socal tune up

[WiggZero9]

Any old timers willing to help a noob with a little tune up. I recently bought a 1946 business coupe off of my Grandpa and got it out to California. The car runs but will die and then is hard to start plus is running a little rough any way. The car has sat for about 12 years but it fired right up and I have been able to drive it some. It needs to be a little more reliable. I am mechanical but this thing is new to me and would love a little help and to get to know some locals with the same car. I am located in East Pasadena.  

[T120]

With a car that has sat for 12 years, I would drain and clean the gas tank,( if you haven't already done this), before running the engine. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

when it dies.....you first need to determine the base reason for this....the two most obvious is SPARK and FUEL   are you losing one or the other...it is quick and easy to determine which is the culprit...but..you got to spring into action quick for if you wait a bit to look, an overheating coil could cool within a few minutes to firing once again.  Fuel can then seep by a restriction or line blockage for enough fuel to once again fill the carb. 

[knuckleharley]

If it has sat for 12  years,you need to rebuild/replace the master cylinder and wheel cylinders,as well as the steel brake lines and the rubber brake hoses. Don't even think about driving it until you do this. Just because the brakes stopped it the last time doesn't mean they will stop it the next time.

Use the new copper/nickel hard lines instead of steel lines. It will never rust in or out,and it what the new cars are using. $25 bucks at pretty much any autop parts store in the country for enough to do the job.

Once you do that,remove and flush the gas tank. If it has a lot of rust in it,consider replacing it with a new one. In the long run that is the cheapest thing to do.

While you are at it,replace the fuel pump.

Like the wheel and master cylinders,it won't last long,either. Cheaper to replace this stuff now at home than it is to have to hire a rollback to get you back home,and then still have to replace it all.

Replace any and all rubber,steel,or plastic fuel lines or filters with new ones rated to deal with ethanol fuel. The burning car you save may be your own.

Buy a Motors Auto Repair Manual that covers 1946 American cars from ebay,amazon,etc,etc,etc.

Buy a shop manual for your car from ebay,etc,etc,etc.