The Ford Barn

adileo · 02-03-2018, 09:25 PM

I'm the first to admit, I am a novice and have learned a great deal from reading/studying this site.

Thought it would be good idea for folks to list some of their things they've learned:

Do - when changing water pumps: Use a 6 point socket, stainless steel bolts for the bolt in the lower water hose. Use a little grease to help hold the gasket in place when installing the new pumps.

Don't fill with antifreeze - use water until your sure you have no leaks.

30-9 · 02-04-2018, 06:59 AM

Do - when installing fuel pump, do it while with the fuel pump stand attached. Much easier.

19Fordy · 02-04-2018, 08:56 AM

"Double check" to make sure you have installed your throwout bearing before install engine. It's easy to forget. I learned the hard way.

sunshine · 02-04-2018, 09:34 AM

When installing your distribitor on your engine , cut heads off of 2 bolts of the proper size .put them in the holes for your distribitor to guide and align it up .turn the rotor as you slide the distr. in place install the 3rd bolt then remove the guide bolts and install the other bolts .

Jembow · 02-04-2018, 11:11 AM

Don't strip down the light switch because you can't get the headlights to work, without first pulling the main fuse and cleaning the contacts. Amazed me that the car ran fine but the lights wouldn't work till I cleaned that up.

GB SISSON · 02-04-2018, 11:29 AM

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On the later flatheads with the fan mounted on an idler type of hub, don't forget to unscrew the plug and fill and drain every so often.

ford38v8 · 02-04-2018, 11:47 AM

"Learn as you go" is for fools. Study up before you pick up a wrench.

Bored&Stroked · 02-04-2018, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshine

When installing your distribitor on your engine , cut heads off of 2 bolts of the proper size .put them in the holes for your distribitor to guide and align it up .turn the rotor as you slide the distr. in place install the 3rd bolt then remove the guide bolts and install the other bolts .

Another idea that I used last year was to use short carburetor studs instead of bolts - makes the WHOLE installation/alignment process so much easier. I don't replace them with bolts - I use studs for all front-mount distributors.

And the dang gasket stays in place while you fiddle-fart around with the whole gob of a mess (usually with the radiator in place) . . .

Bored&Stroked · 02-04-2018, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adileo

Do - when changing water pumps: Use a 6 point socket, stainless steel bolts for the bolt in the lower water hose.

Also, use plenty of anti-seize when you put those stainless bolts back in. Most stainless bolts are Grade 2 --> they're soft and they gall really easily. So, while they're stainless, they are very easy to break-off.

When I have a situation where I need high strength stainless, then I go to ARP and other suppliers - but the cost gets VERY high.

RKS.PA · 02-04-2018, 01:36 PM

When you install the rear main rope seal, remember to cut it "proud" and put on a dab of silicone on each surface before you tighten it in place.

12cliff23 · 02-04-2018, 02:30 PM

great info
I was told chrome plated stainless is like a grade 5 or 8. may just be BS

jimvette59 · 02-04-2018, 03:10 PM

12cliff23 ( No. )

Ken/Alabama · 02-04-2018, 05:20 PM

Anytime you have the oil pan off , drill out the rivets that holds the dipstick boss to the pan and re seal it. And never ever install the pre 8ba one piece oil pan without first installing the flywheel.

30-9 · 02-04-2018, 05:41 PM

When installing hard to reach spark plugs, use a piece of fuel hose usually 5/16" slip it over the spark plug, and use it like a flex driver It can also remove them after you've broken them loose, but sometimes it don't work as well

flatjack9 · 02-04-2018, 07:57 PM

Adjust the valves before installing your pistons and rings. Engine turns over real easy.

Fortunateson · 02-05-2018, 03:09 AM

Always make sure the oil fill plug will come out before you remove the oil drain plug on granny's and rear ends.

Edit: I mean trannys but it might be wise on grannies as well! LOL

albjerryg · 02-05-2018, 06:38 AM

Always use you IPhone to take picture of any project as you take it apart so you will have a reference to put it back together.

FortyNiner · 02-05-2018, 07:18 AM

Bagging and tagging as you go - not at the end of the session - prevents much confusion.

chap52 · 02-05-2018, 07:27 AM

When installing heads it helps to cut off a couple of old (long) head bolts to use as studs a to get it in place.

jim1932 · 02-05-2018, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FortyNiner

Bagging and tagging as you go - not at the end of the session - prevents much confusion.

Yes, I use the ziplock freezer bags and a sharpie. amazing how soon you forget what those bolts were from

02-03-2018, 09:25 PM	#1
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	Do's don'ts tricks I'm the first to admit, I am a novice and have learned a great deal from reading/studying this site. Thought it would be good idea for folks to list some of their things they've learned: Do - when changing water pumps: Use a 6 point socket, stainless steel bolts for the bolt in the lower water hose. Use a little grease to help hold the gasket in place when installing the new pumps. Don't fill with antifreeze - use water until your sure you have no leaks. __________________ Thanks Andy 1952 F1

02-04-2018, 06:59 AM	#2
30-9 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: MA Posts: 888	Re: Do's don'ts tricks Do - when installing fuel pump, do it while with the fuel pump stand attached. Much easier. __________________ Thanks - 30-9 1939, 1940

02-04-2018, 08:56 AM	#3
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,943	Re: Do's don'ts tricks "Double check" to make sure you have installed your throwout bearing before install engine. It's easy to forget. I learned the hard way.

02-04-2018, 09:34 AM	#4
sunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SUNSHINE MD. Posts: 318	Re: Do's don'ts tricks When installing your distribitor on your engine , cut heads off of 2 bolts of the proper size .put them in the holes for your distribitor to guide and align it up .turn the rotor as you slide the distr. in place install the 3rd bolt then remove the guide bolts and install the other bolts .

02-04-2018, 11:11 AM	#5
Jembow Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Spalding, United Kingdom Posts: 306	Re: Do's don'ts tricks Don't strip down the light switch because you can't get the headlights to work, without first pulling the main fuse and cleaning the contacts. Amazed me that the car ran fine but the lights wouldn't work till I cleaned that up.

02-04-2018, 11:29 AM	#6
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,932	Re: Do's don'ts tricks Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) On the later flatheads with the fan mounted on an idler type of hub, don't forget to unscrew the plug and fill and drain every so often. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

02-04-2018, 11:47 AM	#7
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Do's don'ts tricks "Learn as you go" is for fools. Study up before you pick up a wrench. __________________ Alan

02-04-2018, 01:36 PM	#10
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: Do's don'ts tricks When you install the rear main rope seal, remember to cut it "proud" and put on a dab of silicone on each surface before you tighten it in place.

02-04-2018, 02:30 PM	#11
12cliff23 Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: western indiana Posts: 96	Re: Do's don'ts tricks great info I was told chrome plated stainless is like a grade 5 or 8. may just be BS

02-04-2018, 03:10 PM	#12
jimvette59 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perry OH Posts: 1,330	Re: Do's don'ts tricks 12cliff23 ( No. )

02-04-2018, 05:20 PM	#13
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,260	Re: Do's don'ts tricks Anytime you have the oil pan off , drill out the rivets that holds the dipstick boss to the pan and re seal it. And never ever install the pre 8ba one piece oil pan without first installing the flywheel.

02-04-2018, 05:41 PM	#14
30-9 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: MA Posts: 888	Re: Do's don'ts tricks When installing hard to reach spark plugs, use a piece of fuel hose usually 5/16" slip it over the spark plug, and use it like a flex driver It can also remove them after you've broken them loose, but sometimes it don't work as well __________________ Thanks - 30-9 1939, 1940

02-04-2018, 07:57 PM	#15
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: Do's don'ts tricks Adjust the valves before installing your pistons and rings. Engine turns over real easy.

02-05-2018, 03:09 AM	#16
Fortunateson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 511	Re: Do's don'ts tricks Always make sure the oil fill plug will come out before you remove the oil drain plug on granny's and rear ends. Edit: I mean trannys but it might be wise on grannies as well! LOL Last edited by Fortunateson; 02-07-2018 at 10:10 PM.

02-05-2018, 06:38 AM	#17
albjerryg Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lafayette, La. Posts: 181	Re: Do's don'ts tricks Always use you IPhone to take picture of any project as you take it apart so you will have a reference to put it back together.

02-05-2018, 07:18 AM	#18
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,136	Re: Do's don'ts tricks Bagging and tagging as you go - not at the end of the session - prevents much confusion. __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

02-05-2018, 07:27 AM	#19
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: Do's don'ts tricks When installing heads it helps to cut off a couple of old (long) head bolts to use as studs a to get it in place.