Projects Bought a 51 Ford on Purpose

In the middle of a carburetor rebuild, but clogged main jets seem like a possible issue?

 

My bone stock ‘55 Ford 2 dr wagon had a similar problem. It would drive fine but occasionally act up under load or just shut off on the freeway. I knew it had rust debris that migrated into the carb, I had cleaned it out a few times. It turned out to be a piece of a shop towel floating around in the tank along with the filter sock from the pickup. I just bit the bullet and went through the whole fuel system. Bringing these old cars back from retirement is full of adventures.

 

Well, I’ll see if I made things any better. Carburetor at least looks cleaner and I painted the base black. Also put a new distributor cap and rotor on it since they didn’t look great. It still needs plug wires, but I didn’t do that yet. Oh, and trashed the Champion plugs and replaced with some Autolites. Little by little…

 

Oh yea…. Back in business! Runs better than it ever has!

 

I’m a GM guy all the way but always use Autolite plugs not AC. I just have had better luck with them. Glad she’s running happy.

 

Now this is a sight that I like to see!! I’m glad you got the bugs worked out and back on the road again.

 

Me too! Even drove it 30 miles to work this morning.

 

Sweet, I really love that car!!

 

Yea, I have never been a fan of Champion plugs in anything other than maybe a lawnmover. Hey, since it was cold this morning, my speedometer cable started bouncing some. Last time I went to the parts store to get some graphite cable lubricant, they don't keep it anymore. Should I order some somewhere or is there something else that works well?

 

Jeff, don't forget what this wise guy said about the power valves in the Holley '94 carbs.

Yes, he was correct. Buy those from https://www.vintagespeed.com/

 

You know, I looked real hard at the two different power valves that came in the Standard brand rebuild kit, and it appeared that one of them had a real square corner. I even screwed it in without a gasket to prove to myself that it would actually seal. So, I'm fairly confident that it was correct for a 94...but, now you have me questioning myself...

 

Jeff, glad its running like a flathead should.

 

Be careful. If there were two "power valves" in a rebuild kit, one of them is a "spark valve" that serves a completely different function on a later model Holley (2100, 2110). Why Holley made them look like a power valve and have the same thread is beyond me; probably a move to reduce costs. Trying to use a spark valve as a power valve just doesn't work, even though it will install nicely.

 

Good point. I just need to order what I know is right. And, I'm 90% sure I put the spark valve in it...

Edit: Ordered a couple correct power valves and will try to put the spare one somewhere where I may remember I have it...

 

Jeff,
Stay away from graphite and just use white lithium grease, like motor ***embly grease. Graphite is a real no-no and is a speedometer repair guys best friend. It works its way up the cable and gets in the speedometer head and causes havoc with the magnet and speed-cup. It's good on door locks and such but stay away from it on speedo cables.
My dad used to say that sh..ts made to sell not to use. Even Vaseline will work in a pinch.

 

Thanks Rusty! I knew I was asking the right guy!

 

Yeah I used lithium grease on mine the other week. It was jumping around before I used it and smooth as ****er afterwards

 

I've used the power valves in the Standard carb kit in a number of '94 I've rebuilt lately, including the duals on my '50. No problems with them sealing. All working very well.

I'm glad you're enjoying your '51. They're made to be driven ... carry on.

 

That’s good to know!

 

Drove it to work again today and hit a little over 1900 miles since I started driving it. I should probably park it until I get the correct power valve, but I needed a way to get to work today. Stopped at a gas station on the way home and had a good conversation with a guy that has had his 56 Chevy since 1963. Amazing how these old cars are such a great conversation starter.

And, every time I look at it, I am reminded how I need to lower the front more.

 

Looking good to me!!

 

So…I have a thought that I figured I would run by you guys that know these carburetors better than me. I’m trying to convince myself that the only way that the bowl can empty itself after sitting a while is if it leaks past the power valve? Otherwise, not sure why the bowl would be empty after sitting a day or so. Does that make any logical sense? By the way, still waiting on the one from Vintage Speed.

 

I’m thinking that it’s today’s gas with the alcohol added to it. Me thinks it evaporates faster and therefore not leaving much in the bowl or the pump. Since I put the electric fuel pump in all I do is give it an 2 to 3 second burst and it fires right up like it’s fuel injected.

 

Well, I can still buy supposed non-ethanol gas here in Oklahoma so try to always run that. I think I may have just figured out it can also leak past a worn throttle shaft? I know mine has some wear.

 

Looks great Jeff

 

So...my daughter was on the way to our house to drop off my grandson yesterday morning about 5 am when she had a guy pull out in front of her. Thankfully she and my grandson are fine, but her car is totaled (again considering she bought it as a salvage car that we rebuilt). So, what that really means is that the shoebox really is my daily now other than the Harley. So, thankful to have it right now while she is borrowing a vehicle until we figure out what insurance is going to do. It was the other guys fault, so hopefully it won't be a big fight to get her enough to cover the cost of the car.

 

Glad they are safe. I keep seeing more and more arguments for dash cams like this.

I did for a second think you were going to have her drive the shoebox haha.

on the gas evaporating, the corn does make it go faster but even in an edelbrock which because of
Design is more prone to having that happen, takes at least three days to get close to dry so I’d really be surprised a Holley flashed in two.

 

You know, that is one thing I haven't taught my daughter to do yet...drive a standard, or even more confusing, a three on the tree. Both my boys know how, but my daughter also didn't start driving until she was older. So, seems I need to teach her sometime. This car is pretty easy to learn in so maybe would be a good one for lessons.

 

Working offsite today in a different town and also heading in later than normal so got to drive toward a beautiful sunrise.

 

Glad your family is alright.