1931 Pickup Journal

[31pickup650]

Howdy. This is my grandpa's 1931 Model A pickup:



It was sitting in his driveway for quite a while and he wasn't using it. Now that I have a place of my own, the truck joined me here in Ohio (I am originally from California). I shipped it out here with Intercity Lines and would recommend them. They did a great job. Here it is coming off the truck:



It ran a couple years ago, but didn't by the time we shipped it out here so I had to push it into my garage. For barely weighing a ton, it sure felt heavy!



I figured out it wasn't getting any spark and replaced the wire leading from the terminal box to the generator. The coating had worn off and it was grounding itself. After that, it would chug, but wouldn't run when I tried starting it. I cleaned out the carburetor and that did the trick. It still a bit rough. The idle is not the best, but it seems to be running really lean. When i pull the choke in a little bit when its running and warm, it smooths right out. The plugs were all covered in carbon and one had some oil on it. I am replacing those and the gasket between the carburetor and the manifold since that is currently missing and probably causing the lean air/fuel mixture.

I gave it a quick test drive up the driveway:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n79ezto8jv...%20pm.mp4?dl=0

I might need some help getting the carburetor settings right. I don't have much experience tuning those.

[Gary WA]

Very nice to acquire a great family vehicle! Clean it up and enjoy it. Lots of help here if needed or your area for club members go to www.mafca.com and look under chapters in your state.

[Brentwood Bob]

You did the truck a big favor by getting it to run again, now let it return the favor.
Bob

[james hitchcock]

Very nice.

[ddweave]

I can't tell for sure from the photos. Does your truck have an all-metal top, or is it fabric in the middle? I ask because I have also have a '31 wide bed pickup - with a soft top.

[Pmsqrd]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Consider restoring only the mechanicals and wiring. Leave the exterior just the way it is. The patina looks great.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by ddweave

...I have a '31 wide bed pickup - with a soft top.

Henry made them a dozen(or more) different ways. Mine has the steel top, but has the narrow bed.

[31pickup650]

Originally Posted by ddweave

I can't tell for sure from the photos. Does your truck have an all-metal top, or is it fabric in the middle? I ask because I have also have a '31 wide bed pickup - with a soft top.

It has a hard top.

[31pickup650]

Originally Posted by Pmsqrd

Consider restoring only the mechanicals and wiring. Leave the exterior just the way it is. The patina looks great.

That is my current plan. Clean off a bit of the dirt on windows and such, but not much more than that.

[Neil Mylar LakewoodCA]

Nice truck and it is nice that it is staying in the family.

Good to see it back on the road, again.

[Fullraceflathead]

Nice looking Truck. Nice to have it in the Family and it looks complete.

[Neil Mylar LakewoodCA]

31pickup650,

What is your name?

You should put a picture of your truck on your avatar.
I finally got around to doing it myself.

to do so:
click on "private messages".
Then over on the left, click on "edit avatar".

Regard, Neil

[31pickup650]

Originally Posted by Neil Mylar LakewoodCA

31pickup650,

What is your name?

You should put a picture of your truck on your avatar.
I finally got around to doing it myself.

to do so:
click on "private messages".
Then over on the left, click on "edit avatar".

Regard, Neil

My name is Noah. I updated my avatar, so now I have a "face."

[31pickup650]

I installed the carburetor to intake manifold gasket and new spark plugs today. This is what the plugs looked like:



I cleaned them off a couple days ago, but decided to replace them to see if that helped at all. Between the new plugs and the gasket, I think it is definitely running smoother. Not as smooth as I'd like, but smoother. I took a video of it idling. It sounds like I am getting a misfire maybe every once in a while. Any ideas? Here's a link to a quick video:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2jptj7fnqm..._7368.MOV?dl=0

I also replaced the fan belt while I was at it. As you can see, it was definitely worn out and I didn't want to risk taking even a quick drive and having it break.



Next steps will be to install the seat belts I ordered and to get the spare engine up on a stand so I can try to get it to turn over.

[mshmodela]

Noah,

What kind of plugs are those? TT10s?

[31pickup650]

Originally Posted by mshmodela

Noah,

What kind of plugs are those? TT10s?

Yep.

[mshmodela]

If you're head is original (compression) I found those to be too cold of a plug. If you drive on longer trips they'll likely do fine....

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6458


I've tried W18 and W16Y...

Also, FWIW, Summit Racing has both for about the best prices..

[1955cj5]

I like it,and I like your plan to more or less leave it as is...they are only original once....

I haven't even dusted mine after it came out of the barn...interior clean-up, and mechanical repairs, mostly brakes so far.......

Randy

[31pickup650]

Originally Posted by mshmodela

If you're head is original (compression) I found those to be too cold of a plug. If you drive on longer trips they'll likely do fine....

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6458


I've tried W18 and W16Y...

Also, FWIW, Summit Racing has both for about the best prices..

Thanks. I will give maybe a step or two hotter a try later on if these get fouled up or I can't get it running smoother. I work only about 10 minutes from Summit. A bit TOO convenient if you ask me...

[1931 flamingo]

Try putting some Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas. I usually dump 3-4 ounces in when I add gas, usually about 6 gals just to bring it above 1/2. Won't hurt anything and may help free up a sticky valve(s). FWIW
Paul in CT