48Chrashler

After more research and working with what I have, I am going with the white wall 235 75 15 on the rear and a 225 60 15 on the front. For rims, I am staying with the 15 inch steel rims that came with the car, getting sand blasted and powder coated black. To dress it up, baby moons and a trim ring. Thanks for the suggestions. JC

I am making progress on my 48 Chrysler Windsor coupe street rod. I am looking for suggestions on tire/wheel size. I have two 235 R 78 15 wide white wall tires (3 inch) from another car. I was going to ride them on the front. Is it suggested to put the same size front and rear or could I go a bit wider on the back. I put in a rear end from the Jeep Grand Cherokee (98) and Old Daddy front disk conversion on the front. I wanted to go with black Steel wheel with a baby moon and trim ring. Suggestions are appreciated! JC

Tim, Would it be easier to use a whole new column but try to incorporate the actial steering wheel. That is really the only part I want. Love the feel of the huge wheel in both hands!

I have been away for awhile but very busy. My 48 Chrysler was completely off frame and is now getting rebuilt ground up. I am getting alot of help from a SoCal shop but spending a day a week there learning. We took a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee as a donor and used the 318, auto tranny and rear end. Front end rebuild with disk brakes from Olddaddy kit. Used plymouth spindles as instructed. Now the steering. Is the consensus that the Cavilier with tie rods the way to go? If I want to keep the original steering column, what and where do I find the fabrication from old to new to transition the steering column? There was a previous post about moving the engine to the right but I assume that was for the flatty or a SBC. Is that correct? Thanks for the help. I promise pictures in the future! JC

Now you know how I got my nickname "49Bigugly"

1969 Cougar XR7 I was 21 and the coeds loved it when I gave them rides to the mall. Trying to buy one now (car not the coed). Most are beat up and have had no attention paid to anything but the engine compartment and the loud exhaust system

New Information on the Car. 104000 miles on the odometer. Not sure of a rebuild and they are checking compression tonight. Always California and Arizona. One repaint to orig color. One interior redo to original style. No leaks or squeaks. All orig but with wide white radials Likes 50 MPH and never goes on the California Highways. Gets driven about 10-20 miles per week. Going to look on Sunday.

Thanks ALL, The cylinder walls were actually pristine. I think the camera flash and shadow gave the appearance of rust. More pictures when next step is done. More questions as well!

I hung out with Greg at the SYR nats a few years back His wife packs great sandwiches in the cooler! Sounds like a great trip...Have fun. JC

As you can see my engine going back together is missing a freeze plug. I measured them and it appears to be a 1 5/8 inch plug. Are these fairly standard as a size for the 25 inch block? Would you replace all five even though the other four seem to be pretty set?

Sticker said $15,000 but I know of no other details. The car prices were falling at Pomona according to many guys I was speaking with. Nothing like two or three years ago. I guess one more sign of the economic times.

Did not follow me home (yet) I am going up to see it again next weekend. The owner was not around so I only saw the outside and got very little details. As for the question about the Windsor: That is getting a different kind of mod with rebuilt engine, more carbs, and different drive train/rear end, lowered and shaved up a bit. I want one I DID so will be taking my time on it to learn and try new things.

I am thinking it is two years to get my Windsor road worthy and with the nice california sun, I need something to drive every day. This caught my eye!

Finally getting my Flattie put back together here in So Cal. Shop let me come in and help with the assembly. Pictures to follow. What a great day. An expert by no means, when at a future show, I can at least say I rebuilt the engine.

Thought I would get my first Pomona swap meet experience this Sunday. Give me a call if you are roaming the grounds. Jerry 760-529-6310

good luck. I am in the midst of my 251 (250.6) rebuild. I want a daily driver and occasional highway miles so I decided to upgrade rear end ratio and tranny rather than engine mods. I have gone to the split exhaust and looking at dual 1bbl carter carbs. I did not know Langdon made the longer block manifold.

Parts are ordered and in. I am going 40 over. Ordered from Terrell in Texas. He sold me new old stock pistons and a new set of rings. Great deal but I need to clean the cosmoline oil off of the pistons. After an afternoon in the garage, I am glad it is a six cylinder not an eight! I used lacquer thinner and a coffee can to soak them in. Borrowed my wife's tooth brush for scrubbing small spots but returned it before she got home. Still need to give them a once over another day. Any ex military with cosmoline removal secrets or stories? Next Friday I am taking the morning off to go over and "assist" with the rebuild. Always looking to learn. JC

I am at the same point you are. Neighbor is coming over with a 1/2 inch drive impact wrench. Next will be the heating and penetrating oil. Also found a neighbor who has an industrial powder coating company. He offered to sand blast and paint the parts. Got my rebuild kit at christmas time so I am off to the races if work does not get in the way! PS did you replace springs cut to lower etc?

Great Idea "necessity is the mother of all invention"!!

This shows the upper and lower portion of the spring. I thought it came with the kit I bought but it was not there. Pat S. used the same supplier so I will check with him. http://www.collectorsautosupply.com/34-58%20Control%20Arm%20Parts.JPG

Did your springs come with the hardened rubber pieces at either end that fit into the front spring perch?

Just got the call from the shop rebuilding my 25 inch block flatty. They need to go 40 over on the cylinders and said the rod/main are 10/10. They questioned the head milling dimension. They need seats for exhaust valves and 2 sleeves. I recall and have read I can go 60 over with a new set of pistons/rings and the head can go to .0072 (per George Ashe) although others have gone to .0050. He also asked about getting a harmonic balancer. Does all this sound like I am on the right track? Any other suggestions?? Thanks...JC (learning new things every day!)

Help is appreciated here. My 98 chevy truck with 86,000 miles on it has developed a coolant leak at the intake manifold. Apparently it happens. Does anyone have experience with this and would you get it repaired to run the Vortec engine longer? I only drive it about 7000 miles a year and it is in very good shape body wise. Value if I sell it is less than five grand. Thanks for your responses. JC

Welcome back home Greg No snow...gas under $2.00 and a new senator on the way... Life is good! JC

On that note, how do you know to replace or rebuild the MC? Mine is off the car as I rebuild from the frame, put on disc brakes and replace brake lines. Is there a tell tale way to inspect it for function or do you just figure now is as good a time as any to upgrade? JC