Don Jordan

I know this is an old story: "It was running when I shut it off." (Long story) I took the engine out, had it rebuilt, put it back in, and now nothing. No spark to the plugs. I read some posts about testing the coil. It didn't say how. I know I will have to trouble shoot every line. I just don't know the proper SOP for testing the coil if the motor won't start. Because the motor is new it's very tight and putting a strain on the battery. I know this is right out of auto shop 101 but I don't remember ever testing a coil. thanks for your help, d-

I guess it was a silly move - I took the hood off with the 4 bolts on the hinges. Don't remember the springs. If I take the hood off with the 6 bolts would it be possible to put the springs on and then replace the hood? Murphy's law: if anything can go wrong it will.

they say it's one of the first things to go. When I was ready to take my engine out (long story) I first took the hood off. It was so long ago I don't remember. Today I put it back on but for the life of me I don't remember taking the springs off so now I don't know how to put them back on. Is there a trick? Do I need to take the hood off and start again? I know it must be easy but I can't figure it out. I'd appreciate any feedback d-

quite right. I went in today and asked if I could return it and they said I could. I told them it was already assembled; could I bring it in that way - no problem. I'm using it now to keep the engine off the floor. when it's all back together I'll rent a cherry picker and take the Harbor Freight one back.

I just got my engine back from the machine shop (long story) and I'm trying to put it together. I have the service manual but I can't find the proper torque settings. I have the flywheel at 60 ft.lbs. Can't find numbers for clutch, intake/exhaust, water pump. It could be just tighten them down - I don't know. also, in passing, I bought a cherry picker from Harbor Freight and it won't get high enough to get the engine in. also (way off topic) it was 106° in my garage. thanks,

I'll keep you posted as this saga unfolds d-

thank you for the offer of the piston but I'm either going to have to get a new block or swap engines. re: the machine shop did the re build about 5 years ago. The car sat until it was painted then sat until the upholstery was finished. This took years. Then I started driving from LA north to San Francisco and beyond. I have no idea of actual miles because I had the speedo rebuilt. I took the piston in to the shop - they could not explain it. I'm sure it was them but I'm too old for a fight. It was just sloppy work. I called them today about putting a sleeve in it. The old school machinist won't be in till Monday. I already laid out money for the gaskets. And the scary thing is they also rebuilt my 47. And it hasn't gone far because of brake issues. back to square one with a ruptured cylinder wall. I'd like to thank everyone for their input - I'm going to sit in a corner and pout. At least the 5,000 miles were sure worth it.

okay let's put this whole thing to rest. Pulled the head and pan off. Took out the piston. The clip that's over the wrist pin (sir clip - don't know how to spell it) came loose, best I can figure it went up and broke the rings. The constant wearing cut a hole in the cylinder wall. Now I'm screwed. I called about putting a sleeve in it. The old school machinist won't be back till Monday. I'm retired and thought I was done throwing money in this beast. It actually runs pretty good with just 5 cylinders. I'm almost tempted to put a 283 in it and call it a day. You know when people say smile things could always be worse. So I smiled and sure enough things got worse.

I wrote earlier about smoke and oil usage. I would like to thank you all for your comments. I took the pan and head off, pulled out the offensive piston and found about 1/3 of the bottom ring was missing. After inspection I found that one of the clips that holds the wrist pin in was gone. I have no idea where. I haven't looked at the cylinder wall yet - I'm afraid. Questions: the shop that rebuilt my engine can get me 6 sets of rings. Anyone know where I can get just one set? I need to find a single piston - 60 over The engine can't have more than 5,000 miles on it - since it's apart what are your thoughts about pulling all the pistons to check - or would that be over kill? thanks

good questions. I'm going to start Monday and pull the head - that should clear up something. re: compression - I think I've seen it to be around 100 lbs. I was not unhappy with 90 lbs., re: the car sitting - it did sit throughout the winter. that does trouble me. I've got 2 cars and I've got trouble keeping them both on the road. re: additive - it's called Rislone - I put it in when the car was a quart low and then drove around. It's always something. Makes for good stories but it's annoying when it happens to you.

I'd just like to say I enjoyed growing up in the 60s. People ask me if I'm afraid someone will steal my car - I say "Don't be silly. First they'd never be able to start it. If they did they wouldn't know what the stick coming out of the steering column was for." I got into MoPar late though I was brought home from the hospital in a new 46 P15.

thank you I will keep you posted. It was 106° in my garage today. Not the best time for a tear down - but when is?

No - it did not run hot. It smokes at idle, going down hill, shifting gears. If it was water wouldn't it show up on the dip stick? thanks

I have not figured out how to navigate around this forum so when I ask a question I'm not sure how to find the answers. But this is important so I've got to give it a try. I took the P15 on a trip to northern California (400 miles) It ran perfect except for some strange electrical problem. On the way home I noticed it was blowing white smoke. About a quart every 100 miles. Got home and did a compression check: 5 were between 85 - 90 one was 55. All I can think about is rings. I put several quarts of something (I don't remember) to free up the rings. Nothing. Before I take the head off are there any suggestions? The engine has been rebuilt and probably has no more than 5,000 miles on it. I get great pleasure from my cars and an equal portion of grief.

I did not do that - it makes sense - I know it's something little like that. Here I go. If this works I will give you my grandson.

I replaced the brake cylinders - I used the old push rods. That's all I've done. The brake drum is 10" and the distance from shoe to shoe is 10". aint gonna fit. It's got to be something really stupid - but I can't find it. does anyone know the secret?

Thank you very much. I guess I'll do what I gotta do. I just didn't want this to be my life's work. If it comes down to it I'll just get two more cylinders. thanks

I can't believe it's just me. I can take something apart and it won't go back together again. I looked at the brake cylinders in the front and they were a mess. I took the brakes apart on the FR and put in new cylinders, then put everything back together. I took apart the LF and just put cylinder rebuild kits in. I went to put the brake drum on and it didn't fit. I tried turning the brake adjusting bolt with the arrows turned in 360°. Nothing. I could get the brake drum on but it wouldn't turn. Nothing's changed. I just can't figure it out. Where are the arrows supposed to be? I tried pointing them to the cylinder and away. The brake drum measures about 10" across. It's a little under 10" from shoe to shoe. It's something little I know - I just can't figure it out. In advance: thank you.

Saw the flyer - marked my calendar. It's within my range I'd be happy to caravan with anyone down south.

two questions: where the hell is Clements? and can an old car crash the party?

With no radio, no windshield wipers, no phone I decided to visit my cousin in Cloverdale, California. It took me 10 hours to get from Southern California to the San Francisco bay area. Next day 3 hours to get to Cloverdale. It was about 1156 miles (round trip). I'm going to figure out how much gas I used and see what my mileage was. The car drove like a champ. I don't like driving at night because I don't have dash lights - I don't have dash lights because I don't drive at night. Going across the Golden Gate bridge gave me chills. It was 1948, I was lost in dreams. At my cousins he took apart my WS wiper motor (and told me it's not a motor but we couldn't figure out what to call it). I am going to have wind shield wipers. I don't want to make a novel out of this but just wanted to say all the money I've put into that silly car was worth it.

first I just wanted to comment on the new format: I'm an old guy not up to speed on computers and I gotta tell you change just throws me off. after years of figuring out the old system I've got to start all over again. Is there a tutorial? question: the cap on my master cylinder is made of rubber. the wings to turn it have worn down as have the threads. in order for me to drive the car I had to take the metal cap off my 48. I can't seem to find anyone that sells just the cap for the master cylinder. any suggestions? they are shutting down 'pick a part' lots in my area. I hope 2 questions are okay. I took my radio in (I think it's an 802). the guy said he needed my speaker - which I don't have. I asked if I could just buy a speaker from Best Buy he said it wouldn't work and went into a long explanation which I didn't understand. I've not seen any on e bay. does anyone have a lead on speakers? my car is almost complete except for some cosmetic stuff. thank you - hope I'll be able to find the answer

Just another picture - don't know who it is but a rather cool bike.

I've been going through scrap books for my wife. She is really into genealogy and so we are trying to put names to faces. I'm telling you now for the sake of your kids write names and dates so people can be identified. I've got pictures and it says 1918. this is my mother and father right after I was born

Every year I drive from LA to Sacramento for the state fair. Then I drive to the bay area (home). Then back to LA. It's about 1,000 miles. About 4 years ago I wanted to take the Plymouth. My wife wouldn't go. She said going 55 with no AC in the middle of summer was not her idea of a good time. She has missed the last four state fairs. No problems. A minor problem - there are no cup holders. this is a picture at the Golden Gate National Cemetery just outside San Francisco