Matt you are a brave man not to wear eye protection while taking out that tank! My Uncle got a little speck of metal in his eye and had to go to the hospital and they had to use a magnet to get it out!!
Use the plugged return port for a vent line to outside of the car and use a non-vented cap and it should be good to go. Duh, just got to that part of the video 😅
That's 'ol skool anti siphon your gas outta your tank, pre lock gas cap. However, a real theif would just craw under the car and cut the main fuel line, or punch a hole in the tank. It's just a matter of keeping honest thieves, Honest.
Enjoying this build! Thanks for showing it. Have you given any thought to the engine dip stick? I've put a Cad engine in my 39 Standard, which as you know, is a lot like a 38. The dipstick is a son of a b to pull out, and even more challenging to put back in. I'm selfishly hoping you address this before I pull my engine back out to address it myself!
I love this car. I mentioned previously that I had a '48 Merc with a Cadillac way back when, and am currently jonesing for a '41 Ford convertible. But one thing that is a pet peeve of mine is the gas filler inside the trunk. Aside from fumes, and other safety issues, I find that to be a really sucky location, one, if you have a trunk full of luggage it could be a hassle to access, but two, more of an issue would be spilled fuel while filling from a pump or leaky gas can. I like the fender location just fine. In 1941 the filler was hidden under a door in the fender. Not my car, but I would have considered that route rather than cutting that new tank. And all this time I thought it was just a no brainer millennium thing .... RooDog....
The last hotrodder who tried to modify this cool 38 should be very pleased at the really superior job you are doing to wake up this Ford. His work was very crude compared to what you are doing to make this car safer and more road worthy. The work to replace the hacked up firewall was tedious, but it and the Ford banjo rear end replacement are very welcome. As you undo the crude sledgehammer engineering you'll make this car that much better. I like that you are preserving the cars character.
You graduated from the 20's and early 30's to the late 30's and early 40's. Best to stay there, the cars get more complex in the 50's. The coupe is the raspberries, I love my 39 deluxe.
I'm enjoying each episode of the reincarnation of the '38. Mat, you need to up tour safety game! No masks for good eye protection while working under it, especially when Steve had all that crap falling down on him while removing the bolts of the tank. Also, the spilling of gas in the enclosed garage. I had a friend last year spill about 2-3 oz, while fill his lawnmower, well it sparked, and his entire garage along with a restored Mach ! Mustang are no longer in existence.
You should put an electric fuel pump back by the tank , with a filter between it and tank. Put it on a switch to turn on/off as needed. Push it up to the stock mechanical pump , great for priming. I prefer a Carter 4070 pump
That is so cool nice job guys , Do you think Steve will ever sit down on Camera for a few minutes? And just tell us a little bit about himself. He's such an awesome guy and I'm sure so many people love him on this show. It would just be cool if he would do that for his fans. But understood if he didn't keep up the great work. Guys love it everything you guys do comes out totally bitchin
Having run a lot of beaters with leaking rubber fuel lines I now just do metal tubing except frame to pump. Cars burning on side of the road from leaking rubber hose were so common rubber pressured lines were (are?) illegal in most states. Hate to sound paranoid but can imagine insurance company denying claim for that.
Matt, you have a great shop but it looks like a cave on camera. Some new LED's would really brighten this up and make a safer work environment. And you say? Did I mention that 38 is "Bitchin".
Matt wouldn't the filler neck being in the trunk be a danger of fumes in the cab with the top up sents its a vented cap and on that starter take the solennoid apart and turn the battery bolt and starter bolt a half round they wear out on one side causing the trouble you got.
It's fascinating how barbaric some of these old custom touches are. I know they were just cars back then, and were people were limited with skills and tools
I had a problem with braided stainless over "rubber" fuel line breaking down and leaking. I replaced those covered rubber lines with stainless over PTFE, teflon, lines. I also covered the stainless braid with heat-shrink as an added protection and to camouflage the SS tubing. Black AN fittings hides everything and negates the need for hose clamps. May be outta place on a vintage build, but so is that Holley carbby. LOL.... ....RooDog....
Another mouse nest unearthed. The first drive down the road at speed is going to look like the car's got uncovered hay bales stashed on board. All the old nests showing the vortices of early Ford aerodynamics.
Now my real question is what are you going to do with the convertible top bows???? I have an '87 VW Cabrio with the same fucking annoying ass top bows that in the fucking way AAAAAHHHHHHH. I am going to delete mine in favor of the Jeep or Samauri soft top option. Let me know what you're thinking, please.
