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Technical Cured My Flathead’s Occasional Overheating (The Hard Way)!. Updated 12-11

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by hotrodA, May 28, 2022.

?

Which project?

Poll closed Jun 17, 2022.
  1. 40 coupe: Replace blown flathead with on hand 283 and all the parts. Drive by Aug.

    42 vote(s)
    68.9%
  2. 41 pickup: Get back on Desoto hemi powered pickup and let coupe sit. Drive by ???

    11 vote(s)
    18.0%
  3. Have a pre-estate sale and take up model railroading.

    8 vote(s)
    13.1%
  1. Last edited: Oct 22, 2024
  2. wheeltramp brian
    Joined: Jun 11, 2010
    Posts: 2,947

    wheeltramp brian
    Member

    Congratulations man, it sounds super smooth!
     
  3. Thanks, Brian!
    The carb is pretty much a kitted, temporary throw away, from the 283 to get it running.
    It’s being replaced with a C4B Edelbrock and 4 bbl. Eventually.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2024
    lumpy 63 likes this.
  4. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 14,514

    Budget36
    Member

    Last edited: Oct 18, 2024
  5. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 33,921

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Oh man, that runs as smooth as a gravy sandwich
     
    NoSurf, SS327 and hotrodA like this.
  6. Last edited: Oct 18, 2024
  7. Got the cut hose replaced and working on interior and steering column.
    It’s fun just to hit the key and listen to the exhaust!:rolleyes: Long time coming.:D
     
    RAK likes this.
  8. Had enough time today to get the steering column and wheel installed today. Yes, it was a PITA but I won!:D
    No worries, it’s straight!
    Almost ready for a cruise!

    IMG_4134.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2024
  9. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 13,809

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Lookin good! I like the gauges!
     
  10. Thanks, BB.
    They’re Classic Instruments, but are small and very hard to read. They’re getting replaced with a set like you used in the pickup when I do the rewire.
     
    Bandit Billy likes this.
  11. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 13,809

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You can't go wrong with the direct fit gauges. I have been very happy with mine and it gets a lot of compliments. Good to see you making serious progress here.
     
  12. Thank you! That’s encouraging!
    Looks like it’s just the carpet, kick panels, the aggravating grille and panels and the bumper..
     
  13. Decided to finish off the interior after the column install. Big mistake as far as getting to the pitiful carpet.
    Had to make several repairs where it had been glued down. Should have planned better.

    Got the busted turn signal switch repaired and installed. Let there be blinkers!
    I plan on replacing that ugly thing when I do the re-wire. Good for now.

    Hopefully the grille, at last, tomorrow!
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2024
  14. joel
    Joined: Oct 10, 2009
    Posts: 2,570

    joel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I sounds good and congrats on a big step. Go slow on the grill; they are temperamental and hard to get right.... at least for me.
     
  15. Thanks!
    They’re way too expensive to hurt one by accident.
    Taking it apart was tedious enough.
    I removed the headlight buckets and it made the accessibility to the bolts easier
    It fit great before so fingers crossed.
     
  16. Finished patching the crummy, cheap carpet and got it all back in place with the kick panels.
    And the glove box radio/CD player is now working. You do know what a CD is, right?!? :rolleyes:
    And the grille is finally hanging in place with the first of its fasteners. Whoopee! :D

    IMG_4152.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2024
    AHotRod, RAK and pprather like this.
  17. wheeltramp brian
    Joined: Jun 11, 2010
    Posts: 2,947

    wheeltramp brian
    Member

    I've got a CD player in my El Camino and the kids don't know what it is.or roll up windows,he was amazed lol.
     
    hotrodA likes this.
  18. Spent time today on the grille and installing the two air flow panels on the inside of the grille.
    WHAT A PITA X 2 !!
    One of those angled support rods was bent and missed the fender/grille hole by 3/8”! Couldn’t get enough muscle on it where it is. Didn’t want to hurt the grille.
    Finally got it in by elongating the holes in the panels.
    Good grief!
    Along with the black welting.
    Can’t figure how the PO got it together.
    Tomorrow, tighten it all up, install the two bottom radiator panels and at last, the headlights and bumper.
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2024
    RAK and SS327 like this.
  19. Well, after a couple days off to handle some house chores,I got a little done today, but the
    40’s gremlins are still after me.

    Went out and the battery was down to five volts! WTH!!! Something drained it!!! Key’s off.:mad:
    Put it on the slow AGM charger and zip. Still 5V. WTH!!!

    Anyway, got the grille tightened up, the two remaining lower radiator pans in after a little straightening, and the headlights in with new bulbs. I’ll take on the battery tomorrow.:D

    Over and out.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2024
    NoSurf and Crusty Chevy like this.
  20. Rob28
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 264

    Rob28
    Member
    from Calgary AB

    I have the same battery as you and a few weeks ago I left the ignition on in the 40 and killed the battery to 5V. I had my newer battery tender charger on it all night and it wouldn’t go above 6V. I ended up putting old lead acid charger on it and was able to get it back to 12V. It’s been working for a few weeks now without issues
     
    anothercarguy likes this.
  21. Thanks. Ended up doing the same thing.
    Battery Tender had no effect. The Schumacher did the job.
    Odyssey site says monitor the charging and not let it get past 12.5V (if I remember right).
     
  22. Well, it’s been a long, frustrating adventure, with many setbacks and toe stubbers. but Fatso is ready(?) to drive at last. (He says, hopefully.):rolleyes:

    Many thanks to all of ya hoodlums for following along, offering suggestions and critiques, and blessing me with the “likes”. I would have thrown in the towel many times, but you kept the flame lit.:cool:

    Tomorrow: Pull it out on the temp gas tank, switch fuel lines and gas up the main tank and try a short spin.
    If it makes it home on its own it gets a well deserved clean up.
    Fingers crossed!:D

    IMG_4154.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2024
    Tim, NoSurf, milwscruffy and 6 others like this.
  23. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,262

    AHotRod
    Member

    Hot Rods Rule Brother ! GO-GO-GO !
     
    hotrodA likes this.
  24. Not so fast there, Billy Bob! You knew better than to get your hopes up!
    Got it ready to pull out, but of course there was a FUBAB! Or two, actually.

    Clutch not releasing, so there was a lot of gear clash. A LOT!!:eek:
    Even AFTER adjusting it to Ford spec. Guess that doesn’t work with the B&B clutch.
    Cranked it in gear and tried to pull it out under its own power. Went about two feet and stopped! Hard!!
    A quick check underneath found the CE radius rod ends hung up on the front cross bar of the lift!
    Had to jack it up and block up the ramps.:rolleyes:
    Cranked it in gear again and pulled it out into the sunshine.:D

    No drive today, but now I can get the lift cylinder pulled and back to the hydraulic shop.:mad:
    If I can get the lift raised up high enough, I can push the car back under it.
    Get the cylinder fixed AGAIN, re-installed, and the car back on it and adjust/diagnose the clutch.

    Somebody could have bought themselves a 40 coupe cheap today!:mad:
    GOOD GRIEF!!

    Meanwhile, some dirty 40 porn, with a really dirty 40.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/5eVF__X_des?si=MmgxYBy7yRGvsfPl
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2024
    Crusty Chevy likes this.
  25. Today I managed to get the lift raised all the way up despite the puking cylinder, gave Fatso a bath and idled it back into the shop even with the clutch pedal on the floor! :D

    Next, get the cylinder fixed and Fatso back in the air for clutch adjustment.

    Adapt! Improvise! Overcome!

    IMG_4157.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2024
    Tim, Crusty Chevy, SS327 and 2 others like this.
  26. Well, not much to report as to progress on Fatso.

    Dove into the under dash wiring mess in an attempt to figure out the gauge lighting problem, plus the absence of tail and park lights. Torture time! :mad:
    IMG_4162.jpeg
    “In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the wire sleeps tonight. Wee heeheehee weeoh aweem away”.
    Apologies to The Tokens.
    IMG_4161.jpeg
    I found where the PO had spliced (with a house wire nut) one of his surplus scraps of white wire to a short 2” stub of a 16 ga. black wire coming off the back of the Classic speedometer. Since the other gauge used a white 12V+ to power it, you might think that was power, since NOTHING is labeled, and ALL the other ground wires are black.
    But, nooooo. It was a cut off ground wire to the speedometer. GOOD GRIEF! :confused:
    Cut it off, Crimped the stub to a surplus cut ground wire I found in the snakes’ nest and “Let there be light!”
    IMG_4160.jpeg

    Since the electronic speedometer is powered off its own fuse in the panel, that must also include its light.
    I had powered the other gauge cluster light off the new light switch. So the fuse panel gauge’s light is operated from the starter switch, and the other four off the light switch!
    I’ve found that the fuse panel is ALL switched power, with none constant power! For now.
    I will be so glad to tear all that S**T out and install the new wiring.

    YAAAY! So I have ALL lights working!!:cool: For now!:rolleyes:

    Also got the leaking lift cylinder pulled out (what an PITA) and returned to the repair shop in Bristol.
    Hopefully warranty. Waiting on reply. :D

    Over and out.
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2024
    RAK and The 39 guy like this.
  27. Well, not good on the cylinder!

    The shop called and said they found metal and grit in the barrel, and the barrel was scratched! Can’t explain it.
    The pump has a filter on the pickup in the fluid reservoir, so I will have to look into that.
    But they were the last ones to have it apart, back in March.
    They will try to hone the scratches out, otherwise it’s replacement barrel time.
    upload_2024-11-20_10-4-38.png

    Just ANOTHER setback in this long running and torturous adventure! GOOD GRIEF!!
     
    SS327 likes this.
  28. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 33,921

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Maybe the pump is tearing itself up and sending metal shavings throughout the system?? dang it... good luck
     
    RAK likes this.
  29. @Moriarity

    Thanks! A good point that I had not considered. I’ll find out.
     
    Moriarity likes this.
  30. Managed to figure out how to lengthen the stock 40 choke rod and adapt it to the Rochester 2G manual choke, using a junk rod, a small choke arm and a ball stud.
    All done until the Edelbrock intake and 4 bbl carb goes on, whenever that happens.
    IMG_4167.jpeg

    Also got rid of the junk, rusty, non-working clock and installed a new, lighted, windup and working piece.
    With light, of course.
    IMG_4166.jpeg

    Little, ho-hum items that needed doing, and with the lift cylinder out, I had the time.
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2024

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