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Got the assembly to the point of engine running for the 53 B4C. Dodge running.mp4

Today my '48 P15 attained a milepost of sorts.....the first foray away from the shop to the other toy box. Thanks to many hours reading archives of your past posts and the helpful hints offered when I asked, the ol' girl smoothly and effortlessly made the 25-mile round trip on a four-lane highway to the hangar and back. She cruises nicely at 55mph and tracks straight down the highway. The only wiggles are due to returning the waves and thumbs-up from other motorists. There is still work to do (house training for one thing...) but after four months of bumper-to-bumper attention the P15 has awakened from its five-year nap and is now a real road car.

If you get ice cream every time you go for a drive you are going to need to go for more walks.....lol.

I had to work today so no transmission install. Tomorrow is supposed to rain but we’ll see. I did get time to finish the door card installation with armrests cranks and handles. I had to drill new holes in the square drives to account for the thicker cards. It feels solid and looks right to me. Now I’m thinking matching kick panels soon and headliner later.

Hi guys, Lots to say... The car was nowhere as near to running as it was supposed to be... The motor was seized and when broken free the cylinders were very badly pitted. The motor wich was not original to the car was the smallest of the 25.5 bloc, a 4 1/16 stroke 218 so i did not feel like it was worth my time to rebuild. I found an industrial 265 out of a portable water pump to replace it. That motor turned out to be in GREAT shape with everyting perfect exept for a borderline timing chain. So I will be using it but... I cant leave well enough alone... So I will be putting a triple carb intake, dual exhaust, HEI ignition, more compression and reground cam I am VERY lucky to have a local shop with lots of NOS parts where I found a new timing chain and 10 inch clutch disc and pressure plate that bolt directly on my 218 flywheel ( wich I will lighten ). So now I have a few parts out for powder coat and still waiting for the cam but should be reassembling very soon More to follow.

I have read that hammering on the puller will damage the axle bearings which are tapered roller type. Just sayin'...

You do have to push in the ends to remove the lens. There is a gasket for the lens... call Dennis Bickford in La Luz, NM... he sells 1946-50 Chrysler Town and Country Chrysler specialty parts.... He shows a replacement extrusion brake lens gasket in his 2014 parts catalog.. Phone# 575-443-1160

great looking engine(s)!

Seeing that his thread is not quite 1 year old, you already have huge experience, that's awesome!!!!! I did a "frame off" on my P15 and it took much longer and I already had welding experience. Looks like you're making all the right decisions. And, your respect for family values is impressive. Keep up the good work. You're an inspiration for many of us struggling with our twilight years.

It was simple on my 52 ply...The flywheel is drilled for both 9 1/4 and 10 inch clutches. I installed a 10 inch borg and beck on my car. It had a very worn out auburn 9 1/4.

Sure is great on these summer nites,out crusing in an old car. 87 F this evening here at 9pm. I got home from a vintage car club meeting. My wife said “let’s go for a walk.” I said, “let’s go for a drive!” She relented. Off for ice cream and a cruise through our old neighborhood. Not quite dark yet when we pulled the hill back home. Gotta love summer nites in an old Mopar.

Is there a particular reason you need a bigger clutch? Lots of hills, more powerful motor? Just wondering as the difference seems to be small.

6-12-19: Out for a cruise with my kids. We "creeped" around town for about an hour and a half, mostly in second gear. We stopped at Kwik Trip for a snack and ate in the car. It's been cool here, perfect for cruising. Pic 1: Main Street Chatfield, MN Pic 2: my son snapped my pic Pic 3: home again

That looks and sounds fantastic !

Looking really good Nick. The "putting it back together" is much more enjoyable.

This thread is quite enjoyable. Thanks for keeping the progress posts coming. I am currently contemplating a similar project: How far I might go into my 1938 Plymouth. Like you, I'd plan to do the majority of the work myself. My Dad is not longer able to help me out. I'm the Dad these days and my kids grew up are already moved out! Guess I'l be Hans Solo and hack stuff up myself. Tooling is my first plan of attack. What size air compressor are you guys using? 220V? HP rating and tank capacity? I have my eye on a welder. I have a feeling I will be doing lots of test welds as you displayed as I plan to teach myself. I'll certainly be coming to this web site for advice as I move forward. Then there's the financial decisions to make. The investment to rebuild almost everything, versus getting by with what you have, and repairing down the road as needed. The thrill to do it all, and the rewards that come with it, is certainly an attraction. Do it all now and front the cash? Or trickle along, enjoying each repair and driving the car as I go. If I were your age @NickPickToo I'd see no reason to do it any other way, than the way you are. You hopefully have at least half a century to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You're doin' it right. Cherish the time with your Dad. He's enjoying this project likely more you than you are. Congrats on the work so far. It's great to see another old Mopar preserved and destined for years of enjoyment.

Looks cleeeeean

Completed: Rear Suspension with new Leaf springs and Shocks. First time so far that Im not just tearing down, but building up. Leaf springs from Eaton Detroit Spring. Fit well and silent block included. Used rear bracket original to the Plymouth, but replaced grommets with Steele Rubber products Shocks from Kanter.

I entered my car in a local arena car show last weekend and to my shock it took home a peoples choice trophy. There were about 60 to 70 vehicles, some in amazing high quality condition, and my car came out a winner among them. It was the first time I had ever entered a vehicle in a show and it was certainly the first time the car had ever been entered by anybody. I got the car this year and spent a tonne of time and energy attending to every detail that needed attention. Looking at the car when I got it and looking at it now Im sort of impressed myself how far it has come. And of course Im hooked on the shows now. I showed the car for the 2nd time yesterday, however that show was a model specific show with an open invitation for all cars to attend meaning there were no awards available for anything other than specific models, namely Firebirds. still fun nonetheless.

thank you for the congrats. heres a pic of the car as it showed at the firebird event. bit of a gloomy day weather wise but it was warm at least. i was among the first to show up so i managed to get a pic of her on the beltway by herself.

I have news for you,bubba. EVERYBODY has an eye for your car. I am personally eaten alive with envy at the paint job and the chrome. That may be my favorite shade of green,and IMNSHO,it adds a touch of class to anything it is sprayed over.

Got to say that in your best Rocket J. Squirrel voice...…