Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by itsa52

Looks like you are going to need some parts for the top mechanism too.. I switched my Merc back to hydraulic, love it.. Ford went back to hydraulic in 54, Merc in 55, not sure why they switched Ford first

I have all the parts (I think), they were in the trunk

[Chris]

Well first official "out of the neighborhood" drive tonight. Went about 15 miles and it did fine. Front end is a little loose and rattley, I'll have to go through it this winter

[Chris]

We are supposed to drive the 53 to a wedding this afternoon but it's a rainy day. Regardless, I spent the morning buffing the car and trying to bring the paint back to life. For me not really knowing what I'm doing it shined up pretty well


Before



After




And done

[Vic Piano]

Lookin Sharp.

[funrunr]

Just finished reading this thread over AGAIN, your car is growing on me. Looking great especially the tail light lenses and polish job. Nice touch!

[GrandpasA]

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Damn sweet ride, it's growing on me too... Love the green and vert top...
I have a similar ride in similar shape, I drive it every day, but it needs some front end love, this winter as well it will be done...

[Chris]

Got it on the highway today. Did really well. Cruises just fine at 55-60. If I really stand in the gas or climb a long hill it will loose power and buck a little like its starving for fuel. If I let off the gas for a couple seconds it's fine. So it is starving for fuel. But why? I checked the float level and it was fine. Maybe the pump can't keep up? I rebuilt the fuel pump and every single piece of the fuel system is new (including line). Anyone have ideas? It's nothing that will keep me on the side of the road I don't think, but annoying none the less

[Steves46]

Chris, was the tank cleaned or new? Maybe debris is getting caught in the pick-up tube. Steve

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Steves46

Chris, was the tank cleaned or new? Maybe debris is getting caught in the pick-up tube. Steve

I suspect the same thing as Steve. Crud in the tank.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by TJ

I suspect the same thing as Steve. Crud in the tank.

Originally Posted by Steves46

Chris, was the tank cleaned or new? Maybe debris is getting caught in the pick-up tube. Steve

I had the tank professionally cleaned, all new lines, filter, pump and carb. Every single piece of the fuel system is new. I'll pull the sender and look inside but I suspect it's clean

[Vic Piano]

Maybe it's not a fuel problem... Could be electrical...

[funrunr]

You could try putting in an inline electric fuel pump ( cheap and easy) run off toggle and see if it helps next time.

Edit; I also had to install fuel regulator, the elect. pump is 2-5# and was flooding carbs (97's), I had to adjust a couple times until 2 1/4- 2 1/2# runs good. These are not acurate regulators

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

Maybe it's not a fuel problem... Could be electrical...

I am 99% sure it is fuel...it does fine in town and cruising along. When the demand for fuel is high (running hard or climbing a long hill) it will start loosing power and bucking like it is running out of gas. If I keep my foot in it the problem gets worse. If I let off the gas and let the fuel pump catch up its fine for a little while. If I slowly climb a hill the problem never occurs. Just makes sense that the fuel supply cannot keep up with the demand

[Chris]

Originally Posted by funrunr

You could try putting in an inline electric fuel pump ( cheap and easy) run off toggle and see if it helps next time.

Edit; I also had to install fuel regulator, the elect. pump is 2-5# and was flooding carbs (97's), I had to adjust a couple times until 2 1/4- 2 1/2# runs good. These are not acurate regulators

I have a new carter 6V pump ready to install...but it should not need it and I'd like to figure out what's going on. I'll keep messing around with it but if worse comes to worse I'll install the electric pump

[V8COOPMAN]

Could be a little wear on the fuel pump lobe on the cam. DD

[Gumpy]

Car looks like fun, I like the floor shift!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Could be a little wear on the fuel pump lobe on the cam. DD

Yes I am wondering that as well. I compared the push rod to a new one and the length was the same so it's not the rod. Do you think it would hurt anything if I stuck a small shim between the pump and push rod? Give a little more lift?


The car had an electric pump on it when I bought it, bypassing the original pump. So there may have been a problem to begin with.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Chris

Yes I am wondering that as well. I compared the push rod to a new one and the length was the same so it's not the rod. Do you think it would hurt anything if I stuck a small shim between the pump and push rod? Give a little more lift?


The car had an electric pump on it when I bought it, bypassing the original pump. So there may have been a problem to begin with.

I've read about guys putting a 1/8"-thick chunk of leather out of an old belt to accomplish such. DD

[Chris]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

I've read about guys putting a 1/8"-thick chunk of leather out of an old belt to accomplish such. DD

Ha! I'll give it a shot

[Chris]

The mail man was nice to me yesterday, I won this on Ebay for what I thought was a pretty good deal considering what restored ones go for. It needs some work but will be perfect in the Sunliner