1948 FORD



Model Designations:


DeLuxe Six, Series 87HA

DeLuxe V-8, Series 89A

Super DeLuxe Six, Series 87HA

Super DeLuxe V-8, Series 89A



DeLuxe Six, Body Styles:


4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #73A

Factory Price: $1,270; Shipping Weight: 3,213 Pounds

Production Total: *


2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #70A

Factory Price: $1,212; Shipping Weight: 3,183 Pounds

Production Total: *


2 Door Coupe, 3 Passenger, Body # 77A

Factory Price: $1,154; Shipping Weight: 3,033 Pounds

Production Total: *


* Production Totals included with DeLuxe V-8.



DeLuxe V-8, Body Styles:


4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body # 73A

Factory Price: $1,346; Shipping Weight: 3,246 Pounds

Production Total: Not Available *


2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body # 70A

Factory Price: $1,288; Shipping Weight: 3,216 Pounds

Production Total: 23,356 *


2 Door Coupe, 3 Passenger, Body # 77A

Factory Price: $1,230; Shipping Weight: 3,066 Pounds

Production Total: 5,048 *


* Includes DeLuxe 6 Cylinder Production.



Super DeLuxe Six, Body Styles:


4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body # 73B

Factory Price: $1,372; Shipping Weight: 3,233 Pounds

Production Total: *


2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body # 70B

Factory Price: $1,309; Shipping Weight: 3,183 Pounds

Production Total: *


2 Door Coupe Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body # 72B

Factory Price: $1,330; Shipping Weight: 3,133 Pounds

Production Total: *


2 Door Coupe, 3 Passenger, Body #77B

Factory Price: $1,251; Shipping Weight: 3,033 Pounds

Production Total: *


4 Door Station Wagon, 8 Passenger, Body # 79B

Factory Price: $1,893; Shipping Weight: 3,487 Pounds

Production Total: *


* Production Totals included with Super DeLuxe V-8.


Super DeLuxe V-8, Body Styles:


4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body # 73B

Factory Price: $1,440; Shipping Weight: 3,266 Pounds

Production Total: 71,356 *


2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body # 70B

Factory Price: $1,382; Shipping Weight: 3,216 Pounds

Production Total: 82,161 *


2 Door Coupe Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #72B

Factory Price: $1,409; Shipping Weight: 3,166 Pounds

Production Total: 44,828 *


2 Door Coupe, 3 Passenger, Body # 77B

Factory Price: $1,330; Shipping Weight: 3,066 Pounds

Production Total: Not Available *


2 Door Club Convertible, 6 Passenger, Body #76B

Factory Price: $1,740; Shipping Weight: 3,266 Pounds

Production Total: 12,033


2 Door Sportsman Convertible, 6 Passenger, Body # 71B

Factory Price: $2,282; Shipping Weight: 3,366 Pounds

Production Total: 28


4 Door Station Wagon, 8 Passenger, Body #79B

Factory Price: $1,972; Shipping Weight: 3,520 Pounds

Production Total: 8,912 *


* Production Totals include Super DeLuxe 6 Cylinder.




1948 FORD


General Specifications:


100 Horsepower V-8 Engine

Wheelbase: 114 Inches

Bore & Stroke: 3-3/16" x 3-3/4"

Engine Displacement: 239.4 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 6.75to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 32.50

Horsepower: 100 @ 3,800 RPM

Torque: 180 Ft. Lbs @ 2,000 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 57 PSI

Rear Axle Ratio: Not Available

Tire Size: 6.00 x 16 inches; Inflation Pressure, 28 Front, 28 Rear

Carburetor: Holley Model 94, 2 Barrel Downdraft




95 Horsepower 6 Cylinder Engine

Wheelbase: 114 Inches

Bore & Stroke: 3.3" X 4.4"

Engine Displacement: 226.0 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 6.80:1

Taxable Horsepower: 26.10

Horsepower: 95 @ 3,300 RPM

Torque: 180 Ft. Lbs @ 1,200 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 57 PSI

Rear Axle Ratio: Not Available

Tire Size: 6.00 X 16 inches; Inflation Pressure, 28 Front, 28 Rear

Carburetor: Holley Model 847F, 1 Barrel Downdraft


Tune Up Specifications - All Series:


8 Cylinder Engine:

Spark Plug Type: Champion H-10, H-11, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .030"

Point Gap: .015"Distributor Cam Angle: 36 degrees

Firing Order: 1R, 1L, 4R, 4L, 2L, 3R, 3L, 2R or 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

Ignition Timing: Mark & Location: 4 degrees BTDC, There are no Timing Marks

Engine Idle Speed: 475 RPM

Tappet Clearance, Cold: Intake .012, Exhaust .014

Cylinder Head Torque: 50-60 Ft. Lbs.

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 110 PSI (Minimum)



6 Cylinder Engine:

Spark Plug Type: Champion H-10, H-11, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .030"

Point Gap: .025"

Distributor Cam Angle: 36

Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4

Ignition Timing: Mark & Location: Grooved Timing Mark on Vibration Damper

Engine Idle Speed: 475 RPM

Tappet Clearance, Cold: Intake .014, Exhaust .014

Cylinder Head Torque: 50-60 Ft. Lbs.

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 110 PSI (Minimum)



Valve Specifications:


8 Cylinder Engine

Tappet Clearance, Running Cold: Intake .012"; Exhaust .014"

Clearance for Timing: Intake: .012"; Exhaust: .014"

Valve Timing: Intake Opens at Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 6 degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Seat Angle: Intake 45 degrees; Exhaust 45 degrees,

Valve Spring Pressure: 37 Lbs @ 2-1/8 inches (New Springs)

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .0025"-.0045";

Exhaust .0025"-.0045"



6 Cylinder Engine

Tappet Clearance, Running Cold: Intake .014"; Exhaust .014"

Clearance for Timing: Intake: .014"; Exhaust: .014"

Valve Timing: Intake Opens 11 degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 10 degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Seat Angle: Intake 45 degrees; Exhaust 45 degrees

Valve Spring Pressure: 37 LBS @ 2-1/8 inches (New Springs)

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001"-.003"

Exhaust .001"-.003"



Piston & Ring Data-All Series:


8 Cylinder Engine

Piston Removal: From Above

Piston Clearance (Minimum):

Top Land Inch .020";

Top of Skirt, Inch: .003"

Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:

Shim Thickness: With Sleeves & Aluminum Pistons, .0025"

Without Sleeves, .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 6 to 10

Width of Ring End Gap (Minimum):

Compression Ring: .014"

Oil Ring: .014"

Clearance Between Ring & Grooves:

Compression Ring: .0015"-.003"

Oil Control Ring: .0015"-.003"



6 Cylinder Engine

Piston Removal: From Above

Piston Clearance (Minimum):

Top Land Inch .020"

Top of Skirt, Inch: .003"

Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 6 to 12

Width of Ring End Gap (Minimum):

Compression Ring: .010"

Oil Control Ring: .010"

Clearance Between Ring & Grooves:

Compression Ring: .0015"-.003"

Oil Control Ring: .0015"-.003"



Engine Bearing Data:


8 Cylinder Engine

Camshaft End Play: .003"

Camshaft Bearing Clearance: .002"

Rod Journal Diameter: 2.1390 Inches

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0017"-.0036" inches

Rod End Play: .004"-.008" inches

Rod Bolt Tension: 40 Lbs. Ft.

Main Bearing Journal Diameter: 2.4990"

Main Bearing Clearance: .000" -.003"

Crankshaft End Play: .002"-.006"

Main Bolt Tension: 80 Lbs. Ft.


6 Cylinder Engine

Camshaft End Play: .003"

Camshaft Bearing Clearance: .002"

Rod Journal Diameter: 2.2350"

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0017"-.003"

Rod End Play: .006"-.0014"

Rod Bolt Tension: 40 Lbs Ft.

Main Bearing Journal Diameter: 2.8740"

Main Bearing Clearance: .009"-.0032"

Crankshaft End Play: .003"-.006"

Main Bolt Tension: 80 Lbs. Ft.




Capacities-All Series


With 8 Cylinder Engine

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 22 Quarts

With Heater: 23 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 17 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts;

Grade of Oil: Above +32F 30;

Above +10F 20W;

Above -10F 10W

Manual Transmission: 2-3/4 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 90, Winter 80

Rear Axle: 2-1/2 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 140, Winter 90


With 6 Cylinder Engine

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 17 Quarts

With Heater: 18 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 17 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts

Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20

Above +10F 10W

Above - 10F 10W

Manual Transmission: 2-3/4 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 90, Winter 80

Rear Axle: 2-1/2 Pints:

Grade of Oil: Summer 140, Winter 90



Starting Motor Specifications-8 Cylinder Models:


Part #7RA-11001

Brush Spring Tension: 48 to 56 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 6 Volts, @ 3,000 RPM

Torque Test: 700 Amperes, 3.5 Volts, @ 16 Ft. Lbs.



Starting Motor Specifications-6 Cylinder Models:


Part #7HA-11001

Brush Spring Tension: 48 to 56 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 6 Volts, @ 3,000 RPM

Torque Test: 700 Amperes, 3.5 Volts, @ 16 Ft. Lbs.




Ford Distributor Specifications, 8 Cylinder:


Part #59A-12127

Rotation: Counter-Clockwise

Cam Angle: 36 Degrees

Breaker Point Gap: .014 to .016"

Condenser Capacity: .21 to .25 Mfds

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 20 to 24 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 2 Degrees BTDC

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 1,725 RPM of Distributor






Ford Distributor Specifications, 6 Cylinder:


Part #7HA-12127

Rotation: Clockwise

Cam Angle: 36 Degrees

Breaker Point Gap: .024 to .026"

Condenser Capacity: .21 to .25 Mfds

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Vacuum Advance Data:

@ 500 RPM: 1-3/4 Degrees @ .40" Vacuum

@ 1,000 RPM: 5-1/2 to 6-3/4 Degrees @ 1.4" Vacuum

@ 1,500 RPM: 8-1/2 to 9-3/4 Degrees @ 2.9" Vacuum

@ 2,000 RPM: 10-1/2 to 11-1/2 Degrees @ 4.1" Vacuum



Ford Generator Specifications:


Generator #21A-10000

Generator Output: 30 Amperes @ 1,700 RPM

Brushes Spring Tension: 30 Ounces

Regulator #8A-10505

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 6.3

Reverse Current to Open Points: 0 to 8 Amperes

Armature Air Gap: .017"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.3 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 30 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .035"


Generator #7HA-10000B

Generator Output: 30 Amperes @ 2,400 RPM

Brushes Spring Tension: 30 Ounces

Regulator #8A-10505

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 6.3

Reverse Current to Open Points: 0 to 8 Amperes

Armature Air Gap: .017"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.3 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 30 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .035"






Carburetor Adjustments, 6 & 8 Cylinder:


Idle Mixture: Turn each scres (one screw on 6 cylinder models) clockwise (in) to lean mixture and counter-clockwise (out) to enrich mixture. Make initial adjustment by turning screw(s) in until seated and back out 1 turn.

Idle Speed Adjustment: Turn stop screw in to increase speed and out to decrease speed

Pump Stroke:

Average Conditions: Center Hole

Hot Weather: Shortest Stroke

Cold Weather: Longest Stroke

Float Level Adjustment: 1.322" to 1.353"




Fuel Pump Data:

6 Cylinder

Pump Type: CC

Maximum Pressure: 3-1/2 PSI


8 Cylinder

Pump Type: BX

Maximum Pressure: 3-1/2 PSI



Dash Gauge Manufacturers:


Gasoline: King-Seeley

Temperature: King-Seeley

Oil Pressure: King-Seeley

Ammeter: Ford



Brake Specifications-All Series:


Lining Material: Molded

Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches:

Length, 24",

Width, 1-3/4",

Thickness, 3/16"

Pedal Free Play: 3/8"

Brake Shoe Clearance: .010"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1"-1-3/8"; Rear: 1"-1-1/8"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1-1/16"




Wheel Alignment Specifications:


Caster: + 6-3/4 Degrees

Camber: +5/8;

Toe In; 3/32 inches;

Toe Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 20 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 23 to 24 Degrees

Kingpin Angle: 8 Degrees




Rear Axle Data:


Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .006-.010 inch

Drive Pinion Adjustment: None

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Nut

Axle Shaft End Play: .000-.015 inch




Beginning Engine & Serial Numbers:

6 Cylinder Engines: 87HA-9370

8 Cylinder Engines: 899A-2071118




Popular Options:


Radio, Radio Foot Control, Heater & Defroster, Clock, Seat Covers, Driver & Passenger Side Mirrors, Spot Light, Locking Gas Cap, Vanity Mirror, White Sidewall Tires, Oil Filter, License Frames.




1948 Ford Historical Data:


Total Ford Production for 1948 is Not Available. 219,320 cars were produced, however production figures for the 2 door coupe & DeLuxe 4 door sedan are not available.




1948 Ford Colors


Color PPG Code


Rotunda Gray 30414

Barcelona Blue 10361

Monsoon Maroon 50035

Parrot Green Poly 40455

Taffy Tan 20375

Glade Green 40457

Feather Gray 30046

Blue Gray Poly 30409

Tuscon Tan 20384

Maize Yellow 80274

Pheasant Red 50102

Midland Maroon Poly 50121

Shoal Green Gray Poly 30499

Strato Blue 10403

Black 9000



Promotional Models Available:


Metal: 2 Door Sedan


Aluminum: 4 Door Sedan



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