Don Jordan

I was at a parts store and found 2 of the big filters for $35 @. I'm not sure why but I bought them both. As soon as I use them I'm going to change over to a canister type. I'm not sure what was stock and what was not but my 47 has a canister and the 48 has the big filter. Remember the Fram filters where you put a roll of toilet paper in? That was the good old days.

Okay - while we're on the subject - yet a little off topic - ready? I blew out a freeze plug the other day. Is it possible that too much pressure (along with it being 60 years old) could have caused that? It is obvious I don't completely understand the pressure issue. Since I was a kid when the car began to over heat my father would turn the radiator cap to the first click. It's probably a wives' tale. I can't think of a reason the freeze plug would just blow out.

I printed up the picture of the coupe Ed sent and a picture of my car and e-mailed them to the guy. I truly like the lighter blue better. My wife said the darker blue looks "modern" (though I'm not sure how to define that). thanks for all the input. The worst thing that can happen is it gets put back together and I learn to like it. It still looks better than it did when I rescued it from 20 years in the desert. d-

Boy I do hate to complain but here goes. I'm having my car painted. I went to look at it Saturday and it's not the color I wanted. Now I don't know what to do. I would feel horrible asking the guy to paint it again - but it just doesn't look like a stock color. I took him chips and pictures I thought he knew what I wanted. I've seen pictures of cars the color I want. Sort of a sky blue. Please look at this color and tell me what you think. Maybe it's right and I can't tell. I'm so annoyed.

This is silly but I have too many projects and it seems they all end up on my driveway. I can't get my Plymouth out. Question: Is it good or bad to just start it up in the garage and let it run for a while. I know it should be on the street but I just run it till the temp gauge moves up and then shut it off.

You sure have to know what you're doing when dealing with plates. In 1979 (or so) I went to an estate auction. I bought a box of California plates for next to nothing. Lots of 40 plates. I gave a perfect pair of 47s to a friend. I had paid about $11 for them. At the time it was no big deal. When I wanted to get YOM plates on my 47 I didn't have anymore so I went to the Pomona (Ca) swap meet. I found a restored set -THE GUY WANTED $350. This is when I found out in 1945 California cars had only one plate. I had one and the guy was trying to offer me less because I didn't have a set. Tricky. Anyway - 47 California plates are worth so much because they used the same plate for 2 or 3 years. In 48 California used a 47 plate with a metal tag that was put in the upper corner. My 48 pick up (Chevy) and my 47 Plymouth have YOM plates. It's a little thing but I think it gives them a nice touch.

I'll call you Thursday how would you lift it into my truck? Just something else I don't need but would kick myself for not getting.

While we're on the subject: I live in the desert and it gets hot. For many years I had taken the tires off and covered them in the truck bed. I had to move the frame for some construction and I'm going to move it back. Rather than put it back up on jacks is there something I can do to save the tires? It's got to remain outside for a while. Some one told me you can rub brake fluid on the tires and it keeps the rubber from drying out. Is that a wives' tale. Some times I believe silly things like that.

It's interesting I just posted about frames asking what to paint them with. I was told, and took the advice, and bought a gallon of Eastwood. But since we're showing off frames I thought I would show a before picture. I only hope there will be an after picture.

I don't mean to be rude but I feel "big butt" is not really politically correct. - and it's not very nice. I think it might sound better to say the car is small trunk challenged. also while there are those that may disagree I'm sure science is on my side on this one - a new paint job makes the car go faster, sound better, and improves your "carma". JMHO

I know it's not outside but I am looking for a temp gauge. When you don't want one the bay runs wild with them. As soon as you need one they dry up. It's a lot like life.

I remember talking to my grandmother. When she was a little girl she never thought they would do away with horses. I drove past a house just a block away from me - the guy must have 15 horses. I told my wife what does anyone need 15 horses for. She was kind enough to remind me I had 6 cars. Some times women can screw up a good conversation with logic. Many of us hold on to the past - some just go a little further back than others.

Okay - here's another question on the same theme: I went on the Eastwood web site and ordered a gallon of their rust stuff for my frame. While I was browsing their catalog I saw a section on sand blasting. I was amazed by all the different media. I feel really stupid now - when I sandblast something I just go to Home Depot and get some industrial SAND. Go figure. I never thought about walnut shells, or glass - can somebody give me a word of wisdom on sandblasting 101. Again - now that I'm down to the frame I might as well do it right. Walnut shells?

Tim, Do you know if the Eastwood stuff goes on smooth?

Went on the Eastwood web site - that looks like it should work. $119 a gallon. Would a gallon cover the whole frame? They said you could either brush it on or spray it. This needs just a little more research.

It's a 5 window pick up. I "rescued" it from a guy that wanted to cut it up and make a hot rod. The type of stuff they already did: He took it to some Mexicans that do good work but aren't real careful. They put carpet on the floor and covered up the brake master cylinder. They welded the air vent shut up by the window. Sort of like the Plymouth's. No idea what they were thinking. And the topper: they welded the front fenders on. I took a pneumatic chisel to get off the fenders without destroying the cab. It's a project. I'm not sure who said it first but "If it ain't broke - don't fix it." I never seem to learn. Every time I tried to do one little thing it started down the road to one big thing. Powder Coating - that's an idea - but what would it cost? Maybe they could sand blast it. I'll make some calls. When I did my motor cycle I had the frame powder coated - but it wasn't quite as big. Eastwood - I've heard of them. Thanks for that lead. I've got a can of stuff in the garage that I've had for 10 years - it came with rubber gloves because you weren't supposed to touch it. I'll look for that. thanks again

I probably shouldn't be asking this here - I hope you won't think less of me - you probably don't actually think of me at all - but I digress I have a frame (48 Chevy) and I've been cleaning it - 60 years of road yuk. I want to paint it as I go because I'm doing sections at a time. I remember seeing an undercoating product - it goes on kind of crinkly and apparently ends up hard as a rock. Anyone have a name, web site or idea on how to protect the frame? I was thinking of putting in new break lines, new gas lines because since I'm down to the frame it would look pretty - of course no one would see it - is that over kill? Just so I don't get in trouble I do have a Plymouth - but I've belonged to the Vintage Chevrolet Club since 1969. thanks guys. (btw - are there any women on this forum?)

Finding a good mechanic is like finding a doctor you're comfortable with. I drive 45 miles out of my way to go to a mechanic I trust and feel confident he will do a good job. "The reward of a job well done is another job." You would hope that guys that do sub par work would pay for it in the end. Of course that doesn't do you any good now.

I think one of the reasons I like this forum is because sometimes when I feel down because I must be the only one that has an old car and doesn't spend all my free time working on it - then there is a thread where other people express my feelings. I get a lot of joy just walking in the garage and seeing an old car that I had wanted since I was in high school (and could probably have picked up for $75). When I got it it didn't run and that was my goal - it took a year. But if you add up the actual time spend probably a week - now it runs. It's been rewired. Like it's been said already just the joy of driving is worth it. (did I mention I blew out a freeze plug?) It's still worth it.

It's embarrassing to say - he's probably written more books than I have read. that's a sad commentary.

Just curious - does the trailer come with it? re: saw. I was out in the desert cruising back dirt roads and saw a 1941 Chevy biz coupe. It was up on blocks - not a dent, no rust. The ole guy that owned it took the rear wheel off and welded a drum to the drum of the drive wheel. There was a big belt from the drum to a saw. He would get in, put it in gear, pull the throttle and he had a saw. The only wear I could see was the front seat was worn out from him getting in and out. I told the guy I would buy him a new saw. Nope! He was happy with what he had. He also had an old Chrysler don't remember the year but it too was spotless. The story was his kids were playing in the car and it had electric windows - a kid stuck his head out the window, another kid rolled up the window - the guy's wife made him park the car and get another. This sound so silly but he was an old prospector - they have a different value system. This was so long ago I don't think I could ever find the place. There are people that just pull their old cars off to the side and buy a new one. After 30 or 40 years while they may seem like a collector's item to us it's just an old used car to them.

I took my engine out (it had been sitting in the desert for over 20 years and wouldn't even turn over) and took it to a trusted machine shop. They did everything I could think of and stuff they thought of - $1500. I looked at the pictures of your engine and it reminded me of the old saying: You can put lipstick on a pig - but it's still a pig. For $600 with the transmission go for it. I would consider taking a compression tester just for grins. At least it's clean.

My father worked as a service manager for James F. Waters ("the largest DeSoto, Plymouth dealership in the world"). It was on Van Ness in San Francisco. I was at the Pomona swap just walking around and I found a guy selling old license plate frames. He had one tucked away in a box from (you guessed it) James F. Waters - San Francisco. I tried not to seem too anxious - I think I got it for $10 - probably would have gone a lot higher.

I have a friend that enjoys opera. It drives me up the wall - like fingers down a chalk board. But I don't make fun of him because opera is still an art and it's an art he enjoys. I gotta tell you I couldn't do it. A friend of mine just spent $30,000 on a painting that for want of a better explanation looked like very colorful vomit. It is considered art and I can't do it but he sure enjoyed it. I know a guy that collects cars. Lots of money involved. Couldn't tell you why but he has cop cars. 28 Ford that I like but others that make no sense to me. You know what - he likes them - to him it's art. It's interesting (remember back in the 60s - smoking what ever that was) trying to define art. Can't be done. No matter what the genre. I tried to paint a car once - could not do it. So when I look at the paint job on that car I have to say it is art. I tried to bondo a dent one time - was not perfect. So when I look at the time and effort spent just on the radiator frame - it's art. This is a long way around but my point is I look at that car a lot like I look at opera. There are people that enjoy it - I wish them well. didn't mean to go on and on. I was trying to explain a thought - sometimes for me that's an art.

I took my tank to a radiator shop - they boiled it out and coated it. I don't remember with what but it is white. I don't remember what I paid it was many years ago. But I feel confident all the rust was boiled out.