New member with 58

[Guest]

Tune up ...

You might want to check for any play in the dist. shaft. It's fairly common for the bushings to be worn in these older cars. I've changed all of my FE's over to electronic ign. I just go to the parts store and order one for a 76 ford pickup(about $65). They still have the small cap and look stock and you have a new vacume advance that way too. I use this dist. in conjunction with a MSD-6AL ignition module and a blaster coil. You get a much hotter spark than with a points setup which means a better mixture burn and more power, also better cold starting and less maintanance. Mike

[Astrowing]

The engine was just about completely warmed up. It would probably be a little warmer if I did run it at 1200 RPM for 30 minutes like I read somewhere. It did take probably 20 minutes after I shut it off to remove plugs and got my wife outside to help me cranking and recording data. I did have her keep the throttle open while cranking and I did the some number on each cylinder. The pressure seemed to rise with each stroke pretty consistently also.

[Astrowing]

Mileage shows 80K, but of course that doesn't mean anything. I think the engine was rebuilt about 10 years ago, and probably doesn't really have that many miles on it.

[Astrowing]

As far as the vacuum advance, I tried to pull a vacuum by mouth. The diaphram is intact, but I couldn't move the breaker plate at all. I can move the breaker plate by physically pushing it around, the springs seem to be pretty tight. The centrifugal advance is working, but haven't ascertained what amount of advance is vs. RPM. Should I get this distributor rebuilt or try something else?

[Astrowing]

Which 76 pickup engine did you use as a replacement distributor? 351?

[Guest]

Hey Astrowing,
I sprayed Christine's with WD-40. That got it working a hole lot easier!
Richard D. Hord

[Astrowing]

I started doing the brake work yesterday. I've done lots of Ford drum brakes, but this is the first one that the wheel cylinder is held on with a single big nut. I'm going to have to go buy some bigger wrenches. Is it 1 1/4" or bigger and is a big socket a better investment than a combination wrench?

Also, any advice on breaking wheel lug nuts loose that haven't been off for 6 years or more? One down, and three to go!

[Guest]

Hey James,
I would spray the nut with penetrating oil for several days and invest in a socket.
Richard D. Hord

[GTE427]

Is it 1 1/4" or bigger and is a big socket a better investment than a combination wrench?

Also, any advice on breaking wheel lug nuts loose that haven't been off for 6 years or more?

Do not know the nut size, measure it, or open the jaws of an adjustable wrench to fit, then measure the jaws of the adjustable. I prefer the wrench, more leverage, if you go with the socket, measure the depth of the return spring anchor pin as you may need a deep socket.

Lug nuts, soak with a penetrating oil first. An impact gun is your best bet but not always available. Next up, leverage. Get a length of steel pipe to add to your collection of tools. I have a 3 foot length of pipe that will slip over a breaker bar. It'll either loosen the nut or break the stud. Be prepared for the broken stud. Good luck.

[JohnG]

Try PB Blaster on the lug nuts. Let it sit for a couple days. Stop by a shop with an air gun and let them break each one loose and then you tighten them by hand and head home.

The big nut holding the wheel bearing in should not be either rusted or god-awful-tight so you should be ok with an adjustable wrench.

John

[Guest]

360/390 FE for the dist.. Mike

[Astrowing]

Got a 390 distributor and picked up a big adjustable wrench to get the wheel cylinder nut off. And it worked! I did have to take the bleeder screw out to get the wheel cylinder out with the hydraulic hose still attached. Thanks for all the good advice!

[Astrowing]

My pre-bent brake lines finally arrived yesterday and I have about half of them installed. I'm still waiting on one of the inboard flexible hoses for the front brakes on the '58 and then we'll be ready to hit the road! I'm anxious to see how driveable the engine is with the work I've done to it also.

As followup, I did get all the lug nuts off successfully. I used my bicycle lubricant and let it soak for a while. I got the front wheel cylinders off with a bicycle headset wrench. Nothing broke amazingly!

I built some benches out of 2x8's and 2x12's as additional protection when I'm working under the car using the same design my grandfather did working on the old Chevrolets from the 40's and 50's. The old benches had long ago succumbed to time in Texas.