The Ford Barn

Ralph S. · 10-03-2018, 08:47 PM

Hello everyone

So finally I was able to bring the car to where i'm at after owning it for about 3 years. I'm a flathead newbie so I figured I'd ask for some help and get educated. Car use to belong to my wife's grandfather. It's a 41 Super Deluxe coupe. It has rarely been driven, handful of times, since he passed about 4 years ago. Since the car has been sitting for so long I would like to go through it before I start driving it more regularly. I would imagine I have to change all the fluids, maybe plugs, clean the carb.Is there anything else Ishould check, service or pay special attention to? What do you guys recommend for coolant, diff and trans oil? I'm not going to ask about motor oil, I'm aware that's a whole different debate in itself. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Ford Freak · 10-03-2018, 09:29 PM

Welcome aboard . Nice looking coupe !

JSeery · 10-03-2018, 10:07 PM

Rear axle can be about anything (GL4/GL5). The transmission contains what are referred to as "yellow" metals and requires GL4 or GL1. The viscosity somewhat depends on preference, I would start with something in the 80-90 range. Unless you are good with older carbs I would suggest you consider sending to one of the rebuilders here on the Barn. Another consideration is the use of ethanol gas, it is a good idea to replace the fuel pump, carburetor and fuel line components. Again, rebuilders here on the Barn can help. I would check out the brakes and consider changing the flexible lines and flush out the system with new fluid. Would be a good idea to have the distributor gone through, and ones again there are rebuilders here on the Barn.

RalphM · 10-03-2018, 11:34 PM

Welcome to the barn! That is a beautiful coop that deserves to be driven as much as possible. Make sure you drain out all the old fuel and put fresh fuel in, there should be a drain plug in the fuel tank, also when you get it running dribble a little Marvel mystery oil down the carburetor to help free up the valves because they may be sticking a bit.

jrvariel48 · 10-04-2018, 03:16 AM

Welcome and that's a beautiful coupe!!

oldandtired · 10-04-2018, 03:56 AM

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Before you do much driving I would suggest checking the tires as well. If it has been sitting for pretty much 4 years the tires are likely somewhat older than that.

alanwoodieman · 10-04-2018, 07:23 AM

one of the best things you can do is join the national Early Ford V8 club and hopefully a local one also. the club has books on a lot of these cars and the local guys can be a wealth of information as to working on the car and who/what may be available locally. as said many times already there is a lot of help available here on the barn, Very nice coupe--needs to be driven

corvette8n · 10-04-2018, 02:06 PM

Welcome to the wonderful world of Ford flathead's. 3 years ago I bought my '41 my second purchase was this book https://shop.efv8.org/collections/fo...book-softbound. I also joined the EFV8.org. I'd check the brakes first, stopping is more important than going. My purchase was from a dealer in old cars, they replaced all the brake hoses, wheel cylinders and brake shoes before I bought the car.(btw I pulled the wheels and checked). The second thing I did was to replace the tires. I also siphoned the gas tank and put in fresh non-ethanol fuel(my car sits in a storage facility for the winter). Another thing to look at is the under dash wiring, look for any frayed wiring. To forgo any future problems check all your ground wires, connections need to be clean and tight. Last of all enjoy you new ride, just think of the original owner driving that car during WWII. Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn how to search this forum, it's full of great information.

KiWinUS · 10-04-2018, 04:52 PM

Welcome Ralph
This is a great site
I’m just up the road in Charlotte feel free to reach out for any help
I have played with these gems for 48 plus years & have waaayyy to much flathead stuff
That’s a very nice car you have
Cheers
Tony

Ralph S. · 10-07-2018, 06:26 AM

Thank you for your responses everyone. I'll start going through everything slowly and get the car running right and often.

flatford8 · 10-07-2018, 07:50 AM

I can’t add to the excellent advice already given but......I think I can see your smile from here!!.....Congrats!!.....Mark

Anteek29 · 10-07-2018, 08:17 AM

Welcome! That is one sweet coupe!

Mike in AZ · 10-07-2018, 12:58 PM

Welcome to the ‘Barn. Great coupe. Hope you get it up and going to enjoy with your family. And reach out to Tony(KiwinUS). He does know what he’s talking about. And have fun. Mike

TonyM · 10-07-2018, 02:55 PM

Welcome. Good luck with your car. Looks good.

mfirth · 10-07-2018, 04:19 PM

Welcome to the barn & as others have said; NICE 41!!!! Folks here are very helpful indeed.
mike

19Fordy · 10-07-2018, 05:01 PM

Change radiator hoses and rubber fuel line.

Graeme / New Zealand · 10-07-2018, 11:22 PM

Love it! We didn't get these in NZ because FOMOCO New Zealand had converted to war Production.......but we did get the 41 Dash board in our post war 46/48 albeit in RHD form

GB

Ron Pilger · 10-09-2018, 09:55 AM

add proper insurance coverage. add seat belts. Check the anti-freeze level. assemble an assortment of tools and spare parts for road trips: coil/condenser/water pump/fuel pump. Check the spare for tire pressure. Practice your wave and drive that baby.

Low-Blow · 10-12-2018, 11:52 AM

Welcome! This is a great place for Flathead Newbies!! That coupe is super nice. Good luck with her.

grumppyoldman · 10-12-2018, 02:40 PM

Very nice coupe, kinda looks like mine. I have been working on mine for 2 years now, and getting close to finishing. Good luck with yours and drive it like you stole it. Al

Royal Ryser · 10-12-2018, 05:56 PM

Welcome!! Nice car.

qickkenny · 10-13-2018, 08:18 AM

Welcome to The Barn !

RalphM · 10-14-2018, 10:15 AM

Ok, I’ve been waiting patiently, how about some more pictures of that beauty out in the sunlight?

10-03-2018, 09:29 PM	#2
Ford Freak Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Pittsford NY. USA Posts: 1,096	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome aboard . Nice looking coupe !

10-03-2018, 10:07 PM	#3
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Flathead newbie Rear axle can be about anything (GL4/GL5). The transmission contains what are referred to as "yellow" metals and requires GL4 or GL1. The viscosity somewhat depends on preference, I would start with something in the 80-90 range. Unless you are good with older carbs I would suggest you consider sending to one of the rebuilders here on the Barn. Another consideration is the use of ethanol gas, it is a good idea to replace the fuel pump, carburetor and fuel line components. Again, rebuilders here on the Barn can help. I would check out the brakes and consider changing the flexible lines and flush out the system with new fluid. Would be a good idea to have the distributor gone through, and ones again there are rebuilders here on the Barn.

10-03-2018, 11:34 PM	#4
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome to the barn! That is a beautiful coop that deserves to be driven as much as possible. Make sure you drain out all the old fuel and put fresh fuel in, there should be a drain plug in the fuel tank, also when you get it running dribble a little Marvel mystery oil down the carburetor to help free up the valves because they may be sticking a bit.

10-04-2018, 03:16 AM	#5
jrvariel48 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,425	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome and that's a beautiful coupe!!

10-04-2018, 03:56 AM	#6
oldandtired Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edgefield, SC Posts: 811	Re: Flathead newbie Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Before you do much driving I would suggest checking the tires as well. If it has been sitting for pretty much 4 years the tires are likely somewhat older than that.

10-04-2018, 07:23 AM	#7
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,963	Re: Flathead newbie one of the best things you can do is join the national Early Ford V8 club and hopefully a local one also. the club has books on a lot of these cars and the local guys can be a wealth of information as to working on the car and who/what may be available locally. as said many times already there is a lot of help available here on the barn, Very nice coupe--needs to be driven

10-04-2018, 02:06 PM	#8
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,950	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome to the wonderful world of Ford flathead's. 3 years ago I bought my '41 my second purchase was this book https://shop.efv8.org/collections/fo...book-softbound. I also joined the EFV8.org. I'd check the brakes first, stopping is more important than going. My purchase was from a dealer in old cars, they replaced all the brake hoses, wheel cylinders and brake shoes before I bought the car.(btw I pulled the wheels and checked). The second thing I did was to replace the tires. I also siphoned the gas tank and put in fresh non-ethanol fuel(my car sits in a storage facility for the winter). Another thing to look at is the under dash wiring, look for any frayed wiring. To forgo any future problems check all your ground wires, connections need to be clean and tight. Last of all enjoy you new ride, just think of the original owner driving that car during WWII. Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn how to search this forum, it's full of great information.

10-04-2018, 04:52 PM	#9
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,963	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome Ralph This is a great site I’m just up the road in Charlotte feel free to reach out for any help I have played with these gems for 48 plus years & have waaayyy to much flathead stuff That’s a very nice car you have Cheers Tony

10-07-2018, 06:26 AM	#10
Ralph S. Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Pe Ell, WA Posts: 32	Re: Flathead newbie Thank you for your responses everyone. I'll start going through everything slowly and get the car running right and often.

10-07-2018, 07:50 AM	#11
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,630	Re: Flathead newbie I can’t add to the excellent advice already given but......I think I can see your smile from here!!.....Congrats!!.....Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

10-07-2018, 08:17 AM	#12
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome! That is one sweet coupe! __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

10-07-2018, 12:58 PM	#13
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome to the ‘Barn. Great coupe. Hope you get it up and going to enjoy with your family. And reach out to Tony(KiwinUS). He does know what he’s talking about. And have fun. Mike

10-07-2018, 02:55 PM	#14
TonyM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Hammond, Illinois Posts: 2,793	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome. Good luck with your car. Looks good.

10-07-2018, 04:19 PM	#15
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome to the barn & as others have said; NICE 41!!!! Folks here are very helpful indeed. mike

10-07-2018, 05:01 PM	#16
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,945	Re: Flathead newbie Change radiator hoses and rubber fuel line.

10-07-2018, 11:22 PM	#17
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,126	Re: Flathead newbie Love it! We didn't get these in NZ because FOMOCO New Zealand had converted to war Production.......but we did get the 41 Dash board in our post war 46/48 albeit in RHD form GB __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

10-09-2018, 09:55 AM	#18
Ron Pilger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camrose, Alberta Posts: 396	Re: Flathead newbie add proper insurance coverage. add seat belts. Check the anti-freeze level. assemble an assortment of tools and spare parts for road trips: coil/condenser/water pump/fuel pump. Check the spare for tire pressure. Practice your wave and drive that baby.

10-12-2018, 11:52 AM	#19
Low-Blow Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Paradise, TX Posts: 129	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome! This is a great place for Flathead Newbies!! That coupe is super nice. Good luck with her. __________________ Follow me on Instagram @308_rod_shop

10-12-2018, 02:40 PM	#20
grumppyoldman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 727	Re: Flathead newbie Very nice coupe, kinda looks like mine. I have been working on mine for 2 years now, and getting close to finishing. Good luck with yours and drive it like you stole it. Al

10-12-2018, 05:56 PM	#21
Royal Ryser Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 553	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome!! Nice car.

10-13-2018, 08:18 AM	#22
qickkenny Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 37	Re: Flathead newbie Welcome to The Barn !

10-14-2018, 10:15 AM	#23
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: Flathead newbie Ok, I’ve been waiting patiently, how about some more pictures of that beauty out in the sunlight?