The Ford Barn

Ol' Ron · 11-18-2018, 02:47 PM

We get allot of questions on repairing these 32/53 Fords. I have a sugestion. Try to buy an old motors manual from the late 50's. This will cover everything from the front of the car to the back, and everything in between. then you'll be able to ask the right questions. We're are here to help.

TonyM · 11-18-2018, 04:05 PM

Do as much outside research / reading as possible. Buy the books that relate to your car, including the owner's manual. Read them. They are out there and are very informative.

I just don't understand how folks can pay out five figures for an antique car without trying to learn as much as they can about the vehicle and at the very least obtain the pertinent reference materials.

The books and reference materials are out there for those who want to learn.

JSeery · 11-18-2018, 04:10 PM

There is a wealth of information in the reference material available. Here are a few I like (the first two are by Ford Barn regulars, O Ron & JWL).

DavidG · 11-18-2018, 04:13 PM

Tony M,

Amen!

Add to the list the service bulletins and year-of-production chassis and body parts catalogues. Avoid those catalogues that were published five or more years after the year of your vehicles, i.e. the so-called Green Bible be it on paper or on a CD as above (unless your vehicle is of post-WWII production). Many of the flathead era catalogues, service bulletins, and owners manuals have been reprinted are cheap. Even originals are mostly not expensive, especially given the amount of information they contain.

leon bee · 11-18-2018, 04:44 PM

Those Motor manuals are worth their weight in car parts! I've always found relevant editions for my old cars. Some are ragged as hell, just doesn't matter as long as all the pages are there.

GB SISSON · 11-18-2018, 06:38 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Though I am no hot rodder by any means, Back in the mid 90s I was given a book written by Floyd Clymer titled something like. 'How to hot rod the Ford V8' Notice it wasn't called the 'flathead V8' because it was written before there was an option. It was just the ford V8. The book was given to me by Frank Rouleau who had a gravel pit here on Orcas Island. In his youth he raced dirt track flathead fords at Skagit Speedway in Alger Wa. He was constantly bad mouthing the inline chev sixes. He hated them. Anyway I still have his book. He passed away about 10 years ago. My youngest son and I still go to Alger at least once a year for the sprint cars. They don't sound like a flathead V8, but they go really, really fast. Specially the 410s.

RalphM · 11-18-2018, 07:53 PM

Oh yea!

And don’t forget the more recent additions!

TJ · 11-18-2018, 08:18 PM

Also don't forget the books that have been put out by the Early ford V-8 Club of America. The books are year specific and the new book on flathead motors is a treasure trove of information on the development of the flathead motor and the running changes in the motor from 1932-53. Great Christmas gifts.

Flathead Fever · 11-18-2018, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

Though I am no hot rodder by any means, Back in the mid 90s I was given a book written by Floyd Clymer titled something like. 'How to hot rod the Ford V8' Notice it wasn't called the 'flathead V8' because it was written before there was an option. It was just the ford V8. The book was given to me by Frank Rouleau who had a gravel pit here on Orcas Island. In his youth he raced dirt track flathead fords at Skagit Speedway in Alger Wa. He was constantly bad mouthing the inline chev sixes. He hated them. Anyway I still have his book. He passed away about 10 years ago. My youngest son and I still go to Alger at least once a year for the sprint cars. They don't sound like a flathead V8, but they go really, really fast. Specially the 410s.

Your probably thinking of these Clymer books. The red one is one of favorite books. When it was published it was probably the best source of info for hot rodding the flathead V8.

For building engine building the original green Ford manual is real good. There are lots of these for sale on eBay.

RalphM · 11-18-2018, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flathead Fever

Your probably thinking of these Clymer books. The red one is one of favorite books. When it was published it was probably the best source of info for hot rodding the flathead V8.

Ewwww, I want those!

JSeery · 11-18-2018, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RalphM

Ewwww, I want those!

https://www.amazon.com/How-Hop-Ford-...ews/1931128081

https://www.ebay.com/itm/How-to-Hop-...-/332178957348

https://www.amazon.com/Souping-Stock.../dp/1931128138

https://www.ebay.com/p/Souping-the-S...back/117223364

Pick your poison!

RalphM · 11-18-2018, 08:54 PM

got em coming!

Tinker · 11-18-2018, 09:23 PM

Info is good, experience is better. But learning from experience is pretty nice. Still don't know what I'm doing, or maybe I'm to cheap or poor to make it happen.

Thank the guys that made these publications, they are great. Green book on disc is alright

Add Vanpelts too.

I have been less then happy with those little repair books.

Some just regular old page' books to add.

Most for repairing, no hop'up. But if you bore a motor well that's a hopup.

Ol' Ron · 11-19-2018, 10:11 AM

For the new comer, avery important book is the one by JWL "Flathead facts". This book takes you thru all the modifications you can make to the engine with dozens of dyno pulls to give you the results of the mod. This kind of information can come in handy when you have to spend your $$$$$$. Also the interesting part is: you can't get 100 hp from a 239 with bolt on parts. Besides blowers or exotic fuels. could save you some bucks

Kahuna · 11-19-2018, 11:32 AM

Somewhere I've got a couple of small books by "California" Bill Fisher that are very good also

JSeery · 11-19-2018, 08:34 PM

These may be a bit harder to come by.

Tinker · 11-19-2018, 08:38 PM

Ya those are very cool. Secrets of speed are nice. Same?

http://www.secretsofspeed.com/

Can you scan some of the pages for fun?

My comment on "little" repair mags are in reference to some of the reprints of the green/orange "repair" books.

Tinker · 11-19-2018, 08:44 PM

Reprint Shop manuals. Fix your FORD & Bishop.

paul2748 · 11-19-2018, 08:53 PM

There are copies on ebay right now 11/19/18. Not expensive either

Tinker · 11-19-2018, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul2748

There are copies on ebay right now 11/19/18. Not expensive either

Ya most of this stuff is really a bargain. Not expensive at all. Few are, it's like finding a spiderman or superman no.1, only way way way cheaper

11-18-2018, 02:47 PM	#1
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	To those new to the old fords. We get allot of questions on repairing these 32/53 Fords. I have a sugestion. Try to buy an old motors manual from the late 50's. This will cover everything from the front of the car to the back, and everything in between. then you'll be able to ask the right questions. We're are here to help.

11-18-2018, 04:05 PM	#2
TonyM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Hammond, Illinois Posts: 2,786	Re: To those new to the old fords. Do as much outside research / reading as possible. Buy the books that relate to your car, including the owner's manual. Read them. They are out there and are very informative. I just don't understand how folks can pay out five figures for an antique car without trying to learn as much as they can about the vehicle and at the very least obtain the pertinent reference materials. The books and reference materials are out there for those who want to learn.

11-18-2018, 04:13 PM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: To those new to the old fords. Tony M, Amen! Add to the list the service bulletins and year-of-production chassis and body parts catalogues. Avoid those catalogues that were published five or more years after the year of your vehicles, i.e. the so-called Green Bible be it on paper or on a CD as above (unless your vehicle is of post-WWII production). Many of the flathead era catalogues, service bulletins, and owners manuals have been reprinted are cheap. Even originals are mostly not expensive, especially given the amount of information they contain.

11-18-2018, 04:44 PM	#5
leon bee Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Arkansas Posts: 611	Re: To those new to the old fords. Those Motor manuals are worth their weight in car parts! I've always found relevant editions for my old cars. Some are ragged as hell, just doesn't matter as long as all the pages are there.

11-18-2018, 06:38 PM	#6
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,928	Re: To those new to the old fords. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Though I am no hot rodder by any means, Back in the mid 90s I was given a book written by Floyd Clymer titled something like. 'How to hot rod the Ford V8' Notice it wasn't called the 'flathead V8' because it was written before there was an option. It was just the ford V8. The book was given to me by Frank Rouleau who had a gravel pit here on Orcas Island. In his youth he raced dirt track flathead fords at Skagit Speedway in Alger Wa. He was constantly bad mouthing the inline chev sixes. He hated them. Anyway I still have his book. He passed away about 10 years ago. My youngest son and I still go to Alger at least once a year for the sprint cars. They don't sound like a flathead V8, but they go really, really fast. Specially the 410s. __________________ 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, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

11-18-2018, 08:18 PM	#8
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,035	Re: To those new to the old fords. Also don't forget the books that have been put out by the Early ford V-8 Club of America. The books are year specific and the new book on flathead motors is a treasure trove of information on the development of the flathead motor and the running changes in the motor from 1932-53. Great Christmas gifts.

11-18-2018, 08:54 PM	#12
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: To those new to the old fords. got em coming!

11-19-2018, 10:11 AM	#14
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: To those new to the old fords. For the new comer, avery important book is the one by JWL "Flathead facts". This book takes you thru all the modifications you can make to the engine with dozens of dyno pulls to give you the results of the mod. This kind of information can come in handy when you have to spend your $$$$$$. Also the interesting part is: you can't get 100 hp from a 239 with bolt on parts. Besides blowers or exotic fuels. could save you some bucks

11-19-2018, 11:32 AM	#15
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: To those new to the old fords. Somewhere I've got a couple of small books by "California" Bill Fisher that are very good also

11-19-2018, 08:38 PM	#17
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: To those new to the old fords. Ya those are very cool. Secrets of speed are nice. Same? http://www.secretsofspeed.com/ Can you scan some of the pages for fun? My comment on "little" repair mags are in reference to some of the reprints of the green/orange "repair" books. Last edited by Tinker; 11-19-2018 at 08:48 PM.

11-19-2018, 08:53 PM	#19
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: To those new to the old fords. There are copies on ebay right now 11/19/18. Not expensive either __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria