Well, I now own a 57 Task Force Flatbed. I'm not entirely sure what I own, but am puzzling it out. The VIN code on the body is a 3E, which I believe indicates a 3/4 ton. However, it's a dually with a 138" wheelbase. It also has a 4-speed on the floor, not the 3 on the column which I thought was the norm for a 3/4.
I'm going to start taking some more measurements tomorrow, as well as looking for tags elsewhere. Any suggestions on what else to look for to help identify what frame this is on? Were 3/4s produced on such a long wheelbase?
Cosmetically, the truck has a terrible paint job. Poorly done white (unintentionally two tone) over a still quite visible in spots blotchy blue. But the panels seem in reasonable condition. Free of major dents, and the paint job, while not pretty, seemed to have done it's job of keeping the rust away. Surface rust here and there, but only a couple spots that I'll need to patch with metal. (So far as I've been able to tell.) I turned down several other much rustier options before this one came along.
The other good news is that it runs. Well enough for me to have driven it home anyway. It had me worried for a bit as the temperature needle had barely started to move when it flew hard over to H. However, the fan was running, although squealing some and the belt seemed loose, the radiator was warm but not boiling, and the engine was still cool enough to put my hand against it for a brief moment. I checked it several times on the drive home with similar results, kept it at light revs and hoped for the best. Checked it again once I stopped with a thermometer on a bunch of places across the block and radiator. Highest was around 205°F. That seemed in the range of normal to me, though I know next to nothing about these engine. After it cooled, another start took it up to hard over on H within about 10 min. of running. If it's overheating, that seems very fast.
Hoping I've not destroyed anything, I'll be checking the sender unit, thermostat, and tightening the fan belt in the coming days. Any other obvious things to look into at this point?
Here are some pictures after it's first bath. The terribly paint job really comes through as I start to cut through the layers of dirt. Not so bad in the pictures, but the patchiness over the previous teal color is very noticeable in person. Ah well, the family has requested it be dark blue eventually anyway. I was loosing light as I wrapped up cleaning, hence the grainy pictures. First thing to go were the wooden sides to that flatbed. A set of nice edge panels will be in order once mechanical issues are addressed.
Front End Whole Truck Interior Dash With little idea what I'm doing with restoration/modification work or what I've gotten myself into, here goes nothing...
