Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Hi Y'all, I'm Larry. During the day I restore artwork for museums and private collectors in the greater southeastern united states. By night and weekend I tinker with old cars for fun. I already had too many cars but when a close V8 club friend passed away recently I was given the opportunity to acquire his car I decided to stretch and add it to my "fleet". According to the paper work I have the car was restored in April of 1977 by a Kenneth Jolly. Anyone know of him? In 1977 it was sold to a Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Rivers who showed it around the Cartersville, GA area and won its last First Place trophy in June of 1987 scoring 200 out of 200 possible points. The car was bought in February 1988 with 2800 miles on the restoration to my friend Bruce for $9000. Bruce had a '50's MG he drove regularly while the '34 sat with one issue or another. It was never reliable and often would leave him stranded. 15 years ago he had some work done to prepare it for one of his daughters weddings. It made that event but again left him stranded shortly thereafter. In the 37 years Bruce had it was garaged nearly the whole time as he drove it only 946 miles. The car is factory stock, mechanical brakes, 6V, bias plys and all. The exterior paint is a respray that is cracked, scratched and mold spotted and the interior appears to be mostly original and slightly worn and bug eaten. I will have tons of questions and need lots of additional advice. My local V8 group is shrinking and hardly anybody actually can still drive an old car let alone works on their cars. Enough chatting here are a few pics.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

good looking car. There is no reason it cannot be made dependable and a good driver. Hope you can locate someone close that can help. All my EV9s are still 6v, I have added under frame elec fuel pumps for vapor lock emergencies.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1759952979

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1759952979

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1759952979

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

My reply should have EV8s instead of ev9s

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

In My Opinion a great start is to have the distributor, coil and condenser checked out by one of the places with distributor machines, Such as Skip Heney in Fla. or Third Gen Auto in Tenn. This can eliminate several problems and keep the car running. Skip can also rebuild original coils using modern technology inside.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

The Ford Barn has a lot of solid folks who really know these cars - you'll find tons of helpful folks who can assist you in any/all questions related to your car. There is no reason it can't be made extremely reliable - as these are not very complicated automobiles.

Welcome to the Barn and we look forward to you making your car a reliable addition to your stable!

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

If you doubt that these cars can be reliable, check out some of the threads by member "Lawrie" on this very forum. He travels thousands of trouble-free miles through the Australian Outback every year in his essentially stock 34's. When he takes his sedan, it will be pulling his "Caravan" (travel trailer to you).

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Thanks all for the welcome. Thus far I have started sorting things in the engine compartment. The plug wires are cracked, the spark plugs are the sootiest I have ever seen, one plug wire was not firmly seated in the cap and its hole was very sooty as well. The points on the drivers side were dirty, passenger side not so much. I tried to take off the distributor but it was not willing to release even with a couple of good whacks from a leather mallet. I could wiggle it but it held fast, so I cleaned everything carefully and figured good enough for now. The rotor was blackened from tar from a leaking coil. I definitely need to send the coil out to skip. I tried to email him but have not yet heard back. Do literally I just stick it in the box with a note and a check for $83?


A few more pics, as everybody likes pictures. The ladies in the house approve, so does my son but he is off to college.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

There are three bolts and a metal line on 34 dist. From what you have said, your dist really needs to be set up on a machine. CAUTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is only one way the dist will go back on because the tang that drives it is off set. If you cannot put it back with your hands so that it fits flush with the gasket on all sides, it is not right and will break when the bolts are tightened. Its not a hard job once you geet the feel of it and goes easier with the coil off and spark plug wire tubes taken loose and out of the way. Removing the fan belt may also help.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1760041707

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1760041707

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1760041707

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1760041707

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1760041707

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1760041707

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

A body number tag was installed by the company that assembled and made the body. They are found usually on open cars. I believe the 34 Coupe body was made by Ford if so it should not have a body tag. 770 is Fords model number for a 5-W coupe, the number after LB is the consecutive body number made by the Mfg for that year.
Third Gen Auto in Tenn should have the original style plug wires see their web site.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Larry, The only thing I see that is wrong with this nice looking '34 is that it is not in my garage!!

You are on the right track by sending your coil to Skip. Like mentioned above, 3rd Gen Auto in Tenn can help you with the electricals etc. Any debris in the sediment bowl? Make certain you have fresh gas.

Good luck with your new ride...she is a beauty!

Stay safe!
Pat

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Yes the fuel bowl and filter had quite a bit of rust flakes but not totally clogged (I cleaned it out and put in a new filter). I shined a light in the tank, it looks pretty crusty. There is a big 4x6 welded patch on the bottom and what looks like some small hole welding lumps beneath the black paint. Its on my list to take out before the winter chill hits so I can do it outside as there is not quite enough room in my over crowded garage to pull it all out the backside. I hope to clean it out and reuse if possible but a new Drake one is only $400 and good insurance. We still have radiator shops here that will dip them.


I'm hoping to stop in to Third Gen next month, I'm working just down the road at the Buddhist retreat on their murals for a day. I have a looooooong shopping list.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

The car came with a VERY heavy wooden suitcase holding some very shiny tools. I assume this is a complete set of 1934 tools. Any tool experts that can enlighten me on if I am missing something or if they are actually correct for 1934? There is one spot where something has obviously been removed. The missing spot looks like it was possibly a business card or a brass plate with some past owners name that was removed? The faded spot measures 1 3/4" x 3 3/4". Any clue what might have gone there? If its not something specific I will probably just have a trophy shop make a plate that simply states 1934 Ford.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

I would polish up that old paint and drive the heck out of it once the issues are corrected. A very nice 5 window.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

X2 !

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Larry,

Those are likely the correct tools. Owners often put them in cases like that to display them for judging Early Ford V-8 Club national meets.

Ken

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

I need one of these to fall into my lap. I'd daily drive the hell out of that car.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

I was talking with the wife last night about how much I intend to use it and at what rate I would thus need consumables (that I should stockpile now). I figure I will use it about 2000 miles a year (I have a few old cars but this one is my absolute favorite, it is just so beautiful and classy!). I'm 53, my parents are both still alive, healthy and driving at 78 and 82 thus I figure I have at a minimum 30 years of enjoyment of this car ahead of me (I've had my '47 Chevy coupe for 27 years so that is no stretch for me). At a total of about 60,000 miles of usage I will need to do several rounds of wires, plugs, caps, rotors, points and on and on. 60k should avoid an engine rebuild if all goes swimmingly. Ive been lucky thus far on eBay not having any competition for low cost NORS and NOS bits and pieces and hope to eventually have 6 sets of everything in a bin for 10,000 mile service intervals. I know some stuff will have to be bought fresh like condensers but plugs, caps and rotors will not go bad sitting around and other things like wires should last a lot longer than 10k miles. Am I nuts, or is my thinking correct on this consumable usage? Is 10,000 miles (5 years at my intended use rate) between tune ups realistic? I have not had a points car since the late 1990's (other old cars either have modified late model factory distributors or pertronix).

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

That is The Plan right there. It looks better in pics than in real life, but it is really sweet. It is seriously scratched, cracked and worn at the edges but to a perfect level that another scratch will go unnoticed and not cause any mental anguish. I will admit to polishing one of the door tops and it comes up wonderfully but I'm trying not to get distracted with bling until its reliably cruising.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

I drive my '37 Tudor hard on a daily basis, except for winter time. Micheal Driskell set up my distributor and I rebuilt the fuel pump with an ethanol resistant diaphragm. Skip Haney rebuilt my coil. I have 4000 miles on the car in almost 3 years. The paint is old and crusty. The engine, transmission and rear end were rebuilt when I put the old car back into service. I also rebuilt the entire front end. I'd drive that junk coast to coast if I had the time.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

You could have edited it out.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

give it a good polish, check front end and brakes and all electrical wiring. DRIVE IT. ..............AND..... keep that storage space from caving in on the car, sheesh there's a lot piled in there.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Very nice car. Get it running right, polish it up, and start racking up the miles.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Larry - hope to meet you and see the car one day. I’m about the same age and live in Marietta.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Yes! this is a good start, also have your coil rebuilt. i had this done on my 36 pickup, my pickup is very dependable

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Yes, I have 15 pounds in a 10 pound garage. If I get rid of any of of it I will need it the next week! I really need a shed but cannot bring myself to spend $3500 on a wooden box to put a $50 lawnmower and my vintage bicycles in. The other bay has a blow apart '40 coupe projects that is encroaching on the space. That "should" be going back together, but I bought this new distraction. No girlfriend like a new girlfriend.


It needs kingpins, parts already here, on the list.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

I actually hang out in Marietta quite a bit with the Rottenwood Garage guys. If you know of them they generally build Model A's and Chevy C10 trucks. Dave's black extended cab A pick-up on Jeep running gear "Model J" is/was their calling card. I tend to hit Piedmont Church most months and sometimes Worship in one of my other cars. I have two fieros one black and one silver both Formulas, a blue/white and rust 56 Pontiac 2door wagon and a black 47 chevy coupe with blue firewall and no hood; you might have seen one of them. When this one is road worthy I will try and get it up there occasionally but its all highway for me as I'm ITP though there are slow ways to get there.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

I sent the coil off to Skip. While I am waiting, I pulled the carb off. I found it to be very clean outside and inside with just a bit of residue but the brass float was heavy. I shook it and there was obviously gas inside and the boiling water test found a small crack. Might explain the very sooty plugs. There is a helicoil where the inlet goes but looks fine to me and no evidence of leakage. The pump leather is surprisingly good and all passages were clear. I did take it apart and flush it with my homemade carb cleaner (acetone, ethanol, toluene and xylene mix) run thru a spray gun set to round pattern. All cleaned up and new float on order. One bit at a time and Ill have a runner.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

That would cause it to flood and run rich for sure.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1760830163

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1760830163

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

I prefer Stromberg Carburetor parts (see their web site for parts and service info) Max Musgrove is their technician he rebuilds and offer's advice, order from him directly. The model 40 is the correct Stromberg Carb. yours could be one. The brass idle mixture adjustment screws shown above are original style with half a slot on top.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Pretty sure you guys already know each other :D

Larry, that is a beautiful 34. I can't wait to see it back on the road. What is the local V8 group you are part of?

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Zack, we may as its a small crowd of us types around here, hard to tell who is who on a forum in real life. You probably know if I know them before I will.


This car is too nice. Its so much further along than my '40 ever will be in a realistic time frame. I'd like to make Russ' event in November with it but one piece at a time is moving kind of slowly but its how I work. I gave myself a year when I bought it but probably spring at the earliest.


Local V8 is RG#24 of the EFV8 club. We meet just up the road from me at JR's Loghouse on 141 on first Tuesdays at 1pm most months. November and December we will not as there are other events scheduled. When I joined 11 years ago when I got the '40 I was the youngest guy of around 80 members. Covid didn't kill them physically but they aged a lot during that time (most were older to begin with). Now I am still the youngest but we are down to around 25 plus spouses with about a dozen regularly active. Average of members age is easily high 70's with several in their 90's and me the lone 50something. I've been President for 5 years. Only a few still have rolling cars and only one is pre-war a very nice 36 trunk back fordoor (there is a sleeping '39 I've never seen). Rest are all early 50's, a few are woodies. Some have moved on to power steering and air conditioned 60's fords.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

On the new parts front I went ahead and got a new Drake tank. I'd been watching it for a while and Speedway had them "on sale" with free shipping. I also had an eBay 10% off coupon from buying too much stuff so to the door it was $375. I figured that was good insurance for a car I intend to keep for 30 years. No sure what I am going to do about the gauge. I see there is a adapter plate to put the hydrostatic sender in the Drake tank. Not even sure if it works. none of my hot rods have never had a functioning gas gauge, just take a pic of mileage and fill up after 150 miles. This one has a trip odometer so I don't even have to take a pic just reset and fill up. I am thinking one of two ways: adapt the hydrostatic sender by cutting the top of the old tank out and drilling holes that adapt it to the drake tank or trying adapt an early ford electric gas gauge from something like a 1938 behind the '34 gauge front and using an electric float sender. Probably need to make up my mind before I take the tank out........any ideas? If either does not work there is always the trip odometer.


Also Skip came through lightning fast with the coil. It looks great and I will get it on there in the next day or two. I replaced the ballast resistor with the modern style one, was getting very low voltage at coil, and I am still getting a too low reading through it. 6.5 at the ignition switch, 6.2v in to the resistor but only 2.4v out at the terminal and still 2.4v down at the coil so its not the coil wire it is the resistor. I have another modern style to try before I pay the $29 to get the old style one.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1761001864

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1761001864

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1761001864

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

When either of the distributor points are closed, the voltage to the coil is reduced to about 3.V that is what your seeing. To get the highest voltage at the coil make sure all of the wires connections at the ignition switch, resistor and coil are clean and tight. Great to also check at the battery and foot start switch.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

Ok, moving forward. Got the car up on ramps and cribbing so I could get under and check things out real well. There was a lot of smoothing going on with the frame and floors. The frame does have some really deep pitting on its upper surfaces, stuff I would have cut out and replaced but 50 years ago when it was restored they blasted it and painted it. I'm not tearing it apart, it is what it is and that is good enough for me. The transmission is leaking from the drain plug and the rear end is leaking from several bell bolts and the drain and fill plugs. I have yet to check fluid levels. The only thing I see that needs immediate attention is half the brake clevises have nuts welded onto them. I am guessing their internal threads are stripped and the nuts are now the threads. Those have to go. I got the gas tank out. I was expecting it to be really horrible. It was not all that bad. The worse part was getting the band off the spare tire. That is not easy to do or I must not know the secret. The '34 sending thingie is trashed. Lots of cracks, perforated tubes and the bottom part is all rusted out. The vent was totally clogged. Might explain some of Bruce's issues with it dying out. The hydrostatic gauge port was plugged with a cork. There is a thin hose coming of the gauge back but I guess it goes to no where or was just for show. The new drake tank is very nice. It has a valve in the filler neck like a new car that you put the pump nozzle through to keep fuel from splashing back out when you fill it. I have ordered a stock drake 36-56 sending unit and intend to used an electric gauge behind the '34 face and housing.

Re: Waking up a Sleeping Beauty, 1934 5 window
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1761433989

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1761433989

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1761433989


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1761433989

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1761433989

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1761433989