First trip

Cecil/WV

Cecil/WV

Well-known member
I drove my '40 pickup to the AACA regional meet yesterday at the Howard Co Fairgrounds near Baltimore and it was the first real trip it has taken since restoration completion. I had just under 400 miles on it with all local running since I completed it and was getting around 13 mpg. Yesterday, with all highway driving, 150 miles round trip, it got 17 mpg, running between 55-60. It hasn't used any oil or water yet and never went over 190 in low 90's temp. I'm happy!!
 
Cecil/WV said:
I drove my '40 pickup to the AACA regional meet yesterday at the Howard Co Fairgrounds near Baltimore and it was the first real trip it has taken since restoration completion. I had just under 400 miles on it with all local running since I completed it and was getting around 13 mpg. Yesterday, with all highway driving, 150 miles round trip, it got 17 mpg, running between 55-60. It hasn't used any oil or water yet and never went over 190 in low 90's temp. I'm happy!!
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Way to go Cecil. ken ct.:)
 
Cecil, Isn't cool when your rollin' down the road and everybodys gawking at you with a big smile on your face with those hands a white knuckling the wheel in full enjoyment! LOL Ken
 
Congratulation Cecil, that is what makes all the work and problem solving worthwhile and as said it does put a smile on the face.

Vergil
 
Very nice. Here is mine during the New England tour. Ambient temp was about 95°. I had no problems as long as I was moving. I got separated from the rest of the group and let it idle too long. Not pretty! I got a pair of pumps rebuilt by Skip. The next step is to run a cooling system clean and install them and maybe install an electric helper fan.
 

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Cecil,
We know how fun it is to do some long range cruising in an old Ford. We just drove our 46 on a 1600 mile (r/t) to Nova Scotia. 85 to 90 degree heat on the interstates @ 60mph and the cars and trucks wizzing by at 75-85. Lots of smiles, thumbs up, and picture taking as they went by. All the windows and vents open to get air to keep us cool and boy are those 18 wheelers noisy as they go by. Met you in Hartford last year when you drove up from WV. What are you driving to Saratoga next year? We are heading to Cape Cod in a few weeks (500 r/t). We are both 71 so these are fun "adventures". My message: These old Fords are more fun driving them than sitting at a car show all day.
John

John
 
Ken Crans said:
Cecil, Isn't cool when your rollin' down the road and everybodys gawking at you with a big smile on your face with those hands a white knuckling the wheel in full enjoyment! LOL Ken
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Hamtown Al said:
Great, great, GREAT! Attaboy!
Very glad all went well. Now what are you working on?
Congrats. Al
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Al, I need to repaint my '85 Chev 1 ton diesel pickup and then get to work on my '52 F-7.
 
Sid the Maineiac said:
Great Job, Cecil! Great little truck you 've got there! I'm sure you drive it with greater pride and satisfaction!
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I drove it farther yesterday then I have ever driven it at one time in 30 years of ownership. It wasn't dependable before, but now??? it seems to be good. I am driving it to Frederick next Sunday to another show, about 90 miles round trip.
 
41ford1 said:
Very nice. Here is mine during the New England tour. Ambient temp was about 95°. I had no problems as long as I was moving. I got separated from the rest of the group and let it idle too long. Not pretty! I got a pair of pumps rebuilt by Skip. The next step is to run a cooling system clean and install them and maybe install an electric helper fan.
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I have Skips pumps and his coil. Mine runs okay temp wise as long as I don't drive too fast or too slow. With the fan on the crank, it is so low that the blades are a bit below the bottom of the radiator. I think that I get some miles on the new engine, it may run a bit cooler. It seems like it is better already.
 
Cecil,

Drive it and enjoy it. Now that you have it reliable, go man go. I plan on doing the same with mine when I have the minor issues taken care of. The NE tour was a blast. Nothing like touring the country side in an old Ford.

Chuck
 
Cecil make sure your 4 lb pressure cap is seating down on the bottom seat and fill the radiator within 2"s from the top of the tank. With new hoses they don't expand as much as older ones even though there is almost 5 feet of radiator hose. with the 2"s from the TOP of the tank the system will completely fill up and you won't have any air. Don't forget about compression leaks. You don't want to go down that road. Purple Ice?? Check the center and at the rear of the heads for hot spots. If you didn't put in 2 bottles put it and watch the hot spots disapear in 15 to 20 minutes. G.M.
 
G.M. said:
Cecil make sure your 4 lb pressure cap is seating down on the bottom seat and fill the radiator within 2"s from the top of the tank. With new hoses they don't expand as much as older ones even though there is almost 5 feet of radiator hose. with the 2"s from the TOP of the tank the system will completely fill up and you won't have any air. Don't forget about compression leaks. You don't want to go down that road. Purple Ice?? Check the center and at the rear of the heads for hot spots. If you didn't put in 2 bottles put it and watch the hot spots disapear in 15 to 20 minutes. G.M.
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George, I have a red washer under the cap and it hasn't lost any water, stays less than 2 " from top. I think I put Purple Ice in last summer when I filled it up, but not sure. Maybe put in some more?? The temp is pretty even all over each head, although the left side is a few degrees higher than the rt. If I didn't have manual gauges on each head, I would never think a thing about the temp, because the stock gauge never goes over 3/4. Sunday am, going to the show, while it was around 70 degees, it never ran over 165. It always climbs some when under a load.
 
If you have a laser pointed thermometer check the temperatures on the heads where the hoses atttach. Check them at the same place each time holding the gun the same distance away and at the same angle. This is the important temperature as it is the combined coolant temperature of all 4 cylinders on that side of the engine. The radiator temperature don't tell much other then being hot because it is a mixture of the water from both sides of the engine. As you know but to repeat it for others there is NO connection inside of block for water between the left and right sides. They should run within a few degrees of each other. I don't where you would see any temperature raise in an empty truck from short load bursts. I don't see any noticeable changes in cars or my empty P/U. Like you said could be the engine is still a little tight. Sounds like your having FUN. G.M.
 
Great news, Cecil - glad to hear you had a successful trip! It's always cool, cruising down the highway, not rushing to get anywhere, and every day is Sunday. But it's even better in an old car - seems more "period correct" to me!!!
 
G.M. said:
If you have a laser pointed thermometer check the temperatures on the heads where the hoses atttach. Check them at the same place each time holding the gun the same distance away and at the same angle. This is the important temperature as it is the combined coolant temperature of all 4 cylinders on that side of the engine. The radiator temperature don't tell much other then being hot because it is a mixture of the water from both sides of the engine. As you know but to repeat it for others there is NO connection inside of block for water between the left and right sides. They should run within a few degrees of each other. I don't where you would see any temperature raise in an empty truck from short load bursts. I don't see any noticeable changes in cars or my empty P/U. Like you said could be the engine is still a little tight. Sounds like your having FUN. G.M.
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George,
I have checked the temp at all the places you always recommend and it is pretty consistant with what the mechanical gauges read.
I have wondered if I might have a timing problem. I put in new points and condensor and timed it with a straight edge per some post I copied from the old Fordbarn and it really runs very good, but I can't get any difference with the vacuum brake. I have several distributors and I thought I might send another one to Skip for a rebuild. It also has some kind of slight break down/miss under load at high speed and I can't be sure if it is in the ignition or a plug. I have new Autolite 216 plugs in it. One thing for sure, it starts good with skip's coil, hot or cold.
 
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