DJ194950

Did you check the manifolds for straightness of the mounting surface. Hard to believe but cast iron does warp when uneven force is used in the mount bolts. People over the years always try tightening the nuts some more even after the gasket has blown out causing the uneven mount pressure and warp the manifold as it heats in use. Since you will need to remove them for gasket repair , check Both manifolds for flat mounts. DJ

Sounds like a vacuum leak at the intake/carb the most likely culprit? DJ

Napa seems to carry the GL-1 again after listing it but labeled as not available for several years. Gallon bottles. My local store has it again, But now the prices is about twice it was before. Maybe try your local Napa store to order if not in their stock? Otherwise it was recently still available for big $$ here-- https://fifthaveinternetgarage.com/images/images/bkg.png DJ

Boy, the Pertronix statement will get the hornets out of their nests.. DucK! Run! ? DJ

Not always, sometimes the gasket is only blown out just between the the two cylinders nd has not at least yet into a water passage. A compression test between the # 3 and #4 will say for sure will in my opinion. Pull the head. Not to hard or time consuming to do. DJ

Are not the snakes good eatin" ? ? Fun for the young -ins" to catch. Field trip and picnic? Just need to be the taught how! ? Catch ya some and have a BBQ. Tastes like chicken from my small experience. Too damned hot here to do anything outside . and I see the same for your part of the country! DJ

Check your volts to the coil while cranking and also the grounds to the coil and distributor. DJ

yellowpages.com/lodi-ca/mip/san-joaquin-chrome-inc-8446435 Only place that I have some first class experience with in Lodi, Ca. Not cheap, but not way out there either, at least about 4 years ago that was true. Did some good work for two of my friends car chrome. A 47 Plymouth and a 56 Chev. Nothing in the Modesto area that is high quality type work. DJ

What is the old saying- Pay me now or pay me later? Saving time and effort now may cost you much more later, your choice for sure. At least you do your own work, I think! Jus Sayin". DJ

The early 50's bell housings often had extra mounting areas for the various linkages and springs, etc. that the later 50's May not have? Compare the bell housings on the lower driver side for these changes and see if any major changes were made that would be a lot of work to overcome. I never have worked with the later style so I am just giving my best? thoughts. ? DJ

Well, then you get the big bucks from the hundreds of thousands that watch the video! ? ? DJ

Looking a EBAY many choices some even appear professional. Just one- https://www.ebay.com/itm/195764738436?epid=1122775192&hash=item2d947cd984:g:22IAAOSwSUhkla2F&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0NlCRYMFzaK5G1utzeRoBPbxXDLl29kgOFa8lsV235RBeQFjCLu% DJ

Not a personal recommendation but this company still had some parts and repair kits for the Mopar three speeds and may have some of the special OD parts in stock back about 5 years ago. A&A Transmission Stockton Ca. 209-466-2764

Well if the rocket does not launch, you had the incorrect answers to your math? ? Not willing to get it a go? DJ

I foresee another U-tube video in your future! ? It is the season for a lot of views on this subject. DJ

Are you sure it is the shocks making the ride harsh? Remove one end of both rears push aside and take a short ride on a rough road. Could you have the springs themselves bound up, rusted tight, or other issues? Could be a reasonably quick way to check this old ( also cheap) dude thinks! ? DJ

Cannot say for sure on the 1948, but the 1949 and 50 Plymouths did not use rubber under the front-most body mounts! Found it hard to believe for a while , but when I put bushings under the front legs of my 50 Suburban the doors could Not be properly aligned, needed to be removed. Distorted the door opening. DJ

Grinds going into reverse? Don't they all? Not sure with a fluid clutch set up, but I always (mostly) shifted into second gear followed closely in to reverse and eliminated the grinding. Has been a while since I drove the 3 speed in the 50 Ply. just a thought. Seems you will soon have a beautiful driving car. Best of wishes! ? DJ

Lacquer thinner used in enamel paints causes much too fast of dry time that does not allow enough time for the enamel to flow out smooth before it flashes off (sets) and causes rough surfaces. When the outside temp was cool enough and just enough thinner is used , sometimes a reasonable paint finish could be accomplished. But, it also tends to flatten (dull) the finish. It was sometimes used in that way in the past to purposely make flat paint finishes before you could buy same. IE flat black. Enamel "reducers" are sold in several dying Speeds to allow the correct flash off times to allow for temperatures and humanities variations. DJ

One questions as to all clearances. Were all the tappets and valve tip surfaces resurfaced (ground) on the rebuild? That flattens all the contact surfaces to make the measurements accurate. Just my Q. - - as my (rebuilt) 1950 Plymouth motor did not have those ground and cold clearances were to large as the contact surfaces were worn and impossible to get accurate measurements and only a hot adjustment with fine small (fine) adjustments made to quiet the noisy valve train.. and confirm that they had adequate clearances But_ that was on a 1950 car that did have a removable inner panel to get in and do those hot adjustments. Believe me crawling in under a very warm fender and reaching over warm suspension parts while reaching around hot exhaust was Not any fun- doable but not a job to do twice! Understand that your car that is not even a possibility. Hang over a hot fender, reach under hot intake and exhaust? I'd prefer not to even if it is possible. ? DJ

Many car makers and parts suppliers have called/label bushings as bearings over the years. They serve the same function. Needle bearings, roller bearings, and on and on as to types of Bearings! Load carriers that allow for movement is my take. ? Anyway, up to you to choose, I am just sayings others definitions vary. DJ

All appears to be normal production tolerances work. DJ

Might the parts just to spot welded together? Clean the rust and see? Maybe not to hard to drill and seperate? Just a thought. DJ

May I ask a question or two of the people that had the Pertronix Ign. failures? (1) Did you all change to new Resistor spark plugs wires when the unit was installed.. (2) Did you use the recommended Ign. coil or one that that had the coil resistance as recommended?. Seems some from past conversations that some things were omitted that need to used. I do know know myself the the Pertronix technical help people do not really seem to want to be definitive about answers to questions presented to them.. Seems the "6 volt" issue is lost on the techs. Never been a problem to me as all my Pertronix experiences were on 12 volt apps. My own cars (3). No failures -Yet! Also to include about 3-400 change overs on construction rental equipment, forklift, boom lifts, sissorlift in my past life! DJ

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/rapid-transit-system-plymouth-cuda-220900991.html Hopes this works out to post. It is a short but interesting story. DJ