OCTOBER 2023 TUMBLEWEED CLUB OF NEW MEXICO
RG #79, EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB OF AMERICA, PO BOX 21538, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87154-1538
MEETS FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 7:00 P.M., LOCATION TBA
V-8
TIMES
PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 7 pm at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7600 Carmel NE, one-half block North and West of Paseo Del Norte and Wyoming. Program by our own Lorna Azevedo.
NEXT BOARD MEETING: Thursday, October 12, 6:30pm at Village Pizza in Corrales, 4266 Corrales Rd.
BREAKFAST GROUP: Join us October 14th on a tour to Chimayo.
CLUB WEBSITE: Be sure to check out our website at www.abqfordflatheadv8.com Updated “current Information and calendar” is on the current information page. More club pictures are on the website.
FORD V8 FOUNDATION WEBSITE: Another interesting website to check out is www.fordv8foundation.org
EARLY FORD V8 CLUB OF AMERICA WEBSITE: www.earlyfordv8.org
OCTOBER 3RD MEETING
The October meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 3rd, 7pm, at North Domingo Baca Mutigenerational Center. The program will be by our member Lorna Azevedo, so be prepared to be entertained! As usual, there will be a raffle with fun and interesting prizes.
THE OCTOBER 14TH DRIVE TO CHIMAYO
Saturday, October 14th will be an informal tour to Chimayo. Those living on the westside of Albuquerque will be taking a route from Bernalillo. Call Chris Joiner at 505-382-8723 for instructions on meeting place. Those living on the eastside of Albuquerque will take the Turquoise Trail route. Call Joe Abbin at 505-263-1946 for instructions. All will meet at Rancho de Chimayo for lunch at 12:30pm. That is at 300 Juan Medina Rd. in Chimayo. Happy Driving!
President’s Message for October 2023 Chris Joiner
Holy cow, time is flying! I can’t believe it is Fall already. Thank you, everyone, for a great showing at the State Fair. We get more participation with each year. Now, I am looking forward to our club day trip to Chimayo on 10/14. The weather should be nice and it should be a nice drive, not to mention great food to be eaten.
Also, it is almost time for club elections. My term will be over in December. The board needs people who are willing and able to serve for 2024.
Minutes of the September 5th Meeting
The meeting was called to order by President Chris. There were 19 members present with no guests. Chris passed out the new name tags and welcomed everyone. He explained that Amy was in class and there would not be any treasurer’s report. Everyone received the newsletter that was wonderfully written. Chris wished Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to those having events this month. Chris thanked his dad, Bill, for bringing a delicious snack.
There was no old business so we discussed the new business. Joe explained the correct way to enter the State Fair grounds since the old way was blocked. Joyce suggested a better way so they both agreed we would meet at 7:45 am at the San Pedro Plaza and go through gate 3 and wait until everyone gets there to take our place on Main Street. We plan to go to breakfast after setting up. Joe and Gus discussed meeting at 3 on Saturday to get the stanchions. Suggestions were made that a table be set up for volunteers to hand out information and to sign up new members. Please bring old V8 Times magazines to be handed out.
Chris announced the next meeting would be Tuesday, October 3rd at the same location. There will be a board meeting on Thursday, October 12th at 6:30pm. The location will be Village Pizza in Corrales. Joe talked about the October 14th drive to Chimayo. It should prove to be a nice drive with good food and people to meet to see artwork and giant donkeys. Joe skipped the crime report as it was sad. Joe brought 2 items for show and tell, a carburetor and a tool for adjusting valves.
Next was the snack and raffle. Prizes were 5 jellies, 2 pair of antique driving gloves, a Ford dishcloth, a photo of Henry and Edsel Ford and an ad from an old magazine for a Mercury Coupe. Fun was had by all.
George Abernathy took the stage to discuss Zoonoses. He had handouts for everyone to take home to read and told them to expect a quiz at the next gathering.
Secretary Jackie Abernathy
The 2023 New Mexico State Fair
The New Mexico State Fair is a staple of the Tumbleweed V8 club outings. For the last several years the Tumbleweed club has been marginal with our entries, last year barely 10 and the prior year only 4. 2023 was a year the Tumbleweed Club showed up. Our club brought 14 lovely flatheads to the fair.
Joe Abbin brought his ’50 Mercury and was awarded the Fair Top Choice Award picked by the New Mexico State Police. Richard and Barbara Polk drove their bright green 1946 Ford pickup and won a State Fair award.
For the Viewers’ Choice Awards, Liz Johnson won first place for her 1937 5-window Coupe; Don Gutierrez took second place with his 1939 Pickup; and Amy and Chris’s 1940 Mercury took third place. Congratulations to our club’s award-winning members. A special thanks goes to Gus and Debbie Van de Velde for transporting the stanchions in their 1944 Ford Truck – a 122” Flat Bed.
The cars were not the only highlights of our State Fair participation, we had other winners. Amy Joiner won 2 red ribbons for her crochet work. Jackie Abernathy won first place for her collage. George Abernathy won a second and a third place for his delicious jams.
We thank all the members that brought their cars to the fair. It was a lovely, relatively cool day.
(See several photos later in this newsletter and those and many more on our club website.)
October Birthdays and Anniversaries
Linda Frazer (12) Joe and Anita Warren (7)
Amy Joiner (25) Bud Hennessey/Linda Frazer (9)
Gus and Debbie Van de Velde (30)
Newsletter Note
Members are encouraged to submit articles, ads, and photographs for inclusion in the newsletter. Please understand we have a volunteer Newsletter Editor so try and submit typed and proofed articles, comments, and new want ads. The deadline for submissions is the 20th of the month. Beth Jackson, 505-908-7564, or email: JBJaxun@gmail.com
2023 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
President: Chris Joiner (amy2001tweety@hotmail.com) 505-382-8723
Vice-President: George Abernathy (docszoo22@gmail.com) 505-771-2113
Secretary: Jackie Abernathy (docszoo22@gmail.com) 505-269-4010
Treasurer: Amy Joiner (amy2001tweety@hotmail.com) 505-382-8724
Director: Joe Abbin (roadrunnerengr@msn.com) 505-263-1946
Director: Larry Bost (LBost111@gmail.com) 505-379-7891
Director: Don Gutierrez 951-241-4959
Director: Jeff Jackson (jbjaxun@gmail.com) 505-908-7565
Director: Bill Joiner (joinerenterprise@cs.com) 505-238-1794
Director: Joe Warren (jbwarren302@gmail.com) 505-554-1387
Director: Roger Wilbur 505-603-5031
The First Truck I Remember
When I was little, we lived in Belen. One of my favorite things was hooking my Red Flyer wagon to my tricycle and riding around the block.
An across-the-street neighbor, Art Leupold, worked at his father’s Ford Dealership. Art’s shop truck was a 1941 Pickup that he drove back and forth to the dealership. Sometimes when I was riding around the block Mr. Leupold was home. I would stop and look across the street at that pretty truck. That is a very vivid memory - the first pickup I remember.
Life moved on and we moved to Albuquerque, but the vivid memory of seeing my first pickup stayed with me.
In 2017, at a car club meeting, Bob Agnew announced that Art Leupold had died. After the meeting Bob told me that Art was from Belen and his Dad had owned the dealership. In the discussion, Bob said Art still had many of his cars including the “41 pickup.
Through Bob, I was able to meet and visit with Betty, Art’s widow. Betty said it would be ok to come to their house and take some photos of the pickup to document those long ago still vivid memories.
When I went by to take the pictures, Betty and I started visiting and spent much of the afternoon reminiscing. At the end of my visit, I asked Betty if she would consider selling the pickup to me. The family conferred and I bought the pickup.
My vivid memory from so many years ago became a new reality for me.
Thank You, Betty, and the Leupold family!
Larry Bost
Tech Tips
Fuel Pump Drain Back
The following is from Western NY Regional Group # 3’s newsletter, Greyhound Express December 2020
After not using your Flathead Ford, with a stock mechanical fuel pump, for a week or so, have you ever experienced the problem of a ‘no start’ due to lack of fuel? The problem only being resolved by the addition of fuel down the carburetor before it will start.
I have experienced this problem for years. I believe I have now finally solved the problem without taking the easy way out and fitting an after-market electric fuel pump! In my view, only Henry’s OEM parts (where & when available) are period correct for my Early Fords.
Recently, I stumbled across a Jay Leno YouTube video, where Jay introduced a guest who was an expert on overhauling mechanical fuel pumps. The guest’s presentation was based on overhauling an Early Ford V8 style mechanical fuel pump. Interesting, the expert suggested “the OEM style mechanical pump will give many thousands of miles of trouble-free service providing some steps are followed during overhaul of the fuel pump.”
The expert suggested that one reason for the ‘no start’ issue is not because of ‘drain back, it is in fact “evaporation” found to be caused by the overtightening of the screws that retain the diaphragm between the top and lower housings of the fuel pump. The over-tightening causes distortion and results in an ‘air gap’ being formed between the diaphragm and the two halves of the fuel pump housing allowing the fuel to evaporate whilst the engine is cooling or sitting at length.
The remedy is to first inspect the flat surfaces of the housings top and lower sections for distortion. If found not to be flat, use a flat sheet of glass together with 180 wet and dry paper to remove any high spots around the threaded holes of the housing halves, as shown.
In my case, the distortion was considerable, so I placed each housing half in the vice and draw filed the surfaces flat and finished on the glass and 180 paper to ensure the surfaces were flat.
Next, the expert suggested using a ’fuel resistant’ gasket material around the circumference of the mating surfaces of the housing halves prior to assembly of the diaphragm. I used Permatex (Form-A-Gasket) gasket sealant as recommended in the YouTube video.
The overhauled fuel pump was then re-installed on my engine and briefly started to ensure the fuel supply to the carburetor and then allowed it to sit for the next 3 days.
Then came the big test….On the fourth day, I attempted to start the engine, pumped the accelerator pedal twice, flicked the ignition switch, pressed the starter button and the engine roared into life like never before….Eureka!!
So, if you are experiencing a similar problem give it a try, it worked for me! John McArthur
New Mexico State Fair 2023
Displays and Winners
For more pictures please check the club website
Under New Mexico State Fair 2023
Joke of the Month
The temptation to sing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight“ is always just a whim away, a whim away, a whim away, a whim away.
A duck is standing next to a busy road, cars zooming past while he waits for a break in traffic. A chicken walks up to him and says, “Don’t do it, man. You’ll never hear the end of it.“
Tumbleweed Early Ford V8 Club Calendar for 2023
October
Tuesday 3rd – 7pm Club Meeting at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center – Program by Lorna Azevedo. Refreshments open
Saturday 14th – Car tour to Rancho de Chimayo
November
Tuesday 7th – 7pm Club Meeting at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center – Program by Larry Azevedo speaking on Henry Ford. Elections of new officers. Refreshments open.
Saturday 11th – 8:30am Breakfast followed by visit to the Wheels Museum
December
Saturday 9th – 1 pm Potluck Christmas Gathering at George’s Warehouse
OCTOBER 2023 CLASSIFIED ADS
For Sale: Radiator for 1953 Ford P.U. - very good $150. Gary McGlasson 505-250-1586
For Sale: 1936 Ford Cabriolet, $30,000. Tan exterior, LeBaron-Bonney interior and top. Working radio in box with correct controls is included. Extra parts go with the convertible. Bob Quirici 505-821-1646 or 505-350-2454
For Sale: 1955 Chevrolet BelAire. Gets lots of attention. Runs well. 283/Th350/10-bolt, 2.70 gear/no power/no ac/front disc brakes. $35K OBO. Joe Abbin 505-268-6768 office 505-263-1946 cell.
Storage: Outdoor $25/month, secure yard. Joe Abbin 505-296-7678
For Sale: 1926 Model T, Roadster Project. Jim Clements 505-884-7912
For Sale: 1953 Ford flathead V-8. Partially dis-assembled but complete. Many new and used parts including two transmissions, new water pumps, etc. To be sold as one lot.
Gary Bachman, gbach2736@gmail.com, 505-850-9026
Wanted: 1939 Ford ½ ton rear fenders, floorboard and rear bumper assembly. Contact Daniel at dperea@q.com.
Services Offered: Vintage engine rebuilding, any make, any model. Stock or modified. Dynamometer testing available. Results guaranteed. References available. Gary McGlasson, 505-250-1586.
Businesses Used by Members
(Send us names of businesses you have used)
1. Starters and Alternators of New Mexico, 3711 Franciscan St NE, Albuquerque NM 87107, 505-344-5025, Eldon.
2. Skinners Carburetor & Distributor Service, 300 Aspen Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, 505-344-3704, Albert & Nic.
3. McBride’s Springs & Welding, 1010 2nd St NW, Albuquerque NM 87102, 505-242-2174.
4. Old Car Garage/World Wide Automotive, 3232 Girard Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 505-881-2722, Bob.
5. The Santa Fe Detail, 7512 Avenger Way, Unit 2, Santa Fe NM 87507, 505-204-5120, Luis.
6. Horizon Auto Glass & Tint, 8201 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 87110, 505-897-9000, Rod Williams. Also at 1560 Deborah Rd SE, Rio Rancho NM 87124, 505-822-1717.
7. Wild Heart Ranch Texas, 3120 FM 1995, Van TX 75790, 505-908-7565