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11-08-2023, 12:00 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 51
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Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
I just picked up a '47 Fordor that was a body-off restoration. Wasn't looking for one but the deal was too good to pass up. Since it will be driven in SoCal traffic and not country roads, what would be the best upgrades? Not looking to change drivetrain, it has a Columbia rearend so the overdrive is handled.
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11-08-2023, 12:05 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 3,277
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
Travel the country roads. So much more enjoyable.
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11-08-2023, 12:28 AM | #3 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Point Loma, San Diego, CA
Posts: 429
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
Quote:
I live in SoCal too. It's hard to avoid the Blue Shield interstate. Thought about your question a lot. You're nearly there with the Columbia. High reliability is everything. Electrically I'd go stock ignition with a Tubman condensor and Skip Haney coil. Fuel, I'd have a professionally rebuilt carb, surfaces and throttle shafts machined to close tolerances. Go with radial tires. I love my Diamond Back Auburn radials; it's like the car's on railroad tracks. As far as I know they're super premium, the best available at any price. Brakes: mine are stock but I've heard great things about Lincoln brake conversions. Do high reliability ignition, carb, tires and brakes. You're good with the Columbia. |
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11-08-2023, 01:34 PM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 51
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
Thanks, SoCalCoupe. Speedway actually just released self-energizing drum brakes that bolt on and use the stock drums as an alternative to the Lincolns. May look into those a little deeper.
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11-08-2023, 01:39 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Everett WA
Posts: 346
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
Poor rearview visibility and huge blind spots make heavy freeway traffic challenging. I know how people drive on freeways in my neck of the woods, I don't think yours are much different. Good brakes and steering would be high on the list too. Since you are already driving a 32 you are probably aware of these things. Enjoy the 47.
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11-08-2023, 07:28 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Chelmsford, ON Canada
Posts: 542
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
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11-09-2023, 01:23 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Orcas Island Washington
Posts: 5,113
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
How about Bright LED brake lights, or even a magnetic LED Third tail light up high along with them.. Now I'm wondering if you have directionals wired up too.
__________________
Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson) |
11-09-2023, 01:41 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 6,679
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
Keep a current EFV8CA Roster in the glove box.
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Alan |
11-09-2023, 09:31 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Perry Mo.
Posts: 505
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
Hey Darrell. They do drive the same because they are Californians!
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11-09-2023, 10:26 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Yorba Linda, CA
Posts: 902
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
Stock brakes on my 49 are great at stopping one or two times on the freeway. It is the brake fade that concerns me. I live in North Orange County and getting out on the freeways takes planning. If I drive north its I5 to 101 and that means driving into LA county. Not fun, it is always congested.
You need bright turn signal lights for sure. Try LED tail lights. I went to 12V prior to LED for that reason. Also radial tires, I use Coker that were sourced from Summit Racing as they pay the freight with orders > $100.00.
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Henry Ford designed the flathead without the aid of a computer. |
11-10-2023, 01:13 AM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 51
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
Thanks, all good suggestions. I was considering 12-volt
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11-10-2023, 06:49 AM | #12 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Texas
Posts: 1,701
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
The only area I consider a stock 1947 Ford to be lacking is tail light brightness. Otherwise a car in good condition with good tires and a good tune up is good to go, no need for modifications.
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11-10-2023, 02:11 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,063
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
Add safety hubs (or clips) for the brakes. Add turn signals and a second brake light if they are not there already. Check the date code on your tires.
Charlie Stephens |
11-10-2023, 03:32 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 3,833
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Re: Best Practical Upgrades to Stock 47 Sedan?
It has a Columbia overdrive, I can't imgaine what more you could want. I can easly do 70 mph in our '47 tudor with a 3.54 rearend and it's comfortable to drive.
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