New guy, old car

Beautiful car. Be careful putting oil in the cylinders then cranking with plugs in. You really need to have all the oil out of there because you will get a hydraulic lock if not careful. If the battery and starter are strong or you tow it you could bend a rod

Cheers Tom.
 
59AB is a 46-48 engine, loosen the front whishbone at the center of the frame pull down and stick a 2 x 4 on edge between them and then rotoate the crank until the front counterweights are up and it will come out. Be sure to remove starter first
 
Definately a very good car! Interesting that a 46-8 (Merc?) steering wheel was put on, I'll bet that was done to increase leverage on the steering. Ground wires are important and the old solenoid or starter switch may be bad. Try jumping it to see if the engine turns any better. 35s would have had a starter switch located on the steering column.
 
Welcome to the Fordbarn. You have what looks like a pretty solid car there to work with. My recommendation would also be to get it running good and safe to drive and enjoy driving it. I bought one very similar to yours two years ago. I am hoping to get it back on the road this year.
I believe most of us here enjoy helping someone like yourself get there new to them car back on the road. Good luck with your adventure!
 
Thanks guys, she's a pretty solid and good lookin' old car. I have pried the wish bone down and have the engine hoisted up as far as I can. The problem is the wishbone would have to come down several more inches for the pan to clear the flywheel. The positioning of the counter weights isn't a problem. The front of the oil pan can't drop any farther due to the cross member, and I can't slide the pan back because of the flywheel. So, It's stuck, and so am I.
 
This is what i'm dealing with. It looks like the only way that pan is coming off is if the engine is higher up and disconnected from the transmission. The pan is smashed right up against the flywheel and can't be pulled down, and can't go any farther forward since it's right up against the cross member. Ridiculous.
 

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Brings back old memories, I had 2 twins of that car back in the middle 50's. Had my 2nd one when I got married in 55. Course you could bye a lot of them back then, they were only 20yr's old. OOOH, the good old days. Walt
 
I missed something..why are you taking off the oil pan?

And welcome back, I've been doing a similar thing with my 36 pickup...on again, off again, taking 3 years so far..
 
Scott H said:
I missed something..why are you taking off the oil pan?

And welcome back, I've been doing a similar thing with my 36 pickup...on again, off again, taking 3 years so far..
Click to expand...

Hey Scott,

When I drained the oil last year it was terrible. There was a big plug of sludge or something that delayed the oil from coming out for a couple of seconds. And the oil was super tacky, so much so that when you would try to wipe off the dipstick the paper rag would rip. So those things were very concerning. I find it to be a good practice with a car that hasn't run in a while that you are unsure about, to go ahead and drop the pan.
 
that much sludge--pull the engine and go thru it, you will wish you had if it is that bad. I have been lucky in my truck purchases lately--2 good engines, only one stuck clutch
 
When I bought my `35 it had sat for over 35 years in dry storage and was never started. It was locked up tight too. I removed the plugs and squirted engine oil into the cylinders. I let it set overnight and then as JM suggested I rocked it back and forth in 3rd gear. It broke loose after several tries. However it never would start so I pulled it out and had it overhauled.

After overhaul and re-install it smoked like a freight train burning all of the oil that laid in the exhaust system...

Welcome to Fordbarn! Love your coupe!
 
SUCCESS!!! Finally got the oil pan off. It took me disconnecting the engine from the trans and hoisting the engine up and nearly out. On a quick glance, the inside of the oil pan doesn't appear to be as bad as I thought. Very minimal sludge compared to my '52 Packard that I did a couple of years ago. Now time to clean her out, and possibly modify her so I can inspect the clutch without having to remove the pan.
 

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I just came across your post. Neat car! You are so lucky to have inherited such a cool piece of family history. Welcome to the Barn! and enjoy your car.
 
Yeah! Its open, good job. Your grandpa was probably looking over your shoulder guiding you with a proud grin on his face. Im sure he would be pleased with your persistence on this beautiful piece of history.
 
That's a nice looking car!!! I'm also happy to hear your not going to paint it,their only original once. I have a 35 that looks very similar to yours,good luck with it.
Joe
 
Gear Rat:

Great car, great history. It must be cool to sit in the same seat your grand dad did, and trace his life against yours all the while trying to get to know him better. There is nothing like the feel of family roots.
 
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