Well guys I've finally scored a bucketlist car of mine. I recently made a trade for a 1952 ford customline. It looks like it may have been redone in the 90s or so, it shows some bodywork flaws but I enjoy them not perfect. It has a 215, 3 on the tree, and is still 6 volt. My plans are to clean it, polish it, lower it a touch, go over some wiring and cruise it locally in eastern NC.
Does anyone have a pdf for the service manual before I go buying one? I will plan on giving the 215 a tune up, adjust the valves, rebuild the 1904 holley and change all the fluids. It definitely needs a little tweaking due to needing a tiny bit of choke to stay running. But asides from that low speed idle situation this thing runs and shifts great. I'll keep yall posted on here, I use to be on the forum a bunch years ago and now this gives me more of a reason to stay on here.
Welcome! I have a '53 with the 215. It's not a powerhouse but gets the job done. Can be very reliable and much better on gas than the flathead in my '40 Ford. Be very careful with the front bowl screws on the Holley 1904. They strip out very easily.
If you need the choke to keep it running, it may be a vacuum issue. Check all the hoses, including the ones under the dash. Also make sure the carb is bolted down securely
Started with washing and then a cut and buff. Maybe 3 or 4 more afternoons and I'll have most of the oxidation off it.
Nice find! I also picked up a 52 Customline about 3 weeks ago, crazy! My 53 project is taking too long and I wanted something to cruise now, haha. Black one will eventually get a 6.0 diesel swap and the grey one is my flatty cruiser
I saw a '52 Ford 4 door at drag week last year with a stout LS under the hood. It was ratty but fast. Not that I'd ever condone putting anything but a Ford engine in a Ford....
What about the eco-boost? I've been contemplating the 4cyl eco-boost for the F1. They might be cheaper by the time I get back to it.
I seen the 53 Bel-Air 2yrs ago? That was the drag week I tried to enter the 53 but missed the sign up by minutes. When I missed it lost motivation to finish. Then watching it got me going again haha.
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