NEW WEB ADDRESS: Volume XXV, No. 2 February 2007 Cliff Green Editor

Transcription

1 Valve Clatter THE EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB OF AMERICA Regional Group 96 NEW WEB ADDRESS: Volume XXV, No. 2 February 2007 Cliff Green Editor JANUARY GARAGE TOUR They came from far and near Annapolis, Northern Neck, Shenandoah Valley, Southern Maryland, Warrenton, and Fairfax to the see the collection of Jason and Dee Javaras. The 50 plus members and wives members were not disappointed in viewing Jason s and his son Dan s display of cars, trucks, BIG trucks, literature, memorabilia and parts emporium. His custom made garage, which he designed and built, was cozy with a pot belly stove and coffee and donuts. Members admired the high ceilings which allowed a lift and a loft office with stuffed chairs. The walls were covered with appropriate V8 artifacts like a display of steering wheels and petrolrolia,, awards and period paintings, photographs and advertising. Jason has bookcases filled with service manuals, parts, tools, displays and model cars. His place was a feast for the old car buffs. The cars in this garage included a 1948 F7 troop carrier in Marine Corps colors, 1956 red F1 pickup, 95% complete, a rolling 6 cylinder chassis for a 1949 F1, a 1963 Ford Galaxy XL 500 convertible and a 1963 Ford galaxy with 550 hp 427. In another garage (the original) contained his 1947 Ford sedan coupe and 1940 Standard coupe both in black. Jason also displayed Bill Vincent s 51 Ford sedan which is for sale at $6,500. Member Don Hill drove his 34 five window; Jim McDaniel (with birthday girl, Char) 50 police car and John and Patty Girman drove their 53 (continued page 3)

2 As I sit writing this message, winter is finally putting its game face on; the temperature is plunging and the wind is howling. It s hard to believe that I ve just recently spent time discussing plans for this year s tours, car show, picnic and other warm weather events. We have a great line-up this year. Just about 9 am last Saturday, as I was pulling out onto Ox Road near our house to take my youngest son Peter to a basketball game, I glanced across the road at an old car driving down the road and then did a double take as I recognized it as John Girman s 53 Victoria. He was heading south and in a blink of an eye, I spotted a blur of familiar faces in six or eight other cars following in a caravan behind him. I only took a second to realize that they were all headed to Fredricksburg for the January tour. If you weren t part of the record-setting crowd that descended upon Jason Javaras and his wife Dee for the January garage tour, you missed a great event. I heard that the headcount was 52 people, the same number that we typically get at the club picnic in July! I m sure there will be a story and photos about it that you will find interesting. If you missed it, like I did, you still have the chance to get in a garage tour this winter. In February, Tom Shaw, Hank Dubois and Leo Cummings have set up a visit to Al Mason s garage. Look at the calendar and elsewhere for the details. It always fascinating to me to see the wonderful places some of our member have to enjoy this hobby. I think one of the best aspects of our club is the time spent together and camaraderie at our various events. With young children occupying my time on the weekend, I find it impossible to make all of the events, but I try to make as many as I can and I encourage you to do the same. This month we have the return of the ever popular Show and Tell program on February 13 th. Bring something to share or something that you have a question about, and it doesn t have to be a Ford item. With the car show season getting closer and our line-up of car shows to attend, it s time to start ignoring the thermometer and begin to think warm thoughts and get your flathead ready for a great year tours and shows. Dave Page 2 Northern Virginia Regional Group valve clatter

3 The NVRG wants to thank Jason and Dee for hosting a wonderful tour. All the stars aligned: good weather, middle of January with nothing to do, plus, a big warm garage with old Fords and the added attraction of lunch and the new Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, made for a super turn out for out first 2007 Tour. NVRG members filtered into the Virginia BBQ in Fredericksburg and overwhelmed the place. Greg Mensinger helped the owner serve the food as they were shorthanded. From there we went on to the Museum. We were met by NVRG members Jeanette & Barry Hall who are volunteer docents. The group broke up for an overlay of the premises and then dispersed to look at individual interests. WHAT A PLACE!! Jeanette said the it took only five years from the first planning to the opening - done entirely with private funds! You can spend more than a day to see and read everything it is exceptionally well done. VALVE clatter Northern Virginia Regional Group Page 3

4 MORE ON THE DINGMAN AUCTION Ray Kunsman This past May I received a call from my daughter, Karen, who lives in Greenland, New Hampshire, (bottom part of the state, close to Portsmith), advis - ing me that the RM Auction House, from Toronto, Canada was about to conduct a car auction about five miles from her home. She wondered if I wanted to visit with her and go to the three day auction. I've seen the RM auctions on TV and they mostly specialize in the 50's and 60's cars so I politely declined. She then said that was OK, because you couldn't get into the auction without buying an RM Catalog, and it was priced at $70!! She then informed me that the collector who was downsizing his collection was selling off a bunch of Early Ford V 8's and his entire "Sign Collection" plus 38 perfectly restored early Ford, Mercury, and Lincolns, from several '32 Fords, all the way through the years to a 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman Convertible! Needless to say I changed my mind instantly and ask her to buy the $70 catalog, (that admitted two) Also, the Blue Pratt and Whitney 1937 Ford Pick Up Truck was built by Ken Terrio (from the CT.V8 Club.) As you probably know, Ken is "the" expert on 37s. He worked at P & W. I saw him at Hershey last year and asked him if he restored it. The answer was yes. When I arrived in NH I learned that the sale was being held on the "Dingman Estate/Farm"...That Mr. Dingman had been on the BOD of Ford for 21 years...and that he was just down sizing his collection. (He apparently still has plenty of cars stashed away in several warehouses in the Portsmith area.) When Karen and I arrived at the auction we were greeted with a relatively new and large building, where the auction was held, that was purpose built to house the sign collection. Also on each side of the building the EFV8's were displayed under cover of the over hanging roof. Note in the photos the one shot of the Electric Station on the side of the building that was required just to power the signs! The RM Auctioneers where totally professional, accepting bids from the floor, by phone, and by . The RM guy that ran the auction knew his stuff about the Early Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars. Moreover the Catalog that cost $70 and allowed us to attend the event was a work of art itself in the way they photographed each vehicle. Page 4 Northern Virginia Regional Group VALVE clatter

5 MEMORBILIA LITERATURE Motor Service Magazine Thanks to Chad Coombs Editor Let us examine this piece of automotive memorabilia that was sent to me by the noted automotive literature collector, and club member, Chad Coombs. This example of the 5 x 7 magazine, designed to fit the rear pocket of a mechanic (so that he could take it to the bathroom?) is dated October 15, I have not seen copies of this mag before, so do not know anything about how long it was published, but quite likely a monthly publication. The mast-head says it was established in 1921 and over 125,000 copies of this issue guaranteed. There is no price on the cover. It is For Automotive Service Shop Managers but many of the articles are for those that get their hands dirty! This issue has 130 pages, mostly advertisement. There are names and products that are still in business today: Gunk, Lockheed Wagner, Autolite, DeVillbus, Bendix, Hastings, to name a few, and lots that have fallen by the wayside Blackhawk socket wrenches, Pep gasket glue, etc. the expense of the necessary shop equipment. The fact remains, that Ford service as a whole is profitable and valve grinds are occasionally needed. Therefore, the fellow who really wants this business, and aims to get it, will take the bitter with the sweet - the valve work with the rest - and make the most of it, trusting at least to win good customers and occasionally sell a ring job or other needed service at the same time. There you have it you must fix those #%&# Ford valves to get other work. This is a typical page in the heart of the magazine - Product review about a new cylinder head made by Federal-Mogul. It is designed to use octane gas in spite of changing the compression ratio to 7.75:1. This is an advertised 17.3% increase in power! And listen to this! On recent truck test, a saving of $7.64 in four days was reported on the use of $.15 gas. Sounds like early hop up to me. Look for these little booklets in flea markets - it is a fun read! The meat of the magazine are the tips and articles for the mechanics. One of the featured is about regrinding Ford V8 valves and seats. The article admits that this job is a pain for the flat rate price of $12.50 because of the precise and close tolerances necessary to do a creditable job, plus VALVE clatter Northern Virginia Regional Group Page 5

6 LADIES COLUMN my 39 Ford pickup. The steering wheel does not have threaded holes. Alan Ponton says - Tell the guy with the 39 pickup to get a helper. First, remove the nut and apply penetrating oil to the shaft. Wait a while and tap the underside of the wheel with a dead blow hammer, rubber, or a block of wood and hammer, gently on both sides of the hub. Apply another shot of penetrating oil. Wait for another ten minutes. Have him grab the wheel with both hands on the rim holding is weight off the seat with his feet on the floor. Have is helper hit the wheel with the dead blow hammer on the under side close to the hub as possible while he has his hands on the rim holding his weight. Make sure there is a seat under his butt because he and the wheel are going to move. This has never fail for me Clem the Happy The truck rejected the wheel... Actually many of your ideas were used: 1) We tried the reverse clam shell pull using universal clam shells. That pull lasted 8 days, tightening each day. Maybe there was a slight angle involved with added pinch to the hub?? 2) We tried the spray cooler stuff along with a 2-day pull. 3) We tried lots of whacking with a BFH. It damaged the nut. (Always a brass drift or a brass hammer was used.) This is an appropriate ad for the month of February! It was copied from the FORD NEWS, November If you remember, this is the monthly 8 ½ x 11 magazine that new car buyers automatically received for one year. Margot Sherman wrote articles about women fashions. Here we have an elegant women looking off into space, poised in front of a recently introduced 1942 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet. This was a new, larger body style that continued until Note her hand is grasping the distinctive gold hood ornament. 4) Eric Sumner suggested that I put a bolt down the hollow shaft and use the head and washer to protect the shaft-good idea. 5) Several said I hadda drill the wheel using 5/16 course holes-done today. Ken Burns and Chuck Shaw tendered wheel pullers. Chuck's fit the bolts in the 2 new holes. The holes came out a bit crooked as I did not use the puller as a guide. The copy says You re a woman who practically lives in her car and you want a new fur coat. You believe it should be brown furs, because brown is the important fur color of the year It should be NUTRIA., because it is in the forefront of fashions! The two coats pictured are the same. The belt has been taken off and in the lower picture is acting as a streamer bow tie (Notice, ladies, I have not had a recipe yet!!!) TECH TIP Pulling steering wheelsclem asks -Do anyone have a steering wheel removing tool I can borrow? It is needed for I ran the 5/16 bolts thru the steel in the wheel hub till they were even and into the soy beans. Set the puller tight and gave it some more coolant. nothing. Then some light tapping with a brass hammer. Nothing. So I got out the beeeg iron: a 2 pound brass drift and a 3 # hammer. (My dear and long departed Uncle Raeman's favorite hammer was a 3 pounder on a 6 inch handle. He taught me how to use it in a confined quarters using wrist action to pop king pins and tie rods loose. I don't have that hammer, but I have his tool kit aboard and his thoughts in my head.)i threatened the truck and swacked it big time. The forth and last hit and the wheel jumped. Thanks all again. The shaft is wet so we know Kroils and the icey stuff got down it. Page 6 Northern Virginia Regional Group VALVE clatter

7 BAG Clem Clement We were talking about bumper installation on my 39 pickup: If you look at page 687 of the Green book (front bumper commercial truck), lower right hand diagram, the bumper bolts are more toward the bottom of the bumper and the tapered edge of the bumper is on the top edge. Page 759(Ford Commercial and Truck Models 1939) has it the reverse. Page 700 (rear bumper 38/39 commercial) agrees with page 687 taper up and bolt down side. For cars taper is on the down side for 38 and 39 front and rear bumpers. My bet is since they made very few changes in the 39 pickup, they just flipped over the front bumper and considered it a change Hank Dubois - Surprising what is found beneath all the paint and bondo! Picture by Ben McDonald Ben has secured the door posts with telescoping rods in all directions. Replacement panels have been ordered from Paul Bradley. Here is the 3x5 banner that the Editor has donated to the Chinese Auction. Dave Gunnarson will be posting all the major Auction items on the Meet web site. Rummage around in the garage/office for something to donate Bill Simons On the woodie, the undercarriage ahs been scraped and painted as has the engine compartment. I plan on removing the brake and fuel lines this weekend and ordering new ones Once they are installed, I plan to re-install the gas tank, the drive shaft, transmission and the engine sometime early March. This Monday I am taking the passenger door panel to a professional furniture restorer to take out a blemish in the wood. I am afraid if I tried to do it myself I would make it worse. That s all the woodie news for now Car friends: For those of us in the Commonwealth of Virginia - call, e- mail or write to the Delegate listed below with your disgust and dissatisfaction regarding this measure. The more of us who write in to Mr. Marshall reduce the chances that such a bill will come to pass. While bills have been submitted to restrict the use of Antique plates and in some cases reduce their abuse, no measure up until now has been so destructive to the collector car community. While the annual registration fee goes without saying, I cannot stress how irrelevant an inspection of an antique car is to the lube jockey with his inspectors license. These two measures are really just pure pork barrel nonsense sure to disgust the inspector for the time he will have to waste, not to mention that of the inspectee with all revenues going to VA. This message came to me from the Car Club Council of Central VA's director, Fred Fann. I urge all car clubs in our area to give Fred and his group our support, since they are at the vanguard of preventing unnecessary legislation. Link to complete bill: > VALVE clatter Northern Virginia Regional Group Page 7

8 BACK PAGE PICTURE Now this is the truck that we all wish for a 40 4x4! The caption reads: Model LD4-4 Marman-Herington All-Wheel- Drive Ford pick-up truck /2 wheelbase chassis, four wheels all driving. Single front and rear tires. Widely used wherever light loads must be transported speedily over most difficult terrain. Available also in Stake and Sedan Delivery bodies on this chassis Note that the wheel base has stretched from 112 SELL/WANT Sell Bill Vincent s 1951 black Fordor sedan $6,500 Call Jason Javaras for details Ken wants to use member cars that have not been used in the past two calendars. His object was to get the members to poise their cars for submission with pleasing backgrounds in views other than 3/4 front. Seasonal shots would be nice. Wanted EFV8 logo wall thermometer. Jerry James Tallant, Quillback St. Waldorf, MD D Customline Steve & Stephanie Zimmerli sazimmerli@msn.com V8 s owned: None presently DONATED ITEMS FOR THE NATIONAL MEET Thanks to the following members that have donated items for the Chinese Auction: Bill Selley - Complete set of Ford Life L. Sorensen Mike Gall 1932 Ford Anniversary pedal car (new) Ken Burns 1932 Ford belt buckle Cliff Green 3x5 Quaker State Antifreeze banner 3x Richfield Gasoline banner Tom Shaw - Two Jim Beam Antique Car bottles (Full) Chad Coombs Two packaged screwdriver sets, numerous Ford prints and a entire box of Ford/Merc/Linc literature The National raffle chairman, Dave Gunnarson, is seeking donations from members, vendors and companies. FEBRUARY MEETING My first thought was, what could Ken Burns talk about for one hour about how to photograph your car for the club calendar? Well, the 35 members sat transfixed as Ken (with Jim McDaniel running the image projector) went through the little details to make our car/truck acceptable for publication. He is capable of using photo software to erase unwanted background to a point, so he stressed to watch the background to make his job easier. It might take him an hour to clean up the picture. Examples of which are telephone poles and wires, people (they are a no-no) and other cars. Ken showed before and after examples of his clean up work. Jim would flash back and forth between the original and the finish photo for emphasis. The hour went very quickly and another member produced program was roundly applauded. As a side note: Ken has a publisher who does the calendars at a great price so that the club makes about $8 on each one. He will add about $1k to the treasury for his efforts. So, let s make his job easier by submitting or a less think about composing and photographing your pride and joy for the 2008 edition! NATIONAL MEET UPDATE Dave Westrate, who is the committee head in charge of the Air & Space Museum tour, along with Cliff Green and Hank Dubois, met with the staff of the Museum including the Director, General Joe Anderson. The Museum is eager to have our V8 s displayed and photographed in front of the building, perhaps using a bucket truck. Member cars will be photographed prior to the event to be used as publicity to help draw attention to their facility. Our cars will be an added attraction. The capability to buy parking tickets in advance will be included in the registration material. We will have a special gate to enter the grounds and a reserved parking area. General Anderson said that the Museum will do every thing we can to say yes to our requests! FLASH We have been informed by the Newsletter Contest Judge the VC was awarded 3 rd Place for 2006 Page 8 Northern Virginia Regional Group VALVE clatter

9 February 10 NATIONAL MEET COMMITTEE 9AM Dave & Barbara Westrate s 13 MEMBERSHIP MEETING Show & Tell Refreshments -.Chad Coombs Atlantic City th Annual Atlantic City Vintage Car Auction will feature nearly 600 cars. The world's largest indoor vintage car auction. Held in the prestigious new Atlantic City Convention Center, one of the nation's largest facilities 27 Board of Directors Meeting. March 10 NATIONAL MEET COMMITTEE- 9AM Regency Country Club, Haymarket - Hank Amster hosting 13 MEMBERSHIP MEETING Airships - Dave Gunnarson; Refreshments-Eric Sumner 23 Frederick Flea Market Sugar Loaf Mountain AACA. Indoors and outdoors 27 Board of Directors Meeting April 7 NATIONAL MEET COMMITTEE - 9AM Tom & Sarah Shaw s 9 MEMBERSHIP MEETING Program : The National Judging Process Cliff Green Charlotte Auto Fair Loews Motor Speedway Hornets Region AACA Spring Carlisle 24 Board of Directors Meeting May 5 NATIONAL MEET COMMITTEE - 9AM Cliff & Sandra Green s 8 MEMBERSHIP MEETING 12 Apple Blossom Classic Car Show Winchester, VA Shenandoah Valley AACA 19 NVRG CAR SHOW in conjunction with Fairfax City 29 Board of Directors Meeting 31 EFV8CA EASTERN NATIONAL MEET Garage Tour Saturday, February 24 Car pool from Fair Oaks Mall at 9:00 AM to visit new member Al Mason s car collection and garage in Purcellville, VA. We will have lunch afterwards in Purcellville and you will be home in the early afternoon. Tom Shaw, says you will not want to miss this spacious and fully-equipped garage, which includes a paint booth. Contact Hank Dubois for further information and reservation at or hcdubois@juno.com. What is going on for the February We shall have the popular Show & Tell. Make sure MEMBERSHIP MEETING TUESDAY, Feb. 13TH, 7:30 The program will be the very popular SHOW & Tell Bring your what-have-you s and let the members figure out what it is. Any thing goes. Refreshments: Chad Coombs you bring your meeting? widget! VALVE CLATTER Northern Virginia Regional Group Page 9

10 Board of directors Northern Virginia Regional Group President: Dave Gunnarson Vice President: Eric Sumner Programs: John Sweet Secretary: Jim La Baugh Property: Frankie Martin Treasurer Greg Mensinger Activities Dave Westrate Membership: Jim McDaniel Historian : Don Lombard Tours:Leo Cummings,Hank Dubois Newsletter: Cliff Green Past President: John Girman Web master: helenandken@verizon.net Monthly general membership meetings are usually held at 7:30, the second Tuesday of each month, in the historic Hunter House, located adjacent to the tennis courts, Nottoway Park, Court House Road, Vienna, VA. Check the newsletter for occasional alternate sites. FIRST CLASS MAIL Regional Group 96 Early Ford V8 Club Post Office Box 1195 Vienna, Virginia, 22183