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This diagram here from my Motors Manual shows it.

Hi the same rubber ring threw me for a loop too. It is the seal for the Valve .Seen here. It goes in first. In front of the valve

Today I entered my 1953 Windsor in a large regional car show. I saw a mixed bag of entries with many classes. I don’t enter to try and win any awards. I like the socializing. I like hearing the stories too. The atmosphere is fun. You can “people and car watch” for hours on end. There is always something interesting to see. Best of all are the people who personally thanked me for making the effort to bring the old Chrysler out to show. As most of you can guess, there are about 10 stock cars here out of the 850 entries. There must be 700 Ford and Chevy products. A large share being late 60’s muscle cars. It seems virtually everything is chopped, blown, or whatever else. I spotted 1 other old stock Mopar. A 1937 Plymouth coupe. We had a good chat. I enjoyed seeing this car. It’s similar to my new-to-me 1938 Plymouth P6 sedan. Great, tepid weather brought out a ton of people. I saw a steady stream of new faces all day. There seems to be no shortage of interest in old cars here today. I have walked and enjoyed all the cars in the show. However I spent a lot of time sitting by my car and speaking to folks about it. Today I had a good mixed group of people drop and enjoy my Chrysler. A wide age group. Sure the majority are 70+. Mostly men who said they had a 51-52-53 Desoto, Dodge or Chrysler as a first car. Back in the 60’s I’d guess. Several folks got their driver’s license in one like mine. One guy smiled as he told me the huge back seat was very convenient back in the day. As he winked. The last generation of people who were around these cars when new, are still coming out to shows. These old guys sure lived in among the best of times. Many folks walked on by after only a micro-second glance of my Chrysler. Some people glanced then stopped to take in the big Chrysler. They realized it was stock. They realized they had not seen one in many years. One guy I spoke with said he almost walked on by. Then thought, no this car deserves a closer second look. He came back and we had a great chat. I really liked the folks who told me that they saw my car in the car parade last evening. Then they came to the show today to find it. Now, there certainly weren’t many who did that but at least 3 guys told me so. That really made my day. One super cool guy walked up and said with authority “Nicest car in the show. Right here. Wow.” While he nodded in approval. I thanked him and we chatted for about a half an hour. I noticed his Mopar belt buckle. He said he watched my You Tube video about how to drive an old Fluid Torque Drive Chrysler. I was smitten that he enjoyed the video I put together. I’m up to 35,000 or so views last time I checked...Crazy There were no other 50’s Chryslers in the show today. Days like today sure are fun. It’s reassuring to see some appreciation for the old Chrysler. Especially to see folks who speak out to say they respect stock vehicles. It builds excitement to get back under there and fix that next little thing. A few pics from today below. These 2 young ladies showed up in 50’s dresses. I asked for a pose they were happy to. There’s plenty love out there for these old Mopars.

Well she’s gettin more and more tired as I keep driving her. She’s burning more oil this year and leaking a fair bit more too. I’d like to have driven the car however the confidence for long trips is diminishing. Turned out to be a 5 hour drive one way. Mid 80’s F here. The trip in A/C of my Ram was sure nice. I feel no guilt. The folks will get to see the car. Many come from afar. I figure, better taking it on the trailer versus deciding not to go due to engine/tranny/torque reliability.

A new adventure for us. We’re towing the car to a large car show this weekend. About 3.5 hours drive 1 way. A big show with 850 cars registered. I look foreward to meet lots of new people. More pics to come of the weekend.

The old Lockheed brakes are certainly a little different that what many folks would think of as normal brakes. If you are planning to do your own work I recommend a shop manual, at very least. Does your brake pedal travel to the floor when pressed? And no brakes? Any idea how old the brakes are? Last time they worked? Is there a little circular access plate under the floor carpet on the driver’s side, foot area? In my ‘53 this allows access to the single master cylinder. A 3/4” wrench will open the reservoir cap. Is there any brake fluid in there? Pull the drums. You’ll need a puller for the rear. Is leaking brake fluid present at each wheel cylinder? Further progress means getting into the wheel cylinders. Pull. Clean. Inspect. Probably buying new is the best option for the cylinders. While you are down there look at the rubber flex brake hoses. Dry and cracking? Those need to go. How do the brake shoes and hardware look? Life left? All the parts there? The Master cylinder. A vital piece. Pull. Clean. Inspect. Measure. If rebuildable All new internal pieces. Bleed everything. Rusty old brake lines? Build new ones. Then there’s the cursed adjusting. Shoes must be concentric to the axle. Not easily done without a special tool. When they are set up right they work well. A good start. Report back.

I’ll crawl all over this car from top to bottom. For a couple of reasons. It’s all new to me and I’m enjoying the knowledge I am gaining. I also want to inspect everything and ensure its safe. In today’s example I had my legs up over the seat. My head down under the dash inspecting all the wiring. Found some interesting wiring for sure. Bad stuff that will be replaced right away.

I found this dealer installed badge in my ‘38 today. Down under the dash on the interior side of the firewall. Further confirmation this car has been in BC Canda since new. Begg Brothers were a Mopar dealer. Based in Vancouver BC. I’m pretty happy to find this.

You're bang-on. I see it too now in my Motors manual. It skips right past the D54. I remeasured the stroke carefully and still got 4 1/4" stroke. I don't see many Mopar engines with a 4 1/4" stroke in my 1957 Motors Manual. Check this out below. Looks the D54-2 have maybe been in a Dodge Regent, made in Canada. The Regent appears to have been a Canada only car, I think. 1955 Crusader 6 D54-1 : 97 525 501 to 97 532 690Regent 6 D54-2 : 98 081 001 to 98 099 585Mayfair 6 D54-4 : 98 800 001 to 98 801 000 Engine 228 cu in (3.7 L) I6 (1952-54) "The lower-priced series, Crusader and Regent, came only with the flathead six, either 228.1-cid if mated to the 3-speed manual or 250.6-cid with the Powerflite automatic." I don't see a 228.1 engine mentioned under Chrysler, Desoto, Dodge or Plymouth in my 1957 dated Motors manual. I assume the Motors Manual covers USA built Mopars. Further research in my Dykes Auto Encyclopedia states that a 6 cylinder engine with a 3 3/8" bore and 4 1/4" stroke nets 228 CI total displacement. I think that's another clue. Moving along.... It appears that Mopar Canada offered a 228.1 ci,. 25 1/4" long engine for Canadian model cars. By chance I happen to have a couple of Mopar service manual here for Canadian models. The Dodge D30 is listed with a 228.1 engine in 1949. Several more Plymouth & Dodge models with 228.1 engines listed in my '53/'54 service manual. They all have 4 1/4" stroke, 3 3/8" bore. I think I have enough reference books that do not specifically say so, but spells it out. Pretty darn sure I have the 228.1 engine here only offered in Canadian built Mopar cars. Likely a 1955 car equipped with a D54-2xxxx SN flat 6 engine. Whatever car that is. Maybe a Regent, Crusader or a Kingsway. Yet further proof it sure helps lots to have numerous old manuals to figure this stuff out!

When you say he’s done everything we can only guess he’s done everything we’d do. Pulled rad and have it serviced? Checked rad flow? Verified coolant temperature drop from top rad tank to output at bottom? Thermostat fully opening? Test with no thermostat? Pressurize rad cap to test that cooling system is holding presaure? Water distribution tube in tact and free flowing? Block and head coolant passages clean of rust, scale and debris? That’s a good start.

On another internet source I see D54 listed as 1955 Dodge 6 cylinder engine. My 1957 Motors manual reads that the 1955 Dodge 6 was in the Coronet. However it has a 3 1/4" bore and 4 5/8 stroke. The 4 1/4" stroke I measured seems off. Will remeasure and report back.

A pic of it here:

Hi folks. My 1938 P6 came with the following engine SN in it. D54 21779C. 25 1/4” long block. Flathead L-6. Does The “C” indicate Canadian build? I pulled the small plug at #6 and measured 4 1/4” stroke. I was hoping someone could help me nail down the year and displacement based on this info. Before I get to ordering parts. Thx.

Heater control valve for interior heat temps? If you are interested this valve is easily by-passed. You can turn off heat in the sumer with a valve on your cylinder head. In the spring/fall you can control cab temps with the fans as well all the fresh air cowl vent. Summer you just turn it off. Unless you want it all working like stock. Just be prepared to pay...These valves aren’t cheap.

I performed a similar test with an IR thermometer. My temps were all over the place too. I suspect its too sensitive and takes a pinpoint reading very accurately. There are going to be hot spots. The coolant flows past those hot spots and draws the heat away. I suspect a more realistic measuremememt of the coolant temp is as it flows past a sensor. Sort of like a rock laying in river bed. The volume of water flowing around it, mixing as it flows. Giving an average reading. Not a laser pointing at various pinpoint areas of hot steel or aluminum on parts the engine. That’s my theory. My findings are here:

My ‘38 is knackerd in the same spot. Around the window winder. If re-upholstering perhaps a different thinner backing board would offer more clearance between the window winder, and the door panel upholstery?

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.

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.

If you are using a phone, view the pic on your phone. Then take a screen shot of your photo. (On iphone press center thumb bottom and power button simultaneously). It will produce a lower quality photo that is under 3mb. Be sure to upload this lower grade photo. That should do it. PS I am also a supporter of Andy Bernbaughm. .

James the parts book I have covers 1953/54 Chrysler models C56, C60, C59, C58, C62, C63, C64, C66. Additionally a bunch of Plymouths, Dodges and Desotos. There are several steering columns listed here are a couple with shift levers on the steering columns.

Wow! Holy smokes. I adjusted the front 2 brakes only so far and test drove. Huge gains in brake performance. 2 years of screwing around without a tool got me only limited results. Wow...I’m happy.

Giving it a go with a custom brake tool a friend put together for me.

Welcome to our slice of Mopar here. Tons of help here. I too bought my first old car, a 1953 Chrysler 2 years go. I found this forum and have been here many times a day, every day, ever since. Your Plymouth looks very nice. I suspect it has the 218.1 CI engine?

My Sister-In-Law was visiting last week. When she returned back home to Calgary she started posting pics of her trip, on Facebook. I found these on FB tonight. I like them. She's got an eye for my car!

Thanks Mac. Yes I got two out when I pulled the field coil out. A little propane heat helped along with an impact type screw driver with a large slot bit. That did the trick.