Ed’s right it does sound like a symptom of carb icing.  But carb icing in south Florida?  I have never experienced icing, so check the temperature of your inlet manifold just below the carburetor.

I’ll assume that you checked the choke.  ??  If not, shame on you.

Capacitors are easy to replace and cheap.  Change it first.

Could be the fuel pump, but unlikely.

The next time that it acts up, take a plug wire off and stick a phillips screwdriver into the end that normally goes on the spark plug.  Holding the screwdriver close to any…[Read more]

Suggestions?   Jack, I suggest you tell Bill: “that’s why I moved to NC, – so I wouldn’t need no stinkin’ seat warmer”.   🙂

(Bill, I know Jack well enough to know one thing, – he can not get enough heat.  Seat warmer’s a comin’.  Fer sure.)

I really need to tell you guys how the best (by far) way to cut fiberglass, especially gel coated fiberglass, is!  I’ve had many boats, and this comes up often if you are a tinkerer and work on or around your boats.  It’s a bit scary because as my grandfather told me “no matter how many times you cut the board, you can’t make it longer”.

If you t…[Read more]

For the last two days, Jack and I have been having exactly the same interference problems with the radiator as well as the steering shaft clearance.  We think (hope) that we have figured out an elegant fix.  Just a bit more cutting and tweaking and drilling and then bolt it (fender, side panel, radiator and and front grill) all together…..and h…[Read more]

Jack and I are gaining a lot of respect for anyone (Paul et al) who put together one of these TDr kits.  Right now we have 472 c-clamps, vise grips, tape and all sorts of temporary hold-it devices trying to get things to line up.  I really thought that the panels would be cut much closer to the correct size and shape than they are.  ….it ai…[Read more]

Doesn’t look like Bill could move the master cylinder enough to make much difference.  But, it looks pretty good to me where it is.

Really good looking job on the steering shaft.

My bad!  I too, thought we were talking VW power.  Sorry.

There still may be a valid insurance question worth asking.

I assume that you intend to do some traveling (vs around the block).  IMHO hooking this trailer up would be very risky and unwise.  It’s not only the tongue weight that you should be concerned with.  I wouldn’t want to be in your TDr when an 18 wheeler passes or if there are any gusty crosswinds.  I wouldn’t even consider unless I had disc bra…[Read more]

Allen, there is no design check valve in a braking system on any car that I am aware of.  The entire system needs to be at atmospheric pressure (when not actually braking) as this allows the brakes to relieve when you take your foot off the pedal.

If your pedal is incorrectly setup such that the rod between the pedal and the master cylinder is…[Read more]

Allen, you might want to check and make sure that the reservoir is vented and the hole in the fill cap is clear.

Considerables not considered:  Workablity of materials.  Originality.  Cost.  Relative strength.  Your penchant for adding lightness.

Stainless Steel wins!  (I’m an ardent fan, but I’m a Nuclear Engineer, so that should be expected.)

I was using flux wire until about a year ago.  Went to a flea market and bought a gas bottle and regulator.  I’ll never look back.  (I’m using CO2)

It, of course, depends on the design.  But, it should cover everything that would be “inside” the car including the dash and it’s instruments.  From the top of the humps all the way back to the top of the tub, over the collapsed top and attach just forward of the “fuel tank”.  Usually they had a zipper running longitudinally from the rear view mi…[Read more]

Ed, not a play on words: are you using gas…..or flux wire?

I can not imagine a “kit” being cleaner and with more promise than Jack’s new toy.  An “adult erector set”.  Many of the fancy pieces are still in factory wrap.

I’m stupid on Ford 2.3 engines (and drivetrains).  Did these things come with crossflow heads from the factory?  Looks to be a super nice exhaust header and a 2bbl Weber carb on the oth…[Read more]

Really nice, Bill

I have always loved the Ford V8 – 60hp and (coming from the country) have seen quite a few used in the 1950-60’s.  But, this J2 – WOW!  What a job.  Too much for me.  (I just celebrated my 76th birthday.)

Thanks for posting.

Bill,  this is just to let you know that I’m reading – with interest.  We have elected Ed as antagonist-in-chief.