The Ford Barn

Dan Robertson · 04-05-2016, 03:54 AM

I have inherited a 1950 Ford Custom 4-door when my Dad passed away in early March. My Dad inherited it from his Aunt, who bought it new in 1950. It is in extremely good condition with only 32K on it and has been parked since 1976 or so. I don't believe that the spare tire has ever been on the car. We live in Northern Maine and the car has never seen a winter day in its life. My Dad used to put it up on jack stands and let it run in high gear for about 45 minutes each summer but he hasn't done that for a long time. We did pour some Marvel Mystery Oil down all of the the spark plug holes a few years ago and turned it over with a 12 volt battery and booster cables. It's been parked on a doubled tarp in a garage with a dirt floor. I have got to check the brakes, wheel cylinders, master cylinder, brake lines, fuel lines, etc. before I run it. As far as I know it has 10-30 Pennzoil in it, which I intend to continue as it will not be run in the cold weather. The antifreeze has been changed but I'm not sure about the gear oil so I will be looking into that as well. The gas tank sprung a leak quite a few years ago and my Dad had it repaired by coating the inside. I will be checking into that as well as we now have ethanol in our gas which may react to whatever it was coated with. DennisCarpenter.com lists new tanks so if all else fails, I will be going that route. I live about 50 miles from where the car is parked so I am going to have a flat bed wrecker bring it home for me. If anyone has any input on what else I should be aware of please let me know.

49 Spinner · 04-05-2016, 06:13 AM

Sounds like you have great car in your hands with a nice history to go with it. Chris and Holli at www.shoebox-central.com are a wealth of knowledge on the 49-50Fords.

corvette8n · 04-05-2016, 06:59 AM

You pretty much covered it, change all the fluids, make sure the engine is not stuck, I'd run it off a small gas tank until you can assess the tank. Also I would wire brush the connections of the ground to starter,frame. Please post pictures when you get it home.

JSeery · 04-05-2016, 07:47 AM

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If the car has had Pennzoil in it for several years (over time when it was running, not setting) it could well have a lot of sludge in it. Pennzoil is (or at least it was) a high sulfur oil and can create an unbelievable amount of sludge buildup. You will be able to tell when you pull the intake manifold. It is fairly simple to get the intake off.

04-05-2016, 03:54 AM	#1
Dan Robertson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Northern Maine Posts: 2	1950 Custom I have inherited a 1950 Ford Custom 4-door when my Dad passed away in early March. My Dad inherited it from his Aunt, who bought it new in 1950. It is in extremely good condition with only 32K on it and has been parked since 1976 or so. I don't believe that the spare tire has ever been on the car. We live in Northern Maine and the car has never seen a winter day in its life. My Dad used to put it up on jack stands and let it run in high gear for about 45 minutes each summer but he hasn't done that for a long time. We did pour some Marvel Mystery Oil down all of the the spark plug holes a few years ago and turned it over with a 12 volt battery and booster cables. It's been parked on a doubled tarp in a garage with a dirt floor. I have got to check the brakes, wheel cylinders, master cylinder, brake lines, fuel lines, etc. before I run it. As far as I know it has 10-30 Pennzoil in it, which I intend to continue as it will not be run in the cold weather. The antifreeze has been changed but I'm not sure about the gear oil so I will be looking into that as well. The gas tank sprung a leak quite a few years ago and my Dad had it repaired by coating the inside. I will be checking into that as well as we now have ethanol in our gas which may react to whatever it was coated with. DennisCarpenter.com lists new tanks so if all else fails, I will be going that route. I live about 50 miles from where the car is parked so I am going to have a flat bed wrecker bring it home for me. If anyone has any input on what else I should be aware of please let me know.

04-05-2016, 06:13 AM	#2
49 Spinner Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 22	Re: 1950 Custom Sounds like you have great car in your hands with a nice history to go with it. Chris and Holli at www.shoebox-central.com are a wealth of knowledge on the 49-50Fords.

04-05-2016, 06:59 AM	#3
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,950	Re: 1950 Custom You pretty much covered it, change all the fluids, make sure the engine is not stuck, I'd run it off a small gas tank until you can assess the tank. Also I would wire brush the connections of the ground to starter,frame. Please post pictures when you get it home.

04-05-2016, 07:47 AM	#4
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 1950 Custom Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If the car has had Pennzoil in it for several years (over time when it was running, not setting) it could well have a lot of sludge in it. Pennzoil is (or at least it was) a high sulfur oil and can create an unbelievable amount of sludge buildup. You will be able to tell when you pull the intake manifold. It is fairly simple to get the intake off.