1930 Sport Coupe finally!!

[History]

I finally cranked the engine today. After rebuilding the carburetor, rinsing the engine out with kerosene, cleaning the fuel lines and all parts associated with that, replacing the gas soaked float and much more. It fired on the second turn and an audible knock was heard, it went away within seconds and ran so smooth. I didn't have any coolant in the system so I only ran it briefly. I promised my son I wouldn't drive it until he was home from school so Im Hoping for next weekend if the radiator is ok and holds water. Fingers crossed.

These engines sound so sweet and solid.

[California Travieso]

History,

You're wise to keep the exterior as is, too many over restored cars out there. You have a good story to tell about the history of the car in your family.

What is the interior like?

David Serrano

[History]

Not great but usable. I'll probably re upholster the seat as it's ripping at the seams some. One day I may replace the top with an appropriate top for a sport coupe. I want to make sure it's condition is atleast maintained. Someone in The future may want to restore it to like new condition. I want to say it's mine and it is but only for a short time.

[History]

I drove it today, not on the road but around my shop and the gravel road going to my adjacent property. I'm not tagged or insured yet. I was able to get in third but couldn't stretch it out any. I was impressed with the torque. I didn't lug it hard but could tell it would. I need to repack my water pump and hope to have it road legal within a month. Super excited 😊!!!

[Railcarmover]

Hop it up some.. that torque you feel is why the model a has endured,a handsome car style wise and a nice seat of the pants feel to it..Sport Coupe is what it is,hot rodders don't like them,its not a roadster.Restorers don't like the costs of a top that doesn't go down.In my view its the only true three window coupe ford had in production,enjoy it.

[mike657894]

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have you pumped grease into the zert on the water pump and tightened the notched nut? you may not need a repack yet.

[History]

Originally Posted by mike657894

have you pumped grease into the zert on the water pump and tightened the notched nut? you may not need a repack yet.

Yes following someone's advice on here I loosened the nut and put a couple of shots of grease in, retightened before I ever cranked it. It's dripping.

[Brian SATX]

Try some Goof Off on the rear window to make it a bit more clear. It will clean that old plastic.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

I had a constant struggle trying to keep my original style water pump from dripping and creating a mess in the motor bay. Advice ran from "they do that", to different repairs including repack/re-grease, to replacement of the shaft and nut. Some said they do not have the issue, some said noting you can do.


There are also parts/kits for rebuilding your water pump to leakless - I have no experience with this, but am sure if you search on FB here or ask, others can recommend what to do/order.


Got tired of the mess, went to a leakless water pump, 5,000 miles later and not a single drip.


Some say they have had had bad luck with leakless, some say they are great. I do not know what brand/model mine is, was put on by a Mod A repair shop. I have heard that the best leakless is a Rupert but they are expensive.

[katy]

FWIW, It's best to snug up the packing nut while the engine is running.

Anyone out there use teflon packing? I tried some and it seems to be doing the job, but haven't ran it much since so I can't really comment on it.

[mike657894]

A good seal needs things to be right. A little corrosion or scratches can cause leaks. the grease type may matter too. I have blue dow grease. I believe its waterproof and designed to be use around water.


Try this. Tighten the nut till you get slight drag. then a few pumps of grease. After that try a rebuild look for damage that the rebuild kit parts wont fix. If you dont mind spending the money I would go with a leakless. Even though mine has sealed a leakless is on my wish list.

[rotorwrench]

Does your top have the mountings for the landau bars? The Sport Coupes have them and the business coupes don't but other than that, the two body types are very similar. Since yours has a rumble seat set up, it's likely a sport coupe unless someone did a rumble seat conversion.

[History]

Thanks for all the advice/suggestions. I'll try and get it to stop leaking with some of the ideas mentioned and if that doesn't work I'll get a leakless.

I don't see anything for the landau bars but in another thread these guy had enough evidence from photos I posted to claim it is a sport coupe with replacement but not correct replacement top.


What plane is that in your avatar? It looks like a B-17 but then looks like a 24 or something else.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

If removing the water pump, update with these, allows you much easier removal/replacement of the water pump in the future.


https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword

[w.michael]

"Does your top have the mountings for the landau bars? The Sport Coupes have them and the business coupes don't but other than that, the two body types are very similar."

The business coupe was not made in 1930 and 1931. This is a sport coupe. The mounting points for the landau irons on the 1930 and 1931 sport coupes are not visible. The upper mounting point is simply a hole in the flat bracket, which is likely covered by top material; and the lower mounting point is a bracket set into the side of the wood piece that curves around at the bottom of the fabric top. (On the 1928 and 1929, the lower mounting point is a bracket that sits on top of that wood piece, and IS visible on the '28-29.)

W. Michael

[rotorwrench]

I'd forgotten that Ford went to the standard coupe design for the business coupe in 1930. I'm too used to the 28s & 29s so sorry about the error there.

A person may be able to feel the lower brackets or see where they are covered inside the car on the rear tack strip. It just depends on how the top was trimmed last. My 29 was missing all but the notches in the tack strip where the bars had been fastened. Finding good bars can be a PITA.

For History in post #33, that was my Pop's plane at the Celone Air Base near Foggia, Italy in late 1944. It was a B17G built by the Douglas plant in Long Beach, CA.

[History]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

For History in post #33, that was my Pop's plane at the Celone Air Base near Foggia, Italy in late 1944. It was a B17G built by the Douglas plant in Long Beach, CA.

Your Pop was a badass! I took my son for a ride on the Nine-O-Nine B17 from the Collins foundation. It was such an experience, I can't imagine being on one and knowing people were trying to bring it down. Salute to them all.