The 1948 Ford Prefect - move, tinkering, plus classic car memorabilia & OCC is 20yrs old (almost)
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- Опубликовано: 14 дек 2021
- Following a move around of the sidevalve 1948 Ford Prefect and the 1952 Ford Anglia, so that junior could film one of his own classic cars videos, it was back into the garage with both Fords and time to start working on the Prefect. Some work was done by a previous, long-term, owner, but as the old Ford's been off the road for approx 50 years, I'll still need to go through everything just to be reasonably confident that it won't expire 100 yards down the road on its first test drive. That's the theory anyway.
So into the garage it goes, jacked up, wheels off, and time to have a prod around underneath at the Ford Prefect's bodywork and also have a butcher's (look) at the suspension and brakes to get a rough idea of what they might need.
I also make a start on the fuel system by removing and stripping the ancient Zenith carburettor, reveal the true horror of its decrepid remould tyres, and generally ramble along about old cars for a few minutes and discuss the pros and cons of sidevalve engines in general.
Also in this video, a quick look at some classic car memorabilia (do you remember using a Tapley meter?), and a few words about the main Old Classic Car website (www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/) which will soon be celebrating its 20th birthday.
There are stacks of classic car related videos on the channel now, to see the full list please visit the following page:
/ oldclassiccarrj
Thanks for watching this video about the '48 Ford Prefect, comments welcomed as always. Remember, this isn't a classic car restoration video, just a record of my tinkerings and nothing included in the vid should be taken as a recommended way of doing anything at all!
RJ
#classiccars #classicfords #ford 
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Hi, thanks for watching, a full list of the videos on the channel is here:
ruclips.net/user/oldclassiccarRJvideos
Channel homepage:
ruclips.net/channel/UCKaTg9fPUvmUQi94FcnDbrg
You have a great collection of old cars. I really enjoy the down to earth realities of classic car ownership that you show. I am personally in your camp with regards to restoration; keep it roadworthy and if possible original.
When you were rooting through your box of old goodies, I thought at first that what turned out to be an inspection lamp was perhaps a parking light. Oh! who remembers the joys of the late night knock on the door by PC plod telling you to get a light on you car or the flat battery as a result on a frosty morning.
Your channel is remarkable for rekindling the joys and tribulations of owning a car when owning one was something special for the ordinary person. Thank you for posting.
Oh, and who had to carry the flat battery to the local garage to have it charged for two shillings? Poor little ten year old me. Dad was cruel.
Glad you liked it, yes parking lights, I've a few old ones hanging up but I've yet to buy one with a timer, Lucas offered a set
More of this please 👍😁
Thanks for watching, I'll do my best :)
I do like it when you work with your son on your cars and it’s good to see carburettors stripped down and rebuilt to ensure correct running. It all helps keep these old cars on the road and in good condition whilst not being in concours condition. Thank you.
Another great video. Very informative, I like how you explain what you are doing and your ideas for the restoration s.
Thanks Allan
Excellent video. I have never seen that brake tester before very interesting!
I have a 1947 prefect. Just did a sparkplug change! Wow!
Big change in performance!!
Thanks for bringing memories back as I used to work on both E49 --- E83Ws front and rear spring hanger bushes were swines to change if not worn through as we had a complete fleet of them also them days tyres were allowed to be bald but not any canvas showing
I love the simplicity of the old cars! Thank you for sharing. I am in the US and I have an old '49 Ford tractor and a 50 Ford car. You had some beautiful cars!
Thanks Raymond, please keep an eye on the channel for future updates
I love your tinkering videos and learn lots; so thanks, please carry on.
Thanks Guy
Good down to earth video, love these types of cars
Thanks the cottage, there are a few vids like this on the channel now
Back in 1967, as a young Vehicle Mechanic in REME, I was a member of the Light Aid Detatchment, attached to the Coldstream Guards in Chelsea Barracks. One day, I had been working on the brakes on a Bedford 3 Tonner and had to take it for a test with a proper Tapley meter with the dual gauges. We weren't allowed to do that on the roads around the barracks so I had to use the roads around the building. Unfortunately, I also did a brake test on the Parade Square and was seen by the RSM. Needless to say, I soon got a right b*ll*cking!
Another entertaining episode.
Thanks Chris, glad there was something of interest in it
My father had a black Ford Prefect, he bought for £15 in 1967. II was 5 years old but I remember him using a piece of banality to hold the choke out the correct distance. He would pull the choke , turn the engine with the starting handle, and it would start first time.your video really brought back memories.
When I had my 1951 Lanchester LD10, the method used to test the brakes, according to the manual, was:
1) Get a house brick (stop me if it gets too technical)
2) Stand house brick, top facing forward, in the passengers foot well.
3) Velocitate said vehicle at 20 English miles in the hour.
4) At the aforementioned speed, in one movement, yank on the handbrake.
5) If the brick falls over, the handbrake is sufficiently adjusted.
6) Move house brick so the top faces either door.
7) Repeat 3-4, but substitute hand for foot brake for a similar result as in 5.
I kid you not!
:-) that actually rings a bell, I've heard or read that before somewhere, thanks for the reminder :-) Might have to try that
I remember remoulds very well and how they would shed the tread!!!!Whist in India I recall seeing retreads fitted to massive Tata lorries .These would consist of several sections around the tyre held together with wire fastening .
Looking forward to see how the popular runs with fresh fuel.
Thanks again for a very entertaining video.
hi. great video.i used to have a 6cyl overhead and sidevalve engine in my land rover series 3 in 1974, great engine.look forward to see this car running, hope the dog is ok, i would also check the clutch adjustment to be on the safe side
My first car was a 1953 Anglia! Bought it for £50 in the early 70's, and sold it for the same price a couple of years later, I recall paying 10 bob at the local breakers for a replacement for the cracked windscreen at one point! As you say cable brakes, no water pump (thermo siphon cooling) No oil filter if I'm not mistaken. It did have a simple airfilter, however, being in a very dry and dusty country. I drove it across Rhodesia at a steady 45 mph - it would get really scary at any higher speed.... Trafficators, inches of sludge in the sump.... The best feature was , at the Drive In Cinema, you could sit in the back seat, with your legs stretched out over the folded front seats. Great Fun! I had a body for a Prefect, very similar to yours, which seemed very deluxe in comparison - even had a wind-open windscreen for ventilation on a hot day!
Thanks for posting your memories of the old Fords!
My father drove a similar 5.4 side valve Dodge with cargo body and tilt, following the Desert Campaign in WW2, from Italy up through to Denmark. It was fitted with a two-speed axle and he was towing a captured Italian workshop trailer with a improvised coupling . As he was a mechanic he was at the rear of a convoy of vehicles and had great difficulty in keeping up as top gear in low ratio was too low, and top gear high ratio was too high. To compound his problems a lot of the fast road section was in pouring rain and on every incline my father had to keep lifting off the power to get the vacuum wipers to clear the windscreen. However somewhere on the journey the trailer was ‘lost’ and no one knew where. He told me that this journey had been one of his worst in any vehicle.
My first car in 1967 was a 103E Popular. Reg NOR 88, Cost £35. Amazing the things those old fords didn't have - oil filter, water pump, indicators, heater, wiper(s) that worked while you accelerated!. Loved that car and these videos bring back happy memories, thanks.
Yes they were pretty basic, thanks for watching and commenting!
Good stuff, I was recently hoping we'd have a bit of an up date on this. Thanks.
Thanks for watching
As always Rich, an excellent video. You might be aware that there is a photo and mention of GFH in the December "Sidevalve" magazine, although this somewhat contradicts what the owner recollected when I collected the car from Sussex earlier this year. Quite a puzzle! Keep up the good work. Robin
Love watching your very informative work but as for me don't have old cars but do have an interest in the old cars, yesterday I relived my past cars over 25 and the first was Austin 1100, my grandads who passed on but was left it in his will, I did have an old split screen moggy at one point but just left on the drive to rot even more, my bad, going to have a look at your sons now :)
The patina of these Ford side-valves is great. Like the rest of us when we get older we show our age.
Back in the late 60's early 70's my father use to coat the underside of his cars with oil and grease. A 100E and several Mk2 Cortinas.
Nice to see a start being made on the Prefect. The square headed float chamber screws are correct for carbs used up to 1950, the hexagon heads were for 1950 to '59. The vacuum pipe should be plain black rubber between the manifold and bulkhead valve. That awful piece of petrol pipe may very well have not been sealing well. Also, if a previous owner has been too liberal with the gasket goo, there are two small 'saw cuts' on the inlet manifold/block face which must be kept clean. If the are gummed up it can cause running issues. Keep smiling, these simple old cars can test our resolve, but it's all worth it in the end.
Ah righty didn't know that about the carb screws, thanks. Yes the plumbing to the vac wiper motor is less than perfect which won't be helping the running at all, so that'll be attended to shortly. I'll probably sort out the iffy exhaust joint while the carb's off and access is slightly better.
@@oldclassiccarUK make sure the manifold/exhaust clamp is not upside down. You have to look carefully to see the difference!
A fascinating video. Thank you for sharing. I love the Prefect. (Just had a little 'tinker' with my Morris and the heavens opened! Oh for the luxury of a covered workspace!)
I use to mot cars in the 60s and 70s with a tapley meter.
'Briticent' l think that might be the trade mark of British Central Electrical, electrical wholesalers, l used work for a branch in the early 70s.
Hi. The need for constant choke might also be a symptom of the vacuum wiper take-off not being entirely air tight? Making the poor thing run weak? Ford sidevalve valves on these may not need adjusting [there is no adjustment, as you know, unless one visits a grinder?] often?....But the sidevalve system does mean a very short valve train, so less need for adjustment. A proper way, as per the Buckler crowd, is to use a dial indicator on the valve head, to obtain the intended lift, plus gap. This then takes into account variations in size of cam follower, and camshaft lobe. With but 32 bhp at screamin' revs, every little bit helps? An easy job , as you mention, the head is but a lid?
Lovely video, a half hour well spent. Must check or Harley's channel too. I recall in the late 70s taking my first car a Mini Clubman to a local backstreet garage for its MOT. He jumped a Tapley meter into the passenger seat then raced past me and did an emergency stop. It passed 😂. Looking forward to more updates soon
Thanks for checking out this latest vid, yeah Tapleys were everywhere once, the local MOT garage still has a slightly later one in the office just in case.
Great video....many thanks.
We still use brake testers like that out here in Oz....albeit a modern version that gives a digital print out and is then attached to your pink slip (MOT certificate).
No fancy brake rollers that check each wheels braking capacity out here!!!!!
Interesting, didn't know that, thanks for watching mrh
Want to see a Tapley meter in use, then watch the film ''Overhaul' (British Transport Films), made in 1956 at Aldenham Bus Overhaul Works. The London Transport RT type bus is driven on an internal road at speed, the tester zeros the meter, then gives the driver the emergency bell to stop, and notes down the figure on the meter. The very British commentator then says, '' A reading of 75 on the Tapley meter, any less and it would be wanting in efficiency, any more and it might be dangerous''. I seem to remember car MOT testers used a Churchill meter, and Mini and 1100 owners with worn CV joints were scared that the tester would discover the dreaded clicking while they were driving to the quiet bit of road used for the brake test.
I know a funny story about a young MOT tester a rolling road, an old bus with a hydraulic braking system which used a pump to pressurise the system and needed to be moving at least 30mph and a Tapley Meter !
My fatherinlaw had a 1952 Prefect, he lent it to us to drive to a holiday, but I didnt know how fragile the engine was and drove it too fast and a big-end went, we left it at a garage and collected it on the way home, the garage just changed the shells and it ran perfect and quiet after that. I changed a door but never able to match the black paint.
"All the popular Fords of the era", no pun there then.........
Unintentional punnage!! thanks for watching
Happy 20th Anniversary, RJ. That brake tester is interesting. I seem to recall a similar device mounted on the floor of a Saab used to measure braking effectiveness on runways during slippery conditions. I'll have to do a little research. Looking forward to the next chapter on this project. Regards, Joe
Hi. I note the front brake cables are missing their rubber boots? Many of those sold today seem to be of an inferior rubber to those of old. They split very quickly. Can I recommend you might look at things called 'glands' used by the electrical trade for outside use? They use rubber covers [vinyl, perhaps] which are much more robust to the flexing from the steering. They can be fixed to the boot plates in the same way as the Ford items, using those 'split' rivets [used in the leather goods trade]...These ''glands'' come in a variety of sizes, so some investigation is needed. But they can also be had in black, rather than bright blue or pink. Needed to prevent grit from entering into the brake expanders.
Yeah I'll have a look and see what's available, my guess is these are probably the originals
From Firewall to Radiator is 18 inches? Wow, that is really small engine bay.
FYI if you have a permanent four wheel drive vehicle you cannot test brakes on a rolling road for obvious reasons. therefor the brake meter shown is still used.
I am pleased we have seen an update on this car. Slowly but surely over the winter things will fall into place. Why do people put oversized jubilee clips on things, it's not as if the right size isn't available? I wish i was still able to work on cars, it just passes the time and you feel you have achieved something very useful. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and sharing the video. 👍
Hi thanks for watching this latest tinkering video!
👍🏻
i hope you do a conclusion video on cleaning the carb when the light returns
It's always interesting to see the innards of these cars. The Prefect is in fantastic condition underneath, there looks to be protective grease on all the bolts, great idea. One thing that troubles me from an engine wear point of view is the lack of a proper air cleaner. All that dust and dirt being sucked straight into the cylinders must cause premature wear. Think of the poor rings 😄 Maybe I'm overstepping the mark but these things worry me, sorry 🤔
Hi, I think a proper air cleaner was an option back in the day so I might look out one of those, along with the adapter that's also required. It does seem amazingly penny-pinching just to have a little tin lid protecting rubbish from being drawn into the carb and the engine.
@@oldclassiccarUK The big brother of a friend of mine commented back in the early 70s that things like the little tin lid were only good for stopping small birds and large stones 😄
Catching up on these.
Good to see you back here :)
When I was young our next door neighbour had a Prefect, he was an engineer and he had got it rattle and squeak free and running like a swiss watch then he traded it in for a triumph hearld he could not get that rattle and squeak free!
Ha I can well imagine, the Spitfires I've had felt like 20 panels driving along in close formation
A nice project, good starting point, with a nice patina, your pool of parts and accessoies seems inexhaustible, your can see that your are passionate about it. You used to build fantastic cars in Great Britain, I'm also looking for something English for my garage.
Thanks Torsten, glad you liked it
@@oldclassiccarUK Yes, with your videos and image torries, I can really slow down and slow down and come up with expensive throughts...... 😃👍
What you are referring to as "Side Valve" engines are known as old "Flathead " engines in Canada and U.S.of A. CHEERS
Agradecería comentarios en Español para que todo el público hispanohablante pueda entender de que se trata. Saludos
I would love to translate the videos into other languages, but at this time it isn't really an option. Thanks for watching
Ah, simple technology. You look at it and what it does and how it does it becomes obvious. No uneccessary electronics. No special tools required.
Nowadays people take the car to the garage to have a light bulb replaced. If they're so eager to be ripped off, it seems rude not to oblige...
It's frustrating these 450/17 or16 sidewalls crack very quickly!
These have lasted since the 1960s/70s, but yes many modern tyres seem to last no time at all compared to those from 50-60 years ago
One of my cars at the m o t they ripped off my exeunt pipe
Prefect or Perfect?
Both!
Didn’t see anything mechanical done,just pointing to bits.
Thanks for watching