The Ford Barn

terminator2372 · 02-16-2021, 09:27 AM

Hello everybody. I'm Jason and I just bought a 52 Customline coupe flathead V8 automatic this past weekend. I haven't had a classic in 25+ years so this is like relearning everything to me but it's going to be a fun little car.

It's a super clean car, minimal rust but needs minor stuff I know of right off the bat. I need to convert to 12V and also get the horn to work. I haven't found any horn parts for the steering wheel just yet so any help on this is greatly appreciated.

Plans are to lower the front, Salt Flat wheels, 3 deuce setup and new heads. I see Edelbrock out there but not much for Offenhauser to be honest.

Only decent pic I have for now so bear with me. Any advice you all can suggest for quality parts is greatly appreciated.

WABOOM · 02-16-2021, 09:34 AM

Welcome. I like the car!

Zeke3 · 02-16-2021, 09:49 AM

Welcome aboard, you should be able to find what you need for your car from people on the Barn.

joe 1950 · 02-16-2021, 10:42 AM

congrats on your new purchase, you just got a double whammy ,your now a old Ford guy and a Barner ,doesn’t get any better than this , there great cars to enjoy ,and someone took good care of yours ,welcome aboard

terminator2372 · 02-16-2021, 10:42 AM

Thanks for the welcoming y'all, I appreciate and looking forward to learning all about this car and how to personalize it.

Ford Freak · 02-16-2021, 11:14 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by WABOOM

Welcome. I like the car!

Ditto ! I like it too & welcome to The Ford Barn . If you don't find the info you need here , it probably does not exist! - F F

tubman · 02-16-2021, 11:55 AM

That's a nice looking car. I very much prefer coupes over the corresponding year tudor sedans. I will make a couple of comments about your proposed engine mods. First of all, to get the maximum effect from adding a set of aftermarket heads, you shouldn't just bolt them on and go. Ideally, you should do a little preliminary measuring and machining to optimize the quench and compression. (There are a myriad of threads both here and on the H.A.M.B. on how to do this.) While "3 Deuces" look cool and give you braggin' rights, they are not the optimum solution for a daily-driven car. A small four barrel and corresponding manifold or a larger 2-barrel carb on a bored Mercury manifold will provide superior driveability and minimum problems. You probably already know that the stock distributor will not work well with just about any change in carburetion you make as the advance schemes are incompatible, so it will have to be replaced. Also, while headers or at least dual exhausts don't really add much to the performance of the engine, they are almost mandatory for the looks and sound.

Aftermarket heads seem to be problematic these days. I have heard rumors of delivery problems with both Offenhauser and Edelbrock and quality control problems with Navarro and Edelbrock. On top of that, prices seem to be skyrocketing. Perhaps keeping your eyes open for a used set some place. If you do find them, they should be carefully inspected to make sure they aren't damaged or milled beyond a reasonable limit. I have had good luck with used Edmunds heads lately.

Good luck with your car; I'm sure you'll have a lotta fun.

tubman · 02-16-2021, 12:13 PM

Oh yeah, one last thing I may have overlooked. I don't know anything about the automatic transmissions on this era car, but most automatics have a connection between the carburetor linkage and the transmission. If there is one on this car, be careful to preserve it and it's function, as not doing so can be detrimental to driveability and transmission life. If there is none, you're home free.

Lanny · 02-16-2021, 12:13 PM

I had a '54 business coupe with the short roof body style like yours.
Mine had NO back seat, just a platform to hold the salesman's wares.
I removed the platform (still have it in storage) and put in a back seat.
Have lots a fun fixing it up to your liking.

.

McMimmcs · 02-16-2021, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terminator2372

Hello everybody. I'm Jason and I just bought a 52 Customline coupe flathead V8 automatic this past weekend. I haven't had a classic in 25+ years so this is like relearning everything to me but it's going to be a fun little car.

It's a super clean car, minimal rust but needs minor stuff I know of right off the bat. I need to convert to 12V and also get the horn to work. I haven't found any horn parts for the steering wheel just yet so any help on this is greatly appreciated.

Plans are to lower the front, Salt Flat wheels, 3 deuce setup and new heads. I see Edelbrock out there but not much for Offenhauser to be honest.

Only decent pic I have for now so bear with me. Any advice you all can suggest for quality parts is greatly appreciated.

Welcome, nice looking car !

petehoovie · 02-16-2021, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terminator2372

Hello everybody. I'm Jason and I just bought a 52 Customline coupe flathead V8 automatic this past weekend. I haven't had a classic in 25+ years so this is like relearning everything to me but it's going to be a fun little car.

JSeery · 02-16-2021, 03:17 PM

Welcome to the Barn!

hotrodart · 02-16-2021, 03:17 PM

Welcome!! Terrific looking car! You might think about also joining the HAMB (jalopyjournal.com). There are lots of modified Fords on that forum, as well as hot rod parts.

Bruce_MO · 02-16-2021, 03:18 PM

I restored a ‘53 Ranch Wagon a while ago. A great supplier of lots of parts you might need is Concourse Parts. Quality and service were very good.

Good luck. That’s a neat business coupe

TJ · 02-16-2021, 04:04 PM

Welcome. Since you now own a nice looking '52 coupe you might want to consider purchasing the Early Ford V-8 Club's 1952-'53 book. It's a two volume set and will help you learn all about your "new" car. You can buy it on -line at ; www.earlyfordv8.org.

Merc Cruzer · 02-16-2021, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Oh yeah, one last thing I may have overlooked. I don't know anything about the automatic transmissions on this era car, but most automatics have a connection between the carburetor linkage and the transmission. If there is one on this car, be careful to preserve it and it's function, as not doing so can be detrimental to driveability and transmission life. If there is none, you're home free.

Here is what he is referring to.

47Monarch · 02-16-2021, 05:51 PM

Welcome

r_reed · 02-16-2021, 06:22 PM

nice to have another flatmotor hitting the road again.

deuce5wndw · 02-16-2021, 08:04 PM

Welcome!! like your car!

Newc · 02-16-2021, 08:39 PM

This is only the second yr for that transmission, and yes he linkage is critical. Also the cast iron cases are not available- All parts are generally used and mixed up. I went thru 3 cores to find a good rebuildable trans. Caution here. Building a motor in front of that trans might be a problem. I kept mine stock. Newc

02-16-2021, 09:34 AM	#2
WABOOM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Minnesota Posts: 347	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline Welcome. I like the car!

02-16-2021, 09:49 AM	#3
Zeke3 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 1,406	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline Welcome aboard, you should be able to find what you need for your car from people on the Barn.

02-16-2021, 10:42 AM	#4
joe 1950 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Green Bay Wi Posts: 400	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline congrats on your new purchase, you just got a double whammy ,your now a old Ford guy and a Barner ,doesn’t get any better than this , there great cars to enjoy ,and someone took good care of yours ,welcome aboard

02-16-2021, 10:42 AM	#5
terminator2372 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Clayton, NC Posts: 3	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline Thanks for the welcoming y'all, I appreciate and looking forward to learning all about this car and how to personalize it.

02-16-2021, 11:55 AM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline That's a nice looking car. I very much prefer coupes over the corresponding year tudor sedans. I will make a couple of comments about your proposed engine mods. First of all, to get the maximum effect from adding a set of aftermarket heads, you shouldn't just bolt them on and go. Ideally, you should do a little preliminary measuring and machining to optimize the quench and compression. (There are a myriad of threads both here and on the H.A.M.B. on how to do this.) While "3 Deuces" look cool and give you braggin' rights, they are not the optimum solution for a daily-driven car. A small four barrel and corresponding manifold or a larger 2-barrel carb on a bored Mercury manifold will provide superior driveability and minimum problems. You probably already know that the stock distributor will not work well with just about any change in carburetion you make as the advance schemes are incompatible, so it will have to be replaced. Also, while headers or at least dual exhausts don't really add much to the performance of the engine, they are almost mandatory for the looks and sound. Aftermarket heads seem to be problematic these days. I have heard rumors of delivery problems with both Offenhauser and Edelbrock and quality control problems with Navarro and Edelbrock. On top of that, prices seem to be skyrocketing. Perhaps keeping your eyes open for a used set some place. If you do find them, they should be carefully inspected to make sure they aren't damaged or milled beyond a reasonable limit. I have had good luck with used Edmunds heads lately. Good luck with your car; I'm sure you'll have a lotta fun.

02-16-2021, 12:13 PM	#8
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline Oh yeah, one last thing I may have overlooked. I don't know anything about the automatic transmissions on this era car, but most automatics have a connection between the carburetor linkage and the transmission. If there is one on this car, be careful to preserve it and it's function, as not doing so can be detrimental to driveability and transmission life. If there is none, you're home free.

02-16-2021, 12:13 PM	#9
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,410	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline I had a '54 business coupe with the short roof body style like yours. Mine had NO back seat, just a platform to hold the salesman's wares. I removed the platform (still have it in storage) and put in a back seat. Have lots a fun fixing it up to your liking. . __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN

02-16-2021, 03:17 PM	#12
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline Welcome to the Barn!

02-16-2021, 03:17 PM	#13
hotrodart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shenandoah Valley Virginia Posts: 220	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline Welcome!! Terrific looking car! You might think about also joining the HAMB (jalopyjournal.com). There are lots of modified Fords on that forum, as well as hot rod parts. Last edited by hotrodart; 02-16-2021 at 03:35 PM.

02-16-2021, 03:18 PM	#14
Bruce_MO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 433	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline I restored a ‘53 Ranch Wagon a while ago. A great supplier of lots of parts you might need is Concourse Parts. Quality and service were very good. Good luck. That’s a neat business coupe

02-16-2021, 04:04 PM	#15
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,029	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline Welcome. Since you now own a nice looking '52 coupe you might want to consider purchasing the Early Ford V-8 Club's 1952-'53 book. It's a two volume set and will help you learn all about your "new" car. You can buy it on -line at ; www.earlyfordv8.org.

02-16-2021, 05:51 PM	#17
47Monarch Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Sydney Nova Scotia Posts: 126	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline Welcome

02-16-2021, 06:22 PM	#18
r_reed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: east glenville NY Posts: 158	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline nice to have another flatmotor hitting the road again. __________________ 1949 F-1 Flatrod II (flat paint, flat motor) Keeping one more flathead alive It smoked, but gave it up 7/26/2013 East Glenville NY

02-16-2021, 08:04 PM	#19
deuce5wndw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liberty, KY Posts: 900	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline Welcome!! like your car!

02-16-2021, 08:39 PM	#20
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,482	Re: New guy intro - 1952 Customline This is only the second yr for that transmission, and yes he linkage is critical. Also the cast iron cases are not available- All parts are generally used and mixed up. I went thru 3 cores to find a good rebuildable trans. Caution here. Building a motor in front of that trans might be a problem. I kept mine stock. Newc