Projects 1932 Ford 3 Window with 389 Pontiac

Ken, Keep it up!
I've followed since the start.
This thread really is a testament to your
vision and determination.
Your dad is watching and I'm sure approves!
Drive on!!

 

I have the twin 3w to it.. on your carbs, do you have fuel pressure regulator on it?

 

Yes 1-4 lbs. per the note from the guy who rebuilt the carbs.

 

And proper float level? i have tri power on 348 having similar issues. Mine is not right either. These are some of the things local trip-power gu-ru told me to check. As of now i haven't done these yet. Keep me posted and love the car

 

I had the carb connection in Kirkland WA give it the once over and Dyno. It was really lean, they upsized the jets from 62 to 68 and it runs way better. The ass end just squats when those secondary's kick in, what fun. While the "list of loose ends" is long, the engine running right makes it feel like the car crossed a finish line from project to hotrod. Decided to repost the save the original dash pics.

 

The gauge cluster would not fit in the center without moving the glove box over 1/2 inch to the right. So the thought was if I had to move it on one side why not mirror it to the other and have 2 glove boxes. In the end the amount of work to save just one was hard enough and we bagged the second one. I also decided to lose the trim ring around the glove box and stay with the original look.

 

While you may not have been able to take dad for a ride in it, it sounds and seems like you did get to finish the car with him. And that for the both of you has to be priceless. It must have made him proud. Has your uncle seen and rode in it yet? It sure flips my flapjack to see it on the road. Congratulations to you and your dad both. You both did it!

 

Well other than the rear bumpers this is what my Dad was thinking/hoping for. I figured out his game plan for the tail lights and got them frenched in. I love the “new” look of the rear end with that subtle change. I put the Dad’s wheels and tires just to see if they would fit. Fronts are really close and can rub a little but it is drivable. I got some of the engine issues figured out by up sizing the jets. Next is the fan/cooling issue. The 4 blade fan is too far from the radiator and has a bit of a wobble.

 

REDO THAT UGLY REAR!!

 

I vote to keep the rear. It is part of the history of the car.

 

The 32 made its 1st appearance in Spokane where I grew up and the car lived in the barn. Met lots of great people and the Spokane Speed and Custom show was great fun. Lots of really cool cars, people and displays. Even had a Deuce Barn with some epic rigs in it.

 

This 1st one - My favorite, with history. Some of the cool ones

 

Deuce Days 2022

 

Read the whole post. Congratulations on your effort. Thanks for not changing it.

Thanks,

jim

 

Saw it in another post from Deuce Days. So happy you're out enjoying it. What a cool car!

 

Rebuild the pontiac. Or source a bigger ci pontiac. Whatever you do don't go the boring belly button sbc and auto or Windsor like every other budget built street rod. If you want a hot rod build a hot rod rod with a hot Pontiac and manual trans. Not another regular street rod with a small block and auto. There are already to many of them. Even if it takes an extra 6 months to get the money together. The three speed stick is cool. Maybe find one with a factory electric overdrive. Very cool car. Keep it cool.

 

Ken the car looks great on the road.

 

Good seeing your car in Victoria. You were the only HAMB guy I talked to. Incidently, it is a whole lot easier to do a vintage Pontiac powered car in Canada. They came with Chevy engines.

 

Some of the European Deuces came with two glove boxes but they didn't have doors on them.

 

Test fitted the old seat. Really tight for my long legs and big butt. It was fun to drive it with the original seat.

 

Man that upholstery is awesome. As far as the three speed stick goes if you were closer I'd give you one with an Overdrive

 

Update. The trunk was all jacked up bent and twisted. View attachment 5685486

 

Now that’s cool stuff , keep up the good work

 

So cool. Dad's Dream passed on. To capable hands. You get it.

 

I'd keep the rear with the tail light in it. I'd cut it off and hang it on the wall and then fix it right. A real deuce 3 window deserves to have it's backside fixed, but that's just my humble opinion.

As for duel glove boxes, why not. some of the Fords in Europe came with duel glove boxes except they didn't put doors on them. It's a cool looking car.

 

I just found this thread and haven't read the whole thing yet but as of your last post, you absolutely nailed it as it sits now. It has the look that stops me in my tracks at a show. Color me jealous. I like the back end, the primer, the channel, the white walls and especially the Pontiac. Awesome.
Now excuse me while I go back and read the whole thread....

 

That car is badass! I love that you remained true to what the vision was. Very unique, and personal.

 

Been a bit since I posted. Not a lot of change since last time. Well the oil pump for the 389 Pontiac decided to crap out, 0-5 pounds of oil pressure. After some great advice on-line I found the issue was a piece of crud on the spring relief ball bearing. Replace the oil pump with a "high volume" one from Butler Performance. Remember I am not a mechanic so I was pretty nervous working on the engine with You-tube as my guide. I think the issue is resolved. Took the 32 to a car show in Pomeroy Wa. I took a picture with my Aunt who rode in the car as a teen, pretty cool. I put my first dent in it when I was goofing off driving it hard. Good thing I had a tow strap to get me out of the ditch. Late night, drum brakes, old eyes and older head lights. Tried to make the "Coffins" beat the boat Poker Run and failed. Gas pedal fell off heading to the ferry terminal, off, like as in o f f. Went through the pay booth pulling on the throttle cable by hand. Fixed the issue waiting on the ferry, then the car would not start when the boat came.... That 389 Pontiac is a difficult pain in my ass. If it gets warmed up, there is window of time it doesn't like to start. 1 hour, 1 week. 1 month, no problem. 22 minutes for the ferry, no start like a weak battery. It must be a carb or heat on the starter issue. Got a bump start from the ferry dead car fork lift, dented the back end where he pushed. Nothing like holding up the entire ferry line on a summer Saturday with a hotrod if you want to be the center of attention. The car is fun to drive and I love it. This winter I get to replace all the steel freeze plugs on the 389 as they are rusting through. Car looks like someone shot the radiator with a shotgun when I park. lol 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Hotrods and hot chicks/wives have a lot in common. Once again thanks to the HAMB for the advice, and inspiration.

 

Perfect little car.

-Abone.

 

There are heat shields available that cold help, if you have an exhaust system that is very close to the starter. Ames Performance and probably others sells them for Pontiacs. Another possibility is replacing the bushings in the starter, if they're worn the starter can be difficult to operate when it's hot.