1937 Ford coupe

3

37fordcoupe

New member
Hi,

I have a 1937 ford coupe that my grandfather gave to me. It has been sitting for quite a while now and i would like to restore it to drive around on the weekends. I'm fairly new at this and would like to fix it up myself. I wanted to where i should start first to begin the process? any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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You can start with the gas tank, if it had gas in it when parked, it is now congealed which will stick the valves if gas can get out of it. It will need to be acid cleaned and coated. Next, new diaphram with modern material for the fuel pump and replace the accellerator pump in the carb. Check waterpumps to see if they are stuck and pulleys will not turn. Change oil, I use the Walmart generic 30wt for my stuff. Remove the sparkplugs, squirt oil in each cyl. Get a new 6v battery (tractor supply) and spin the motor. Check to see if you are getting a spark when the motor spins and the switch is on. Put everything back together and you are ready to start. If this car has been converted to Hyd brakes, you will need to put kits in the master cyl and wheel cyls. If still cable brakes, go easy when you start driving, if not free and adjusted right, they can make you feel like you just stepped on the gas pedal!
 
Do you have mechanical ability and experience? If not you are going to have a steep learning curve. Contact someone in your area who is a member of a local car club and get their help and guidance. The Early Ford V8 club has regional groups all over the country and you can start with efv8.org. You can find a group close to you hopefully. Good luck and you have a good looking project to start with!!
 
It's great that your grand dad gave you that nice car. Congratulations.
Do what the others said then you can change the glass, etc. Please post more photos,including the engine and the front axle.
 
While your waiting on parts, clean it up. Love the patina you have already! 00 steel wool on the grill will bring out some of the shine that's left.

...and yes more pictures!!! Congratulations, it's a very cool car.
 
please keep us posted on your progress, i think it would be fun to bring back a car from the dead. also check the wheel bearings, and repack the front ones and a lube job
 
great car....congratulations.....where are you located as there might be 'Barners close by to help you out with your getting it running and on the road....go slowly, with patience...and don't be afraid to ask any questions....might save you some time and money....and if you crank the engine without the sparkplugs in, put rags over the holes to keep that oil you squirted down the holes from coming back out and making a mess....good luck.....Mike
 
Rule # 1 know how the hood works opening and especially closing a 37 Ford and do not let any one else not familar with a 37 do this. Other rules later. 60 hp or 85hp? Hopefully an 85,with chrome windshield frame,if original would mean deluxe and hopefully not a "sicky sixty".
 
One piece of advice I have is to do one thing at a time and finish it. If you do the brakes, finish them before you start the next project. Too many times the cars get taken completely apart and the person loses interest and the parts get lost. There is a lot of interest now in cars with "patina". If there are several areas original on the car there is a special class in the Early Ford V8 club (earlyfordv8.org) for these cars. From your photo your car might win awards in this class so consider that before you do too much restoration.

Charlie Stephens
 
In addition to what the others said (I am assuming your grandfather is still alive):
1. Thank your grandfather, you have received an excellent gift.
2. Title and register it in your name.
3. Get it running, and give your grandfather a ride.
4. Put together a photo album, include pics of your grandfather.
5. Enjoy the journey
6. Keep it in the family.
 
I forgot about the hood, I would recommend taking the original hood prop loose and carrying a broom handle. That is what I did with my 37s cause it only takes one time to break the hood side!
 
I agree with jimTN, I use a piece of PVC pipe as my hood prop. The original ratcheting hood support is in the trunk, where it will stay. The other important odd thing about this era Ford is the battery is positive ground. If you run the car with the batter hooked up backward (and it will start and run with the negative attached as the ground) you will fry your generator.
 
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