Finally drove my 49 today!!

1949FORD

1949FORD

Senior Member
As the title states, i finally drove my flathead today! it was a thrill! also, i have a couple of questions... when i let off the clutch, it was fine but it feels very, oh how do you say, far back...??? ill post an edited pic of what im talking about. a picture always helps me explain things, so ignore this question for now. My 2nd question, is maybe a basic question that you guys are very tired of answering. but as i was driving, we were driving for maybe about 15 mins and the engine started getting really hot. so what is a good way of keeping the engine cool? water? a high end coolant? maybe even a new radiator? any help will be very appreciated! thanks! :D
 
text in picture. at top- when pressing the clutch down(all the way down) then releasing the clutch, disengaging it (or engaging it, i dont remember...dyslexia) it feels like it should be lower...?? as in here... not here... Question: is it normal for it (the clutch) to disengage and re-engage at this spot? :confused:

I dont know if that made sense to you guys, but it makes sense to me. so if ya can help me, i would greatly appreciate it!
 

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Congrats on getting it driving.

Cooling: it should cool ok with water and antifreeze/summer coolant, mixed to the recommended proportion. If it is getting too hot you may need to look at the radiator and see if it is clogged. This is often discussed, there are many threads on here, but everyone has a different opinion.

Clutch:
There should be some free play at the top of the pedal before anything happens. You need this free play to prevent the clutch from slipping as it wears. It may be ok, or you may need to adjust it a bit and set a little more free play in there. Make sure the return spring brings the pedal back up ok.

Good idea providing a diagram, pictures speak a thousand words as they say.

Again, well done, congrats on getting it driving.

Mart.
 
The problem with too much free travel is the clutch may not be fully disengaged and you might have some issues there.

If I read your diagram correctly I would say you are where it needs to be
 
I'd find a thermometer to check the accuracy of the gauge in the car to see if its getting as hot as you think it is.
 
If I remember from your previous posts you are running a 6 cylinder. If that is the case you are not prone to the overheating problems an 8 has as the exhaust does not go past the cylinders to the manifold. A laser thermometer is a great tool as you can pinpoint hot spots. You can also shoot different points of the radiator to determine if there is any blockage. Also make sre your timing is advancing properly. If not that can also cause overheating.
 
Good job, Josh!

As far as the heating issue is concerned, does your engine have a thermostat installed? If so, the thermostat could be stuck or not opening fully. There could be lots of "crud" (technical term) in the cooling system from sitting around. Have you drained and flushed the cooling system? Is your water pump working properly (rotates freely when belt is not on and moves water)? As has been mentioned, ignition timing can have a big effect on temperature. Lots of things to check. Most of these are low cost or no cost other than labor. Hang in there. You'll get it.
 
Todays cars mostly runs 195* thermostats. In 1949 a 180* was hot. If you have already installed a new thermostat and it is a 195* your gauge will show hot. If you do not have a themostat installed put one in. Look at your owners manual if you have one to see the correct temperature to use and i would flush the system before i installed the thermostat Marv
 
Joshua

congrats on getting your car driving I would suggest doing all the things Henry suggested ,
These flatheads are notorious for having scale in the cooling system, I always boil out the radiator at the local shop whether I think I need it or not....please post some more pics of the engine.....gump
 
If you have about and inch to an inch and a half of free play in you clutch pedal before it make contact you should be all right.
 
My flathead 6 really runs best with a 195 thermostat. I also use a 7# radiator cap. As mentioned above, check all the no cost things first. Also check the engine temp. with an infrared thermometer. You can point the thermometer at various spots on the engine and radiator to see what the real temps are.
 
Thank you so much for your help! If theres any questions ill have to answer them later because im on my phone right now. Thanks again!
 
1949FORD said:
Thank you so much for your help! If theres any questions ill have to answer them later because im on my phone right now. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Ha ha for a minute I thought you were talking to someone and then I realized you meant posting from your phone.
 
Henry/Kokomo said:
Good job, Josh!

As far as the heating issue is concerned, does your engine have a thermostat installed? If so, the thermostat could be stuck or not opening fully. There could be lots of "crud" (technical term) in the cooling system from sitting around. Have you drained and flushed the cooling system? Is your water pump working properly (rotates freely when belt is not on and moves water)? As has been mentioned, ignition timing can have a big effect on temperature. Lots of things to check. Most of these are low cost or no cost other than labor. Hang in there. You'll get it.
Click to expand...

e will be flushing out the cooling system very soon, but i have not checked the water pump yet. thanks for reminding me. i thought i was forgetting something one weekend! ha ha! thanks! :D
 
Marv said:
Todays cars mostly runs 195* thermostats. In 1949 a 180* was hot. If you have already installed a new thermostat and it is a 195* your gauge will show hot. If you do not have a themostat installed put one in. Look at your owners manual if you have one to see the correct temperature to use and i would flush the system before i installed the thermostat Marv
Click to expand...

okay thanks! i will put a new thermostat in there soon.
 
heres the engine. photo taken today
now heres a photo of a pipe along the left side of the radiator. is this an overflow tube or is it something very important, because it has a crack in it
 

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