UPDATE:

Great success today!

We plumbed in from the drain line on the fuel tank, and changed the oil. We ran some aftermarket water temp, oil pressure, and voltage gauges. So far oil pressure is the only one hooked up all the way. Got it running and did some carb tuning. We had some brakes, so we took it for a low speed rumble around the biggest barn.

Once we were sure we were safe, I went in and had my grandma come out and gave her a ride around the barn. It was special for her; this car is one my grandpa bought because it was identical to the one they took on their honeymoon 60+ years ago.

We got back to work after that.

We bled the brakes and drove it down the road a couple miles. The brakes worked ok, but not great.

Good news is the oil is coming out clean and the smoking has pretty much stopped. I think we have a good tune on the carb and there is no sign of milkiness in the oil after 30-40 minutes of run time. Our fuel filters junk up fast but that is expected with how we have routed the fuel system. We will keep changing them as required.

We were pretty sure we had it running good, so we turned to the brakes. We rebuilt three of the wheel cylinders, and found 3 of the 9 brake shoes were probably not engaging. Tomorrow morning we will look at the last one, and I think we are going to have full power brakes after this.

Its time to start thinking about the trip home. If we can get the brakes working good tomorrow morning, we are going to try to take it for an hour or so drive to put it through its paces. We also need to find some light bulbs for blinkers and brakes. Worst case is we can rig up some trailer lights or something, but I'm hoping to find some bulbs tomorrow. We will start buying spare parts and planning our route if it all comes together tomorrow. Otherwise we will have to think about other options, gotta be home before Christmas. We don't want to get on the road any later than Wednesday.




https://youtu.be/A3MT-zjPDrw


https://youtu.be/fzVPWpmHbr8



https://youtu.be/_HRcy6YuDhw


https://youtu.be/cW7grrKcWpI

We got it running today!

Frist we rebuilt the carb, then plumbed in and installed the new fuel lines and electric fuel pump.

The gas tank nozzle is completely stopped up. We weren't getting fuel. So we took the fuel line off the gas tank and stuck it in a 5 gal can.

It fired right up and sounded great. It idles really smooth at first, runs smooth as you increase the rpm, then idles a little rough when it comes back down. There was a lot of smoke at first, and a little later on. We have some carb tuning still to do.

The oil has some light milky streaks in it. We'll probably do an oil change after we run it a little more tomorrow and see if it happens again.

Water seems to be circulating. I have a new water pump also.

We had it running nice and smooth and backed it out of the shop under its own power, walking along side it with the gas can for now. Tomorrow we will plumb into the gas tank drain line instead of the plugged up gas outlet as a temporary measure to see if we can putter around the farm.

The power brakes had at least some functionality.

I'll try to figure out how to post a video of it purring along later.

We got it to spark to life!

Got the ignition system figured out, new points installed and gapped, and condenser installed. The carb is off, so we shot some starting fluid down the manifold. It coughed and sputtered and ran as well as it could on sprays of starting fluid. Then it caught on fire at the manifold and we had a few seconds of excitement as we smothered out the flames with a Carhart and some blue Powerade. I think we got some Powerade down the manifold so we might need to pull the plugs before we crank it any more tomorrow.

We tried taking the carb apart and we're kinda stuck on that. We are having trouble with the metering rods and linkage T shaped piece. If anybody in the Molalla/Portland area knows how to rebuild a WGD 2brl carb, I have burgers and beer if you want to come show us how to do it.

Tomorrow we plan to tackle the fuel system end-to-end. Clean out the gas tank, run new gas lines, wire up the 6v pump and maybe a regulator, and fix the carb one way or another. Our goal is to have the engine purring by this time tomorrow night.

Update!

We put the new starter solenoid in and got the starter to spin, but it wasn't engaging the flywheel. We pulled the starter apart and greased the Bendix. We put it back together and got it to work. This is the first time the car has been turned over in years!

Carb is removed.

Next we replaced the coil and condenser.

Is there supposed to be two condensers? One on the side of the coil and another under the distributor cap?

Points will be tonight after an early dinner. If that goes well, we can shoot some starting fluid down the manifold and see if we can get it to cough to life.

The starter was a huge concern and what I thought was possibly going to keep us from rolling. Glad to have that squared away.

I am a little nervous about the brakes. I thought they were going to be manual, so I bought a manual master cylinder rebuild kit.

Also I've never worked on power brakes before. Anyone have a lead on power brake system rebuild kits that can be shipped to Oregon quickly?

Alright we made it to the farm. No ugly surprises on the car, except that we found out it has power brakes which was unexpected. The brakes seeemed to be frozen.

It was the back brakes that were stuck I think. We drug it out of the barn with a Mule and got it rolling. Managed to push it into the shop. We cleaned up the engine bay, pulled the spark plugs, and dumped a couple squirts of oil in the cylinders. Also put some extra oil in it, overfull trying to get oil in as much stuff as possible.

The plan for tomorrow is to drain the oil, drop the pan, and start trouble shooting the starting system.

Attach file:

---

  (236.76 KB)

Alright, we're at the airport on our way to the car! Should have some updates and pics tonight.

Any CCA or other specs I should be looking for, or just any 6v top post Group 2 battery?

Edit to add: a store local to the car has a East Penn 6v Group 2, 2-30 675 CCA I think she said. Will that work?

Ok a couple updates:

-I've ordered a bunch of parts, they're on their way now.

-I have a backup plan if we can't get it safely running.

-We're still going with Plan A, drive it back, if at all possible.

-We arrive to the car on Dec 15th


Now a couple hurdles you guys might be able to assist:

-I was going to order this battery and have it shipped to the local O'Rielleys. However O'Rielleys is saying its a few weeks for delivery, and we're only two weeks out. Does anyone know a source for a compatible 6V battery that is readily available?

-The starter motor is an issue. Kanter can't deliver in time, and the other place wanted over $400 for the starter. I have a solenoid on the way. Is the starter on these something that a normal starter shop can rebuild, or is the age and 6v something that will keep them from doing that? I can maybe talk someone on the farm in Oregon into pulling the starter off and having it rebuilt and ready for us when we get there if that is realistic.

Wow, thanks for all the replies. A lot of really good ideas.

I had been told it was a '53, but you guys are the experts and I'd bet it is indeed a '54 if that's what you all think it is.

I'll definitely be buying a AAA package. I need one anyway, had to limp my '67 Mustang home a few weeks ago when my hydraulic clutch broke.

There is no doubt it would be cheaper to have my family there load it on a transport and have it shipped. But that's not much of an adventure! A little background: I'm 30 and just got divorced this year. We've been talking about making the drive for years. Now is the time to give it a shot!

My buddy and I were talking about an electric fuel pump last night. Good to have a part number recommendation for that.

My main concern right now is getting the starter motor in time. Without that, the whole trip is pointless. Mr Charod at Kanter has been very helpful and advised that there are two types of starters. I'll place an order as soon as I get that. Are there any other places to get one if they can't deliver on time?

This car is in Molalla, not too far from Portland. I'll be glad to get in touch with that club. I'm sure we could use some local support getting underway. I'll also sign up with the clubs for additional contacts on the road if we make it that far.

I'm thinking you guys are right about the brakes. Looking for some rebuild kits now.