[Can you imagine.............................]

Drive the Buick Lucerne and then the Toyota Avalon and then say why people buy the Avalon. It gets worse gas milage, is smaller and noisier than the Lucerne.

[3.54 10 spline ring and pinion]

C & G lists one in their online catalog.

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?Parta~PartSort~A0~~~~~A20~A11

[1934 Ford Roadster paint colour]

Go to Auto Color library and you can get an exact match.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1934-ford-pg01.jpg

[Oil Question]

Yes.

Read the newest article in Old Cars Weekly about the new oils. Adding too much zinc can cause other problems.

I would still do nothing and continue to use modern oil.

[Oil Question]

I have been informed that STP has enough anti wear additive to replace the ones left out of oil with an API rating of SM

[Oil Question]

IMHO nothing.

My reasons are that the flat-head engines are slow revving engines and there is not the extreme pressure on the valve train as there is in the more modern engines. A stock cam and lifters should last a long time with the low mileage and low stress on these engines.

There were a series of articles in Skinned Knuckles last year on this problem. They are good reading and help explain why you should do nothing and what to do if you are still worried.

Any oil that has an API rating of SL will have enough ZDDP to protect engines that are susceptible to cam wear. Oil made for diesel engines and some speciality oils meet these specs. Kendall GT-1 High performance oil is another oil that meets the SL specification.

[Decode a 41-48 Ford frame number?]

You can find the serial number information at:

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm

The serial number that you posted is not valid. The correct format for the serial number would be *I8-1234567*.

If you delete the second 8 from your post (8-6526836) the serial number would be in the 1941 range of numbers.

[rear hub loose on axle, 47 Ford]

The axle housing must be turned down and a sleeve put on it. Buy your sleeve from C & G parts (http://www.cgfordparts.com/Early_Ford_Parts.htm). They have the ones that have the correct hardness. Several of the other Ford parts suppliers use imported sleeves that have not been hardened and these will wear out in a few thousand miles.

You will have to replace your axle. When the key way is worn, they tend to break and you could loose the wheel.

The gasket set from C & G has different thickness gaskets. They are used to set the backlash and bearing preload.

[Carb question]

C & G parts in California lists a kit in their parts catalog. Their P/N is 8CM-9590. Their site is:

http://www.cgfordparts.com/Early_Ford_Parts.htm

[Newbie Confused-Help please]

What was the voltage that you measured at the coil? It should be around 6V with the points open and about 3-4v with the points closed. If you get these readings, the points are probably OK.

Did you do anything between the time the car ran and when it would not start? Sometimes the replacement parts are worse than the old parts. Especially coils and condensers.

[Mercury flathead v-8 problems]

Check for spark while cranking the engine. I would need to know if the engine is the 46-48 59A model or the 49-53 8CM model ti give you more specific help.

[repair patch for trunk lock]

In 1990, I had my trunk lock punched out in my 72 Cutlass convertible. At that time it easy to find a patch to repair the lock. I need to replace the lid now and the replacement lid needs the repair. Does anyone know where I can get the patch. It is much easier than welding up the hole and forming a new support area for the lock.

[Door weather stripping]

My son has a 1972 Cutlass convertible and wants new door weatherstripping for it. I would like personal opinions on which supplier has the best quality as far as fit and longevity. Thanks for your help.