CLUTCH CHATTER March 2012

Transcription

1 EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB OF AMERICA SACRAMENTO REGIONAL GROUP #4 CLUTCH CHATTER March 2012 In This Issue Minutes of the 529th Meeting Board of Directors Meeting Report Cars and Parts For Sale Nancy & Mike Ahern s 40 Ford Tudor The Ford V8 Flathead 2012 Events Schedule March Meeting Our next meeting will be held on MONDAY, March 5th, in the Conference Room of the Sheriff s Sub-Station at 2500 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento, CA. Tire Kicking at 7:00 PM and Meeting at 7:30 PM Sharp. Parking is available in the front parking lot. We hope that you all can attend; guests are always welcome. Dennis G. Kurimai of Yankee Flatheads is our presenter for the March meeting. He is a Machinist who has a passion to modify and improve the early ford flathead V-8's The passion started in 1955 modifying flatheads for race cars, which motivated him to complete a machinist course at Bullard machine in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Dennis in his Garage Shop Flathead Test Stand Detail of pistons and valves Shenandoah Valley Wine Tour Saturday, April 14 - Organized by John Asmus Meet at Brookfields (Rancho Cordova) at 10 am Depart promptly at 10:30 am for Volcano (51 miles) Meet for lunch at 12 Noon at the Volcano Union Inn Take back roads to Fiddletown then visit 3 (or perhaps more) wineries More details on our website at clutchchatter.org/tours/winetour/ Please visit our website at clutchchatter.org for pictures, tour plans and much more.

2 Clutch Chatter March 2012 Page 2 Minutes of the 529th Meeting Reid Bendix of American Stripping gave a presentation on a new zinc coating process that they offer. In a nutshell, the process sprays heated liquefied zinc over rusted out areas and fills the holes a layer at a time. For large holes a backing may be required such as tape. There are processes that can also spray copper, bronze and aluminum. A media blasted roadster would run about $1000 to $1200. Stripping is typically charged at $80 an hour with a prime at half as much. Old Business: Treasurer's report: We have money. Our scholarship program may have found a home in American River College! We want to work on an album of our cars and owners. Dave Fibush, our editor, needs articles! New Business: Steve Chapman wants an itemized budget for the year. The response was that the budget would be the same as last year and that the general membership didn't need one. $1500 will go towards the scholarship. Contact John Sweeny at Cruisin News about our Swap Meet. The National club is no longer paying for insurance for the board of directors. Our yearly liability for board members is $200 which has been paid. Good of the Order: The ACCC conference is on March 16, 17 and 18. Charlotte Murray was thanked for her years of service in putting together the Clutch Chatter. Dave Fibush has proposed a Happy Apple Tour. He was asked to present it to the board for approval. Respectfully Submitted, Steve Wahab

3 Jahans 3-5/16 new pistons in box $ Slightly used 3-5/16 pistons $ Russ Broyles (916) Clutch Chatter March 2012 Page 3 Board of Directors Meeting Report The February 2012 Board of Directors meeting was held at the home of Russ Broyles. The Board reviewed the Regional Group #4 Governance Policy which was adopted at the February 7, 1998 general meeting of RG #4. The Governance Policy as therein adopted: 1. The Board of Directors would (at open meetings) plan/discuss/debate and decide on issues pertaining to club program, meeting format and activities. Monthly club meetings would focus on informational presentations centering on the purpose of the Early Ford V8 Club of America ie: the history, restoration and recreational use of early Ford V8 vehicles ( ). This is the recommended meeting procedure as per Regional Group Handbook page The Vice President would be the designated greater to meet and greet visitors and prospective members when they arrive. 3. Improve tour participation by group tours with other clubs. 4. BUSINESS- There are certain items of business (old and new) that can be discussed at the general meeting. This is especially important when it concerns the membership in general. Routine business matters are handled at the Board of Directors meetings. A club member at a general meeting may make a motion that must be seconded and passed by a majority for Board consideration and approval. The Board may meet after the general meeting if necessary. The business portion of the meeting is intended to bring club members up-to-date on upcoming activities, tours and events. Your current Board of Directors concurs with the above Governance Policy. The March Board of Directors meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 12, 2012 at the home of Russ Broyles 9190 Trujillo Way, Sacramento, CA. Scholarship Update American River College has been chosen as the recipient of the money's we raised from the RED HAWK CASINO car show, which was Director of College Advancement (ARC Foundation), Kirsten DuBray will be attending the May 7th meeting. She will introduce us to the recipient of our scholarship. CARS AND PARTS FOR SALE 1941 complete gage cluster needs front glass $ Single wire chrome alternator 80 amps $75.00 Mercury 4 crankshaft has not been turned standard $ Ford 3.75 crankshaft $ Exhaust manifolds Ford or Mercury $25.00 Gary Thompson (916) Drop Axel for a 29 model A $ Front upper and lower brackets for tub shocks for 29 model A $ Front and Rear backing plates $ Steve Wahab (916)

4 Clutch Chatter March 2012 Page 4 Nancy and Mike Ahern s 1940 Ford Standard Tudor So the story goes that this vehicle was purchased new in the New England States. The nephew of the original owners drove it to San Francisco in the late 50 s or early 60 s. The first California owner was Mike Knips of Campbell, who found it on the street in Haight Ashbury of San Francisco. The car has a dealer installed South Wind heater and a factory radio. He had the car repainted and was the owner for about 18 years. Curtis Parisi of Los Altos the next owner, he kept the car original and had the engine rebuilt. He toured with car occasionally with his family. His tenure with this car was about 20 years. The 5th owner was Bob Lenz, Bob had admired the car for it was always kept in its original form and condition. He purchased it in 2005 and sadly was only able to enjoy the 40 for a short time, like all the previous owners he kept it original. I too had admired the 40 Tudor from when Curtis had first showed me the car in the early 80 s at the time it was the most original 40 standard I had seen. Over the years I lost track of the car and many other 40 s later I finally got a chance to buy the car. In a round about way my wife who is a long time friend of Bob s wife Wilma found out the car may be for sale. I called and found out that yes she was thinking of selling the 40. This was in November, 2010, so now I am the 6th owner and going to keep it original and drive the car. 30 years of waiting for this 40 was worth it. Nancy and Mike Ahern

5 Clutch Chatter March 2012 Page 5 The Ford V8 Flathead By 1927, the venerable Model T was being rendered obsolete by the more advanced offerings from other manufacturers. Henry Ford needed another blockbuster success to regain the company s position and compete with the burgeoning General Motors. The Ford Model A, produced between November, 1927, and February, 1932, was enthusiastically received and gained back a lot of Ford market share lost in the decline of the Model T. It also became the favorite of a new and growing breed of "hotrodders" in California, so the prolific supply of Ford-based aftermarket speed equipment continued. However, as the Great Depression took hold of the country in the early 1930s, the 4- cylinder Model A began to be outstripped by the 6-cylinder cars from Chevrolet. Henry Ford got his real blockbuster by masterminding another production triumph. This time, Ford s industry first came in the form of a mass-produced, affordable V8 engine. The Ford "flathead," introduced in 1932, took up where the Model T left off. The Ford V8 quickly became Everyman s power for the road, and Everyman s power for racing. Like the Model T, the flathead never was a great success at Indianapolis and the other "upper echelons" of American racing. But it was a huge success at the grassroots levels and, because it could be easily improved for racing with modifications, the V8 flathead became another bonanza for aftermarket parts suppliers. The V8 flathead can take a lion s share of credit for the revival of U.S. road racing after the Great Depression, primarily because Ford V8 cars were relatively lightweight, maneuverable as well as powerful and also inexpensive. On August 26, 1933, Fred Frame won the Elgin, Ill., road race in a Ford V8 "stock car." The event was the first Elgin race run since 1920, and the last ever run. Ford V8 cars swept the top seven finishing positions. Six months later, on Feb. 24, 1934, Stubby Stubblefield won the Gilmore Gold Cup road race at Mines Field an airport circuit in Long Beach, Calif. Of the 26 cars entered, 22 were Ford V8s, and Ford cars finished first through 10th. All over the country, the Ford V8 was racing. It became the staple powerplant for East Coast road racing, which evolved into the Sports Car Club of America after World War II. The Ford V8 wasn t used exclusively in Ford chassis, either. In the hands of these racers, the potent little powerplant found its way into the engine bays of many MGs, and even the odd Lagonda and Duesenberg.

6 Clutch Chatter March 2012 Page 6 And on California s dry lakes, the Ford V8 was a mainstay in the growth of hotrodding, which has evolved into today s NHRA drag racing. The flathead V8 made an impact in European motorsport, too, where its most notable successes were overall victories in the 1936 and 1938 Monte Carlo Rallies. Henry Ford did make one high-profile attempt at the Indianapolis 500. For the 1935 race, Preston Tucker and Harry Miller persuaded Ford to enter a factory team of cars that Miller designed, powered by modified flathead V8s. Although it turned into a last-minute effort, the cars were beautiful-looking creations and technologically innovative, with front-wheel drive and independent suspension front and rear. Unfortunately, they had a flaw that the abbreviated testing didn t reveal until it was too late. The steering box was mounted too close to the exhaust manifold, and eventually the exhaust heat caused the steering to seize up. Ten cars were built for the race, but only four made the start. All of them dropped out of the race, and the bad experience soured Henry Ford on the Indy 500, but not racing, for the rest of his life. Production of the Ford V8 flathead continued into the early 1950s the 1953 model year was its last. Some of the engine s last hurrahs in racing were the first for Ford in the new NASCAR stock car racing series. A Lincoln holds the distinction of winning the first-ever NASCAR stock car race, won by Jim Roper, June 19, 1949, on a 3/4-mile dirt track in Charlotte, N.C. In fact, a Ford V8 crossed the finish line first, but the car was disqualified because it didn t meet the requirements of being a "stock" car. It was into the next season before flathead V8 engines powered the first NASCAR Grand National wins by both Mercury and Ford cars. Bill Blair won in a Mercury on June 18, 1950, at a half-mile dirt track in Vernon, N.Y., and a week later "Shirtless" Jimmy Florian drove a Ford Coupe to victory on a quarter-mile dirt track in Dayton, Ohio. (Text reprinted with permission of the Ford Motor Company)

7 Clutch Chatter March 2012 Page 7 DATE EVENTS 2012 PLACE MARCH 5 REGULAR MEETING SHERIFF S SUBSTATION MONDAY 7:00 PM Tire Kicking 7:30 PM Meeting APRIL 2 REGULAR MEETING SHERIFF S SUBSTATION MONDAY 7:00 PM Tire Kicking 7:30 PM Meeting APRIL 14 SHENANDOAH VALLEY WINE TOUR VOLCANO SATURDAY MEET AT BROOKFIELDS 10 AM RANCHO CORDOVA MAY 7 4:30 PM VINTAGE FORD REGULAR MEETING MONDAY (Pictures will be taken of members cars for album) RANCHO CORDOVA MAY 19 FORDS TO THE FOOTHILLS REDHAWK CASINO SATURDAY CAR SHOW JUNE 6 WM POND PARK 5PM SACRAMENTO WEDNESDAY CASPER HOTDOGS POTLUCK (Pictures will be taken of members cars for album) JULY 7 OLD AIRPLANES & OLD FORDS CLARKSBURG SATURDAY BBQ & POTLUCK 10AM MEET EXECUTIVE AIRPORT (Pictures will be taken of members cars for album) AUGUST 18 ICE CREAM SOCIAL THE THOMPSON S LOOMIS SATURDAY ALMA & GARY THOMPSON S 11AM BROOKFIEDS (Pictures will be taken of members cars for album) SEPTEMBER 9 SWAP MEET CONSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE SEPTEMBER WESTERN NATIONAL MEET REDMOND, OR SEPTEMBER 20 REGULAR MEETING 5-8:30 PM CAM THURSDAY PIZZA & SALAD SACRAMENTO OCTOBER 6 POKER RUN & SOUP AT KANE S WILTON SATURDAY 9-9:30 AM MEET AT BROOKFIELD S RANCHO CORDOVA NOVEMBER 5 REGULAR MEETING SHERIFF S SUBSTATION MONDAY 7:00 PM Tire Kicking 7:30 PM Meeting DECEMBER 2 CHRISTMAS DINNER DANTE CLUB SUNDAY 5 PM SOCIAL HOUR 6 PM DINNER