Hello wizards of the past. I just picked up H104313 0H656. 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental Cabriolet. V-12. Original colors cigarette cream and beetle green. Twenty-five Year old restoration but still in good shape. I safety checked her and I’ve put about 400 miles on her in the last week. Feel a little guilty but what the hell. It’s like a time machine and it feels good. I took her to a car show and, with limited knowledge, I tried to represent. First car show. Lots of good info at a car show. Lots of bad info at a car show.
So I’ve got a hundred questions but i won’t even try to get there. Here’s the few I came up with so as not to put you guys into sensory overload:
Someone put an aluminum gas tank on her. I’d like to lose that. Am I being realistic? If so, where can I find an original, new old stock or aftermarket copy?
Seems it has an overdrive but everything I’ve read says that wasn’t available in 1940. There is a 2” knob on the right side of the wheel under the cigar lighter. It is cable operated and leads back to the transmission. Pulled out you have an engaged transmission in every gear. After a few miles of driving the knob will slide back in, or if you accelerate up to speed it does it as well. I believe that’s a mechanical defect that I will have to adjust. Pushed in it operates in an odd fashion, each gear runs up to speed and then carries the car in neutral until you accelerate and then it carries back up. There is no engine braking with the cable pushed in but normal engine braking with it pulled out or overdrive disengaged. The overdrive engaged doesn’t seem much different from disengaged except that it coasts when I’m not accelerating. The ratio doesn’t seem to change much at all whether engaged or disengaged.
The tranny doesn’t go all the way into reverse and second gear pops out when decelerating with overdrive disengaged. They painted over the Zerk fitting for the linkage and I’m having trouble removing the failed press fitted Zerk.
Thought I had a valve train problem but got out the trusty stethoscope and the engine sounds smooth as butter, I did find a clattering in the generator. Is that normal?
Where can I find a boot for the top or and adequate upholsterer that would have a pattern?
The radio cover is gold trim and seems to be about .25” off to the horizon. Should I attempt to take this out and adjust it or am I asking for trouble? Radio only sends static. Someone put wiring in it for a cd changer. Should I try to find a replacement or leave it alone and make it work?
Looks like original interior and except for a random letter I found on the internet the records state that it is. Any opinions on that?
I’m about to raise her up and put her on jack stands to adjust the brakes. It’s a hard push to get her down from speed. I’m hoping I’m correct in putting the jack stands on the axles. I’ll let you know how that works out.
She seems to be most comfortable at about 50 to 55 MPH. Is that right or am I running her too slow.
Well, that’s it for now. Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and opinions. This is my first Vintage Automobile and I’m looking forward to a meaningful relationship with her.
Rob