What is the significance of the emblem on Ford trucks with the lightning bolt through the gear? I thought it might just be the truck symbol, but then I noticed that it was on the horn button for a junked F-250, when it wasn't on the horn button of my F-100, even though both had it on the hood emblem. Is it for some sort of heavy-duty designation? Or is it just the truck emblem, and my F-100 has the wrong button?



Also, can you get the three-spoke type of horn button with this emblem?

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People should not be afraid of their government, a government should be afraid of the people.

--Alan Moore

Its supposed to mean "strong" "durable" etc.



As for the horn button, the gear and lightning bolt didnt get used untill 56 , the 53 had an anniversary emblem in the horn button, and the 54-55's had a ford script with 5 stars below , (I think)




Kevin S in Akron, Ohio

So all trucks are supposed to have it? That's a little disappointing, I wanted it to be be like the new super-duty thing.

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People should not be afraid of their government, a government should be afraid of the people.

--Alan Moore

Alan, I noticed you're wanting some ballpark numbers on horsepower from the yblocks. Ford did not tell the truth about the hp #s on the 312s bask in the day. These engines could turn 5000 rpms easy enough if the valve springs were up to snuff stock. A stock 312 supercharged was advertised at 300 hp from ford which was way too low?????? According to the Moody bros and Frank Rice (red & black 57 ford) who had his Stock 312 dynoed and just adding the supercharger it made around 370 to 380 HP and 420+ ft. lbs. stock. And with good valve springs and heads 7000 rpms is not out of reach. A 289 k code mustang can be beat on the bottom end and top end because these engines torque out really well. A supercharger makes more than 20 HP. A good friend of mine Banjo Matthews of nascar fame who passed away some years back told me when he built the 312 too 350 HP, Bill France made him stop because it was legal to bolt on a supercharger and that was pushing if my memory is correct closer to 500 HP and lasting 500 mile races. Much tougher thn chebbes. Hope this gives you a little knowledge on just how GREAT these YBLOCKS were and still are.

-Gary Burnette-

Well I might as well throw my two cents in and say that I thought the lightning bolt and gear were mounted on vehicles with an inline six. Just my assumption, and yes, I know what ASSUME means, I've been there enough!    

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird

Thanks for the numbers, that lends credence to the 362 my engine is supposed to make as clocked by the machine shop (I expect it to be slightly inflated, can't say I wouldn't do the same if no one has a dyno around to check).



I can't argue with the straight six idea, the only vehicle I know for sure has the original parts is the junkyard truck (smashed...I almost cried when I saw it, it was so awesome seeing that thing drive around town), and that one has the thunderbolt emblems on the hood and the wheel and has the straight six, while my own truck has the emblem for the hood, thought not mounted (no holes in the hood or body for some reason, no where to mount any of the trim), though it came with a 292.



No matter what it means, I'm transplanting both the hood emblem and the horn button onto my 63 Fairlane. It just seems right on the car.



Oh yeah, and my name isn't Alan. The quote I have is from Alan Moore, I'm citing him, but my name is Martin. Mayhaps I should make that more clear in my sig.

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People should not be afraid of their government, a government should be afraid of the people.

--Alan Moore

Is this the emblem you are referring to. I always associated it with big job trucks.



http://picasaweb.google.com/crenwelgeoil/OnlineEdits#5436795180323219426

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Yes, though specifically the gear and lightning (that's the only part on the horn button). I've always thought it meant "Super-Duty", until I learned that was a newer term.

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People should not be afraid of their government, a government should be afraid of the people.

--Alan Moore

I think, for the '61-'66 series of trucks, '61-64 had the gear and lightning bolt whether it was an I6 or a V8. '65-'66 had the gear and lightning bolt if it was a 6 and a V8 emblem if it was a V8.


Lawrenceville, GA

The horn button in the center of the steering wheel on my '58 F600 with 292 has the gear and lightning bolt.