1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

I have always found the early Ford V8’s fascinating. Now at the age of 31 I have finally obtained my very own to service and enjoy. Back in June of this year 2020 an opportunity approached regarding a 1936 Ford Tudor Touring Deluxe. An elderly gentleman was selling the car and had only owned it for two years. Digging deeper regarding the car’s history I discovered it was put up on blocks in a garage back in 1984.

The car sat in that garage undisturbed until 2018. The elderly gentleman pulled the car from storage and had a mechanic replace the gas tank and install a post war fuel pump and carb. Fuel system working again, he only drove the car twice. Put back in the garage shortly after the fuel service in 2018, the car sat once again until my purchasing just recently this summer 2020.

This old Ford was the very first early V8 I had ever seen in person. I did not know about the Early Ford V8 Club of America. I did not know about the Ford Barn. I didn’t know a single soul who had ever owned a 1930’s Ford V8. Going off the information from the old man, I was led to believe this 1936 Ford Touring sedan was an all original deluxe survivor car. At this moment, let us just say the old man was maybe partially right.

I have been digging into the car and studying more about these early V8’s, especially the 1935/1936-year cars. I have the club book and 15 other books/brochures/service books detailing 1935/1936 as well as 1932-1940 V8’s. I have been committing several hours 6 days a week to reading and studying about this car. I want to know the 1935/1936-year cars inside and out. Now three months into the car and my Ford books, things are starting to look incorrect regarding mechanical and cosmetic items on the car.

There are items I am still scratching my head on when it comes to authenticity and the identity of what this car was off the line new in 1936. I wanted to document my servicing and research thru a general topic here on the forum for those who are interested as well as those seeking more information on the 1936 year Ford car. There will be plenty of questions along the way; I am brand new with Ford V8’s. This is my first pre-war car and my first mechanical experience with a pre-war car.

On the side I have been reading and studying up regarding the 1936-year Ford, all of it’s features as well as general motoring applications regarding 1930’s cars and the technology used during that time regarding mechanical items and definitions. I grew up in the 1990’s, so this pre-war car stuff is brand new to me. I am ready and willing to learn. I am the type of person that hits the ground running, so let us get started!

I will be including a YouTube video series to document the servicing of the car for those interested.


YouTube Exterior video (Disclaimer: thru much research, I now know the car is not 90-100 percent original!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2r3butdXZY&t=111s

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

My first order of business post purchasing will be the mechanical servicing of the car. I drove the car on 6 occasions before putting it in the garage for winter servicing. All 6 of these occasions were 5 to 10 min. trips around the block. This is all the car would do before sputtering, overheating, and grinding gears. Now with that said, I have been driving a standard transmission since I was 15. This transmission seems different from a modern one; I have noticed I have to shift the transmission in this Ford slowly to allow for the synchronizer to engage. Prior to hopping into the car for the first time, I already knew reverse and 1st are not synchronized. I have since discovered am having a general transmission problem, more on that later!

Several major finding while the car was driven around the block:
- Temp. gauge fluid rose to top of sight glass within 10 minutes of running and driving
- Car would sputter, lose power upon acceleration
- Car had trouble shifting between gears, mainly 1st and 2nd
- 3rd gear was only obtained on two occasions, seemed to work fine
- Down shift from 3rd to 2nd on those two occasions seemed to work fine

I was ultra-excited to have my very own pre-war car, especially a Ford V8. I was very eager to drive it on the road. These small “outings” quickly made me realize I was going to have to perform some major service work on the car.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Nice looking 36. I see nothing wrong with the car other than the accessory grill guard. That is not a Ford authorized accessory, but I sort of like them myself. Welcome to the barn.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

The tires must be decades old and are clearly unsafe to use today. Gum dipped Firestone deluxe, each tire is stamped “made in New Zealand”! The white walls on each are checkered. The spare has never been used before and has a nice bulge on one side. Guess the tube inside is possibly going bad? I would guess these tires are at least 30 years old or even older.

Nice to see the accessory stainless steel wheel bands on all 5 wheels!!

A harbor freight interior upholstery tool made from plastic is the finest tool to pull the hubcaps, no marring at all!! This was recommended here on this forum! Thanks to those who recommended this tool.

Jon

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Lawson, thank you for this information. I have been wondering about the grille guard. I took off the guard several weeks ago and have removed it for good.

Jon

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

The previous owner told me the car used to run in parades and car shows back in the early 1980s and before. He did not own the car back then though. Digging in the trunk I located three boxes of small parts. Two of the boxes had an old address (likely the owner before this old man) dated 1980 and 1982. Several old sales receipts for reproduction Ford V8 spring shackles, cotter pins, and bearings were dated 1980. The glove box contained quite a few items from the 1980s. One of those items included a map dated from the early 1980s. The previous owner didn’t know much regarding the car’s history. He purchased it at an estate auction back in 2018, owned prior by a deceased friend who had it for several years prior to passing.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

[QUOTE=Ketronj281989;1940120]I have always found the early Ford V8’s fascinating. Now at the age of 31 I have finally obtained my very own to service and enjoy. This old Ford was the very first early V8 I had ever seen in person./QUOTE]
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1602338329

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

A good way to check the engine temperature is with an IR gun. Check it at the output of the water pump where it connects to the radiator hose (assuming water pumps located in the front of the heads).

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Hi! I like your car, i have a 36 Pickup, when I first got it I new a little about it I have messed with later Flatheads but not a early one. I have learned a lot hear on the Barn. and from reading and working on it. i like watching your videos on you tube. when your working on your car, one thing i can say is take your time, and don't be in a big hurry

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

I did a 36 Ford four door that was a one family owned car-the original owner was a Ford dealership owner which was the current owners great grand father. Ms Ida as we named the car was a wealth of originality but too far gone to just clean and drive.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Hi there from Down-under. Welcome to Ford Barn and the Early Ford V8 Club of America. I am sure that you will get all the problems sorted out with a bunch of experts on Ford Barn to steer you in the right direction. At 31 years of age, you are the next generation that we need to keep these old Ford V8's on the road and continue enjoying and promoting them for generations to came. Regards Mercman <><

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Welcome to the barn, I have a 36 slantback but no where as nice as yours.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Welcome to Fordbarn from New Zealand.
You mention the tyres (tires) are stamped made in New Zealand.
Firestone in NZ made a big range of vintage tyres here before selling the moulds to the USA. This i would guess from memory was around 20-25 years ago so your tyres are going to be at least that age.
I have a set of 17" here that were one of the last sets made. I have had them in dark storage since then and am going to use them on my cabriolet.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Congratulations, Looks like you got yourself a nice car! Ricks Antique Auto Parts.... I remember buying some of my first parts there in about 1980 also.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

I will be following your progress. I too recently bought a 36 4 door touring sedan. It runs great and is all original. I believe I am the 4th owner. I had a 38 Chevy Master for years and sold it over 10 years ago and have been looking for years to replace it. I am considering a couple of changes to my car as well. One would be converting to 12 volt from 6. The other is from the original mechanical brakes to Hydraulic. I understand the pros and cons of changeover of the 6 t 12 volt ( I mainly like the idea of recharging the battery and lights being better). However the expense of changing over the brake system to hydraulic seems like it could be cost prohibited. I am wondering if there is a kit out there that is made to accomplish the task or would I need to invest in a lot of parts and possible have to change the wheels. Since I would be adding a master cylinder, would it be better to split the system, which is what I did on my 38 Chevy with two master cylinders, so the car would have both front and back independent stopping power. Perhaps there is a shop in the Northern California area near Sacramento that does this kind of work.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Ketronj, you need to link your videos here.
Everyone needs to watch his videos. His manner and delivery are great. For someone so new to the material, he’s really done his home work.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Ketronj that is one NEAT '36 Ford! I like it!!

Congratulations, you did well. You'll have a lot of fun with the car and meet some pretty nice folks along the way:)

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

If you are an Early Ford V-8 Club member check your roster for members who live in Sacramento or near by. They would know of people who can help with the brakes. if not a member the $35 to join and get the V-8 Times magazine is well worth the price. www.earlyfordv8.org.

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

JSeery,

I appreciate this tip. I have a IR gun and have used it to test the temp at each output as well as top and bottom of radiator. A temp gun works great when troubleshooting!

Jon

Re: 1936 Ford V8 Service/Restoration Thread
 

Brendan,

Thanks for your comments. The 36 pickup truck is a nice one! The Ford Barn and early V8 club forum have been a great resource for information and guidance. As I learn more I hope to eventually contribute as you all have kindly been doing. Glad you are enjoying the YouTube videos. I feel the videos provide as a great resource for those whom may have a 1936 car. I appreciate the advice, I will be sure to take my time on this one!

Jon