She's getting there....

Well, Guess what I did?
It's not completely done yet, but, I couldn't resist any longer.
My buddy came by, and we went over it real quick to make sure nothing was loose (nothing was). Warmed it up, and putted down a dirt road 1/2 mile, to main road.
Turned onto the main road, and went through the gear slowly, watching the gauges. No problems, no leak, temp-oil-fuel OK. Went 3 miles, turned around and went home. Great fun!
After a quick once-over ( a couple loose lugnuts!), I uncorked the headers.
He followed me in his Crossfire SRT6, to see if the thing tracks straight, and to gauge the Speedo.
This time, I hit the GO pedal a little harder, and what a sweet noise! WE went 7 miles through town, turned around and went home. Thats when these pics were taken, on the way.
I have one front brake drum that heated up and burned off the red paint (it was not high temp paint though). The other front drum was OK. Not sure which I want to adjust. Neither is dragging.I suppose the loose one should get snugged up a bit.
Things I learned:
Be SURE to go over the car the first few times it moves under it's own gopower. Loose wheels are NOT fun!
A 77 year old car body, no matter how well bodyworked, will crack when driving! I already have a few cracks. I guess thats the price you pay. Anybody says anything, I'll ask them to come see me when THEY are 77
Car design has come forward a LOOOOONG way since 1959!
60 degrees, no sun, and 60 mph do not mix well, but it IS fun , LOL.

Looking forward to cleaning it up, and finishing the small stuff. Might end up repainting a few spots in the future, but for now, I'm just gonna drive the stuffing out of it, like it was intended.

Mark

 

Anybody know what gear oil to put in a 50's Ford rear end? I have a small leak at the seal, want to top it off.

Mark

 

You are going to have a great ride. Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks! I think you are correct. By all indications it should be fun...
Mark

 

Thats so cool, Thanks for keeping the progress updated. Now drive the wheels off of it like your dad did

 

Awesome Just plain AWESOME.

Congrats Mark on the first run...


evel

 

Sunday will be the first try at a decent drive. About 15 miles one way.
I ran into a problem with one front brake. The drivers side was cooking the drum, hanging up.
Tricky getting one apart when it's glued to the shoes.Got it apart, and found the front shoe was rubbing the drum, even though it was backed off as far as it could go.
Tried cutting a bit off the end of the shoe to get it to back off the drum, but that didn't do it. Then tried die grinder on top adjusting cam. That didnt
do it either.
Ended up hitting the shoe with an airfile and 40 grit to take about 30 thousandths off it, all across the shoe. I also adjusted the opposite shoe closer to the drum, to put a bit more tension on the spring.
After the THIRD try and short ride, I was able to jack it up afterwards and the wheel still spun pretty freely. FINALLY!
Had a loose bolt on the valley pan, and spent an hour trying to get at it under the intake to tighten it. No longer leaking. Looks good.
No major leaks, running fair, looks like I should have no major hurdles on the drive. Still lots of little stuff to do, but I have all summer : )

Mark

 

Mark, I have been following your updates and I am glad to see you have had it out for a run, I guess you finally have the carbs worked out? I am probably as excited as you to see you getting it down the road. What a trill it must be. I bet you got a co-pilot ridin' with you whether you're aware of it or not.
****

 

I havent fed fuel to the secondary carbs yet. Just wanna get it driving well and all the other little bugs worked out.
Once I get it tuned right and running good, I'll pop out the plugs to the other carbs and give thema shot. The car is scary quick on ONE carb, much less three!

Mark

 

Update:
The generator spun it's front bearing, but it's been rebuilt already.
Had a minor fuel leak from the fuel block, again fixed already.
Have fuel going to secondaries, and they are getting tuned a bit more. They do work, just have to find the right spot to have them kick in.
Having fun driving it more, and made a nice drive or 20+ miles one way to the Gratiot Cruise in Roseville Mi. Even in 92 degree heat it was doing well.

Just having a ball now

Mark

 

It's a cool little ride man, good job.

Mootz

 

Thanks

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ-PP_E7jB4

 

A few pics from last night, warm and nice out....

 

Congrats. It looks awesome.