41 Super Deluxe Coupe- bring back to life

[TradModelA]

Hello , I just picked up a 41 coupe that's been sitting for a lot of years last tagged in 96. The Engine turns but it is " tight", the brakes go to the floor, etc. What should I do first to bring her back to life? Oil down the plug holes and let it soak, clean gas tank and lines out? About the brakes , a new master cyl and wheel cyl, hoses, etc? Shes a pretty girl and original , I'd like to save her. Thanks guys.

[FortyNiner]

Yup, all the things you mentioned as well as flushing the cooling system and checking the wiring. When old iron sits, it tends to become the home to critters - including within the engine itself. Don't want to create a new problem by compressing a mouse nest.

Pictures would be outstanding.

[TradModelA]

Here ya go

[drolston]

I have been through pretty much everything on my '41 coupe since I got it in 2014. PMt me know if you have questions.

[corvette8n]

Even though my car was very clean and rust free when I pulled out the rear seat there was a dead mouse and a whole lot of stuffing under the seat. Also look for rodent sign in your heater and hoses. I'd get the brakes fixed first, always nice to be able to stop even if your pushing the car around by hand.

[Anteek29]

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Your first priority - do the brakes!

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by TradModelA

About the brakes , a new master cyl and wheel cyl, hoses, etc?

Master cylinder and wheel cylinders. The rubber parts of the brake lines will need to be replaced. The steel lines need to be checked over carefully and flushed out at the least. It might be better to just run new lines.

The brakes in 41 were the Lockheed style, they will work ok, but not as well as Bendix brakes. If you are interested in keeping it all original then stick with the Lockheed brakes, if not, I would upgrade it to the later Bendix brakes while I was at it.

I would make a firm decision on the type of brakes you will be using before you start ordering parts.

[TradModelA]

Jseery , that's a good idea, I do have a set of F1 brakes. I believe those are bendix style.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by TradModelA

Jseery , that's a good idea, I do have a set of F1 brakes. I believe those are bendix style.

Yep, takes a little bit of tweaking, but worth it. I have installed F1 backing plates and hubs on early axles, but not sure you can do the same on the rear axle. That is not a big problem, the front brakes do most of the braking. You can run them mixed, Bendix front and Lockheed rear or purchase aftermarket Bendix rear brakes.

[meric42]

I'm going through the same process with my '41 Business Coupe. I bought it from Tulsa Oklahoma in June last year and it had been sitting in the garage since 1978, had been run every few years to keep it going, but it had been sitting so long that the oil had drained out of the main shaft of the transmission and the gears were stuck to the shafts in neutral. In late December I received the Coupe here in New Zealand and have spent most of January working on getting it driveable. All the brakes needed to be replaced so I have fitted the M/T (Boling Brothers) Bendix brakes. Last sunday was the first real drive around the block. If I can help let me know

[TradModelA]

Nice car Meric! We're you able to order a hard line kit? If so where ? Thanks

[meric42]

Originally Posted by TradModelA

Nice car Metric! We're you able to order to order a hard line kit? If so where ? Thanks

All my hard lines are in good condition so sorry I can't help you there. I would have only made my own if I needed to replace any as I have the tools for the job.

There are sellers on eBay that sell the kits for @ $60

[TradModelA]

One more question, should i pull the heads to make sure nothing made a home in there and same time check cyl wall condition?

[corvette8n]

Originally Posted by TradModelA

One more question, should i pull the heads to make sure nothing made a home in there and same time check cyl wall condition?

I'd probably pull the plugs and turn it over with a wrench first, then go from there.

[drolston]

Pulling heads risks broken studs/bolts. Invest in a borescope to peek in through the spark plug holes for any problems.

[slowforty]

Dont stand in front of the spark plug holes if you try to turn it over with oil in the cylinders,Also put a rag over all the plug holes. Auto Trans Fluid mixed 50/50 with Acetone makes a good penetrating oil to soak the cylinders

[JSeery]

Pulling the heads is a major chore, I would only pull them as a last resort.

[Kurt in NJ]

If it has been sitting for many years there is a good chance all the dirt in the oil has settled out into a deep layer of sluge---- many times it is deeper than the oil pickup----

[grumppyoldman]

I've good luck using MMO to soak the pistons with, put it in the cyl. where the pistons are down, let it soak a week, then proceed to others till all are soaked. Al