RobertKB

I agree. A specialty washer. Better start looking for yours again or put a wanted ad in the classifieds.

Desoto always did things a little differently.

That is a great looking project. You are going to enjoy bringing it back to life. More pictures are always welcome also. We love pictures!

Do it like Dodgeb4ya recommends. He owns some beautiful cars like this and has worked on these cars for a living. He knows of what he speaks!

I realize that car was someone’s dream but nightmares are dreams, too. Bad colour, ugly wheels, no bumpers, unpleasant looking interior, painted hood ornament, and no flathead six. Sorry, but you would have to pay me to take that car. Just my caustic opinion.........but there is likely a buyer out there. Keith, I would take your ‘38 Plymouth in a heartbeat over that yellow/orange creation......... remember Frankenstein was a creation, too.

Restoration Specialties have a wide selection of original style clips for most old Mopars. Just google them and look at their catalogue. Very pleasant to deal with as well. I have no connection to them except for being a happy customer.

That's what I think, too.

I had a local glass company come over to install the the rear window and windshield in my '51 Dodge D39 business coupe project because the manager liked working on the old cars and was knowledgeable. I had new gaskets and locking strips from Steele Rubber for both windows. He initially sent a couple of goons over who started with the rear window and were unable to install it. I told them they were not doing it like the shop manual said but they figured they knew better. They didn't and I am thankful they didn't break the back window, the only curved glass in the car. Next day the manager came over with the two goons and I gave him the shop manual. He read it and five minutes later, after following instructions, the rear window with stainless trim was in the car and buttoned down. He didn't take much longer to do the windshield, again following instructions. Get a shop manual or follow the instructions from the Imperial Club mentioned above. No one knows better than the factory how to install glass.

I feel the same. Pictures of the car would be interesting.

I believe everything I ordered was flat. I replaced mostly the front floor pans and some of the rockers. I did not replace anything at the back against the rockers so not sure about there unless I go out to my car and pull up the carpet that I really don't want to do. Things might be a little different on my car as it is a business coupe and the floor area is smaller than a sedan. Sorry I can't help more but hope this helps somewhat. I'm sure others will likely chime in.

Very nice work. It all looks great!

Here are the shock absorber shields on my Canadian '48 Dodge D25 Club Coupe. I have posted this picture before but it's handy so easy to post. I don't see any problem leaving them on the car. I've owned the car since 1976 and never had a problem. This car also has the more modern style u-joints unlike my '51 Dodge and '53 Plymouth which have the Detroit joint with the rubber boots. They are factory and not a modification to the car. I have a D25 parts car and I know it has the same u-joints but not sure about the shock absorber shields.

Keep the updates coming on this sweet ‘53!

I have three old mopars with the flathead engine. Two of them have always taken the NAPA 1080 (WIX 51080) and the filter and gasket fit perfectly. The third one used to take the filter but the gasket was too big which I think is your issue if I understand correctly. I measured a spare 1080 gasket and it is greater in diameter than the dimensions you have given. In the one housing that was smaller in diameter than the gasket, I had to keep re-using the same gasket over and over when I changed oil. I got concerned that at some point the gasket would fail and I would have a major oil leak. My solution was to replace the oil filter housing with one that was the right size for the gasket to fit in the lid perfectly. Very easy to change especially if you make sure the fittings are in the same location on the housing. These housing are often on ebay or if you have access to a spare engine that might be a solution. Pretty sure someone on the forum would have a correct size housing they would be willing to sell. Just put an ad in the wanted classifieds. I used to have a lot of the correct size housings (for the 1080 cartridge and gasket) but have sold them all on ebay a while ago now.

I'm enjoying the thread so please keep posting with updates. With the lug nuts, you gotta love a good impact wrench!?

You should never need a breaker bar to turn it. You will score something for sure. If you can’t turn it with a breaker bar, not much chance your starter will. Did you number rod caps and main caps when you disassembled? It’s vital they go back in the right order. Are you using assembly lube upon reassembly? Also, assuming your crank is ok as it sounds like it wasn’t machined. Also, I wouldn’t install pistons until crank turns easily in the mains. Lots to think about and the members on this forum are very helpful. There are no dumb questions, only dumb mistakes because a question wasn’t asked.

I don't think Plymouth ever used the 265 engine. If that is its displacement, it is probably from something else. With a bit of luck it will likely bolt right in. You will need to check the number of teeth on the flywheel to make sure it is the same as the 218. I'm sure others will chime in with what else to look for.

Probably not its first snowfall. ?

I like the ‘53 Plymouth 2-door. Also one of the few cars with wide whites.

Nice find. Do you plan on keeping the power train stock or hot rod it? Definitely a ‘46-48 Plymouth dash and steering wheel. if you post the serial number on the A pillar, I can tell you what the car is. P9 would be correct for a 1940 Plymouth although the grille looks like a Dodge.

The gasket should be used. It's probably not as important now as when these cars were new and there were a lot of gravel roads. The gasket prevents any dusty air being sucked directly into the carburetor. It also makes the air filter fit more snugly. I used an old inner tube and and a deteriorated gasket as a template. Worked great.

One last picture taken this afternoon. I had the ‘53 out for a 40+ mile run today. Main reason I’m posting is to show the topography of where I live. The city I live in (Lethbridge, Alberta) and surrounding area is on the prairies, looking their worst at the moment but much better when green. Lots of farming and ranching. Above the car you can see the Rocky Mountains which are about 80 miles from where the car is sitting. It’s a beautiful part of the world. 60 miles south is the US border and Montana.

Plate looks way better! ? I know you are not keen on the tailgate grain door but I really like it and think it adds character to the truck. Hopefully, it will grow on you. Keep the updates coming!

Sounds like you scored a good one. I like how you drive them to work! You can never have too many old Mopars!? BTW, looks like a previous owner at some point added a grain door to the tailgate. That is so cool. ?

You are right that each car has its own story. Only parts of the interior are worn out. Headliner had been butchered by a previous owner trying to put in rear speakers. Front carpet was worn out and the driver’s side of the front seat with someone’s butt in it for 100,000+ miles. Rear seat and all door panels are great. Paint on the dash and interior mouldings are near perfect. Exterior paint has stayed good because I wax it regularly. It has always lived inside since I’ve owned it. So, some is use, some abuse, and some maintenance.