Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Mello

Hi All,

Just bought a '56 Pop 103E which hasnt been started since 1982!

I know I have a list of things I need to do before I think about trying to start it up, and I'd value your thoughts on anything I may have overlooked... the car is 6V, completely unmodified and original.

Replace:-
Battery
Fan belt
oil
water
petrol pump diaphragm
voltage regulator
points & plugs
rotor arm
condensor
ht leads
coil
radiator hoses
dynamo?
brake shoes
oil in shock absorbers?
wiper vacuum hose (probably)

I'd value thoughts on the merits of converting to 12volt too... Wink

I also have a Prefect engine which has an oil pump and water pump. Would it be sensible to replace the original for the benefits that it brings?

Anything else? Any suggestions welcomed!! Wink

Thanks in anticipation Smile

Pete

Brian M · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:42 am Post subject:

Pete

Having resurrected my last classic (a Rover P4) that had stood unused for 23 years I can add two other important things to your list, and I am sure there are other items requiring attention.

The petrol tank will need emptying and the inside cleaning, as the residue will mess up the carb and petrol lines for months if it is not removed.

The tyres will also need replacing as they will be dangerous after so many years.

Good luck anyway as there are few things more satisfying than hearing the engine running for the first time and the first drive is also a moment to savour.
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22439 Location: UK

Hi Pete,

Welcome along, I've had one or two sidevalves over the years too - dropping and cleaning out the sump wouldn't be a bad idea either before firing her up.

As for 12v, well you could convert, but 6v will do the job on a little engine like the 1172, so long as all your earth connections are ok. I'd only think of converting if I planned to do a lot of night driving, as 6v lights aren't the best.

Any photos?

Rick

PS The firing order is 1-2-4-3, not the usual 1-3-4-2.
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victor 101 · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 446 Location: East Yorkshire

While your changing plugs, points leads, condenser & rotor arm I would change the distributor cap as well, and if you change your coolant and hoses it might be worth a back flush and refill using a good antifreeze mix and fitting a new thermostat and radiator cap, but I would leave that till you know it runs okay with no overheating problems, and I wouldn't worry about the dynamo & regulator unless they fail to work once your up and running.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22439 Location: UK

A lot of the things in your list will be needed before hitting the road, but just to get it running to test the engine, I'd try:

Cleaning and resetting the ign points that are already fitted and test for a spark. Then test for compression. Double check the timing, rig up a temporary feed into the fuel pump. Maybe change the oil if it looks old/gloopy/watery, then give it a try Smile

R
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Mello · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:23 am Post subject:

Thanks Gents - great advice, and any more welcomed...

The tyres are new (well, unused) and have never been on the car, so they should be ok. The wheels have been newly refurbished and never bolted on. The car has been on axle stands for many many years, with oil put down the bores etc. so I am happy that in general the right things were done before I bought it.

Distributor cap replacement, sump flush and petrol replacement are now all on my list Smile

Would the Ford Sidevalve Owners Club (I've just joined) be the best source for the parts I need or does anybody have any better suggestions?

I collect the car next Tuesday, so the fun begins after that! Will post pics when I have some...

Mello · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject: Pics, as promised

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22439 Location: UK

looks like a nice find, judging by the repainted wheels its had a fair bit of work done in the past already?

R
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Mello · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject:

Thanks Rick. The wheels have been repainted (+new tyres) but nothing else has been changed for a very long time! Very generally straight and unmolested Smile

Mello · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:59 pm Post subject:

Here's another pic with the front getting gradually bolted back on...

47p2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow

That's a nice looking Pop, it's not often you see them this good.

Here is one that I took a picture of last year at Fraserburgh, it's a 1959 model

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Mello · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject: Update...

Well, I've now replaced all the necessary electrics and we got it started on Thursday! In the end I didn't need to replace the petrol pump diaphragm, voltage regulator, coil, dynamo, brake shoes or the oil in shock absorbers, but I will do some or all of these at some stage.

I drove it very briefly and all seems more or less ok but a bit smoky, improving all the time).

I now need to finish connecting the front lights then improve/upgrade the bulbs. Then it's 'first go at MOT' time...

The underneath desperately needs steam cleaning!

Mike · Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Oxfordshire

First car I can remember my dad owning was a Pop just like yours. I remember us driving up Porlock Hill one summer holiday in it.
Must be a great feeling hearing your car run for the first time in your ownership - hope I get that pleasure before Christmas.

Cheers!

Jim.Walker · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: Chesterfield

Those tyres bother me a bit. You say "new", but how new? If they have stood unused with the car for years they may not be as safe as they look, unless they have been stored in total darkness. Tyre rubber quietly perishes in daylight even without being used. The deterioration is not always easy to see and may not show up in use until it is too late!
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Mello · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:25 am Post subject: