Looking to Get Started...

I’m still looking for a roadster. I found a nice 28 down in NC but it is 7 hours away. I may pull the trigger on that if I don’t find anything closer soon.

 

I have a friend that moves snow bird cars to Fl each fall. He has an enclosed trailer and surely passes by your area. If that is anything that could help you out let me know and I can get you in touch with Dan.

 

Thanks!

 

It's a beauty, Mark. Almost too nice to hot rod........NOT!

 

Wow! You sure follow the mantra of starting with the best you can afford, which makes it a lot easier to get it up and running and driving in a short period of time!

 

Don - Actually I agree with you. Once I saw it in person, thought about it more on the long ride home, and then consulted two of my buddies, I decided I can’t hot rod it. It is too nice - that and I can barely get in and out of it. It’s too small for me. I need to find an appropriate condition 30/31. TM.

 

nothing is too nice to hot rod. millions of model As around .....start cutting.

 

This roadster has a BW R10 overdrive that is grafted into the torque tube. Looks to be an early 40s 50s traditional mod. My plan is to swap the rear drive train out to cherry pick the overdrive for future use before I tidy up the car and sell it.

 

I’m looking for a two bolt timing cover for my 59AB.

 

back up

 

So I ordered a new stromberg efire distributor for my 48 flathead build. I now realize they are only 2 bolt and I have a 3 bolt timing cover. What is my best course of action? Buy the adapter? Switch timing covers? Obviously, I am a bit new to this.

 

TM, just my 2 cents here which is often only worth a penny but there seems to be an awful lot of negative issues with that efire system and it's failures from the initial install to down the road.
Another E-Failure - The Ford Barn
You feel confident that yours is going to be a good one? Would you be better off starting that flatty with a tried and true points distributor to work out the bugs and then investing in a more non traditional system?

 

Thanks for the feedback. I’m trying to test fire this flathead soon. I’d like to go with the crab style. Can I use an original crab style with my 3 bolt cover? You guys know I like to work pretty fast and I find I’m taking lots of two steps forward and one step back with my flathead. I have a lot to learn. I think I have most all of the popular flathead books and have read most of what I have. Thanks again! Your experience and opinions are extremely valuable. TM

 

IIRC and I usually don't crab style was only two bolt so no would appear to be the answer. Also other things may have to be change if you switch covers.I have not messed with flatheads for a very long time so I have to step aside for the others that have greater knowledge.
Surely someone near you should have a stock distributor that they could lend you to test fire that flatty.

 

Would the one from the 21 stud work for start up?

 

Sorry I just checked 36 flathead dist. Was one year only.

 

Maybe. However, I discovered that I have what looks like an early cam because it sticks out further so I’m swapping out my Stromberg e-fire two bolt with the three bolt version. I spoke to Clive at Stromberg and he stepped me through what I needed.

On a different but related note I just finished doing a bit of a cleaning and rebuild of a old Holley 94 carb. I still need to learn how to best clean the carb bodies to make them look new. I use an ultrasonic cleaner with simple green to clean my parts. It cleans but doesn’t brighten anything up.

I should be ready to test fire the 59AB once I get my new distributor in a few days. I’ll post a video and some pics.

 

I’ve also been messing with the 28 roadster. It had several small things that needed attention. Carb leaked really bad, also leaked coolant from the drain valve, doors were hard to close (latches wouldn’t catch), mech brake adjustment (of course), fluids, some cleaning and painting of parts….

 

TM, if you are rebuilding that 94 with a kit be aware that most all the kits have the wrong power valve. They appear right but won't seat correctly and leak. Vintage Speed in FL has the correct power valves.

 

Thanks! I noticed that. I installed the original to see if it works. If not I’ll order one from Vintage Speed.

 

Getting closer.

 

59AB lives!

 

I really didn’t expect it to start right up. And then I was expecting something catastrophic to happen. I had my finger on the kill switch ready to shut her down. I also had a fire extinguisher sitting right behind me on the floor. I had already ran the starter to check compression and see if I could pump fuel to the carb. Then I connected the distributor, plug wires, and coil. So I guess it was ready to go.

 

A Flathead making happy noise, a smoke filled garage/ shop, a smile on your face. It doesn't get any better than this. Happy Holidays to you, the wife and the boys...........Don.