New Guy from New Jersey

jrhaelig

jrhaelig

Senior Member
Hello, everybody -

I just brought home a 24,000 mile '39 pickup.

Owned by a funeral home in Lancaster County, PA so it was hopefully an easy life so far.

Happy 50th Birthday to me!

I promise to do a search first before I throw out an already beaten to death question, but I do have a couple of openers........

Regarding the water pumps - since it hasen't run in a decade should I just replace them from the git go, or get it running to see what leaks?

Same for the wheel cylinders.....hone & rebuild or just go for the new ones right away?

Thanks for the info and I will keep you all posted with the progress..........

Still getting the hang of your photo setup, but this is what I have:
 

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Congrats, that's an awesome pickup!

If you can turn the pumps by hand with the belt off, I'd start it up and see what happens. If you need some rebuilt, I would send your stock water pumps (or pick up a pair of cores and send them) to Skip Haney:

http://www.fordcollector.com/

You'll have to look at the wheel cylinders to see how pitted they are and make a determination there. I would definitely rebuild good originals if I could.
 
Congrats, its a wonderful hobby. And now you know what to do with all that extra money laying around.;)
 
Welcome to the Barn and we welcome your pickup to NJ. I will be going to Lancaster on Fri. to a Lincoln Swap Meet. Looks like I should have gone sooner.
 
X 2 on Randy's suggestion. Where is the radiator? Looks like you will need new hoses. Wheel cylinders are available from multiple sources. Try Mac's, Joblot,
Early Ford V8 and others
BTW the truck looks to be really in good shape.
 
Looks like it has been sitting a while. Drop the oil pan and clean it out. If you search there is a thread somewhere that addresses the basics of getting a car running after it has sat for a while.
 
a low mileage truck! Please take plenty of pictures and more pictures. This is an oportunity to document an original truck. Trucks were mostly used to death and this is a rare chance to examine an original one. Please consider doing enough to make the truck safe to operate and leave the rest alone. I am assuming the truck has original paint, uph and has not been modified.
 
Welcome. I too have a 39 pickup and we are getting close to having it back on the road after a frame off restoration. DO NOT throw away those pipes that connect the radiator to the heads. They are extremely hard to find and unique to 38-39 pickups. I suggest you remove them and have them cleaned as best as you can. Perhaps you could have them dipped in a hot tank. As was said before, document what you can and keep this truck as original as possible. The 38-39's have many one of a kind features.

If you have any questions PM me, I have learned a lot about 39 pickups in the past 3 years. If you read the posts you will see that there are a couple other guys here with a 39 pickup, Clem, 39portlander, GaryU, 39wdy and a few others. They are all good guys willing to answer questions and help out. Thanks for sharing!
 
Congrats on your find. 39 pickups are not plentiful.

Please continue to ask any questions you have. As Seth sez, there is a small grouip of us here with 38/39 pickups. We together have collected some knowledge about these fun trucks and will gladly share.
Clem Clement
Now in VA, but born and raised in Woodbury, NJ
 
welcome.....very nice truck....heck, ask any questions you want...always good to rehash old stuff to keep it fresh in our minds....and someone always has a new fix to an old problem, etc....Mike
 
Welcome, nice little find. She should treat you well. Do Not move her until you have gone completely thru the braking system!!!! The engine has been covered well in the previous posts, Regards Pat
 
jr,
Welcome to the barn, nice looking '39. There is a nice '39 out in Pottersville, about 12 miles west of you owned by a knowledgeable truck guy.
Don
 
Good looking truck and one which will be the only one in your neighborhood. Keep it stock and you will be pleased at how easily it can be restored. I have one and will gladly share info if you desire. Good luck....
 
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