Don Jordan

I had my gas tank boiled out and coated. This is a lesson relearned: things come apart easier than they go back together. Trying to put the tank back in it just would not fit. There were some rubber pieces that sat between the tank and body. I took them out and managed to get the tank hooked up. Question: How important are those hard rubber pieces? I know they are a buffer and I figured I could loosen the tank and try to slip them in. But if they are not necessary I could avoid the grief. comments?

I work in Sylmar in the Angeles National Forrest - in the fire last week a trailer park caught fire and almost 500 homes were destroyed. I think about all the junk I have - old books, newspapers, so much old car stuff. I truly can not imagine what it would be like to have everything gone. The fire was so hot it melted the wheels on cars. Fire hoses melted. People talk about what they would grab. Having more than one car I shutter to think about the choices I would have to make. Some of the fires were so quick people didn't really have much time. My sympathies are with them.

Don Jordan USMC 1st Marine Air Wing Marine Aircraft Group 12 Chu Lai 68 - 69 MAG 12 bomb dump It was a whole different time.

I am curious - what did that guy shoot the lawn boy with? I've seen a 50 cal go through an engine block - but a lawn mower? .357?

I don't mean to be rude but you'd really have to love rust. Whoever buys this I've got some ocean view property in the desert for sale.

I heard something the other day about Chrysler and GM merging... then I haven't heard any more. I read GM sales are down over 40%. What's happening? I feel guilty. While I have 2 Plymouths and a Chevrolet my daily driver is a Toyota. I trust American made through the 60s but I just don't have confidence in what's being turned out now. I remember when a friend bought a new Honda. We all laughed - it was so small. (sort of like a Nash Metro). But then they started getting bigger. I have an English motorcycle (Triumph) - they've been shut out by the Japanese as well. Remember the Vincent Black Shadow? BSA? Greeves? What's happening?

This is just my 2 cents - but "old, junk" cars are a scapegoat - that's it. If you want to save the polar ice caps, clean the air, save the mighty eagle then get rid of junk yards. Junk yards are an eye sore. Once you've accomplished that and all the local voters think you're a hero then go for all the non op cars, parts cars all a blight on the country. People are silly - find something, one little thing and ignore all the big things. People don't care about history. Not only do we have to worry about our cars but a little off topic - I have an M1 Garand (sp) and I worry someone will soon want to take that. It's not been a good week.

We are in a downward spiral as a culture. I only hope we don't expect more from Obama than he can deliver. There are so many distasteful decisions that must be made, there are a lot of toes that need to be stepped on, and society now has a "political correct" phobia so people are afraid to make decisions that may offend someone. I teach school - as much as everyone "values" education no one wants to pay for it. If a student can't reach the bar - WE LOWER THE BAR. I apologize - I don't mean to vent - I am extremely pleased at our new president. I know that my father, a racist, is turning over in his grave - I believe the country finally made a mature move. I'm just saying let's not expect too much.

Thank you very much. I didn't know that. And I probably should have since I was alive during Eisenhower's term. Very interesting. During WWII my father was a ship builder in San Francisco (draft exempt) and my mother was in the Marine Corps. So that old line, "Your mother wears combat boots." actually applied to me.

When did it cease being Armistice Day and become Veterans Day? I, of course, am a veteran so I celebrate that as well as the Marine Corps birthday. The Marine Corps, 233 years of tradition, unmarred by progress.

yup - that's the one

It looks like it should be able to be made... is it in the parts book?

Norm, Tim Thank you. Isn't it interesting that it's all a matter of perspective. I looked at this situation thinking I was wronged and you looked at the situation like the company was looking out for me and themselves. You are right - I probably wouldn't have been satisfied if I had a tank that didn't fit exactly - it's silly but I've heard of worse. People with old cars can be picky. Knobs, colors, engine, door handles, wheels, tires - you get the point. I just mentioned on another thread - I bought a throttle cable on the bay because it had a stock knob. silly

Finally a topic came up that I am experiencing right now. I bought a car that had been sitting in the desert for about 25 years. Trying to be proactive I took the tank to a radiator shop and had it boiled out and coated. That was about 10 years ago. I can not explain this but I think the tank began to rust between the coating and the tank. I took it to a different radiator shop. Here's what I'm dealing with. He will boil it out, soak it in something that will remove the coating then recoat it: $250. Price of a new tank: $250. Conundrum! I went to the Tanks, Inc web site. There is a picture of what they are calling a 41 - 48 Plymouth tank. It just doesn't look right to me. I faxed Tanks and asked for more pictures - they told me I should just go with the radiator shop. They didn't seem to want my business. Worst case if they can't get to the rust or if the metal is too thin then they will split the tank, repair all the weak metal, and make an insert. I didn't know what else to do. The guy told me it will have a life time guaranteer - but then at my age that doesn't mean much.

You guys are the mighty gurus... I am but the lowly grasshopper. When written out this sounds stupid but I bought a throttle cable on the bay because it had a stock knob. Hard to believe. My car (47 P15) had a throttle cable with a chewed up knob. Here's the problem: It wasn't hooked to anything. So when I put the new one in I can't tell where it goes. There is a nut on the linkage where it makes the 90 degree turn to the carb - but I'm not sure if that's the correct place. I've looked all over and can't find a place that would work. The choke I got in. Thanks guys d-

I was wondering what the guy with the van thinks about people that sink so much money into a 60 year old car. I have been spending my time sanding/wire brushing/painting a frame that no one will ever see. (sort of like peeing in a wet suit - no one can tell but you still get a warm feeling) I guess if you want to be noticed that would be one way to go. Like everyone else I'd like to see it at night.

One of the nice things about ignorance is it makes going through life so much easier. I just came from a sand blaster. He quoted me $250 to sand blast the frame and he showed me an example of what he had done. Nice work. Only problem is mine is a rolling frame. That cost $100 more and he can't do as good a job. To powder coat it he wanted over $500. I don't know - some how I find some zen relaxation in just plugging away with a wire wheel on my drill and my baby portable sand blaster. I'm going to keep looking. The key is to mention the frame is on wheels.

My father-in-law used to tell me: "If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself."

Okay - I've been working on a frame (48 Chevy pick up) cleaning off pounds of 60 years of road scum - then painting as I go with Eastwood rust inhibitor. My neighbor who knows all asked why I'm wasting my time why don't I just get it sand blasted. I don't know why but I thought it would cost a lot (a relative term) so I called a local sand blaster/powder coater - $250 to sand blast the entire frame - worth it in my time. Then since it's there I may consider a nice black powder coat. The problem is I've had the truck apart for so long I'm not sure I remember not only where everything goes but where everything is.

Well since all you linguists have torn the word coupe apart I guess we should start on DeLuxe - or is it Delux? Deluxe? Just curious.

Actually the tank has been boiled out but it is rusting... I have called Tanks Inc and the local franchise is going to call me tomorrow. I saw a picture on the Tank web site - what they have listed for a 48 Plymouth just doesn't look right. Tomorrow I'm taking it to a radiator shop to see if they can cut the rust out for under $200. If it cost more I might as well get a new one. I was thinking of going to my favorite junk yard but then again you have no idea what you're getting. That's why I like old cars - because nothing is ever easy. d-

Wouldn't it be great if there was a forum like this for life? Every time you had a problem you just write it down and a bunch of old guys give you the answer. But alas... so on to a solvable problem. My car had been sitting out in the desert for about 25 years before I bought it. I got it home and just to play it safe I took the tank off and had it boiled out and coated. That was probably about 10 years ago. I looked under the car and the tank was leaking. All I can guess is it is rusting between the tank and the coating. Is this something that can be saved or would it be better to just get a new tank? And the final question is who has new tanks? Right now my car is up on blocks and the weather is perfect for a ride.

now you know full well that we can't let that pass. When you bring up the topic of pet cocks Of course we shouldn't be cruel to chickens.

I met a guy at the Pomona (CA) swap meet. He had examples of his work and they looked great - very expensive. Couldn't hurt to check it out: blackholehwy.com Jeff Forton 714 731 4465 17352 Laurie Lane Tustin, CA 92780 I've had his card for years so I don't even know if he's there anymore. I have another card from a guy Ken Cheesman who bills himself as a license plate collector. Don't know what that means. just another lead. 818 241 6501

I'm glad no one knows me - so I can ask silly questions without being embarrassed. I've known about them since the 50s but why do they call them LAKE pipes? All these years and I've never known.