Fixing the Tank

So the other day we finally got back around to the gas tank we'd pulled out ages ago.  Kevin took the grinder and went to work on smoothing everything out, revealing a ton of rust holes on the top.  So then JB weld had to take care of that.  There were a bunch of little ones, so we bought a few cans of Flex Seal, and gave it two good coats of that, then spray painted the whole tank black.

In order to move her, we've just been putting a gas can on the floor board with a tube running from it, but today she got her first tank of gas on I don't know how many years.

We also tried to get out the bolts that had broken off when we removed the seat, but it was a no-go.  Fourty five minutes and three broken bits later, we gave up.  There were still enough we did get out to get the seat securely put back in, and the whole floor will have to be replaced eventually anyway, so I guess it's fine for now.

It took a really long time to get her to start after filling the tank, I have to assume the fuel line is filled with crud, and a manual fuel pump takes forever.  We did eventually get her to start up, though.

Up next: Fixing the brakes so we can drive her!

Flo's First Photo Shoot

Flo hit the road!  On 10/19/13 Flo was driven seven or so blocks to an open field behind a friend's house so we could use her in her first photo shoot.  It was used as a prop in a shoot for a dog being adopted and transported through Kindred Hearts Transport Connection, which my friend and I both volunteer for.  I figured since we already had her out and pretty, I also photographer our son with her. My goal is to take her to an old field in Sesser with a dilapidated mine building on it, and use her in family pictures for ourselves, and eventually make her a regular prop in my photo business.
So here's a peek of Flo the model!

Gross Gas Tank

So today Flo got her first upgrade and cleaning in what has to be at least twenty years.  We pulled out the seat, removed the gas tank, and pulled down the hideous cardboard headliner.  The gas tank had to be flushed three times, and we got a huge pile of rust from inside, not to mention finding a few holes, which hopefully will be easily patched.  We hosed out the floorboards, which have been horribly rusted due to what looked like mud trapped under the mats for ages.  The only other thing that needs to be done before she is driveable is replacing the clutch master cylinder, which Kevin pulled off and will just have to be replaced.  So, fingers crossed, Flo will be back on the road soon!

We found old emergency 'triangles' in a box in Flo!

Removing the gas tank

Found a button in the glove box!

Seat pulled out.

 

Removing the headliner.

I helped!

Eew.

Rinsing out the tank.

Eew again.

Flo Speaks

We were told Flo won't start if it's wet out, so of course we had to test that theory....and proved it wrong! She fired right up and purred like a kitten.  A 54 year old kitten :)  Soon she will get new brakes and a good cleaning of the gas tank, so reliable Flo can kiss the road again.

Flo Comes Home

Today, Flo came home.
Flo is a 1959 Ford F-100, with a 292 motor and 3 speed manual transmission. I've been waiting almost a year for her, and finally she's here.
We have big plans for Flo! While the original motor runs (yep. you heard that right, she's a tough old bird even though she's been sitting in a yard for the last 12 years) my husband plans to put in a cobra jet motor. Exterior belongs to me. For a while, we are going to use her as a 'rat rod' where she will stay just as rusted and imperfect as she is.  Eventually, she will be high gloss candy apple red with white accents, with white leather interior and red trim.
We will be doing all the restoration and modification ourselves, and I'll be chronicling it here.