Ford COE history

have you looked up the ford part# for the fill grommet? I have a pretty good original one off my 41 1 1/2 ton truck
 

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That's something else, if someone comes across a place to find those odd hard to find parts, post it here so it can be found. northernclassictrucks.com has cab patch panels, running boards and door patches. just try to keep it for the early coes though as these are the ones I started the thread for.
 
This beautifully restored 1940 Ford Cabover Tow Truck is on display at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento, California.
 

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This original 1942 Ford Cabover Canteen Truck belongs to the "Museum of Fire" Penrith, Sydney, Australia. Check out their Web Site www.museumoffire.com.au
 

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I've got a handful of COE literature I've collected after I bought my COE. I don't have everything that is out there but I've got some good stuff. I've got one of those 1938 brochures that has 2 pages posted here. It's actually a four-page square poster on one side (showing a cutaway chassis) and then 4 individual pages on the other side with specifications and details.

I'll make a list of what I've got and I can scan what you want/need.

What I've found is that there was an advertising push by Ford in 1938 to promote the COE but this didn't last for more than a year or so. I believe some of the EFV8 articles indicated Ford wanted to ensure it could recoup it’s costs associated with tooling the new truck design. Once sales were solid and the COE part of the truck lineup, the individual advertising push was no longer needed. The 1940-1947 COE advertising seemed to be combined with the rest of the big trucks. So, for those years, any big truck literature will likely address the COE.


The EFV8 club roster has a listing of article topics that will help you find any COE specific articles.

There are several shop manuals that cover engines, transmissions, fuel systems, generating systems and operators manuals. While these are generic for both cars and/or trucks, the data is directly applicable and sometimes identifies COE-specific details. I’ve got copies of most of those (and they frequently pop up on eBay in original and repro versions).

All the parts for the COEs are listed in the green 800+ page chassis parts catalog. COE-unique items are identified with a “W” in the code prefix. However, you’ll find that most of the parts are actually shared with the other big trucks. Body parts are listed in the body parts catalogs but unlike the green chassis parts list these catalogs only cover a few years at a time. The 1938-47 COE body parts carry through the years so, for example, you may need to look in a late ‘30s body parts list to find a door handle for a 1947 COE.

A couple of other notes:

- Joblot in NY has a bunch of the big truck parts (brakes, axle parts, bearings, etc.) and they’ve always been a positive experience for me. I've actually got an order for axle gaskets and bolts on it's way right now.

- As for repro rubber parts, there is/was a COE owner in Washington state who made repro rubber seals for the parking lights, fuel filler grommet, and the rubber oil filler cap hat that goes inside the cab. He made the molds off of originals and had a small batch that he made available to those who needed them. I bought a couple and they are excellent quality. (I forget if he’s on Ford Barn or not and I’ll have to get his info from my records.) If I find him, I’ll contact him and see if he still has that stuff available. Otherwise, I am unaware of another source.

Hope this helps. My truck is fully operational, so if you need help on what something looks like assembled or how it goes together/comes apart while working yours, feel free to PM me.

Dan
 
Those trucks are beautiful. I hope I make it to that caliber with mine. I plan on hot rodding mine but in a fashion that someone would have been able to do in the 40s. So I'm not using late model parts and such, anything custom will be hand made. My dad wants me to take the wrecker route but I'm wanting to haul my harley on it when its done. I'll poet up pictures soon now that I actually have it in my yard.
 
I've got a handful of COE literature I've collected after I bought my COE. I don't have everything that is out there but I've got some good stuff. I've got one of those 1938 brochures that has 2 pages posted here. It's actually a four-page square poster on one side (showing a cutaway chassis) and then 4 individual pages on the other side with specifications and details.

I'll make a list of what I've got and I can scan what you want/need.

What I've found is that there was an advertising push by Ford in 1938 to promote the COE but this didn't last for more than a year or so. I believe some of the EFV8 articles indicated Ford wanted to ensure it could recoup it’s costs associated with tooling the new truck design. Once sales were solid and the COE part of the truck lineup, the individual advertising push was no longer needed. The 1940-1947 COE advertising seemed to be combined with the rest of the big trucks. So, for those years, any big truck literature will likely address the COE.


The EFV8 club roster has a listing of article topics that will help you find any COE specific articles.

There are several shop manuals that cover engines, transmissions, fuel systems, generating systems and operators manuals. While these are generic for both cars and/or trucks, the data is directly applicable and sometimes identifies COE-specific details. I’ve got copies of most of those (and they frequently pop up on eBay in original and repro versions).

All the parts for the COEs are listed in the green 800+ page chassis parts catalog. COE-unique items are identified with a “W” in the code prefix. However, you’ll find that most of the parts are actually shared with the other big trucks. Body parts are listed in the body parts catalogs but unlike the green chassis parts list these catalogs only cover a few years at a time. The 1938-47 COE body parts carry through the years so, for example, you may need to look in a late ‘30s body parts list to find a door handle for a 1947 COE.

A couple of other notes:

- Joblot in NY has a bunch of the big truck parts (brakes, axle parts, bearings, etc.) and they’ve always been a positive experience for me. I've actually got an order for axle gaskets and bolts on it's way right now.

- As for repro rubber parts, there is/was a COE owner in Washington state who made repro rubber seals for the parking lights, fuel filler grommet, and the rubber oil filler cap hat that goes inside the cab. He made the molds off of originals and had a small batch that he made available to those who needed them. I bought a couple and they are excellent quality. (I forget if he’s on Ford Barn or not and I’ll have to get his info from my records.) If I find him, I’ll contact him and see if he still has that stuff available. Otherwise, I am unaware of another source.

Hope this helps. My truck is fully operational, so if you need help on what something looks like assembled or how it goes together/comes apart while working yours, feel free to PM me.

Dan

I'll definitely be getting with you at some point. I appreciate all of this info, and anything you feel like scanning, please do! I'm excited to see what you have collected!
 
horsinaround930,

Nice truck! A project to be sure but it looks relatively complete which is a great starting point. I'd like to get another and the short wheelbase dump truck is my top choice. I see you have the 2-speed axle in it and likely also a power take-off. Interesting strap contraption holding up the steering column.

Keep us posted on the progress.
 
horsinaround930,

Nice truck! A project to be sure but it looks relatively complete which is a great starting point. I'd like to get another and the short wheelbase dump truck is my top choice. I see you have the 2-speed axle in it and likely also a power take-off. Interesting strap contraption holding up the steering column.

Keep us posted on the progress.

Thanks, there is a lot of work ahead of me but I'm confident that I'll get it there. It'll be a driver so I won't be too particular but I'm hopint to get some cool custom touches on it. What is a power take-off? I was wondering about the steering column bracing, I haven't seen many interiors of these trucks so I'm not sure if its factory or not. Most of the work will be in the cab though, everything underneath looks great so that part should come along nicely. I just hope the engine is good!
 
The steering column bracing isn't stock.

The power take-off (PTO) is an add-on to the 4 speed transmission. One of the extra levers engages the PTO so that an extra drive shaft coming off the passenger side of the transmission starts turning. It should go to a hydraulic unit in the back to raise and lower the dump bed. The other extra lever controls the hydraulic pump to raise and lower the dump bed.

Tom
 
Ya got a nice truck there Horse ,I like the heavy bed ,Lots potential ,but a lot of work ahead of you ,The dash brass is a add on you can see were the dash mount is cracked you could strengthen the dash by a hidden beam running left to right underneath .Make it original as possible as it drove outer the factory ,Ted
 
I've attached a picture of a 1939 Ford COE interior. Although the 1941-47 COEs are similar, the running changes over the years makes them slightly different. The 1938s and 1939s are very close. This picture came from:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/tag/coe/ (scroll down to find it)

The truck pictured here does not have the 2-speed axle (your truck has a lever near the floor to the left of the clutch pedal - that's the axle shift) and also it does not have a PTO. Your truck has 3 levers between the seats that I can see. Those should be (left to right) the parking brake, transmission shift, and PTO control. I think most PTOs were a single lever but some may have had 2 depending on application. I can't tell if there are 1 or 2 PTO levers on your truck as there are shadows in the picture.

Lastly, I'm not sure why the truck in picture I've provided is missing it's brake lever. It is possible it was removed or changed. My truck has a non-stock, short brake lever so variations exist.

Dan
 

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