Winter has finally come to an end. The roads in my neighborhood were almost dried up, it was a beautiful clear evening, and temps were in the low 40's. Called my insurance company and activated the liability insurance. Decided tonight was the perfect time to fire up the '53 and take her on her maiden voyage (with me as an owner anyway).

The first challenge was to get her up and out of my steep driveway. It wasn't snow covered or muddy, like it has been the last few weeks/months/forever. She was just really hesitating and not liking it one bit. Finally made it out after a few attempts. Next stop was the Texaco for some fresh fuel. Put in 11 1/2 gallons at $2.81/ea. Already running better (psychologically, anyway), we drove through town. Wife called me on my cell phone and asked me to pick up some powdered sugar at the grocery store. Told her I wasn't comfortable shutting her off and restarting so far from home yet. Talking on a cell phone while working a three-on-the-tree was an interesting experience. I continued on my journey. Got a nod of approval from an older gentleman piloting a Subaru Forester (poor guy). Showed her off to a friend in town from Anchorage. Took him on a short spin around the airport. Dropped him off and headed for home a different way. Pulled into the garage. Turned her off. She started right up again. I guess I could have picked up the sugar. A fun 20 mile or so trip.

Observations:

heater works well
door weatherstripping slightly drafty but the doors don't rattle
stops, steers, shifts and tracks well down the road
antenna rattles--needs tightened up
turn signals don't like to work with the headlights on
clutch chatters
forgot to try the radio so don't know about it yet

Definitely a successful first drive!

 

Woohoo! Another Effie on the road again...

Vern

 

Color me GREEN with envy -

 

Way to go, AK! I know the feeling of not wanting to turn the truck off for fear it won't start again. Been there, done that. Congratulations on a successful maiden voyage!

 

Congratulations!!!

I loved you description of the cell phone and shifting. That's something Henry never thought of.

 

Congrats on your first road trip. All that hard work is paying off. Bill

 

Sounds like a blast.
I've never driven a 3 on tree.. I'm "stuck" with a C4

A thumbs up or a nod of approval makes it all worth it! Even if its from some guy in a Subaru lol

 

The first time I drove my truck (3-on-the-tree), I didn't know what to expect and I was really disappointed because I was hitting the gas but not really going anywhere. Halfway down my street I realized I might not be in first gear. In fact I was in third. Doh!

Once I realized that, my disappointment turned to amazement that the truck was able to start in third gear from a dead stop.

 

Way to go!!!

 

Fantastic!!

Heck, I'm grinning from ear to ear just reading your desctiption of the trip.


Congrats!
Bobby

 

woooohoooo!

Im glad everything went well. I hope to be doing the same thing asap.

congratulations!

Rich

 

Thanks for your cheers.

Drove her again tonight. Turned the ordinary weekly chore of hauling the trash to dump into something fun! Found out the old radio works, too, so that is a major bonus. If only one of the 3 or 4 AM stations around here played 50's music, that would be the icing on the cake.

Still has a "flat spot" or "stumbles" and "hesitates". I would have thought if it was a couple of gallons of old fuel it would have worked itself out by now. Any suggestions? Replace the fuel filter maybe? It runs real smooth and quiet at idle with no vibration.

 

When you step on the gas three things happen - first, the accelerator pump squirts more gas into the throat of the carb, second (as the engine vacuum drops) the power circuit (aka power valve) opens and meters more gas into the stream of air, and third, the vacuum advance retards the spark a bit. I don't know if your truck has a power circuit or a vacuum advance - but if it does these need to be checked, as well as the accelerator pump.

Others have found that the ignition system can also cause a misfire under these conditions, although it has never happened to me. I would look at the spark plugs/wires/cap if the problem is not the carb.

btw, what is your vacuum reading at an idle? A vacuum leak can cause your carb adjustments to be way off.

 

Sounds like you are finally having some fun with her!

Mine had similar problems when I bought her (had been sitting in a garge since 97, but started some). A new battery (very hard to start!) and a carb rebuild/adjust solved the problems for me.

As ***** said the acelerator pump was shot. The old gas in the carb had turned to shellac and gummed it up as well. The cost of the carb rebuild kit was well worth it.

 

You'll be surprised just how long that grin will last! Enjoy every mile you get to drive in your truck.

Comments about the carb above are all good. One easy thing you might try before you tear it apart. If you have some junk in the metering circuits you might be able to flush it out. Rev it to about 1500 rpm and slap you hand down on the carb top. It floods the carb, sometimes flushing the crap on thru.

I've used carb/choke cleaner in the fuel tank - and only managed to clean the fuel tank. You won't believe what will come out of a 'clean' tank. Be sure to run a disposable filter in front of your fuel pump.