| Kpyto71 | -- 07-14-2025 @ 2:05 PM |
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Hello... I'm am the new caretaker of a 1941 Club Convertible. My wife and I are pretty excited, as I fell in love with it at first sight. It's my first flathead, first classic car, and first time with 3 on the tree (yes, I know how to drive stick). So, I have some learning to do! I have a few questions: - Someone else asked about the controls inside the car, but it was from a few years later than mine (later 40's I believe)... Can someone provide the same information for my '41 convertible? - Lead additive / Fuel. I have read that 91 octane is good, but that I also need to add lead additive.... correct? - My '41 is pretty original - what can be expected for highway speeds assuming a stock engine/drive train set up? - The battery hold down is missing (replaced with a not-so-cool bungee cord)... the battery is newer, and I have seen different replacement hold downs available. Are battery sizes the same as original? I have found replacements that fit my year, but is that taking into account a newer battery. This is probably a basic question... but sites that I've seen the hold downs on do not give any sort of dimensions... I think that's all I have for now. The car gets delivered tomorrow where it'll go into the garage and get a bit more detailed. After that I'll have some additional questions for sure. For now it's just some basics I need to get comfortable. Thanks in advance for the newbie help! Chris
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| nelsb01 | -- 07-14-2025 @ 3:01 PM |
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First, congrats on your vehicle and welcome to the world of the Early Ford V-8. I am not familar with 1941s so will leave your first question to others. Try and find non-ox gas. Search this link for stations in your state -- https://www.pure-gas.org Otherwise premium gas will be of a benefit. I own a 1949 Ford and feel comfortable at 55-60. Please remember that your stopping distance is not the same as your daily driver. I use the theory of 'drive for five' -- drive for you, the person ahead of you, the person to your left, the person behind you and the person to your right. If you search the Ford reproduction parts vendors, it looks like a battery hold down is available for your car. In my 1949, my 6 volt battery is too small for the hold down, so I had to cut a 2 by 8 down to take up the difference and make the battery hold down fit. May I also suggest that you check out the 1941-1948 Ford Book that the Club publishes. It will answer a lot of your questions. https://shop.efv8.org/collections/ford-books And also, please join us. We are the greatest group of people you will meet. https://efv8.cornerstonereg.com
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| carcrazy | -- 07-14-2025 @ 4:47 PM |
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Hi Chris, You don't have to worry about putting any additives into the gasoline. The commonly available and least expensive regular 87 Octane should work fine in your engine. Most modern gasolines have up to 10% Ethanol (alcohol) content so you will want to upgrade the rubber components in your fuel system to accommodate this. The rubber fuel lines, fuel pump components and carburetor parts and gaskets should be replaced with alcohol compatible items. One source for an Owners Manual and other parts for your car is C&G. https://cgfordparts.com/owners-manual-41-passenger-v-23.html
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| carcrazy | -- 07-14-2025 @ 4:52 PM |
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One source for the battery hold down hardware that has them in stock is Dennis Carpenter. https://www.dennis-carpenter.com/product_search/?globalfilter%5Bcustom1%5D=Car&globalfilter%5Bcustom2%5D=1941&globalfilter%5Bcustom4%5D=&q=battery+hold+down
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| sq1954 | -- 07-15-2025 @ 9:31 AM |
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The original battery size is: Length: 10.25" width: 7.125 Height: 9.25. You can contact me directly if you have any questions. Wayne 503-502-9375 ( in Oregon)
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| sq1954 | -- 07-15-2025 @ 9:35 AM |
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I would use non-ethanol gas. The ethanol destroys the rubber parts and corrodes the inside of the fuel pump and carburetor.
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| sq1954 | -- 07-15-2025 @ 9:43 AM |
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You should be able to drive your Mercury a normal highway speeds w/o a Columbia. Most Mercury owners say you don't need a Columbia. I have drive my dad's 37 pickup comfortably at 80 w/o a Columbia. Just remember to give yourself plenty of room to stop since it won't stop as fast as new cars.
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| TomO | -- 07-16-2025 @ 1:21 PM |
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Here are 2 photos with the descriptions, but you will find better descriptions in the Owner's Manual. Original ones and reproductions can be found on Ebay, reproductions can be found at some of the supplier to the hobby,shown in the Vendors category found by clicking on LINKS on theleft side of your screen. Tom This message was edited by TomO on 7-16-25 @ 1:33 PM
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| Kpyto71 | -- 07-16-2025 @ 1:43 PM |
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First, thank you everyone for your responses... Some of you mentioned clubs... it's a next step of mine. I am part of an owner's group for older Chris Craft Commanders, and the forum and our club has been a huge help over the years. For the battery hold down... does anyone have a size for the frame from Dennis Carpenter (I assume original battery size, but you know what happens when you assume)? I have already ordered an AM radio knob... should be here in a few days. We took the car out for a few short drives last night (it was delivered yesterday morning), so it was interesting to start getting comfy with it. It'll take some time, but it was a blast, and we got lots of waves, thumbs up, and nice comments. After driving, I can't see myself flying down the road anything more than about 50 mph at the moment. With a bit of play in the steering, and the rpm's, it seems comfortable at 45-50. I can totally see the stopping distance issue - it's like stopping a lead brick, but something I'll get used to (and keep in mind). I did noticed the picture Tom O that there is a knob/button for Overdrive. I didn't see your post until today, but I'll have a look tonight when I get home. Again, thanks for the info everyone. In the meantime, I'll add a picture of it with me at the wheel this morning... This message was edited by Kpyto71 on 7-16-25 @ 1:58 PM
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| Kpyto71 | -- 07-17-2025 @ 10:49 AM |
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TomO... Last night when I got home, I went over to check out my 41 with your information you provided on the two pictures. There are two differences for me... On the first picture in red text you have two items: - Dash light dimmer (for me this seems to be the "trip" for the odometer - turning it turns the numbers on the right side of the speedometer. - Overdrive (for me, this is my button to operate the convertible top) You mention the dash light dimmer, but in fact, at the moment, I don't have any dash lights - If I pull the lights, first stop pulling outward turns on the parking lights, and second stop pulling out are the headlights - with the floor push button for high/low beams. When should the dash lights come on? is there more than one bulb? I'm thinking that perhaps I have a bad bulb (or two?). C.
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| TomO | -- 07-17-2025 @ 11:53 AM |
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Very nice car. There may be other mistakes in the labeling of the dash , that is why I recommended an Owners manual. There may also be differences o your car and the Owner's manual drawings. There were changes made during the 1941 year that may not be reflected in the version of the Owner's manual that you get. You should have dash lights when you pull the light switch to either position. you should have 2 bulbs for the gauges, 1 for the High Beam indicator 1 for the clock. They are no. 53 bulbs for the instruments. Tom
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| sq1954 | -- 07-17-2025 @ 12:50 PM |
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There should be 2 dash lights plus one in the back of the speedo for high beam indicator. There is also another bulb lower in the dash to light up the ignition switch. The dash light dimmer switch was notorious for going bad. You could disconnect the two wires on the back of the switch and couple them to bypass the switch if needed.
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| Kpyto71 | -- 08-06-2025 @ 10:47 AM |
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Hi all. Haven't been able to look into the dash light issue (playing with learning the finer art of starting the car after a few days of sitting), but for sure I have no lights on the dash of any sort - nothing for the high beams, nothing for the gauge cluster, and nothing for the clock. Makes me think that it's a switch issue. Is it possible to get a new switch, or repair/fix the existing?
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| TomO | -- 08-11-2025 @ 11:20 AM |
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It is more likely that the wire from the light switch became unplugged or the dash light dimmer switch is adjusted so the lights are too dim to see. Another possibility is that the bulbs were removed. The instrument panel lights are on their own circuit after the dimmer switch. If the light switch were bad, you probably would not have any tail lights. Here is a link to the wiring schematic of your car. You can download and print it and use colored pencils to trace the lines. http://vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_electrical-pics/Flathead_Electrical_wiring1941car.jpg Tom This message was edited by TomO on 8-11-25 @ 12:02 PM
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| Kpyto71 | -- 08-21-2025 @ 9:28 AM |
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Thanks TomO!
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