Projects An Exercise in Practicality - 1939 Ford Early Custom

The plugs have since been changed. The gaps were fine, but the reach and heat range were incorrect. Shame on me for thinking the previous owner got the plugs right.

The car is now running, nearly, perfect. I ended up going to .043" main jets and staying with the stock #65 power valves. Runs a little rich, but no more loading, and I have yet to see the temp rise above 180.

I also repositioned the coil as the car would develop a miss after extended running, and touching the coil was akin to a warm oven.

 

I like it, but I'm not sold on the Packard grill... I do need to add more lowness though.

 

As a former Bellevue kid (I grew up there) I can say the car culture down here is a far sight better than there. Sure an endless sea of executives' Porsches, high-dollar BMW's, and Mercs is nice, but it comes off as soulless in the end. (Disclaimer: I also drive BMWs)

 

The nicest looking grille in a 39 Ford came in them in 1939. I like the skirts. The trouble with getting too low is the nose.

 

I second that sentiment T1, the grille is a big reason I'm drawn to the '39 more than the other fat fenders. As far as prewar fords go, my favorite grilles have to be the '37, the '39 DeLuxe, and the '37 Truck.

 

the Packard grille doesn't work on that car (just saying) I like the direction your going Evan... I'm with you guys on the 39 grilles & headlights... I think the front sits good, just a little more in the back for that taildragger look your after... keep up the good work !

 

I never understood the Packard grille thing- Makes it look like a Packard.
I thought that back in the 50's, and still think it now.
Also please get the WW's back. Otherwise it just looks
like an old car and not a cool street rod. All IMO of course.

 

Friday night lights...

 

On a lark, I threw one of the old shoes on the car with the flippers. I stand by my decision to use blackwalls. For now at least...

 

Yeah, whitewalls are too 50s for your 40s build. I like the black tires better too.
The only thing I'd worry about is some 16 year old kid driving his mom's Honda pilot plowing into the car while texting his buddies...
I drive for a living and see kids texting while driving all the time...

 

I hear what you are saying @Rocky but that could just as well happen to any of my other cars. I pretty much flog everything I own. Heck, I daily-drove one of the more desirable (off-topic) older BMW sports cars for a couple years, rain, snow, sun, because I could and it made me happy. I just really don't think about things like that much more than driving assertively and defensively. I just keep a safe following distance, keep up with traffic flow, keep my head on a swivel, and stay right unless I need to be otherwise...

Seems to have worked out so far. Knock on wood...

 

black walls !

 

I'm definitely in the blackwall camp for this ride. Good choice.

 

It's got to be the black walls. The car looks understated and just right.

 

Just dropping in to say I love this build. Blackwalls look perfect. I agree that it needs more lower, but other than that... it's 100% perfect.

 

Thanks guys. Funny you should mention the lowness issue. Yesterday, I finally got off my ass and whipped up some new shackles...



So expect a new stance on the next real update.

Unfortunately, that's going to be a little while, work has me going out of state for a course for six weeks starting tomorrow. So there won't be any progress until August. But I plan on a thrash to get the car ready for the Billetproof Drags on August 23rd. We'll see what damage I can do to those blackwalls...

 

I'll dump some pics here of this last weekend's cleaning session...





Most of the paint came back with a lot of scrubbing and polish. But there are definitely areas where being clean brings out the imperfections. Still going to be a long, long time before I'm even thinking of a repaint.

 

Remember when you paint it you'll worry about scrapes and scratches. Right now it looks great and has character.
By the way wide white walls.

 

stay tuned boys & girls ! will white walls make the comeback on the 39.. will the new rear shackles provide the taildragger effect ! tune in next time ! same HAMB Station , same HAMB time ! Kapow ! Bang !

 

I'm back from 'Bama! Nothing yet to report but that I've been driving the tires off the thing. Found my new favorite photo spot on the way home from work today...









This is the old Post Gas Station on Ft Lewis, built in 1937 and abandoned for who knows how long.

I've got a list of things to knock out over the next few weeks, until the humble little Tudor goes to the Billetproof Drags later this month. Stay tuned...

 

Doing a 39 Standard rt now and paying attention. Although mine will rake the opposite direction and sport the big n little tire look. If you don't mind, and I ask because you've been generous to us with pictures, I'd like to see the area of the headliner above the windshield. Surely not kustom related but it could answer some questions as I prep for a new interior. Also, what are you using for a fan? Thanks in advance. Mine in my build thread:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/39-standard-tudor-build-thread.985444/#post-11102184

 

@theHIGHLANDER here's a shot of where the headliner tucks into the windshield garnish:



As for the fan, I am using the stock crank-mounted fan for the 59a motor. With the Edelbrock heads, running a little on the rich side, and the stock fan, the highest I've seen the temp is 200-degrees, in traffic, on a 90-degree afternoon.

 

I'm following both your threads with interest!
I'm slowly collecting bits for a 39 std more door.

 

Lifter day...



Working toward getting every conceivable thing tuned up for the Billetproof Drags next weekend. In doing so I found that every lifter was a couple thousandths too tight, so we'll see how well the motor runs now.

A few little services and tweeks here and there, and a week from now we'll see if this car is more than a one-trick-pony...

 

Lookin' good, my man!

 

Dressed up for the drags...

 

LOVE what you're doing with this 39 - Ive had similar plans to do a number on a Tudor like this for some time

Great stuff, keep the pix coming !

 

Thanks for the picture 'hooker. That explains a lot, gives me needed direction. That looks pretty kool with the numbers on it.

 

This thread makes me smile. The blackalls work so well. More real than cliché.

 

Really digging the numbers, great look even if only temporary.