Finally drove my 49 today!!

took it out a few mins ago, and its driving alot better. im getting used to the clutch. i love learning to drive manual in a 49. im the 3rd envy of the neighborhood because a guy down the street about a block away has a little ol' Model A. looks fully restored, and another guy a couple blocks away has what looks like a baby blue 69 mustang.
 
Congrats on the first drive. As you get into it, and become more familiar with your car and its quirks (they all have them):eek::D you'll learn (by doing) what works and what doesn't, that's all part of the fun of driving and playing with old Ford's in particular. Have fun.:cool:
 
Josh way to go. Just looking @ the engine picture it doesn't look like the thermostat housing has been disturbed(taken off) so before you go puttin out cash for a new thermostat take the one in the engine off & check it . Get a pryex or similar container & put some water in it &put it in the microwave (less the thermostat) & bring the water to a broil(212)you can check the temp with a meat thermometer & put the thermostat in & see if it opens then run some cold water on the thermostat to see if it closes. You might want to repeat this a couple of times. Easy & cheap test. Next I would reroute that ground strap as it looks very close to your coil connections & what are those wire clips doing? You may want to get some sort of a air cleaner too. You are doing good keep @ it.
 
Congrats my friend! My F-100 was the first truck I had driven that was a three in the tree. Taught myself how, and never grinded a gear. I was 19 then. That was almost 14 years ago. My truck, and I have been through many adventures as well as a 6 year resto project. Lots of friends, my dad, and my brother were involved. It has been a blast! Good luck with your project. This is a great place for info.

Brad
 
Good for you josh. On the overheat problem, dont trust the guage. Go get a infared temp gun from home depot (or whereever) and start pointing at parts of the engine. They have cheap ones for about 15 bucks.

You can check if the engine is really actually running hot or if the guage is off. You can also use it to see if your rad is clogged. Hell its fun just messuring temps, exhausts, intakes, burgers...

I will say im a fan of recoreing or new rads when i get a new vehicle to work on. Its a huge part of the cooling system. There might be a local to you that can recore it for a fair price, check around. But first get a infared sensor.

***I didnt read all the responses. I see others posted the same on the heat sensor.
 
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1949FORD said:
took it out a few mins ago, and its driving alot better. im getting used to the clutch. i love learning to drive manual in a 49. im the 3rd envy of the neighborhood because a guy down the street about a block away has a little ol' Model A. looks fully restored, and another guy a couple blocks away has what looks like a baby blue 69 mustang.
Click to expand...

I'd say your the second envy of the neighborhood. I'd take a 49 over a 69 mustang any day.
 
B-O-B said:
Josh way to go. Just looking @ the engine picture it doesn't look like the thermostat housing has been disturbed(taken off) so before you go puttin out cash for a new thermostat take the one in the engine off & check it . Get a pryex or similar container & put some water in it &put it in the microwave (less the thermostat) & bring the water to a broil(212)you can check the temp with a meat thermometer & put the thermostat in & see if it opens then run some cold water on the thermostat to see if it closes. You might want to repeat this a couple of times. Easy & cheap test. Next I would reroute that ground strap as it looks very close to your coil connections & what are those wire clips doing? You may want to get some sort of a air cleaner too. You are doing good keep @ it.
Click to expand...

weve got an air cleaner, i was taking a look at the carb. the wire clips are suspending the ground strap away from the other wires. its ghetto rigged on there but it works haha! ill do that test and see if it works! thanks!
 
You can move the ground strap down to the left motor mount bolt. Make sure there is no crud, rust, paint or anything that would prevent a good ground.

Yes- there is a motor mount bolt missing to the left.
 

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toby said:
You can move the ground strap down to the left motor mount bolt. Make sure there is no crud, rust, paint or anything that would prevent a good ground.

Yes- there is a motor mount bolt missing to the left.
Click to expand...

im gonna have to do that to mine. i feel mine is in a really awkward spot :p
 
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