Tomorrow, we go bring our new ride home. We bought a 1946 Ford Super Deluxe 2-door sedan. It is a very clean old Ford with the original flat head six and three speed tranny. Looks like the only changes made over the years are an 8 volt system, an electric fuel pump, and what looks like 70's era new seat covers that are in good condition but the previous owner had bought all new mohair material to return it to original. It is suppose to run good so this will be the first of our many cars over the years that we can drive home after purchasing it. I will post some photos when we get it home (if it isn't snowing).
Well, I am still batting a big zero. We went to pick up the car and it wouldn't start. Had to drag it home. No gas getting to the fuel pump on the flat head six. Turns out that someone has installed an in-line electric fuel pump. It was fried, located halfway to the engine, and after chasing the wiring, found that someone had disconnected (cut and removed) some of the wiring. The good news is that the engine runs great when it has fuel to the carb. I have purchased a new in-line pump which I will use for priming when it is needed. The problem so far is that I figured out why it was located mid-car. The fuel line runs from the tank to the frame and through the frame to the mid point of the car. The distance from the tank outlet to the frame is about eight inches, so no room to place the pump there. I may have to do some fuel line "looping" near the tank to locate the pump near enough to work good. Waiting on the relay for the pump to proceed. The photo was taken when I picked it up and the temperature was 22 degrees.
Nice clean car. Best part is not messed up too much and near stock. So you have a clean slate to start with!
That is a nice car!........I had an 8 volt generator on my first 40 Ford...back in the day of no money and no internet sales,... I couldn't find a top mount flathead 6 volt Ford generator anywhere, and got an old 8 volt of a 1940's tractor. The old mechanic told me an 8 volt wouldn't be too much a strain on the electrics, and I drove it like that for years, with everything else 6 volt on the car.....and worked great! Don't hear much about 8 volt anything anymore these days
They say you should learn at least one new thing every day. 8 volt is new to me, thanks, today's education is complete.
I've heard of using an 8 volt battery on a 6 volt system but I don't think I've ever seen or heard of an 8 volt generator before. It's a rare day in my world to be able to drive a newly purchased old car home as well, hope you get it up and running with minimal effort. Nice looking car.
I am an old guy and remember some of us putting an 8V battery in our six volt systems to get a little extra cranking power. If I remember correctly, most came out of the old tractors. Today, with the crappy gas that we have, the extra 2 volts helps a bunch. I don't remember anybody having a problem with the change but have heard that it causes some of the smaller lamps to burn out prematurely. I am also a little concerned about the six volt in-line fuel pump that I am installing, but plan on using it just for priming, etc. With a cable run from the front of the car to the tank, I should get a little voltage drop as well. I would like to have a 12V system but right now just want to get the old girl on the road. The battery, in-line fuel pump, and upholstery are the only non-stock things on the car. The previous owner had purchased $1800 worth of mohair material to replace the 70's looking stuff that is in there now. The material was included with the sale. The car is really clean and virtually no rust. It appears to have been " body off restored" back in the 70's or '80's. If I were to change anything, it would be to replace the flat six with a flat eight, preferably the later '53 type. Used to love the sound of a good flathead. On the other hand, this little six really runs good.
Yeah...it was an 8 volt generator I used for sure...I had it tested....I took the front mount off, and it slid right into my original 6 volt bracket & mount between the radiator hoses on top of the engine....I remember it was a bit longer, but it all lined-up fine....it was good to know my battery was charging and I didn't have to carry a spare battery on the floorboards....those were the days!
Is that a '56 special wagon? I love the '55 and '56 Buicks. Never ridden in a wagon but they must be great cruisers!
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