keithb7

My next trick to own a functioning starter from the used one I located. Thanks to a fellow member here, in my area of the world, I have a close match. Thanks @dpollo The replacement starter does not have the rear pivot mount for the foot push-rod. The linkage is slightly different but it seems everything can easily be swapped over. I have a decision to make. Carefully drill and tap mount holes in the replacement starter housing and move the shaft pivot mount over. Or, drop both starters off at the local starter shop and have them swap my housing over. While it’s there test and do any possible repairs on the replacement used starter. I have access to a milling head with digital controls. I could drill to the exact depth of the starter housing. Staying clear of the windings, still in place. I guess I’d need a bottoming tap to cut threads....Delicate stuff.

Thanks folks. Good feedback for a rookie. Yes, It’s quite likely that my starter has been tearing itself apart for some time. To learn more, I took the windings out too. There were chunks of the copper armature floating around in there. The windings were just starting to see some damage. If anyone is interested this is what the windings look like inside your starter. They are supposed to be fully wrapped with no coils exposed. The wrap seems to be some type of paper fiber wrap. The two ends of the coils meet and connect to a brass tab that is directly under the starter switch. You manually make the connection with your foot, pushing a rod in my 1938 example. 6 volts right off the battery goes thru the switch and directly through these windings seen here. Making a heck of strong magnetic force. I’m enjoying learning this stuff! It still is amazing to me that they had all this figured out so long ago.

In a manual I have seen where they suggest testing the starter by pressung the push button on the starter. Not pushing the foot rod. Therefore not engaging the starter drive clutch. To learn if the starter will spin, without engaging the flywheel. Maybe someone did this too many times? Like mentioned, it spins awfully fast like this. The armature windings seem to have been yanked out of their tracks. Then crushed and smeared between the armature and the field windings. The clearance between the two is tight. Either way, its done.

Previous owner found an old non-running car. He puts a couple new 12V battery cables on it. A new 6V battery. Still won’t turn over worth a darn. However a 12V boost does it very well! Has the car up for sale. So he’s showing it a fair bit. Starting it up fairly often to perspective buyers. When I arrived to view the car the technique was mastered. 12V with booster cables, right on to the 6V battery....I cringed. I Pulled the starter apart today to look around and learn. I found the armature windings badly damaged. Would multiple 12V boosts cause this damage? I already have another starter to replace this one. Just curious. I like learning. Thx.

The temptation to order up every part I want ,and get going on this project is terrible. My goal is to enjoy the experience and take things slow. Currently I am still waiting on a call from the Starter Rebuilder, to get my starter back. I've also been shopping for a MIG Welder. So far I'm leaning toward the Millermatic with Argon/CO2 tank. I've got a long winter coming. I'll be happiest in the garage working on the car on weekends and evenings. Not if I rush and get most things done this summer! Really fighting the urge to tear into this right now.

I have a ‘53/54 book. It has PF options. I am unsure what the Gate-Plate is you speak of. Do you have any real life pics to share? Maybe then I can find what you need in my parts book.

Sounds like you are ready. Dig in! Enjoy.

We are into the low 90’s F this week. I thought about taking my ‘53 out. Thought twice and decided not to. It does alright but I need to change the 13 quarts of oil. The last climb home is a workout. Last night the wind picked up considerably. Cool bug-free gusts brought the house temps down nicely.

Sounds great. I’ll put it in my calendar. I work right around the corner. Thx.

Thanks dpollo. Double checking my book: Dual filament bulbs are in the rear labeled “Tail and Signal Lamp”. I betcha signal lamp means brake signal. Tail lamp being running lights. The item labeled “Signal Lamp Switch” , I’ll bet is the brake lamp switch. Gotta be. This Service book smells exactly like the interior of my car. Literally identical. Its as though they been stored together for 81 years.

My original P6 shop manual arrived today. Quite good. I like it. I was studying the wiring diagram. It shows a turn signal indicator in the circuit. I don’t see a mechanism for manually engaging the left or right signals. What am I looking for there? Its old, I’m not sure what they used back then. A signal arm on the steering column? Maybe it’s missing? Thx.

Notice this image from an original Chrysler Manual. Look at the valve. Far left end of Master Cylinder. Next, notice this image from a Motors Manual, for the same car. Look at the same valve. Notice this one illustrates a seat. Did your MC rebuild kit come with this seat? If so, where did it end up up inside the MC?

Were you in the master cylinder recently? Wondering on the correct placement of parts. I know I had learn from a mistake I made. How old are the brake flex hoses?

When the driver wants to start the engine, he pushed the starter foot rod. Ok I got that. Neat...This evening I go in there to pull the starter. I see that the gas pedal linkage is also automatically activated by the foot starter rod! Cool! More neat Mopar engineering I learned about today. I was a little stumped wondering how a person could crank the engine while working the throttle. Ya’ll knew this already probably. The foot starter rod is right above the gas pedal. Pretty awkward to try and work both at the same time. Now I know, there’s no need! 81 years old, this car. Its all new to me... Very cool stuff.

You are right Reg. 12V cables. Thanks for the reminder. They gotta go ASAP. 20 more HP! I like that. Suppose it can stay for a while.

Spent the afternoon cleaning it up a bit and tinkering. Cleaned up the starter system contacts and grounds. The starter will be pulled, tested and rebuilt if possible. It was not turning very fast, even with a fully charged 6V battery. I was able to get it spinning quick with a 12V boost. Then the car would start. After a couple of those 12V shots , the momentary switch on the starter no longer turns the starter. Even with the starter clutch disengaged. I'll pull it and take it to to a local starter rebuild shop. If anyone is interested, I did a walk-around video this afternoon. https://youtu.be/O2L402Xe-6o

Part of the struggle on a purchase decision was giving up garage space. Today I am quite pleased. I can work with this. The Plymouth is considerably smaller than my Windsor. Those wheel dollies are so handy. Pushing it around, the Plymouth is also much easier as it weighs considerably less too. Today I am satisfied and relieved that I can work with with the garage space I have. All year round I can work on it. The motorcycle seen in the pic is on its way to a new owner. Out of the way soon. Good days ahead...

2:30 am. Just outside my home town. Hiway closure. Serious accident. So we wait. Hopefully no major injuries. Pretty uneventful drive home. The tow truck performed exceptionally well. 15.8 mpg while towing. I’m happy with that. Several new people were met today as they continue to approach. Asking questions. What is it? What year is it? Etc. I look forward to the future with this car.

Anyone know anything about this aftermarket bolt-in Firestone AM radio? I have never seen one before.

Well we made it to pick up point. The rain let up. We got it running and up on the trailer...Almost. Died on the ramp with front wheels on the trailer. We were well equipped with a 12V winch mounted to the front. So we yanked it up and strapped it down. This is my first vintage car rescue with my Ram truck. I’m impressed. The Cummins gets the job done quite well. Waiting now at the ferry to get back to continental North America. We just may get back to Kamloops by mid-nite pacific time. So far so good!

Looking great! Certainly worth preserving.

One last parting shot tonight of my extra garage space. This is the last worthless evening the Windsor will have to spend alone. A sister car rolls into bay #2 tomorrow.

Oh....My....What a shed! The things I could do in that shed! I’d start with 2 lifts. A 2 post and a 4 post. One for each vintage Mopar.

It looks fantastic. Did you restore it yourself? I’m hoping to build up a support group. Finding people who own these Mopars is great. I hope you’ll check back and follow my future posts about by 1938. The experience and tips from others will be very much appreciated.

I called Murray this morning to introduce myself and update him on his car. I thanked him for taking good care of it since the mid-60’s. Murray sold the car in the fall of 2018 he said. To a local fellow. This fellow go it running again then listed it for sale. Which is when I entered into the scene. Putting a few puzzle pieces together I have somewhat of a time line. Original owner bought the car brand new. In Victoria BC in 1938. Owner had at least one daughter. Fast forward to the mid-60’s. The original owner passed. His daughter listed the car for sale at that time. Murray Noel bought it then. Now, we know Murray graduated in 1960. So he would have been about 17 years old then. Add 5 years to 1965 , Murray bought this Plymouth when he was about 22-23 years old. He kept it all these years. Recently having to sell it due to complications that come with age. Next, I think I can track down the original owner’s name. Sounds like they should likely have deep roots in the Victoria area. More to come on that. Murray said he had a “splash’n dash” paint job put on the car some time ago. He needed to store it outdoors for a while. He hoped the paint would help protect it. It must have helped some. Murray was nice and answered all my questions. I think he feels ok with the car in my hands. I told him dpollo sent me his way. He laughed. Sound to me like dpollo is well known in those parts of the island. A new chapter begins. Saturday we depart at 5 AM for the car’s next journey to my home. I cannot wait to get it home.