V12 LincolnsDiscuss '41 Connie Cross Country? in the Lincoln & Zephyr forums; I'm inheriting my father's '41 Lincoln Continental. Amateur resto over last 20 yrs from two basket cases. Runs ok, and most things needed were replaced or 'repaired'. However, NC to ...
I'm inheriting my father's '41 Lincoln Continental. Amateur resto over last 20 yrs from two basket cases. Runs ok, and most things needed were replaced or 'repaired'. However, NC to CO would have been a journey in '41, so I wonder if I'm being foolish. A transporter would be sensible, but seems undignified for such a regal machine. And, besides, where's the adventure?
What spares would you take, not knowing how well the resto was done? I'm a reasonably good wrench, but on older Brit iron mtorcycles and MGs/Healeys
I posted this in the General area not realizing you guys were here, and one suggestion was a spare distrib and coils, bits that prob can't be found at most NAPAs, and may be of ? reliability? Fuel pump diaphragm? Oh, it turns over kinda sluggish, I think, even with a fully charged Optima 6v. Tired starter? Solonoid? Once running, she's smooth as a V12 :c
Many thanks, in advance.
Btw, anyone want to tag along. All expenses paid.
Scott
Last edited by rockitdoc; August 4th, 2012 at 08:44.
I took a 58 nash Metropolitan from calif to Texas a few years ago, people thought I was nuts for driving it that far across the continental Divide and the 3 other 7500' passes between here and there, What made the trip exciting was to see if the old car would make it. It sucked a valve 300 miles from home, so I took the plug out and finished the last 1500 miles of the trip on 3 cylinders with no problems except for adding oil every 200 miles.
I would take my 48 on the same trip with a few spares and some radial tires just because the roads in Calif. are worse than dirt roads in Oklahoma after a rain storm. I would take a complete dist and coil with condensers and a new or rebuilt fuel pump maybe add an electric fuel pump to help over ride vapor lock some tool and a blanket to lay on just in case you have to get under the car and I would go for it.
If your a member of the LCOC or LZOC I would take the club members book in case you break down you would probably get some help from the club members in the area you break down in.
I took a 58 nash Metropolitan from calif to Texas a few years ago, people thought I was nuts for driving it that far across the continental Divide and the 3 other 7500' passes between here and there, What made the trip exciting was to see if the old car would make it. It sucked a valve 300 miles from home, so I took the plug out and finished the last 1500 miles of the trip on 3 cylinders with no problems except for adding oil every 200 miles.
I would take my 48 on the same trip with a few spares and some radial tires just because the roads in Calif. are worse than dirt roads in Oklahoma after a rain storm. I would take a complete dist and coil with condensers and a new or rebuilt fuel pump maybe add an electric fuel pump to help over ride vapor lock some tool and a blanket to lay on just in case you have to get under the car and I would go for it.
If your a member of the LCOC or LZOC I would take the club members book in case you break down you would probably get some help from the club members in the area you break down in.
V12lincoln, thanks for the advice. I'll renew my membership in LZOC. That could b the best 'tool' of the trip. You're the second one rec distri coil condensers. Any tools that are special I'm not likely to have that I'll need? I've got complete Imperrial and metric. Quite a few Whitworth.
The late Rolf Burdette did a cross country trip in his 1941 Lincoln Continental with NO overdrive! I'm not sure when he did that, but I have collected some of Rolf's snapshot photos in a Webshots screen saver photo album at: Webshots Rides offers thousands of the best car wallpapers.
Speaking of Nash Metropolitans, I drove one from LA to Phoenix on a VERY HOT Memorial day some 30 years ago. A Buick Riveria sailed past me in the California desert. I passed them in mid-Arizona. They had the hood up and were waiting for a tow. There was nothing I could do for them in my Metropolitan, but I did finish the trip (both ways)!
In 1970, my wife and our two small boys drove our 1947 Lincoln Continental (with NO A/C) from Los Angeles to the Eastern LCOC National meet at Mt. Snow, Vermont. We also drove the Lincoln to the LCOC Western National Meet at Yosmete National Park in California the same year. We were the only car to attend both the eastern and western meets that year. I did cheat a bit because the car had a 1957 Lincoln V8 engine with an automatic transmission. The "purists" were not pleased with the car, but we DID make the 7,000 mile trip with NO show-stopper problems. (I still have the car).
Last edited by Phil Knapp; August 4th, 2012 at 21:21.
Distributor and coil are odd-ball, but about the most troublefree part of car if good condition...On tha long of a trip..fresh tires , get spare tubes, coil rebuilt tuned up, belts hoses new, waterpumps recent, plenty of oil, 50 weight, lzoc directory is a must.Did the old man every drive it?? Are you at all familiar with flathead Fords??
I work on my car, and drive the wheels off of it..but thats too far....Do you realize that sometimes you get no cel signal...You must have overdrive, working..if no, absolutely not..I would go look at it..hop on freeway, do the outer belt, 50 miles close to home...test drive, then call a car transport..go home and be happy it is safe and sound, delivered to your ft door...then, tinker with it.
Distributor and coil are odd-ball, but about the most troublefree part of car if good condition...On tha long of a trip..fresh tires , get spare tubes, coil rebuilt tuned up, belts hoses new, waterpumps recent, plenty of oil, 50 weight, lzoc directory is a must.Did the old man every drive it?? Are you at all familiar with flathead Fords??
I work on my car, and drive the wheels off of it..but thats too far....Do you realize that sometimes you get no cel signal...You must have overdrive, working..if no, absolutely not..I would go look at it..hop on freeway, do the outer belt, 50 miles close to home...test drive, then call a car transport..go home and be happy it is safe and sound, delivered to your ft door...then, tinker with it.
My dad did drive it occassionally, but never farther than 50 miles. It most recently had an issue with fuel spraying out of the carb, and went to a pro wrench nearby to get it fixed, but the guy couldn't figure out what caused it cuz it stopped doing that. That worries me, so some investigation is required before I drive it far. A big fire would ruin my day. How would I know if overdrive is working? As far as I know the car has a three speed on the tree. Did all '41 Continentals have overdrive? Why is it necessary? I'm not familiar with flatheads of any kind. The transporter is the SENSIBLE solution, but what an adventure this could be! Besides, I guess if it completely poops out, I could still arrange a transporter.
Over drive if you have it should be a push pull knob on the left of the steering column. If you have it the car will cruise at 70-75 with no problems. You can also look under the hood for what looks like an extra voltage regulator. if you have OD just push the knob in and at about 35 let your foot off the gas and you will feel it kick in if it is working right. Check the inline fuse by the regulator to make sure its good and if the wiring is all good you should be good too.
Over drive if you have it should be a push pull knob on the left of the steering column. If you have it the car will cruise at 70-75 with no problems. You can also look under the hood for what looks like an extra voltage regulator. if you have OD just push the knob in and at about 35 let your foot off the gas and you will feel it kick in if it is working right. Check the inline fuse by the regulator to make sure its good and if the wiring is all good you should be good too.
Pretty sure it has no overdrive. I'd probably not drive it 75 anyway. Steering is a bit loosey goosey. Probably 1/8 turn before you can feel it engage for opposite directions. Makes faster driving a bit tenuous, if you know what I mean. I think 50-55 is going to be tops.
I jus took my 1932 Buick rumble seat coupe up to Reno for Hot August Nights car show. From Sacramento it is only 130 miles but it is from sea level up to 7300 feet. car made it with no problems and it was 102 that day. did have my Fan Hub lock up on me when the oil dried up when the screw came out but that is not something you would have to worry about. Had to have it towed home because these parts have to be made.
I had a great time and didnt have to eat anyone on top of the Donner Pass.
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Originally Posted by v12lincoln 
Might want to go through it first 
