Lou Earle

The shorter wheel base 50's cars did not have the extension on the transmission-they,the transmissions, are about 8 to 10 inches shorter , I think. So what you have? A dodge 3 speed transmission that is full length?- is that correct? If so then just have the old driveshaft- your original shortened- at any machine shop that does driveshaft work- you can use the same universal joints or up grade either way you will be fine.

Quote I am changing the mount because the one in my car does not fit and is in bad shape. Also, I think that because of this, the carburetor is flooding the engine because the engine is shaking so much that the needle valve never seats. I have had cars with the motor mounts not even attached and vibration is not an issue- Plymouth's and A model ford in particular. I strongly suspect the firing order is messed up or the whole ignition system is out of time I have had engines almost shake to pieces when firing order is wrong especially 4 cylinder cars!!! YO(u are new to this board and thanks for being here we all enjoy are cars and this board- it has helped me out of several messes. So to you remember the words of my late friend and great mechanic and machinist- If you are are absolutely sure it is a fuel [problem- check your ignition first!!!. If you have a filter on your fuel line and all of a sudden your car starts doing weird things it is usually ignition or clogged fuel filter not the carb. Hope this helps Lou

I will be putting the gas tank back in on my 51 coupe. It did not have the - what I call the bead between the gas line and the connection on the tank. That is the oblong tapered at each end bead. Does anyone know if that connection was modified by the factory so that that bead was or is no longer necessary? I just am worried Ha I dropped it along the way and might need to get one to re install - need some help here Lou

remember 6 volt system-I bet if you charge overnight it will fire right up. Often the supposed fuel shortage isn't- it is insufficient umph for a run down battery to both turn starter and energize the points enought to generate spark. Many tiems I have hooked a 12 volt battery to 6 volt and fired them right off. Lou

you might be right - mine is actyally a 51- I now have the connecting pipe - napa has it and sell it by foot- they had several diameters got one to fit Lou

After usual cussing fussing and frustrations I removed the gas tank from a 52 plym- as usual there was crud all in it and rusted. However I have another 52 tank(Tim I am using it) in OK shape. However in removing as usual I destroyed the rubber connector to the filler neck anyone got any ideas where to get it look like either 2 1/4 or 2 3/8 pipe diameter- looking at local places with not much luck Also- does the 52 tanks have the little pill in the gas line at the tank to connect the gas line - i have not found one in either tank Lou

Quote "did I tell everyone how I hate DOT3. I am now flushing and converting to silicone DOT 5." Just a reminder you must change all rubber in all cyls master and wheel. You cannot just flus- my neighbor found out the hard way but his emergency brake kinda worked!!! Seriously the residue of the dot 3 somehow don't mix with the silicone and deteriorating starts in. Also I have read an article in mustang mag that the silicone system is for basically limited uses such as racing and prolonged use is not proven on old systems- just what I read. My sons mustang has silicone and local man I trust really pesters me about changing back. Lou

to Don- I am going to install it in my 48 taxi- did you need to cut the floorpan when u did yours? what crossmember did u use?? Lou

check yoru e mail

were u able to do the removal with engien in car? Lou

I am gathering everything to put a 5 speed into my 48 taxi. Have the adapter plate and bushining. If possible want to do this engine in car, Has anyone removed the input bushing with engine in car? If so how do you go about it. Thanks Lou

Wll this work on a hemi? I do that on fords but unable to o it on flatheads so I remove plugs and cranki until I see oil gage moves I did not suggest removing plugs because he said engien turns freely but it cannot hurt Lou

Before u do all that- I had a 39 Pontiac with that and now have a 49 caddy and a 34 Plymouth with that set up. It provides an excellent, I mean ,very smooth ride. The small nut on the top is for lubrication- put hydraulic jack oil in there that is what it is a hydraulic system. I did that on mine and they came back to life on the caddy. also the 2 big knobs are adjustments I have forgotten how they work but they do work . I got a huge syringe from the vet and a big needle and used that to fill the shocks. Give that a try u might be very pleasntly surprised Lou

If the engine turns freely I would put a battery to it and crank it with the coil wire removed until th oil pressure gage starts moving-when it moves oil has gone thru the bearings etc. This is what engine builders do first. then pour some gas in carb re attach the coil and see if you get fire and starting. if so put 3 to 5 gals of gas in tank pour more into carb and fire that sucker off. If I remember correctly James rebuilt that engine 20 years ago and did not run it much. He is the guy that rebuilt the 218 u got from me Lou

ifnot wired right it will mearly read backwards I never bother to change the wire on amp meter just reads backwards To test- turn on lights and see if it moves - if moves it is working if not move something is not connected. you can push the brake pedal and see movement usually if it is ok Lou

put a12 volt battery in her and try and crank it- just keep all light heater and raido off. running it on 12 volts for an hour will not hurt it. If it starts run it a few minutes then turn it off and put 6 v back in and try- sure sound to me like a bad cell inthe battery Lou

started it in first drove it in circle in pasture- broke loose thanks

Went to drive taxi-48 pushed in clutch and does not release the trans any ideas- worked fien when parked- Lou

which one was injured? 48 or 51 and what damage? U sure frame bent? these things ar pretty tough Lou

If you want any parts for your stude thee is a studebaker man in Hazlehurst ga with a yard full of about 30 or 40 old studes he drives a stude hawk and his wife has a grand tourismo?? his kids have studes and he was past pres of stude club- he is the one who re built the postal truck that is inthe stude museum His name is niel thornton- very nice fellow- phone #(912) 375-7986 give him a call Lou

1- check your plug wires be sure they are in proper order- sure sounds like firing order is out -if not then- 2- remove cap on distributor and note position of rotor-then remove set screw on dist. attaching it to the engine. Pull it out slightly. then rotate the shaft and rotor 1/2 turn so rotor is pointing exactly opposite direction. re install set screw. then try Lou

I do not doubt this but I have2 53's and no dampener a 54 with dapper and wide belt- it seems all across the board Lou

I have several cars with 34 to 54 or later engines in them Some have dampeners some do not. On my 50 fastback I removed the dampener and wide pulley and installed a narrow pulley from junk car- I cannot tell any difference. G. Asche says He really has no idea why they quit using dampener or for that matter why they ever used it. He claims make no difference. Lou

what spindle interchanges? I have 48 dodge spindle or 53 plymouth or 52 plymouth if any will work let me know

first of all you can take your old shoes to a brake shop and have them re lined very cheaply- almost all towns have a brake shop that still re lines- second I believe in fact know you can get new wheel cyls at Napa or get rebuild kits. I have only had a very few wheel cyls that could not be honed and emery cloth back to good and then install kit. Honing is easy all you need is drill and tool - about 8 bucks- remember you do not need to get the wheel cyl absolutely perfect just good and smooth for about one inch- the piston travels very little but pits or gouges in the travel area will render it un fixable. Master cyls are available from car quest and Napa but I believe r Bernie is cheaper- or was the last time I checked- I always check local Napa and other stores but be sure and check prices- Napa here wanted about 100 for a fuel pump and I got one for 65 at car quest springs- I do not know where to get them Lou