Leaderboard

Updated pics of the van and its progress. Two weeks ago I attended the Sonoma Raceway Laps for Charity. It was fun, got my own pace car and after one lap I had a fan crowd in the stands cheering me on. Looking forward to upgrading the suspension to help it corner better. Look out Herbie!!!!

I bought a 1945 California license plate off ebay. It was supposed to be "restored". It was horrible. They guy even smeared some RTV over a crack and painted over that. That gives you an idea of the rest of the plate. I took it to work and glass beaded it clean. There were a couple spots I missed, so a quick touch up with some sand paper took care of that also. To fix the crack, which was maybe an inch long in the center of the plate, I soldered over the area on the rear of the plate. I leveled that pretty much, but left some thickness for strength. It's been humid around San Diego, so even over night there was some minor surface rust starting, especially in the pits where it was rusted before I'm guessing. I took a paper towel and some Corroseal and wiped the surface of both sides of the plate. I started with a thicker layer, so it got down into the pits, then wiped most of it off. You could see the typical blue tint from the chemical reaction. Next I went to the store and got some Rustoleum spray paints. Clean metal primer (light rust or none the can says), gloss black and gloss white. So far I've primered the rear of the plate, to make sure there was no reactions. I figured I could test there After I've given it enough time, I'll do the front with the primer and let that dry in the sun also. Last for today is a couple coats of gloss black. I'll continue tomorrow. Almost forgot to mention, I got one of the '46 plates to make my new plate GTG for my truck. It was in pretty much new condition. No work there required. It is interesting to note that although the 1944/46 plates were black with white lettering, the tag is yellow with black lettering. I wonder why? I know that's the correct colors and I'm pretty sure this has original paint on it also. Later that day... Way to optimistic about the surface. Lot's of wet sanding and it's still a bit rough in places. It's a lot harder to sand a license plate than a nice big flat truck panel. Anyway, one more coat of primer and I'll see what it looks like tomorrow. Might go right to black, might sand some more. Sunday 1/26/2020 Did a bit more wet sanding today and got most of the pits out. I went ahead and sprayed the back side with the gloss black. I put three coats on and it looks pretty darn good. I'm going to just let the paint cure for a few days now. Then I'll mask off the whole rear and put one more coat of primer on the front. I exposed a bit of metal on some edges, just a bit. I quick spray and then later that day...maybe not until next Saturday...I'll spray some black on the front. Monday 1/27/2020 OK, paint was no longer soft to the touch, so I continued. Put two coat of black on the front today. I'll add another tomorrow. I also bought a set of silicone rubber rollers today. I'm going to put paint on them and roll it on like was originally done. I'm going to go for many light coats until I get the coverage I want. Worst that can happen is I start over. The roller is thin enough so that I can follow the top of the letters and number, rather than just going across them all side to side. The CAL and 45 at the top of plate is recessed, so that will need a brush. Picture once I'm happy. You will excuse me for blocking a bunch of the letters thought Thursday 1/30/2020 DAMN! Had two perfect looking coats and went for one more...late in the evening...low light...it wrinkled. Crap. Taking it back to work tomorrow to start over. Oh well, it's only time. Saturday 2/1/2020 After going down to Bonita for the Saturday morning cruise, I dumped some MEK over it and used a steel brush. Clean Jean. Now after a wash and dry...self etching primer. Very light coats Two on the front drying in the warm sun, then an hour from now, two on the back. More sun drying, then a single light coat of black on the rear again. Tomorrow will be the second coat. I'm taking it slowly this time and not rushing the dry times. Since I won't get more than two on the rear (black) tomorrow probably, I'll wait until next weekend and another day of sun to finish the black.

Since pipe threads are tapered and depending on how deep your current valve is set into the block, you may be able to run a pipe tap in and create a few more partial threads. If your valve is bottomed out, you may need to consider drilling and tapping for the next larger size.

my advice to you would be to spend your money on other aspects of your rebuild..... like balancing. The guides and seats cause very little trouble and your block will accommodate a .060 overbore. Cast iron is the preferred material for sleeves.

Looking for who our northeast members are by general location (no home addresses) can you check in with user name and where you reside. Eastern Canada, NY, NJ, Pa, New England. We are in our planning stages for our P15 Picnic Tour 2020 so we are wanting to keep folks posted who might be interested in participating in the event. Dates are Sept 17 through 20, 2020 location RI and Massachusetts.you can also pm me or Mark Duggan with your email address and get included in group email announcements. Thanks

I set up a new facebook Group a few hours ago, specifically for owners to buy and sell parts for flathead Mopar cars & trucks. The Group already has 39 members, from several countries, and it's shaping up to be great way to reduce the burden of eBay fees and help keep our vehicles on the road. Please come and join us at Flathead Mopar Parts - For Sale & Wanted And please spread the word... Everyone's welcome.

The park/emergency brake band was sent out for re-lining. The rebuilder told me the new brake band material is slightly thinner than what was originally used back in the day. He installed thin shim material around, behind the brake lining to maintain stock specs, and good hand brake performance. See thin strip at base of arrow.

Hey vikingminer49r, I couldn't get much out of Gary in the way of a history for the truc, in fact I got conflicting stories. I recall the "Barn Find" part. He had marked the price down to $4,500.00 after having no luck selling at a couple car shows he hauled it to. I was going to offer $3,500.00 but instead explained I'd give him full price if he would trailer it down to my place in Fort Collins. He said; "Yes"! Gary Thompson | Montrose, CO | 2017 I appreciate seeing your photos (snagged them for my truck history folder). A trip up to your place could be a great fall adventure!

Hey old man, how did you miss the 1950 b2b over at Gary's in Montrose? Glad you missed it so I could snap her up. I see you snagged a couple Dodges from Martin's. Amazes me how many Dodge bones are scattered around that yard. And south in Erie, sweet grove of Dodges too. One or two still have complete sets of stainless grill bars. I'll have to drive up to Paonia before I die and say hello.

Started on adapter. Test fit reveals the need to unbolt steering box. two flanges and a piece of tubing. Once i get it in place will tack weld it. There will be extra tubing, will trim it after i figure out length. Other photo comes up upside down. So i had to delete it.

OK thanks. Love the tach.

I get awesome calendars from a member at forabodiesonly. Seems quite a few people enjoy calendars with their favorite automobiles featured.

don't be fooled John, he just wants to use it to block FEFF from the sparks thrown from working on TODD! then he wants to give you beer so you don't notice

I got a heated shed! Close to family for ya! And PREMIUM beer!

better yet, store it at my place John.... Julie wants her truck back and I was just getting the hang of your 5th gear

Clean DEALER installation.

Hello Folks. Took our 1952 Dodge M37 to her first Christmas parade this year. It was a last-minute thing but we had a lot of fun.