Running again after 30 years

[Bill in SoCal]

For the last few years I have been restoring my 30 coupe. It has been following me around for over forty years. I rebuilt the engine over 30 years ago in my college auto shop class (see picture of engine). It has less than 100 miles on it, and had not run for 25 years. I recently rebuilt the Carburetor, distributor and generator.

I gave the engine several good cranks with the ignition off. I turned the ignition on and it started right up. Put the car in second gear to check my work on the drive train; transmission, clutch and ring gear OK, with rear wheels turning in the right direction - forward.

Turned the engine off after about five minutes. Checked the car and found a carburetor leak, probably the float or valve (picture of carburetor shows the drip). No water in the oil or oil in the water. But, I am glad I used red grease. I saw some red grease coming from the rear area of the universal. I found the grease coming from the speedometer cap assembly. I was cracked right down the middle. I must have tightened it too much after replacing one of the screws I removed while filling the universal with grease (see picture of cap).

Next time I start the engine, I plan to flush out the radiator and engine block, and check my repair of the Carburetor.

Any thoughts on what else I should check while the body is off the frame?
Thanks, Bill

 

[Gumpy]

nice looking coupe and always puts a smile on my face when i get it running for the 1st time!

 

[TinCup]

Is that an Aeres muffler I see.

 

[Bob C]

Any special reason for the B head?

Bob

 

[Bill in SoCal]

Yes, that is an Aeres (stainless steel) muffler. In my youth, I took my model A to Midas muffler shop, and they replaced the original (one piece) muffler with a made up composite muffler system. Even today, They should replace it with a one piece muffler as original which include all the pipes with a life time guarantee. My brother-in-law owns several Midas muffler shops, and sent me the stainless steel muffler as a gift.


Model B head (with "C" letter), Yes, That is a model B head. Forty years ago when I rebuilt the engine, that was considered a high compression head (like the police head). My shop teacher told me not use a "C" counterbalanced crank because turning the main journals down to fit the 'A' would lead to braking at the rear main. I just went with the head for that "extra speed."