Thanks for your input. Any thoughts are much appreciated. I had a similar problem on a past build. I might make up a barrier with a heat shield. I would have thought when the car is moving at speed the brakes should be fine as there is plenty of air flow. I could see a problem if in slow moving traffic. Think I’ll make a shield before I put the body back on. Many thanks
Yay progress. Engine back together after fitting a full flow oil system. Engine remounted in chassis(final time hopefully), exhaust refitted and body back on. Get the body bolted down permanently tomorrow Finally feel like I’m getting somewhere
Got the rear fenders back on and machine polished. Looks bloody smart even if I do say so myself Does anybody know the height from the bottom of the fender (front end) to the floor on a stock height car. Mine is 7”. Just wondered how far it’s dropped. Thanks
Blimey even more done Gave the running boards a coat of matt varnish to stop them perishing anymore. The rubber is original so thought the varnish will seal it hopefully.
Yay progress Front end on, wiring more or less finished,windshields in. Also ran the motor for 3 hot/cold cycles for torquing the heads.
It looks like a 40 body with 39 Deluxe front sheet metal. The hood trim is 39 Deluxe and the body side trim is 40. That would explain why the windshield is fixed with cowl mounted wipers.
A few more jobs ticked off the ever decreasing list. Door glass fitted( waiting for vent glass seals), seat bolted back in. Unfortunately got to change the steering column and wheel for a new setup as there isn’t much room. They must have been smaller in the 40’s. Still sticking with a 40 type wheel but a 15” one instead.
First real outing for the Coupe today. A few niggles sorted out yesterday so went for a spin earlier. Definite grin factor Stopped for a pint on the way home
Apologies for upcoming rant So todays outcome was quite shit really Trailered the car 200mile to Jim Turnbull of Royal Kustoms to sort out the suspected timing/fueling issues After a quick check of things and a few adjustments we took it out for a spin. It did the same as it did before, struggled for power and coughed and spluttered. Back to the workshop and a compression test carried out. No readings on No1 & 8. Mmmmm not good Another check and adjust and still no readings. So we took the valves out and that’s where the problem is. Bear in mind that this engine was supposedly rebuilt before I brought the car back to the UK. This clumsy, blind idiot fuckwit mechanic must have just used what Flathead bits he could find on the garage floor Both valves on No8 were different from the rest. Numerous bent valves and valves seats that were never cut when the engine was rebored. Now this is going to cost about $2000 for new valves cut, new complete valve setups and possibly a new cam Sorry for the rant, but if people can’t do something right the first time ‘THEN DON’T BOTHER TRYING ‘
Sorry for your problems with the engine, especially since the guy who did the crappy work is multi- thousands of miles away, and probably thinking he's successfully screwed you. Perhaps you should divulge his name and location to us here on HAMB, thus exposing him to the wrath of those who dislike seeing a fellow HAMBer screwed like this, plus it will serve as a warning to others here on HAMB to not take this crook's word on any future dealings with him.
I would love to give out his details but unfortunately don’t know who built the motor. It came as a rebuilt motor to the guy I bought the car off. He knew no details of the motor. Both heads were loose so I took one off and could see it had been bored/honed +40 with new looking valves. Luckily the guy who is going to rebuild it, is recognised as one of the best Flathead builders in the UK. Builds standard to full blown race motors
Well that's a bummer. Hopefully the engine builder can get you back on the road soon enough to enjoy some rides in your coupe this summer.
Heard back from him today with some good news at least. The bottom end is mint so that’s good to know. Cam bearings are a little worn, so I’ve taken the decision to have a better cam, new cam gear and bearings. At least when I get it back together I know it’s going to last
Good to hear. My experience with my flathead has been less than trouble free, even though I have installed the best parts I could buy. It is old technology and won't always be troubled free. But if wanted that I be driving a 2018 Honda.
That’s all part and parcel and the joys of older car ownership. A lot easier to fix than the more modern electronic controlled motors. All I’m hoping for, is to just get in and start it up and drive it. I’m sure it’ll be a reliable car apart from the normal running upkeep
Spoke to the builder again and apparently I’m going to be running a Potvin 3/8 Cam If it sounds anything like the engine in his wife’s pickup I’ll be more then happy. That thing sounds angry as hell
Well the Coupe is finally finished. Just got the car back from the trimmers and I couldn’t be more pleased. Turned out better than expected. Seems a shame to put it up for sale
Could well be yeh. Just fancy something quicker. If I was to change out the motor then I think it would detract from the value a bit. Would love to make it pro street with a blown 454 but it would ruin an original looking/sounding car
While you have the body off, be sure to make visible the VIN number stamped on the left frame rail. Take photos of them
The Jalopy Journal
