My first car had a choke that you had to play with or set as the case may be.
Ok, here goes.....I have noticed that the needle on my temperature gauge, when the key is not engaged, is on "H". Looking at the owner's manual, I see that is the normal position. However, when I engage the key and start the motor, the needle goes to "C", but even after 15 minutes of idling, the needle does not move off of "C". Any thoughts? It has me alarmed.
Have you run it long enough to get warm? I doubt 15 minutes will get the T-stats open. Are the hoses hot up top? Your gauge is acting normally so far. Try driving it a little longer at various speeds and when it gets noticably warm see if the gauge moves. It could be a bad gauge or sender, but they don't go out very often.
Also, the weatherstripping between the cowl and fender is sort of dry-rotted and have received a replacement pair of weatherstripping, but wondered if the entire fender has to come off or if I might just have to loosen the fender enough for it to allow me to slide the new weatherstripping into it's place?
You could probably just loosen the fender and replace the stripping. It's bolted to the running board. The old stripping is likely stapled in place - you'll be digging around in there for pieces. The new stripping will slide in place but might not stay where you want it without being glued or fastened in some manner.
Noticed also that I am missing a great number of grease fittings at the various grease points and wondered if this is a standard grease fitting I can buy at a local parts store in bulk or special order deal.
Grease zerks are just normal modern thread.
On that subject, would certainly welcome any recommendations on type of oil to use, type of grease to use,
I use 90-95W GL4 in my transmission. My engine is clean so I use modern 10W40 in the crankcase - or actually I'm running diesel engine oil for increased zinc content. In an old dirty engine, try to find non-detergent tractor oil at your local tractor supply house.
is a lead additive necessary in the gasoline,
NO
and where in the world can I find a 7.50-17 rim and tire to have as a spare?? Help! lol.
Go to a high profile 16" and use modern truck rims on your 8 bolt wheels. The wheels are the same bolt pattern used by Ford up thru 1997 when they went to metric patterns.
Also, as I am hoping to keep this thing as stock as possible and keep the 6 volt system for now, what are my options should I get stranded with a bad battery?
You'll have the same reliability issues with 6V that you will with 12V in any other car. I can pick one up at my local NAPA store any day. No problem there.
The nephew and I were hoping to get our beauty out and running, but the temperature gauge thing has me concerned, as well as the fact it is 29 degrees in Pittsburgh today! Oh, I tried to download some pictures onto this site for you to see, but they were too big and I dont really know how to reduce them. So, if anyone would like to see some pics of the truck out of curiousity, please email seperately and I will send some along. Addy is [email protected]. thanks in advance for the info and fellowship! Oh, forgot to add that I got my antique plate today in the mail and putting that thing on the truck sure did put a smile on my face. Getting insurance is the target for tomorrow!