.com/

[David BB 33]

Thanks to all for the replies. Bruce - I am fairly sure the oval is stamped into the dash. The gauges are bolted in from behind, that I know for sure. So, I guess it's a '33.

Brian, Carl, and Juggler - thanks for the needed direction!

[Tom Wesenberg]

I happen to have an excellent BB original radiator, if you need one.

[Mike V. Florida]

Pictures, pictures, pictures, and pictures please.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Welcome David!

[David BB 33]

My memory didn't serve me very well - after looking at some photos, it's clear that the radiator is slanted, and the firewall is bulged out. Sorry.IMG_2423.jpg

[David BB 33]

A couple more.[ATTACH]IMG_0974-1.jpg[/ATTACH]

[700rpm]

Well, that is one cool truck!

[larrys40]

I agree! that is a cool truck.. Looks like it could haul anything!
larry

[C26Pinelake]

Cool truck for sure, welcome aboard !
Wayne

[tbirdtbird]

First, this is cool beans !!!!! what a nice truck!
second, it would seem the truck has found a very good home, giving us all a sense of relief
third, since the motor is a "Remanufactured Engine" there is a very good possibility that the crank is the so-called BB style crank which is extremely rare and highly desireable and runs smooth as silk. In this style, Ford had engineered extra crank weights that were shrunk on and had even extra weight overhanging the rod journals. Thus if you needed the rod journals machined later, you had to remove the weights to do so. I have pix if anyone is interested i will post them. I just helped a guy put his weights back on.
Do NOT let go of this motor

[David BB 33]

That's good info to have, tbb - thanks. I sure would appreciate seeing those photos. It does run real smoothly!

[tbirdtbird]

If a '32 BB came in to the dealer for an overhaul (clearly the truck motors gave out before the car motors), then usually without even telling the owner, the dealer shrunk on special wgts from Ford factory, pinned them, and re-balanced. The truck went out the door running smoother than ever. The crank was re-designed for '33 and '34 and these weights were no longer used. (so-called "C" crank). Here I am helping a local guru put the weights back on.
Enjoy!

[glenn in camino]

You are in the right place.

[CWilson]

awesome, awesome truck!

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by David BB 32

My memory didn't serve me very well - after looking at some photos, it's clear that the radiator is slanted, and the firewall is bulged out. Sorry.Attachment 211256

You have a 33 truck. The 32 truck windshield was straight up and down as is yours. The slanted radiator is for 33 also since the 32 is straight up and down also. If you need any engine info, feel free to call me any time 8-5 eastern. The # is on my web page linked at the bottom of this message.

[Tom Wesenberg]

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You sure did a nice job on your truck. I'm sure you'll have the best looking truck around. Your water pipe looks like the early style (28-9) put on in reverse, but it appears to line up perfectly. I could also be wrong on that if Ford had a new design pipe for your year of truck.

[Stew Masche]

Just curious as to the type of dump body it has. My '31 has a body by The Marion Steel Body Co. of Marion, Ohio. Beautiful looking truck you have there!

Stew

[David BB 33]

Thanks Stew. Is Galion the body, or the hydraulic unit? I guess it's the body. That's what I have.

And thanks Tom. You are right about the lower pipe. When I originally got the truck (in 1978, I think), the lower pipe assembly was completely botched up. It was two pipes with a hose spliced inbetween. When we started working on the truck in early 2012 I looked in a few catalogues (Snyder's, Bratton's, Tam's, Mac's) and couldn't find the right pipe. I didn't know about Bert's then. I ordered a couple of different pipes and an extra upper hose; I chose the pipe that seemed to fit the best, cut the hose to the length that worked with the pipe, and that's what you see in the photo. Now that I have a better idea of what sources are out there (thanks to all the great folks on the Barn), I will start looking again. But that will have to wait til Spring. With two feet of snow here, and more on the way this weekend, it will be a while before working in an unheated barn is fun.

[David BB 33]

Thanks forever4 - will take a look.

David