IT'S ALIVE
Posted by Chiefdan On 2023/1/13 13:47:45
I rescued this 1951 200 Deluxe touring sedan from a 27 year hibernation in October. It has just over 30K original miles on it and no rust anywhere. Thanks to all the advice I got on this forum it is now running and driveable. Just would like to make a few comments on what I have done so far:
The brakes were a mess anywhere the fluid sat for years so I replaced the lines, rubber hoses, master cylinder and wheel cylinders. Hardest part was removing the rear brake drums. Don't even start this project without the 3 legged puller that attaches to the wheel lugs and you hit with a (large) hammer.
Followed the procedure recommended for starting an engine after long-term storage with oil in the cylinders and turning over by hand for a few days. Got It running with a remote lawn mower gas tank with rubber line running into the carb.
Rebuilt the fuel pump with a kit from Now and Then auto parts. A video they have on UTube was very helpful.
Fuel tank had half an inch of crud on the bottom but was in excellent shape so I pressure washed it and then put a large chain inside and shook it around until it loosened all the remaining scale. A new fuel sending unit was in order so a 1957 Ford sedan unit was acquired and installed
Replacing the rear pinion seal was not exactly fun for a 77 year old guy laying on a creeper under the car. Getting the seal out was a bear but it is done and new fluid added.
Got all the gauges working, temperature needed a sending unit and the oil pressure light needed just a bulb. I noticed the other day that the battery cables were only 4 gauge so I ordered a set of 00 gauge from a seller on Ebay for $53 with shipping. The car starts fine but the starter kicks out of engagement occasionally so I am hoping the correct battery cables will help.
Now that I got the car running and stopping I took it for a drive down the road a few hundred yards and back. Left a huge cloud of smoke when I took off but I think this will improve when I am able to get it out on the highway. Steers much better than I expected with no power steering and I don't think I have to worry much about spinning the rear wheels.
My next project is the seats. There is a long rip in the bottom of the front seat as well as just behind the driver. I did find the proper original material but it is $130 per yard! I found some really nice dark grey weave upholstery fabric at a local fabric store and it was $18 per yard. As this car is going to be a survivor/driver I could not justify the cost of the original wool. I found an old Singer straight stitch sewing maching on Facebook marketplace and am going to give it a go.
Sorry this is long-winded but it's January in Western New York so I have time. Thanks to all the guys who posted on this forum on how to trouble shoot problems and how to fix others. Dan
Attach file:
IMG_E4115 (1).JPG (265.13 KB)
The brakes were a mess anywhere the fluid sat for years so I replaced the lines, rubber hoses, master cylinder and wheel cylinders. Hardest part was removing the rear brake drums. Don't even start this project without the 3 legged puller that attaches to the wheel lugs and you hit with a (large) hammer.
Followed the procedure recommended for starting an engine after long-term storage with oil in the cylinders and turning over by hand for a few days. Got It running with a remote lawn mower gas tank with rubber line running into the carb.
Rebuilt the fuel pump with a kit from Now and Then auto parts. A video they have on UTube was very helpful.
Fuel tank had half an inch of crud on the bottom but was in excellent shape so I pressure washed it and then put a large chain inside and shook it around until it loosened all the remaining scale. A new fuel sending unit was in order so a 1957 Ford sedan unit was acquired and installed
Replacing the rear pinion seal was not exactly fun for a 77 year old guy laying on a creeper under the car. Getting the seal out was a bear but it is done and new fluid added.
Got all the gauges working, temperature needed a sending unit and the oil pressure light needed just a bulb. I noticed the other day that the battery cables were only 4 gauge so I ordered a set of 00 gauge from a seller on Ebay for $53 with shipping. The car starts fine but the starter kicks out of engagement occasionally so I am hoping the correct battery cables will help.
Now that I got the car running and stopping I took it for a drive down the road a few hundred yards and back. Left a huge cloud of smoke when I took off but I think this will improve when I am able to get it out on the highway. Steers much better than I expected with no power steering and I don't think I have to worry much about spinning the rear wheels.
My next project is the seats. There is a long rip in the bottom of the front seat as well as just behind the driver. I did find the proper original material but it is $130 per yard! I found some really nice dark grey weave upholstery fabric at a local fabric store and it was $18 per yard. As this car is going to be a survivor/driver I could not justify the cost of the original wool. I found an old Singer straight stitch sewing maching on Facebook marketplace and am going to give it a go.
Sorry this is long-winded but it's January in Western New York so I have time. Thanks to all the guys who posted on this forum on how to trouble shoot problems and how to fix others. Dan
Attach file:
IMG_E4115 (1).JPG (265.13 KB)
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