Re: 1940 Super 8 160 Model 1803 Project

Posted by Jim On 2010/8/29 2:07:10

Today was fix fuel sender and lube chassis day. Started the morning with good friend Bob returning for another day of fun. Got the tank dropped in time for my other buddy Scott to arrive with a Ford brass float that you replace the Packard cork float with. A direct interchange, just pop the cork float off and pop the brass one on. Not quite! The arm on the sending unit makes a sharp right angle bend and actually pierces completely through the cork float with little tiny wedged washers on either end.

What to do? Well, one could drill either end of the brass float and push a tiny brass tube through, solder and install like the cork float. Option two, leave the float alone, and re-bend the brass sender arm. Did the latter of the two. Had to determine new centerline of float in relation to old centerline. Also had to bend the 90 in the arm straight. The brass was fairly brittle where the bend was, so solder was applied to strengthen the now straight section. Made a slight jog and then bent a circle into the arm to snap the Ford float into place. Turned out pretty dog gone good! Put a gallon in the tank and blew into the pickup to listen for gurgling so it is known that fuel can be picked up on empty. A little more fuel took the gauge up to middle of the empty dot. Another 4.5 gallons took it to quarter tank. Perfect!

During all this, I thought I would break the rear axle nuts loose. Asked my buddy Scott to jump in and put the brakes on. He hit the pedal, let up, and then hit it again preparing for me to get after the axle nut. A sudden whuush and the pedal drooped to the floor. Low and behold, a pinhole erupted in an old steel line. One of those invisible situations that you are so very pleased to find out about while the car is on jack stands. The hoses and some hard line had already been replaced. I am going to go ahead and replace all remaining hard line.

Did the chassis lube including disassembly of the non-grease fitting equipped u-joints for lubrication. Everything took grease. This car was well maintained during it former years of regular service. It dose need inner tie rod ends. If anyone reading this happens to know the modern parts store part number and/or application, please let me know.

The wheel bearings front/rear looked great! Everything washed up and ready for new grease and re-assembly. I am going to have the brake shoes relined and take the drums by a friend's house that has a brake drum lathe. They are in great shape, just want to give them a quick truing / glaze breaking light skim. In preparation for new lining.

This was one of those days where patience and preventative maintenance proved prudent over just driving it till it breaks. I am so grateful to have made this discovery while the car was on jack stands in my garage.

All and all, things continue to look very good. It is nice to tinker with a well preserved specimen.

Sorry, I just didn't have an opportunity to take pics. My hands were continually filthy and I stayed very focused on the work at hand.