The Ford Barn

1929 essex · 03-26-2016, 10:43 AM

I bought a late 31 last month, its been sitting since 1971 on blocks. The engine was tight but with drain oil I got it to turn over. I would like to try and start it. What should I look for?

1930artdeco · 03-26-2016, 10:52 AM

With drain I would make sure it is totally free first. Then pull the pan as I bet there is sludge in there and you obviously don't want to block the oil pump. Then pull the valve cover just to make sure there is no sludge in the valve chamber. Put new oil in via the usual route and a quart through the distributor hole as well. Time her make sure you have gas and fire her up. Welcome and congratulations on the find. What body style and where are you located? You should be able to find a local club who can help out greatly because they are right there.

Mike

raprice · 03-26-2016, 11:10 AM

Congrats on your '31 Model A. Follow the directions on post #2 and you won't go wrong. Can you post a photo of your car? I'm sure we'd all like to see your new treasure.

Rog

1929 essex · 03-26-2016, 12:02 PM

The car is a indented firewall 2 dr Sedan, I was looking for a 2 dr because of the Grandkids. The body is super solid, the interior looks like is was redone in the 50's, It was probably painted then too, it's the perfect car for now as I don't have to worry about nicks and scraps. I put diesel drain oil in and after 5 weeks I could turn it over. So far I got the Gen and starter rebuilt I'm going to send the carb out to get rebuilt. Its got Montgomery Wards tires on it that are holding air after 6 weeks. I would like to change the water pump, can I do that without pulling the radiator? I thought I should pull the oil pan to check it, after the feedback I will. I got a new wiring harness because the old wires are starting to fray. It's cold here now so I can't work on it long but I still go out and look at it every day, I can't wait to drive it.

Lona · 03-26-2016, 01:42 PM

Suggest you use an auxiliary gas tank ( made from a 1 gal gas can & plastic hose) for your first start because a car sitting that long will have rust and condensation in the tank and mess up your carb. Don't ask me how I know! Do a search on the forum on how to clean your tank before using it. Also, a cheap pencil filter which mounts up in the tank plus a good filter on the fire wall will help trap any crap still coming from the tank after you clean it.
Glen

1931 flamingo · 03-26-2016, 01:58 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Pictures??? We all like pictures.
Paul in CT WELCOME TO THE BARN ! ! !

1929 essex · 03-26-2016, 03:28 PM

Will use a temp gas tank, Thank You. I don't have any pictures yet.

mshmodela · 03-26-2016, 04:37 PM

Congrats!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-26-2016, 09:24 PM

1929Essex,
GREAT FUN to get a new car!! Remember this: DON'T take for granted or assume what a previous owner might have done. CHECK EVERYTHING!
Vermin had been "restored" but had ONLY 1/8 cup of oil in the trans & diff!! I have NO documented history on him, but lots of old pics.
Bill W.

03-26-2016, 10:43 AM	#1
1929 essex Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Green Bay Wi Posts: 24	Just got a late 31 I bought a late 31 last month, its been sitting since 1971 on blocks. The engine was tight but with drain oil I got it to turn over. I would like to try and start it. What should I look for?

03-26-2016, 11:10 AM	#3
raprice Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elwood, NY Posts: 299	Re: Just got a late 31 Congrats on your '31 Model A. Follow the directions on post #2 and you won't go wrong. Can you post a photo of your car? I'm sure we'd all like to see your new treasure. Rog

03-26-2016, 12:02 PM	#4
1929 essex Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Green Bay Wi Posts: 24	Re: Just got a late 31 The car is a indented firewall 2 dr Sedan, I was looking for a 2 dr because of the Grandkids. The body is super solid, the interior looks like is was redone in the 50's, It was probably painted then too, it's the perfect car for now as I don't have to worry about nicks and scraps. I put diesel drain oil in and after 5 weeks I could turn it over. So far I got the Gen and starter rebuilt I'm going to send the carb out to get rebuilt. Its got Montgomery Wards tires on it that are holding air after 6 weeks. I would like to change the water pump, can I do that without pulling the radiator? I thought I should pull the oil pan to check it, after the feedback I will. I got a new wiring harness because the old wires are starting to fray. It's cold here now so I can't work on it long but I still go out and look at it every day, I can't wait to drive it.

03-26-2016, 01:42 PM	#5
Lona Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gloucester, Va Posts: 464	Re: Just got a late 31 Suggest you use an auxiliary gas tank ( made from a 1 gal gas can & plastic hose) for your first start because a car sitting that long will have rust and condensation in the tank and mess up your carb. Don't ask me how I know! Do a search on the forum on how to clean your tank before using it. Also, a cheap pencil filter which mounts up in the tank plus a good filter on the fire wall will help trap any crap still coming from the tank after you clean it. Glen __________________ '31 Model A Deluxe Roadster '31 Chrysler Model 70 Sedan '88 Pontiac Fiero GT '36 Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

03-26-2016, 01:58 PM	#6
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: Just got a late 31 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Pictures??? We all like pictures. Paul in CT WELCOME TO THE BARN ! ! !

03-26-2016, 10:52 AM	#2
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,550	Re: Just got a late 31 With drain I would make sure it is totally free first. Then pull the pan as I bet there is sludge in there and you obviously don't want to block the oil pump. Then pull the valve cover just to make sure there is no sludge in the valve chamber. Put new oil in via the usual route and a quart through the distributor hole as well. Time her make sure you have gas and fire her up. Welcome and congratulations on the find. What body style and where are you located? You should be able to find a local club who can help out greatly because they are right there. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

03-26-2016, 03:28 PM	#7
1929 essex Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Green Bay Wi Posts: 24	Re: Just got a late 31 Will use a temp gas tank, Thank You. I don't have any pictures yet.

03-26-2016, 04:37 PM	#8
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: Just got a late 31 Congrats! __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

03-26-2016, 09:24 PM	#9
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Just got a late 31 1929Essex, GREAT FUN to get a new car!! Remember this: DON'T take for granted or assume what a previous owner might have done. CHECK EVERYTHING! Vermin had been "restored" but had ONLY 1/8 cup of oil in the trans & diff!! I have NO documented history on him, but lots of old pics. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode