Leaderboard

I am 75 and and had toyed with selling my P15 coupe, but then I drive it or take to a car show and find the enjoyment is still there. I don't go as far as I use to or as often. I went to a car show last Sunday and the met a lot of old friends and made some new ones, and that is a big part of what the old car hobby is about for me.

Recently , I spent my 70th B day at a car show sponsored by the WPC club. It was the first show for my Fargo and it won first in the commercial class. The show was great but what I enjoyed more was driving the 100 + mile round trip without incident. Remarks like " Look at that old geezer in his funny old truck make me even more determined to continue." Hang in there guys. I enjoy being the junior member of the group. ( old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill every time)

Guys, I know the feelling(s) - car breakdowns far from home, old, achy body that does not want to contort to the necessary repair configurations, etc. Some day, I'll sell the car and all the stuff that goes with it, or my heirs will. In the meantime, I can fuss with things, and make the occasional car show. Some days I 'm ready to get rid of the car, but at a car show, people tell me how unique and beautiful it is, and thank me for showing it . Here's my car at the recent Rolling Sculpture Car Show in Ann Arbor. Friday traffic on the highways, Friday upper class lunch-hour traffic in town, hour-long staging area lineup, and final spot in the sun - hot, 90-degree sun. My wife and I couldn't walk much, so we were kinda stuck. Left early. Not again. September brings the Orphan Car Show in Ypsilanti - sparse Sunday traffic, verdant meadow beside a river, the beginnings of Autumn weather, lots of DeSoto companionship, club area with canopies, hang-out seating, potluck lunch , club meeting, etc. Good. (Sun umbrella - the struts from the luggage rack secure the top of the umbrella post. Suitable for hard ground situations. Umbrella can be placed in various locations to suit the site. The struts were clunky wood posts in fat conduit, which had to travel on the roof rack. I am re-making the struts from thinner conduit, which can be carried in the car, something to work on, part of my To-Do list that keeps up an interest in the car.

Nothing racist about it, but fixed just for you, everybody tries to make something out of nothing these days

It all comes down to caveat emptor, did you touch it before you bought it? If not and not satisfied and not as described use the intermediary's resolution process. Put up your feedback. The buyer needs one hundred eyes,the seller but one.

I really like the Dakota Chassis also. My 1995 Dakota, 5.2L, handled like a car, and hauled well too. Way better than a crappy S10 or utilizing a mustang 2 kit. There are many reasons why the Dakota is better than the "popular" choices... But you obviously know this. I can't wait to see the finished product.

We have a pair of white fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror in our new (used) convertible. My 6 year old great nephew was visiting so I gave him a ride. He jumped in the front seat and pointed at the dice and said “Cool Dominoes”.

Linus6948: So was Mikes reply that he would not make good onthe parts. Since he is a forum member i woud have thought that he would have been more accomadating becasue if the parts are as bad as you say he should have asked for the pictures of them and if his other guards were better as he states then he should have reshipped a new set to you. Sorry for the bad experience but the bad taste makes everyone else Leary to deal with hom. Most quality vendors will fix the issue. As you know I sell automotive catalog, One of our forum member purchase a lot of them from me and the other day he wrote to me stating that for some unknown reason some of the files got corrupted. I resent him the files that went bad and he paid me for my postage. When someone purcashes from you, and your item goes bad them you have to make good. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Yeah, I added a few comments ?

I assume both your top / full reading is correct (A) ? If so, bending the rod might help to correct the low level reading but would also have effect on the top level reading (B). More important probably is the low level reading. If you can live with a solala top reading then bending can be a solution. To get a correct reading top and low level the length of the rod also has to be considered (C). I made a sketch with the influence of bending and rod length adjustment. I hope it is understandable. For the adjustment of my sending unit I took a wood board, painted a 1:1 side view of the fuel tank to it and laid the unit down to it in the position where it is mounted to the tank. Hooked then the instrument and a battery. So it easily was possible to simulate the fuel level by moving the rod and determine the correct rod length. Sorry no picture of this. Do it yourself rod, if of interest -> http://p15-d24.com/topic/42339-plan-b-–-what-if-parts-are-not-or-difficult-to-get/ #23

measure from the flange to bottom of the tank....also verify your length to any inner baffle so to avoid dragging. Remove the float assembly and balance the gauge reading...keep 1/2 as close to 1/2 as possible as this will be your ho/low reference if the sender resistor winding is a bit off linearity. Keep in mind the float itself will need be accounted for.

some folks just can't handle prosperity

Looks good! Nice stance.

When we got our D24, the battery was hooked up backwards as well. It was "interesting" to hear the owner of lot we bought it from cuss up a blue streak about how stupid the PO from them was for hooking the battery up backwards (as in correctly). At the time, I knew nothing of positive ground systems, and apparently neither did he. Nothing worked right, but the car would run - sort of. Once we got a service manual for it and I realized the error of my ways, simply hooking the battery up right solved a lot of the tertiary issues, with no permanent damages. Nice find with your D24, excellent that these cars are still available out there.

On the other hand, we have one that runs: "Why do the Americans have their beer so cold? So you can tell the difference between beer and piss..." But I did also see a gravestone that read, "RIP J Lucas - father of the intermittent wiper."

The frame is designed to flex (1940-50's dirt roads and potholes). The rear of the gas tank was designed with spring loaded bolts to allow for the tank to remain "still" or isolated so the frame could flex without damaging the rear mount or the tank itself. Its a simple design for the times. With the current road systems, it may not be as relevant, but it will flex none the less. Might want to look at that part of the design and see if it is indeed a problem for you. 48D

so cool! i had compression seeping out at the beginning, too, but going through a few heat cycles and carefully retorquing it when hot fixed that. i think i retorqued four times and it always gave in a little until it finally sat right.

Here’s what the tire looks like in the tub. I measured approx 74” from the fender lips this just makes it. If I ordered a wider tire combo I would have to add only to the back side- probably fit a 12.5” in there no problem. These are a craigslist score- beggars can’t be choosers and these are plenty wide. Any shorter on the sidewall and they’d look silly too.

Ford and Chrysler and many other cars especially those made in England used positive ground systems. From an engineer's standpoint it may have been superior. Telephone systems were also positive ground. If you want your car to run at its best, return it to what its engineers intended. As mentioned above, Starters are not sensitive to polarity or even voltage within limits. Generators can easily be repolarized in seconds by running a clip lead from the battery terminal of the regulator to the armature terminal. A few sparks and it is done. As North American cars changed to 12 volts, they followed GM 's lead and went to negative ground more likely for standardization of accessories like radios than any other reason. Many British cars and tractors used positive ground into the 70s. This had no bearing on their notoriously unreliable electrical systems where LUCAS was known as the Prince of Darkness. .... why do Englishmen drink warm beer..... they have Lucas refrigerators. and just to be fair to Lucas systems they were far more complicated than they really needed to be. Hence the adage Simplicity is the hallmark of Good Engineering.

Just going through my photos the Dodge next to the Desoto had a Cadillac engine. Any how here are mine.

Okay, saved the controversial subject matter for last - some are "traditional", some are "rats", but all are drivers with good metal work if not good (or any) paint (even the Pilot House roadster), and some showing a great deal of creativity. Hope you enjoy the pic!

I finally got some time (and enough bandwidth on my dicey home internet connection) to upload some MoPar photos from the 2018 Syracuse Nationals. The weather at the NTS Fairgrounds cooperated during my Saturday visit, and there were many interesting examples of our favorite vehicles that this years event. The first group is of stock restored flathead powered Mope's, and I want to give a special shout out to the gentleman who owns the beautiful Job Rated truck. As I was speaking to him he saw a young boy take a picture of his truck and start to walk away - the proud owner got up and went after the boy, asking him if he'd like a picture of himself in the truck. Well, the answer was Yes! and he boy was all smiles and his dad was very appreciative. That's one way to get the young-ins interested!!!

Right before I end up in the nursing home I'll send both sets Brent! Ah... as long as I still have what's left of my mind.

no need to hide them Rob, just send me a spare for the "Green machine" and "Big Red" i'll keep them safe for you

If you were not so far away I thought about asking if you would rent her out here in Ca. to help keep up my friends two collectible vehicles (one is 47 Ply. Bus. Cpe) I would supply the know how-mechanical and body/paint and all tools and supplies and a place to stay will be supplied! No sexual part of this what so ever- You want a Ca. vacation too?? Does she cook!!! ? DJ

Got my alternator and fan mounted - another step closer!

I dont remember the width of the stock rear end. With the offset I went with on mine running 225/60/17's, I has to roll the front and rear fender lips for clearance. I can just get my fingers between the wheel and fender in the back.

Lookin’ good...

There were several nice MoPar Hot rods - The Suede Suburban and Hemi Plymouth 'coupe escaped the dreaded belly-button motor swap, and I believe the Plymouth Sedan and chopped P15 did as well.

While we're talking about non-dodge vehicles at the moment (and the acceptable non-dodge makes to boot)... Here's an IH Metro Van. I think these are very cool. I actually like them slightly better than the Dodge step vans. Sitting behind a restoration shop in Lockeford, CA. Currently used as a storage 'shed' for old paint. They were thinking of restoring this and making it the shop truck, but then again they are too busy and might not get that far...

MY 47 WDX

1942 Dodge "Job Rated" 1/2 Ton Pickup Just got done adding the new bumpers and a few other things: Slide show: http://s40.photobucket.com/user/tubeviper/slideshow/1942%20Dodge%20Job%20Rated%20Half%20Ton%20Pickup

Is that Wildcat's? I see a batmobile '72 Fury lurking!

have no fear guys.... we found them, wonder aimlessly around a Mopar wrecking yard and they were chasing each other around playing "hide and go COE" I must say it was a little awkward ..........

Got some more done concerning pulling the cab. I decided to lift the cab off with the engine hoist and park it for bit while I work on the frame. The bed is gonna sit this build out for now, but will not be melted down for beer money! lol 48D

Got the heads back....working on the little stuff....pulling the cab soon. My brother measured the frame for a flatbed he's building fer it. Made a "discussion" video about pulling a cab off the frame...... cab video boy oh boy..... 48D

Making some more progress: 1. Broke the bed free using the bent bumper as leverage 2. With the separation complete, we removed the bumper 3. Pushed the bed up and eventually over. 4,5. more of the same. 6. My progress board.....keeping the peace inside my head...lol 48D

Just thought I'd finish with the delivery of the Dart.......I towed it to the owner's house about an hour from my house. 48D

here is my 51 fargo when I bought it ... and a pick of new frame and firewall mod for 360 interceptor .. the new engine ... The interiour shot... and here it what it looks like now ...

I drove 400 miles in the hot sun at 55 mph. Got to the San Francisco Bay area with out so much as a burp. Spent the night. Next day I went and got gas, came to a stop light, took off in first and when I tried to go to second the gear shift went limp. Some how the linkage fell off. I drove back to where I was staying in 1st gear and came to the conclusion I'm too old for this sh*t. I rented a U Haul truck and trailer and with my tail between my legs I drove home. It was too hot and I'm too fat to crawl under the car. I figured out I just don't want to do this anymore. The car is 98% complete - I'm done. I figure I'll sell the 4 door and all the spare parts. You guys who are ace mechanics have no idea what a struggle it is to just get simple stuff done. I'm still not sure how the linkage hooks on the shifting lever. I'm not going to live that much longer anyway. I'd like to thank all the "master wrenches" who were patient with me and helped me through the trying times. I think I'm just going to try to relax and shed stress.