Recent content by phartman

Virginia and the surrounding areas are blessed with highways and byways that date to the pre-WWII era. Our emphasis is to keep our vintage autos driving on period-correct roads for as long as we can. Unfortunately, so many drivers that I encounter on the Interstates and main arteries are...

Installed the new battery, cleaned all the connections and grounds, and the truck fired right up!

Yup. 8 years old. The parts guy told me the only reason it lasted that long was because it always had a trickle charge on it.

Parts store tested the battery- fully charged but only 8 cca out of 665. Shot, completely shot. Did not realize a battery can take a full charge but have no capacity to carry a load. Learn something new every day.

Short video on how to test the solenoid: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyBV-FLtVf0

I have had these solenoids freeze up on me. Used the same on my 1990 F150, and twice the solenoid froze closed. The clicking you should hear is the solenoid opening and closing. But twice line froze closed and caused the truck to continue us cranking after releasing the key. The solenoid then...

I am wondering if I didn't inadvertently hook up the replacement solenoid wrong.... if the solenoid is buzzing then I assume juice is going to it. It should not unless I have the starter button pressed.

1934 Ford Pickup converted to 12 volt and GM style 3-wire alternator so that I can run gauges and an idiot lights. Same starter solenoid as on my '61 that Ford used from the mid '50s-88. Went to start the truck, and got low current, then no current when I turned the key and lifted the ignition...

Trip was fabulous. Thanks for your help in making it possible. My traveling partner and navigator was Fordbarn regular TomT/Williamsburg. All the details have been posted over on the HAMB. Here is the link...

Fair Lane was the Henry Ford mansion: http://www.henryfordfairlane.org Currently closed for renovation. The Edsel Ford home is open: http://www.fordhouse.org

Before the summer is over, I have the opportunity to visit Detroit. Can any of you make some suggestions about what to visit and where to go to see first hand the early roots of the automobile industry and related crafts? My interests are multiple: automotive manufacturing, industrial...

Right now, still a ground floor window at that, not the roof! :D

A review of this thread on the HAMB is interesting. And it confirms what I learned at Jalopyrama this past weekend. Several builders I respect told me they have rebuilt the '32-34 boxes, and still complained their cars were difficult to steer. I am beginning to believe that the hot rodders had...

Got it. Very helpful. Thank you. I am learning a ton about my old truck here. When problems come along, you can shake your head and curse them as so many owners seem to do. But when it comes to these old Fords, it seems we are richly rewarded for the time we take to learn about how they...

I am confused by the procedure description in the shop manual. To add the shims, must I remove the steering column and box from the truck? Or do I just remove the cover, after unbolting the steering column from the dash to give me more clearance?