mrwrstory

I agree with the negative comment about rubber band tires. However, it's a matter of degree and opinion,....in my opinion. That being said, my opinion is 17" steel wheels are cool. I've put 17s on my last three cars with no issues. I maintain that 17's are the new 15s. Understand 'tho, there is a price for being cool and the first item on the cost sheet is, do your homework. There is a lot of data online regarding tire dimensions relative to wheel dims. You can cherry-pick the specs and fine tune tire width and dia. by +/- .2". Then compare to dimensions of your car and it's running gear. I spent considerable time measuring and mocking-up and thinking about the shortcomings and alternatives. I'm very happy with how my car turned out. > The fronts are 215/50x17,...rears 245/50x17 They are Dodge Magnum stock 17x7 cheapies that normally reside under plastic faux aluminum covers. However, big "however",....'tho the fronts are stock, the rears have been modified for offset and rim width. The rears are the fattest I could get under the fender and yes, I have to jack up one side to remove a rear tire,...big deal! My front suspension is not stock. However I believe you would have no problems there. The rubber band look, such as it is, is most apparent in the straight side view. Anything other than that you are viewing a 3/4 view which takes the curse off the rubber band look. Cool, huh! If you would like more info and any specifics I can help with, please don't hesitate to PM me anytime.

Hey Doug, I can confirm that. The regular baking soda, shown in my pic, was weak in it's ability to knock down much of the corrosion on the aluminum. The Ultrasonic Cleaner also was a weak performer. However, with both and judicious scrubbing, I got my parts clean. Now I'm smarter,....for whatever that's worth Don, I know bead blasting is an option but I was trying to do it all "in house" and on a budget. Seems like a lot of the alternative techniques that you can discover online have their short comings.

AMEN! AMEN!.... I took this advice from a friend years ago and repeated it many times over to guys who were about to jump in the deep end without realizing the commitment. I ruined a car and never finished it,..once. In this case, I did the Fatman spindles, disc brakes. lowering blocks, big and littles, and a Volare rear end which got me freeway speeds. (even that sounds like a lot now! ) However, you can take each of those steps one at a time, and only have the car "down" for a few days each time. Sure glad I did that! I drove mine for about 5 years this way and enjoyed the "thumbs ups" and developing network before jumping in the deep end. This site has been a wonderful asset with information, opinion and moral support. My car and I are sneakin up on completion,..... finally, tho it will never be done to others perceptions. I'm good with that. It's freakin cool,...some agree and some don't and,.... I couldn't care less. Good luck! Stay in touch and enjoy the journey.

What's challenging and a bit frustrating is I'm dealing with corrosion, carbon deposits and grease,... on cast iron, die cast aluminum, brass and steel. Each, as far as I can figger, requiring a different technique and/or chemical. Some of the pieces are combinations of several materials. Here's an example........... > I've boiled the **** outta all the pieces and done the ultra-sonic cleaning which got me part way. Then fabricated a soda blaster from vaccum fittings and tubing. Kinda cool but not aggressive enough to remove rust. Finally had to resort to chemicals. Muratic acid on the ferrous parts did the trick but left a yellow residue which I feel may inhibit attachment of coatings. > The pic below shows the diff. from boiled in degreaser (top) and soda blasted (bottom)...rust still in place > Tho the aluminum doesn't like it, I resorted to Blue Lightning Rust Remover,...note the two colors on the choke link piece. I've also done copious flushing with carb cleaner and much air blasting. Lotta work but pretty sure it's as clean as I'm going to get it.

Finally got around to a project that I have been puttin off for way too long. I've always admired the design and engineering of cost sensitive assemblies,....as in this case brake shoe linkage and parking brake assemblies. Pretty cool how a bunch of cheap goofy looking blanked parts hold together and perform the task of stopping your car. Big challenge for me is putting them all back together,....and with only two hands,..and with no leftover parts. Reconded the parking brake mechanism and made it all functional with a Lokar cable kit. A bit pricey but very nice stuff. > > ​Now it's back to my carburetor restoration project.

Big man at Fatman is Brent Vandervort. He can be a bit of a smart-ass too. The reason for the glib answer is that employees often emulate their boss. Be persistent. Good luck.

This thread is dedicated to conversation from anyone who would like to join, in SoCal, a gathering of the Old Mopar afflicted. Tentative plans for a meeting so far are,....a weekend day after The Holidays,...looks like a Sunday so far,....location to be determined by greatest number of responds,.....drive your cars, any old Mopar. MrBill will tabulate those who are likely participants, their preferences and contact info. PM me with questions or an "I'm in"!"

​Just had an inquiry if other old Mopars are welcome,....A B O S U L T E L Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone who'd like to join us after the Holidays, please drop me a note. I'm making a list. And,....let's start a new thread on this OT topic so's we don't hijack SKCHANDLER's original intro and question. Check "SoCal Old Mopar Breakfast Cruise-In".

Nice score! Congratulations on making your own good luck!

I sure like the idea of a Sat. or Sun. morning coffee/breakfast get together for all in So Cal who could make it,....maybe even some from San Diego and/or Ventura. I'd be more than happy to organize, figure a location and time and communicate to all. For me it would have to be after Christmas and pretty much on Sundays until mid Feb. I further propose that anyone with a drive-able car, do so or suffer a lot of flack Send me a note via this site or a PM (subject P-15 Coffee) and I will start the thought process

Yes, welcome. Like Tim Biz Coupe or Club Coupe? Pics getcha extra points

My experience with the "UPS Stores" is that their rates are significantly higher than going direct to UPS. The stores are privately owned and therefore extra costs are incurred. Also UPS normal packaging is cardboard. They charged extra for "my packaging" which was a well built plywood box for a cylinder head. Maybe the same for Fed Ex. I have used Greyhound for odd and heavy packages for significant savings. The down side is both you and the recipient have to go to a Greyhound station for drop off and pick up,...in some areas, not a nice part of town.

sure is RED!

That's what I'm thinking Tim. I'm sneakin up on that project and watching to see if any others respond to the subject. I'm thinkin the spring against the door steel and behind the Masonite (or what ever material) panel. The spring pushes the panel out to close the gap you mention. The spikes on the escutcheon don't readily pierce the Masonite, as they would've in the original cardboard. So, maybe more padding or trim the spikes.

after soaking in the First Street Heavy Duty Cleaner Degreaser, not near clean enough so I went to heating that solution, still not near clean enough bought the Harbor Freight Ultrasonic Cleaner. I'm thinking about returning it. here's a comparo, better but still not there. left to right, Heavy Duty Cleaner, hot Heavy Duty Cleaner, Ultrasonic Cleaner. the dilemma is assuring that the chambers that you cannot get to are cleaned of the gunk that shows on the outside surfaces. I am now dealing mostly with the white crusty corrosion that is obvious in the first frame in the above photo. I am considering building a soda blaster as per the video that Greg linked

Seems like I struggled with that some time back. Force was the answer as I recall. Did some tuning with a jury rigged tuning bar.

On the West Coast it's just 3:00pm. Enjoying second football game,.....after the next trial at cleaning parts. We'll have turkey and trimmings 'bout 5:00. Lotsa telephone good wishes with the kids and friends 'round the country. Black Friday irritates me to no end. Best part is when it's over and I can get to the turkey leftovers.

John and JC, you have inspired me to learn how to use another tool to share the fun.

As I said,...boastin about my bud!

You've got the right attitude man. Buying a car from Florida is always risky from what I've heard. However, your comment, "'tho I may have paid too much, I love the car" is what it's all about with old cars. Having owned the car for 3-4 years and not being discouraged is commendable. GOOD FOR YOU!!! ​You will get lots of input from this group and comments about sources. This place and its' participants will be able to help you with just about anything. With my limited experience, I would look for sources "other" than Kanter. And welcome!

Very cool ! Especially like the 42 fenders and the stance. I've got some catching up to do.

This topic gives me the opportunity to boast about my good friend Tony Miller. We met a number of years ago, introduced by a mutual friend, at a Hot Rod cruise. Seems we have a lot in common and we now meet every few weeks for breakfast and chat about all that is wrong,..... and right in the world of design. One of Tony's things is designing cars that never were. Here are three. The 50 is about as close to a daily driver as one can get. All are equally complex, tasty and mischievous. Can you spot the refinements? I will ask Tony to join our forum and cover my ass if this topic gets traction and comments/questions become too intense.... * *

Again, thank you Greg! I'm getting answers to questions I'm not smart enough to ask.