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Projects Bought a 51 Ford on Purpose

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by guthriesmith, Aug 11, 2025.

  1. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
  2. Mikko_
    Joined: Aug 3, 2018
    Posts: 653

    Mikko_
    Member
    from Sweden

    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.
     
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  3. dwollam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 2,733

    dwollam
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    '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
     
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  4. kls50
    Joined: Sep 9, 2013
    Posts: 275

    kls50
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
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  5. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
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    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.
     
  6. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.

    IMG_3498.jpeg
     
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  7. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 3,125

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    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. o_O
     
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  8. mlagusis
    Joined: Oct 11, 2009
    Posts: 1,252

    mlagusis
    Member

    I think the stance is perfect! The hubcaps look great too
     
  9. Jeff Norwell
    Joined: Aug 20, 2003
    Posts: 15,225

    Jeff Norwell
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    I need to Pay more attention
    This is completely amazing Jeff!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!
     
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  10. dan c
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,640

    dan c
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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...
     
  11. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
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    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. :D
     
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  12. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 3,125

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

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

    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:D IMG_3576.jpeg
     
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  13. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
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    Heck yea! Might as well just deliver that trim! :p
     
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  14. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 3,125

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    I might have to do that:D
     
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  15. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 3,125

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    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!
     
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  16. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,845

    bchctybob
    Member

    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.
     
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  17. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
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    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.
     
  18. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
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    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. :rolleyes:
     
  19. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

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

    IMG_3514.jpeg IMG_3515.jpeg IMG_3511.jpeg IMG_3513.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2025
  20. Man, that’s cool.
     
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  21. Motorwrxs
    Joined: Aug 15, 2021
    Posts: 494

    Motorwrxs
    Member

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  22. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
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    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.
     
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  23. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
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    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…

    IMG_3523.jpeg IMG_3520.jpeg
     
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  24. Grandadeo
    Joined: Dec 24, 2008
    Posts: 1,652

    Grandadeo
    Member

    Jeff has the front end settled any?

    Lee
     
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  25. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
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    Not really. I’ll give it a while I guess, but would like it some lower.
     
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  26. poco
    Joined: Feb 9, 2009
    Posts: 1,705

    poco
    Member
    from oklahoma

    Yes front does need to be lower
     
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  27. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
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  28. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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. :rolleyes: 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.
     
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  29. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,739

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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. :rolleyes:

    IMG_3534.jpeg
     
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