DIY Network

1962 Ford Thunderbird: Fuel-Supply for Initial Startup From "Classic Car Restoration" episode DCR-302

Host Steve Magnante inspects the '62 Thunderbird's engine prior to test a test drive. He also creates a special dedicated fuel line to ensure that the engine gets a supply of fresh gasoline for initial startup.

Thus far we have conducted a close inspection on our project car and have verified that it is a legitimate Thunderbird sports roaster -- one of only about 1600 built in 1962. We have also checked the condition of all engine fluids, and conducted an initial inspection of the car's engine. In this segment, host Steve Magnante checks the car's tires and brakes in anticipation of an initial test-startup and test drive. He also creates a special dedicated fuel line to ensure that the engine gets a supply of fresh gasoline for initial startup.

Materials:

Standard automotive tools (socket wrenches, extensions, combination wrenches, open-end wrenches, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.)
Jack and jack-stands
Plastic gas tank
Clear tubing and steel fittings for dedicated fuel line

Safety Equipment:

Work gloves
Safety glasses or other eye protection
Fire extinguisher

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending on model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.

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Final Checks

We're uncertain how long our project car had been in storage before this project began, or how well it was maintained before it went into storage. Here are some final checks we undertake before testing the car's 390-horsepower engine in its first start-up since removal from storage.

Tip: When removing a car from long-term storage, there's a chance that you may find that insects, or even small animals like rodents or birds, have nested inside the vehicle or under the hood. For example, on our car, we found that mud-wasps had built nests underneath the car in several places. Check thoroughly for signs of bird or rodent nests and remove them. Likely nesting spots include inside glove boxes, vents and seat cushions. It's also a good idea to spray the inside of the vehicle with insect spray, or set off an insect "bomb," to rid the car of any six-legged pests.

Figure A

• Check the condition and resistance in the brake pedal. Make sure that the brake pedal is not "spongy" and doesn't go all the way to the floor.

• Check under the car to ensure that the wheel cylinder's aren't leaking.

• Check the tires on the vehicle (figure A) for proper inflation, and for broken cords or other possible problems that would make the tires unsuitable even for a test-drive. Feel along the circumference of the treads for lumps, uneven spots or other irregularities. Check the side-walls for signs of dry-rot, cracks or cuts.

• Give the gasoline the "nose test" to see if it's fresh. Open the fill port and give the gas tank a sniff. A varnish-like odor indicates that the gas has gone bad. Old gas can gum up a motor and cause a number of problems. Unless gas stabilizer was added at the time that the car was put into storage, chances are good that the gas has turned bad and will need to be drained.
  

  	Figure B
  	Figure C
  	Figure D

To ensure that our engine is receiving fresh, clean gas for its initial test-startup, we rigged a special dedicated fuel supply. Here's how.

Safety Alert: Whenever working with gasoline or other flammable fluids, make certain that you have a fire extinguisher on hand, charged and ready in case of an accidental fire.

• Disconnect the car's existing fuel line at the carburetor, and plug the fuel line with a piece of fuel-resistant clear-plastic tubing that's plugged securely at the end.

• Connect a length of 5/16-inch fuel-resistant clear-plastic tubing to the carburetor using a piece of steel fuel-line as a fitting (figure B).

• Attach the other end of the clear tubing to a small plastic gas can containing fresh, clean gas (figure C).

• Hang the gas-can from a hook on the hood of the car, and feed the clean gas directly to the carburetor (figure D). The clear tubing allows visual verification that clean fuel is flowing to the carburetor during startup.

• Check to ensure that the fittings are secure, and there are no fuel-leaks.

• You should now be able to give your T-bird's engine a test-start. In our case, the engine did turn over and the car did run, albeit fairly rough-sounding at this stage.
  

RESOURCES :

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books

Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Car Care and Repair Illustrated
0028644328
Dan Ramsey
(December 2002)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Alpha Books