Recent content by Fred A

I looked at Golden Sunset and found it a bit too light and Sun Yellow even more. The Ultra Cover line is the best match in luster. Even though these plates are 80+ years old, they age toward darker. the plate reverse side is a better standard. Now I need to get an ideal roller for the black. My...

I'm always looking for spray can yellow for my YOM effort in California plates. How often do we look at the common RUST OLEUM brand in "marigold" or "golden sunset" colors. They caught my eye and matched my best plates very well. What do you think? Fred A

I choose to stick with a '40 because parts seem easier to find in this market. With Mike's reputation, those who love their '36 trust that it will live long and well with him. My family's car during the War was a '36 coupe, as pictured with my USMC dad holding this baby. Good Luck: Fred A

Got a chance to start tearing down my '40 coupe after a couple of years of storage. The rat mess was ghastly. Lucky I had removed the interior Any one have experience with pressure washing such a problem? The cabin is an empty shell. Only the doors stubbornly remain. The door hinge screws are...

Weak and rotting old burlap pocketing on the seat bottom springs and listings on the back needs to be replaced. This stuff is 85 years old and surely there is a better material to replace it. Something special about Burlap? Thanks: Fred A

Weak and rotting old burlap pocketing on the seat bottom springs and listings on the back needs to be replaced. This stuff is 85 years old and surely there is a better material to replace it. Something special about Burlap? Thanks: Fred A

The '41 arrived with a 59A engine. It needs work. I found a 59T which looks more like the '41 engines and has a fairly clean bore, but the truck relief? Can the lower compression be worked around while getting the correct '41 appearance?, like Pan, intake, carb, generator, radiator, horn...

I grew up with old Fords, but mostly went with '40s as they were always quite common. On a whim I just bought a '41 convert project, and immediately put it into storage. What have I done? It sure is no '40. I'll be searching this site for clues. Thanks: Fred A

There is no clue to the age of the pumps which makes the diaphragm a prudent upgrade. Thanks: Fred A

I have been buying new in the box fuel pumps for my 59A engine at the swap meet. Mindlessly I buy more because they all are uniformly so stiff in operation (and cheap) that they could be dumped on that market as defective. I just can't work them with my hands. Dare I use one of them? Thanks: Fred A

I find myself using 91% alcohol on tools that are not plated. Degreasing with alcohol gets into the cracks while prepping for Zero Rust. The finish is smoother and leaves some rust protection after a light oil film. My CHANNELLOCKs are presentation grade. Good Luck: Fred A

Let's recall that that Ford added a front sway bar in 1940, which made it harder to just bolt on tube shocks to the front end. With or against this, I have been able to find plenty of cores, correct for the '40 front, and not so many in good working condition for the rear. Not a scientific...

Brain Killers! Cleaning greasy/dirty deposits are the universal job of old car owners yet we tend to blow off concerns of some of the most dangerous products, popular to the process. If it isn't highly flammable, it's collectively toxic. Lately, I've been using iso-alcohol. It's not for heavy...

Not What It Was! There have been big changes at Drake since those halcyon days leading up to Catalog 30. I've been out of touch for more than a year, but would be pleased to find them back on top of the market, with pages of missed opportunities. Good Luck: Fred A

Favorite books for old Fords is an evolution, depending on the stage of your specific knowledge of your car. I have been playing with pre-war Fords for some time and now use the Chassis parts "Green Book" often, followed by Bob Drake, 27 to 30. Parts vendor cagalogues are also very useful, at a...