Next steps

Saturday, time for a battery and some parts.

I got on the web and started researching, multiple side tracks later… I confirmed that the parts store up the road had a battery in stock.  You see a 1939 Ford has a 6 volt positively grounded electrical system, where modern era cars are 12 volt negatively grounded systems, usually.  So finding one that close was a stroke of luck.

My wife needed to run an errand so I offered to take her, with a quick stop on the way home for a new battery…

The Battery

The Battery

It turns out the website lied…  I spent 15 minutes hunting the shelves with a young guy who was having a bad day for the battery with no luck.

When we got home I started researching other parts I already know I’m going to need.  The trucks fuel filter sits in a glass bowl attached to the fuel pump.  In our case, the bowl was broken some years ago, so I knew I needed a new bowl, gaskets and filter.

Fuel pump

Fuel pump

I found a place online that specializes in early Ford and Mercury parts.  I found everything I need to rebuild the fuel filter, a new canister oil filter, a new air filter, a new v-belt, as well as a special trinket to be revealed later.

Sunday, I started putting together some lists of things that will need to be checked and done.  I also pulled the hood off with the help of a friend to make working on the engine easier.

Pulling the hood

Pulling the hood

Unfortunately, I also discovered that the fuel line connecting the feed from the line from the tank to the fuel bowl and pump was broken, so that is the first item for the next parts order…