rtferguson39

Another Progress Update: A couple weeks back, I was perusing Facebook Marketplace, where I happened to stumble upon a "motherload" of D29 NOS sheet metal, including (2) RF Fenders, (1) LF Fender, and (2) sets of rear outer fenders. These came to me for a very decent price, and I would be willing to part with a few of them if anyone is interested. I will likely make a classifieds post soon. Anyway, I have test fit the NOS LF fender to replace the tornado-damaged, Bondo-ridden piece that was on the car. One mess on its way out...one to go. If anyone has a lead on a decent '49 Wayfarer 2dr sedan driver door, I would be interested. Stay tuned for some body work.

Well, I did a thing. Hate me for it or not, I'm open to some opinions. Due to slow cranking, I upgraded the car to an 8V battery (still negative ground as I set it up that way based on my own preference) and 1/0 battery/starter cables. The voltage regulator is outputting 8.1V, so I believe I am good to go after completing this small project. All I can say is that I am super impressed with how quickly and efficiently this car turns over now. It starts like a semi-modern 12V car. My headlights work brilliantly. There is no dimming at idle speeds anymore, and I've also got a nice bright gauge cluster. Anybody have any negative experiences, or frown upon a modification like this?

Wish I would have taken some readings before I swapped them...

Small Update for Small Progress: I started going through the electrical system on this fine machine, and noticed that some PO had previously done a half-ass polarity swap. They swapped the battery leads is all. I was suspicious this was the case, or the ammeter was wired backwards because the generator definitely...generates. My lights get brighter upon increasing engine RPM, but my ammeter read discharge. Anyway me, wanting to conform with the more modern vehicular world, left the negative ground oriented battery leads and swapped the ammeter wiring. For those concerned about the radio - this car was not equipped with one. On a wonderful note, the underdash harness is in incredible condition - great news for me. All insulation is still pliable, and doesn't fall apart. Upon completion of my polarity swap, an unexpected thing happened. My headlights now work instantly with the turn of the knob (no fiddling), and so do my parking lights! I didn't mess with any of the engine bay/light harnesses to accomplish this. The only question I have is, can a polarity swap excite some circuits that may have been dead for a while? I don't know if that is possible. I'm not an electrical genius, but not completely incapable of performing electrical work, especially on a car this simple. The car also starts easier, leading me to believe the coil may have been wired backwards (from stock) as well. Picture of functioning parking lights for the first time in who knows how long below:

There's my '49 Wayfarer after her first public drive. She was part of my old neighborhood's July 4th parade. It's been a tradition since the neighborhood was founded in 1954. I finished a full brake overhaul the night before just to be a part of the parade. It was rather hysterical to me to hear spectators on the street easily identify my friends '66 Ford wagon and '53 Olds, and then here comes my Dodge... I heard this often, "That's an old......................Dodge!" as if folks were happy they could at least identify some badging on the car as it rolled by. It was a great cruise.

Correct. The parking brake has new band material and has been adjusted properly. I still do carry a chock for back-up/safety reasons.

Very cool! Yes, I had her up to 60 mph for the first time and really thought that's about all she'll do comfortably without imparting some premature wear on some engine/driveline parts. I can certainly understand your want/need for less highway rpm.

As of 9:30 pm, July 3, this car stopped with use of the brake pedal for the first time in approximately three years from info the previous owner gave me. And crazier yet, I now have a functioning parking brake. Haha. She made it into my neighborhood's July 4th Parade. This was technically it's first formal drive other than a quick blast around the block the night before. I'm quite pleased with my stopping performance. I feel like I got pretty close on my brake adjustment. I've got about 1/2 pedal throw before she comes to a firm and straight stop. She's pictured below off jack stands upon completion of the brakes, and post July 4th parade in my front yard with my good friend/neighbor's 1953 Olds Rocket 88 and 1966 Ford Country Sedan.

Thanks! Sounds straightforward enough. Hadn't researched on my own yet, you saved me some time. Wiring and a carb rebuild are next on my agenda.

Nothing major. While the drums and brake assemblies were off, I went ahead and pulled the axles and replaced inner/outer wheel seals and bearings just to be on the safe side. Also replaced gear oil. The car has only had 2k miles put on it since 2007, But I figured if I had the drums off, might as well get to the bearings...

Thank you! About to head down to the basement to get on that rear axle. Yes, many great things to see here. Spent quite some time reading through NickPickToo’s 47 Plymouth Deluxe build. That was a great one.

Hello all, I've been a ghost on this forum ever since June 1st of this year, when I acquired this fairly awesome, well-documented, mildly famous 1949 Dodge Wayfarer: Some members who have read quite a bit on these cars may recognize this car from a certain Mopar reference website. This is the oldest vehicle I have owned (newer notables include a 1967 Dodge Coronet and 1958 Plymouth Belvedere), and therefore came with a new set of challenges for me like 6 volt positive ground electrical systems and the wonderful tapered rear axles, and Fluid Drive. So thank you all for making this forum what it is today. I've gained the info I've needed to get going on this awesome car. As of today, front brakes and master cylinder have been replaced/overhauled, and the rear axle is to be reassembled in the next couple of evenings. She should be safely on the road for a neighborhood cruise-around this Independence Day. Stay tuned for updates. Glad to be a part of this forum. PS - It's a shame to say that this car was actually under a carport within the debris field of a tornado about three years ago, so the driver's side isn't as pretty as the rest of the car. That will be fixed later. It may need a door. You can see so many ripples in the metal around the large bondo spot. The whole door skin just looks "pissed off" for lack of a better way to say it. I feel like I can fix the fender myself. Also - I DID NOT PERFORM the Bondo "repair" you see pictured below. That would have been a PO.