Introduction, Hello my '51 Club Coupe

[F-ONE]

Originally Posted by flatford8

That’s interesting!.....I’ve never heard/read that.....I’ve always believed the Mercury’s were supposed to be a bigger, fancier “upscale” car than the Fords.
I’ve wanted a ‘49 Coupe so I could have one from each year and one from three of the body styles but I’ve read a lot about the ‘49’s rush to production issues.I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts and seeing you enjoying your car!.....Mark

I've got to post this movie clip. This is what started my love affair with these cars. That and tales of Mr. Layfields 3 49-51 Fords that my grandfather worked on in the late 50s.

Mr. Layfields cars were black and brush scratched. All three had hot 3x2 V8s under the hood, overdrive with Victoria (automatic) rear ends. My daddy said that when they were right, In second overdrive they'd go past 90, in high they'd pass a mile post every 66 seconds. My grandfather had a mechanic shop and those were hard times. Mr. Layfield always paid in cash and my Grandfather kept his mouth shut.
All three were tankers or "Blockcaders".

My brother and I wore out a VHS tape. We slowed it down, he does complete the "bootlegger roll".
This is Lucas Doolin's (Robert Mitchum) 1951 Sedan with a '49 hood and '50 Grille.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJbGUL-UfzA

[tubman]

"in high they'd pass a mile post every 66 seconds". Are you sure that's what you meant to say? That's less than 60 mph (unless you have very long miles where you live).

[F-ONE]

Originally Posted by tubman

"in high they'd pass a mile post every 66 seconds". Are you sure that's what you meant to say? That's less than 60 mph (unless you have very long miles where you live).

Twas every 36 seconds or 100MPH. I fixed it.

[corvette8n]

Welcome, nice car, my first car was a 1950 sedan, I miss that old shoebox.

[Zeke3]

Welcome aboard. I just noticed the oil change stickers clear up the top of the door opening. That shows the whole chronology of service events, which is real cool.
When I worked at a gas station, I would pull off the old sticker and put the new one in the same place. Little did I know then.

[F-ONE]

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What I've done so far.

The car would barely run. Maybe this had something to do with it?
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Carburetor was filthy so I rebuilt the 94 from my '50.
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
The linkage was funky and there was a difference in the carburetors. The '50 carburetor used a throttle ball whereas the carburetor on the car used clips.

Look at this junk, a screen door spring and bailing wire wrapped clamed down by the generator bolt.
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
I had to make new linkage out of a F-1 Throttle rod I had laying around. I had to cut it thread it in a die and bend it.
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
The car would barely crank and refused to crank hot. I was anticipating rebuilding the starter but the only thing wrong was corrosion on the primary leads. Instead of slow cranking I get that familiar 6V Ford starter note.

With a fresh 94 on it and a good cap and new points, it ran worse. I misread the manual and set the points to 6cyl specs, Ooops. I corrected that.

I could not find the mark to set the timing so I used a gauge and set it by ear. The car still had a miss or skip.

There was no oil filter so I decide to take the one off the '50 flathead and put it on this one.
To do this I thought it may be best to remove the crossover and install headers.
I had these from my '50.
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr

This is where things got really dicey. They used the wrong sized bolts in the front exhausts. They used 3/8 whereas it requires 7/16. They used studs and glued them in with sealer. It was touch and go but I was able to chase the threads and clean them up.
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr

I can't express how meticulous that job was. All of it was done by hand and with utmost care. I knew if I cross threaded the tap it would be all over. I had to use the small file and countersink to get the damaged hole to accept the chase bolt. I was very fortunate that I was able to repair the threads.
This is another access point to get to exhaust.
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr

I got the block threads repaired. The headers on and the oil filter installed....
more to come

[tubman]

Just curious; have you done a compression test yet?

[Shoebox]

Like others have said, very nice looking car. I still want a coupe myself.

[F-ONE]

No tubman not yet.
The vacuum gauge reads 20 inches at idle.
I did set the timing with a light, it was way too advanced. Now it runs smooth as silk.

[19Fordy]

Be sure to put ANTI SEIZE on those header bolts.

[flathead48]

Welcome and the best of luck with your new ride.