Projects Bought a 51 Ford on Purpose

That’s the plan Larry. Found out today I have no brake lights. So, bought a switch and will swap that out. Just trying to work all the little bugs out. Hoping to drive it to work all week. Getting close to 100 miles on it so far after today.

 

Looks great with the caps, I bet it's great fun driving it around.
But could maybe come down about an inch in the front, and like @Moriarity suggested a nose and deck job.

 

'51 standard trans should be 3.70 ish and overdrive was 4.11. '52-'56 has finer axle splines. I ran a '54 3.54 gears and axles in my '51 coupe even with overdrive. Now it has 3.70 or is it 3.78? Don't remember exactly. Will soon be overdrive again instead of the standard in it now and will do 4.11 this time. Fresh engine and rest of the running gear getting swapped in.

Dave

 

Hi guthriesmith. I have the clip if you want it for the price of shipping. I was under the assumption you have to install the stainless-steel trim into the rubber gasket and then onto the glass before installing the rear window. (Green bible) If you are able to get it installed without taking the rear window out, please let me know how you did it. Thanks in advance.

 

I assumed the same as far as how to install the trim. I haven’t done one of these before, but have other glass with trim and thought I had to put the trim on before the glass went in the car. I’ll do some searching. And, I may take you up on that clip if Billy doesn’t find the one for the trim he posted.

 

Got a 51 tag in case I decide to run a YOM on the car. Needs some cleanup and paint, but nice straight tag. I also got a new diaphragm for the fuel pump since it went to leaking again. Kinda figuring that is why it sucks to start after sitting overnight. It seems to be letting all the fuel drain back as well.

 

Whenever you figure it out let me know because mine does the same thing but takes a couple of days. I’ve noticed that the fuel level in the fuel pump is almost always at the ragged edge of it wanting to pickup the fuel from the bowl. I was thinking that the new gas they have evaporates just enough to drive me nuts.

 

I think the stance is perfect! The hubcaps look great too

 

your speedometer is the early one. people didn't like that circular indicator, so ford switched to a plain arrow. also, i noticed those big tires that were on it when you got it--makes me think it spent some time on a farm! nice car, though...

 

Interesting on the speedometer. I didn't realize that they made a change. I kinda like the circular indicator mainly just because it is different. And, if it was on a farm, it would have been prior to the folks I got it from. They lived on 10 acres, but it was very nicely manicured.

 

I took mine out today since somebody I know has given me the “it’s no good if you’re not driving it” bug

My gauge cluster has the red markers where Jeff has the white ones. Both of our cars are the early ones before the change from the Crestliner to the Victoria because the steering wheel has the full horn ring on them. My car is a late February car and was assembled in St Louis if I’m remembering correctly. When I did take it out today I hit the interstate and it was running smooth as silk at 65-70 and had more left in her! Next time I’m out on the freeway I might point that rascal towards Guthrie OK

 

Heck yea! Might as well just deliver that trim!

 

I might have to do that

 

Oh yeah I saw that Chickasha OK was in October and was thinking about running out there if I can talk my buddy into a road trip. Heck I’ll be passing right you and can drop it off or you can hop in and go with us!

 

I’ve always thought that those cars had a beautiful and stylish dashboard and steering wheel. That little speedo needle is too cool. The car looks great so far. Too bad it didn’t have the OD option, my ‘55 Ford 2dr wagon had a little Y block and it was great on the open road with the OD kicked in, I imagine that old flathead would like it too.

 

Ended up having to get a different fuel pump diaphragm tonight. The one I grabbed last night had the holes clocked a little different and I couldn’t get them to line up when I hooked it on the lever. Anyway, hopefully I can get it all back together tomorrow night. I have to go pick up an enclosed trailer tomorrow for work down in Texas. I’ll plan to leave early so I can get back at a decent hour.

 

Well, after 10 hours driving a semi to Texas and back today not including the time I wasn’t driving, all I got done related to the car this evening was picking up a fuel pump gasket from the parts store…maybe tomorrow.

 

Made it to go hang out with the local car guys this evening at Sonic.

 

Mmmmmm
Chili dogs

 

Man, that’s cool.

 

Nice collection of cars and trucks…

 

Yea, this small town I live in has a decent car scene although most of the guys are more race car guys than anything. There is typically a group about this size or maybe a few more that show up every Friday night and then again Saturday morning at a donut shop in town.

 

Needed to run errands today in preparation for the Hot Rod Hundred coming up in a few weeks, so what better car to put miles on? Furthest trip away from home so far and it did flawless. This also reminds me why I live in a small town to avoid all the Saturday shopping traffic in bigger towns…

 

Jeff has the front end settled any?

Lee

 

Not really. I’ll give it a while I guess, but would like it some lower.

 

Yes front does need to be lower

 

Heard a clunking in the rear of the car today after running all the errands and found my exhaust bouncing around in the back. Broke what appears to be the original exhaust hanger at the very rear. So, I stopped at the hardware store and picked up a barn door hinge to fix it.

Just kidding…but some might remember I found that on a Corvair I had a few years back. Anyway, stopped at the parts store and got a new hanger. Hoping to find all this kind of stuff over the next couple weeks of driving before I head out on a longer trip.

 

Got underneath the car to fix the exhaust hanger and started tracing down some of the wires that seemed to be abandoned. Anyway, the more looking I did, the more I realized I needed to do. So, I ordered a wiring diagram so I can make sure everything is wired up correctly at least for the stoplights and turn signals. After looking things over, pretty sure I know why things work intermittently. I also need to replace the front u-joint and the brake hoses I bought but haven’t put on yet. I think I should likely get back to work on my sons clutch so I can do this stuff on the lift instead of laying under the car.

 

Went for a drive last night around town and found a movie playing in the old downtown area. I guess I should get out more since I had no idea that was even there.