47 Ford

47Sooner

47Sooner

Member
Hello, new guy to this forum, but not new to old cars. Just retired and bought a 47 Ford flathead V8. Always wanted to own a flathead car, so now's my chance with a little extra time on my hands. I've usually stuck with 60's Mopars ( owned a little bit of everything over the years ) but eager to learn about these flathead cars. The 47 is fairly solid but could use a rebuild on the motor and suspension. It's got new brakes, 12 V electrical, gas tank, and some interior. Thinking about rebuilding another flathead for a replacement and sticking with the stock type suspension.
 

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First you have to figger out just what you expect the car to do. If it just for local use the stock suspension and brakes will work just fine in good condition. However the interstates are tough on gearing and brakes. This looks like a beautiful car, probably don't need much. Have fun and welcome.
 
I'll probably just keep it on the local roads. We'll drive it around town and maybe take it to the local drive-in. We still have three drive-in's in the area. I don't really want to change out the stock type drivetrain. I know I could install a five speed trans, change out the rear axle with parallel springs, and add a Mustang II front with discs but the stock drivetrain is cool too. I'd like to get the stock radio going again or find a rebuilt replacement. I'll have to install a hidden FM radio for the drive-in.
 
Welcome to the FordBarn, and congratulations on acquiring a really good lookin' Coupe. Whatever you do to the car (I like to warm up the Flatheads) have fun with it.:)
 
I still plan on "warming up " the flathead. Would just like to keep the flathead, if possible. I think it just depends on how I drive it. More interstates, more mods. I was surprised in the ride, more like I needed sea legs. The springs have been heated and lowered.
 
Looks good. I think your on he right track. My 48 has the original flathead hopped up a bit with. Columbia. finton cast headers. got that sound.
 

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47sooner, I drive my totally bone stock 47 fordor 1,000 mile per month every day around town and almost monthly on an extended road trip (just got back from a 200 mile trip the last two days). These old Fords, including all of their stock engines and drive trains, even bias ply tires, handle anything you can throw at them just like they did when they were daily drivers in the 40's and 50's. Mine cruises fine on the freeway at 65 mph (in the right lane of course) and has climbed to the top of Pike's Peak and the bottom of Death Valley, Mexico and Canada and all points in between in the Western States. No modifications necessary. You can have a ball with full confidence in your car just like it is.

Here's one of my recent road trips of just under 2,000 miles in November driving California Highway 1 from Los Angeles to San Francisco with links at the end to all previous road trips for you to see what kind of fun you are in for in your 47: http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182600
 
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Really enjoyed those trip photos, Old Henry ! I can see you're enjoying yours. Hope mine is just as enjoyable.

48 coupe- Nice engine setup !
 
Great looking coupe! FWIW, my '48 F1 does double duty as a hobby and a work truck. I have a warmed up 8BA that I've owned since new in it. Carry heavy loads at freeway speeds with it all the time. Just keeps coming back for more. They were made to work. (I do have a 5 speed in it.) If your springs have been heated, I would sure change them.
 
47Sooner said:
I'll have to install a hidden FM radio for the drive-in.
Click to expand...

Or, you can do what I do - use a genuine old drive-in speaker (this one's actually from the last of our local drive-ins that was torn down years ago.) I just wired a headphone jack to the speaker and plug it into my little portable FM radio and hang it on the window. Just like old times.

Pioneer%20Drive-in%20Speaker_zps5xss0tvx.jpg
 
Old Henry said:
Or, you can do what I do - use a genuine old drive-in speaker (this one's actually from the last of our local drive-ins that was torn down years ago.) I just wired a headphone jack to the speaker and plug it into my little portable FM radio and hang it on the window. Just like old times.

Pioneer%20Drive-in%20Speaker_zps5xss0tvx.jpg
Click to expand...

I have a couple of those drive-in speakers but never thought about using them in the car. :D
 
I love to "fatties" from the forties ( don't get me wrong i'm not a "chubby chaser"). I've just got my 48 back on the road, the last time it was on the road was 1974. Welcome to the Barn and thanks for posting the pic.

GB
 
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