Happy 46R

Hi Leroy, Glad to see you are out and about. Your car is beautiful. The wide whitewalls and beige wheel paint sets that blue off perfectly. Have a great ride. Dave

If you want original I have a source for the frames and springs off a donor car. Your biggest problem will be shipping as they are in Canada. I think you would do much better with the tape measure that Sniper mentioned and a few hours at the pick-a-part nearest you. Let us know how you make out. Dave

One of my resources for projects other than my car is our local library. They have a 3D printer and an industrial type scanner. Really economical as a 12 X 24 color scan is usually $3.00 Canadian...that's 1.75 USD or something close I am sure. Dave

When it was me trying to turn my engine over I did exactly what Keith showed including loosening all the spark plugs to reduce compression. Re-reading your original question the only other answer I could think of "IF" your primary objective is to just spin the engine to TDC for timing purposes would be to get a really cheap 1 13/16" socket with a hexagonal shank where the ratchet fits. I would cut the socket so there was only a 1/4 inch of inside depth to it and then turn it with an open end wrench????? You could shave the ratchet end of the socket as well and weld a nut on the end of the socket also if needed. That is unless you are like me and can't weld! That would give you clearance and torque and save the trouble of removing rad saddle or inspection cover and let you see where the engine marks were as you actually turned the engine with the spark plugs loose. Just a thought!

Welcome aboard and looking forward to those future posts. I like the Desoto look retained by that original paint and the way it sits. You will have a great time and like everyone says you "WILL" enjoy the process! Keep us informed and have a great experience. Dave

When I redid my brakes a year ago I got the MC from Rock Auto. Everything fit and it has worked fine for the last 2100 miles I drove this year. My only dislike, and it may have changed recently, was the Rock Auto material said made in USA but the MC said China. Enjoy your travels especially now that you will be able to stop whenever you want! Dave

Hi Rosco Mine is in northern Alberta and in unheated facility. I make sure it is winterized to -50 and once it is parked I remove the battery and bring it inside the basement. I run the charger on it in January and before I start up for the spring but keeping it fairly warm in the basement is easier on it, I think? I turn a portable heater on in the garage a few days before starting it just to let the fluids warm up a bit. So far things have worked out. Dave

I have no hands on for you but there is a you tube film that has some good visuals oh how a seal was installed on an engine. I shows you how the seal material looked on the engine but unfortunately doesn't continue with any instructions on how the new seal was installed. Takes about 15 seconds to watch. Good luck! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCLk86PJGqA

Yes Merry Christmas. May you all enjoy peace, happiness and prosperity through this holiday season and the New Year. Family all together today despite -40C weather, snow and wind. Looking forward to many surprises tomorrow and maybe a few specialty items for an old car????? Dave

Hello and welcome, I like your project and great to see that most, if not all , the glass is there. I may have access to some parts up here by Edmonton so keep in touch. One of the great things that helps with my projects is using the Q & A option at the top of the page. The technical, links and downloads and resources all have great information and will often give you everything you wanted without asking the question. Stay in touch. Merry Christmas and looking forward to some great pictures and features. Dave

There is no substitute for those smiles, waves, thumbs up and horn honks one gets when behind the wheel. Merry Christmas one and all!

Beautiful car, beautiful country and a beautiful memory. Win Win all the way around. Thank you for sharing. Dave

From my experience you could have a couple of problems. There could be some debris behind the stop cock that prevented the block from draining. It could be any size really as long as it blocks the discharge hole. It could also be that there is a larger quantity of scale and buildup in the block that is making up the difference in volume. If that is the case I would expect a temperature issue during operation. My first test would be to slide a small piece of wire into the open end of the stop cock and see if I could auger the blockage from in from of the valve. After that there would be some other choices including frost plugs, thermostat housings and maybe even a reverse flush system. There are several good articles about this in this forum under different headings and they all offer good options for flushing and cleaning the block. Hope it works for you. Dave

Hi Matt I have never done this so nothing I say can be considered helpful but I would be leery of spray foam as I am not sure how easy it will be to remove it at the receiving end. Am I correct in assuming you are sending it to a machine shop?? Even if that isn't the case I would contact a couple of crankshaft places or parts supply depots and ask them how they ship them? Otherwise my best guess would be supporting the two ends in the crate and filling the remainder with those commercial packing pellets (peanuts) but again I don't have any experience in doing this. Hope it all works out for you. Dave

Hi Leroy, I can try and help. I may have a drum but I will have to check this afternoon. If I do I am more than willing to share however it is from a Canadian model so we will have to communicate on specs to make sure it fits for your application. It would be coming from Canada so there would probably be some customs type stuff to work around. I will let you know what I have. Dave

I did a 1200 mile round trip mid September in hot conditions without any problems. No overdrive or disc conversion but kept it at 50 to 55 mph and had a great time. Nothing wrong with original in my books but completely understand why some want the upgrades for their rides. Congratulations on your mountain tour.

Good to finally meet you. Looking forward to a joint cruise with your 48 and mine hitting those Saskatchewan roadways.

So here is an update to the above post. Last Thursday I headed out to complete an 1100 mile round trip in my 46 in 4 days. Not fast driving just long stints behind the wheel. First I have to say the car ran exceptionally well. Thursday was very hot, 31 C or 87 F, and my temp gauge went from the 160 standard to 175 but never climbed higher. I do not have the speedometer synchronized to the smaller wheels she came with but my calculations were that 65 to 70 on the speedometer gave me 55 miles per on the road. About 1/2 the trip was 4 lane divided highway and the rest was two lane undivided. Maximum speeds went from 100 to 110 KMH (60 to 70 MPH) Like mentioned above "head on a swivel and no distractions." Having never taken a long trip before preparation was key and from there it was sticking to the plan. The hardest part was in the bigger centers where signage wasn't always the best or only provided short notice. Regular stops along the way and a couple extra ones to check on folks who had broken down. Will I do another big trip like that again, probably. Will I do it alone again, probably not. Also a big Shout Out to Saskwatch who spent a few hours on the road himself to come down and see my car when I was driving in his neck of the woods. Good luck with your project! The best art of the whole trip for me was some new possibilities like those below. Safe driving everyone.

Thanks everyone for the perspective. I am a driver of an original and not inclined to change things to modern. My problem is that 5 months of the year the car is parked due to winter conditions and I don't want to risk damaging my coupe. That means during the summer I take every opportunity to drive, to the store, to a car event or to the Provincial capital 75 Kms, that 46 miles away. Easy 55 mph and play it safe with extra distance, hand & mechanical signals, pulling over and making sure I know where I am going before I get into trouble trying to find a turn or off ramp. I think the most fun is when I am at a car show or club event and I invite someone to sit in the car and they experience the feel of the old stuffed seats that I enjoy during my drive. Yep it is a different world out there in an old car but I wouldn't change it for anything.

Unfortunately my acquisition isn't quite as nice as yours but I will document it's dissection and rebuild carefully. Thank you everyone for your feedback. Dave

Thanks Sniper quick response. I measured the block and it is 25" so more detective work required. I am guessing that would make it the 218 ci? Would you think the US numbering system and the Canadian system would be that different? Dave

This is probably more for the Canadian followers but today I picked up an engine to use as a spare if needed. This engine will need some grooming I am sure and would only be used as a back up if needed. It is a 25" block and according to the seller came from a 1947 Plymouth convertible that is currently being rodded! The interesting information for this engine is the serial # begins with a T112- which is totally different than my 46 Dodge which begins with the qualifier D and then the model # 25C. Does anyone have any literature on engine numbers for 40's Plymouths that indicate a letter prefix of T? Also of interest was a tin medallion that was riveted to the side of the block. It shows a rebuild in Winnipeg Manitoba with a .30 overbore on the cylinders but nothing to the mains or rods. Has anyone got any information on these tags or who to contact to chase the numbers on it. I am just curious about the history of my back up engine before exploring all of its parts and pieces. Thanks Dave

Love your car by the way. Really great eye turner I am sure! Your trunk and mine are the same configuration with that little rise at the back for the differential housing and then the 6" channel that nothing fits in behind the back seat. As mine is a daily driver and not a show car I made a wooden platform that rests on the housing bump and is supported by legs on each side parallel to the spare tire recess. The platform is about 10" high, is contoured to cover the majority of the floor space and holds my first aid kit, tool box and two lawn chairs under the platform. It allows for suitcases or what not on the top. I cut a 6" hole in the platform and set my fire extinguisher in that so it is always handy and never covered by other stuff. Because mine is a dry chemical ABC type I shake it monthly to keep the retardant loose and not compacted. Sorry I don't have a picture. Dave

Last year I was inquiring about the same thing and forum input said that a Wix 15480 was the proper size gasket for the filter housing that I have which looks a lot like the one pictured above. I ordered one last week along with my Wix 51080 filter and am expecting both today or tomorrow at the local auto parts store. Will update once I have them in hand.

As predicted, sitting at computer watching the snow come down while enjoying morning tea. Up to 3" predicted in local broadcast area so might be more than a couple of weeks in the garage. That said, I was able to put 100 miles on the car yesterday in bright sunshine and + temperatures. Take it when I can get it. Hope everyone has a first ride as good as mine was this year. Dave