Don Jordan

While I too have put many things in a safe place I have found the best way to find them is to look for something else. I was looking for a level in the garage. I found a set of window cranks, license plate from 48, some steel wool - No level. Later I remember seeing the steel wool and went looking for it and found the level. And, of course, it's already been said, the quickest way to find something is to buy another one on e-bay for more money than you paid for the first one. At least it doesn't get boring.

My very first car (which like most of you I wish I still had) 1950 Buick ($25). Was trying to start it and it belched a big flame out of the carburetor. I was somewhat younger then and prone to such things so my first car was called Belchfire. After that they were just cars. Right now my cars' names are the two door and the four door. btw: I'm impressed with the bible scholars - I believe I may have to pass that information along. (a Furry - lol)

I feel really stupid and I apologize. I should not be allowed to write after 9:00 pm. I totally misspoke and was just too lazy to get up and look. My Winchester is the Centennial issue. From 1866 - 1966. I wasn't even close I did not mean to mislead anyone. Sorry.

Wow! Great thread. I'd like to jump in. I have a rifle from WWI (Springfield) - WWII (Garand) and an 1860 octagonal barrel, lever action Winchester lever action 30-30. Sort of like cars only easier to store. You buy one then before you know it... If I could find one in good shape I'd like to get an M14. That's what we had in Viet Nam before they went to M16 (which I never liked). and finally - on this same subject: did you hear that there is a town in Texas that wants to allow teachers to carry side arms. Great idea. "Why Johnnie, you didn't do your homework." BLAM!!

I have a 48 Chevy - I took off the back fenders just to clean them up. Once the fenders were off and I got a look at the frame I figured I'd just touch that up. Well it seemed silly to just do the sides so I took the bed off because I was going to buy a wood kit anyway. This story goes on an on - I now have a frame in the garage, cab in the front yard, and parts scattered all over. I tell you - if you're going to do one thing - do it. If you take the head off you're going to find a worn out ring so you might as well take the pan off to pull the piston. If you go that far you might as well do all the rings. If you do the rings it would be silly not to replace the bearings. Believe me it can get out of hand. Before you know it you have a project.

Same question - where did you get the air cleaners and how do they hook on to the carb. I got some cheap ones from Kragen Auto and they were supposed to fasten on with a screw that just tightens to the top flange of the carb. Problem is the carbs have an ever so slight angle in so I can't get the air cleaners to stay on. Of course even with new air cleaners my engine isn't going to come near to yours. I'd like to echo all the others: very KLEEN!!!

Put the plug in and fired it up... so far so good. The only casualty it seems is the temp gauge - it peaked and never came back. This week end I'll make another effort at a short road trip.

I went with the Dorman 568-010. They actually had a web site though it was for MGAs it was still interesting. Apparently "freeze plug" is a misnomer. They call them core plugs. Long story and I won't bore you. They do fit right in, however, without having to hit it with a hammer. I just couldn't get the swing with a hammer to do any good. I'm disappointed about the temp gauge. I guess it's back to the bay. Real quick question: the engine got so hot it pegged the gauge but it was running when I shut it off. Today I tried to start it and while it would turn over it just wasn't going to fire up. I took a chance and rolled it down the drive way and it started. How much damage could be done by overheating? Bearings? Pistons & rings? But it did start. It maybe time to pull the engine. Thanks for the help I'm really taken by the ease of the Dorman 568-010.

I was checking the Plymouth service manual and it's interesting that I could not find any mention of freeze plugs. I bought a brass one but it has a lip on it about 1/4" and I don't feel confident it's the right one. I bought the rubber one but like it's been mentioned it won't fit into the hole flush. I can see rough cast iron inside the freeze plug hole but I don't think it was meant to be smoothed out. I was also reading and learned something: "The pressure vent type radiator cap was introduced in the middle of 1950 on Plymouth cars." I'll tackle this tomorrow.

I have a Toyota Tacoma 4 wheel drive. U-Haul would not rent a tow dolly because they said the Plymouth was too heavy. I thought it was sort of ironic because her book didn't list 47 Plymouths so she didn't know how much it weighed. You can't argue with these people.

It's 98 outside how could I have a freeze plug question? Thought I would go for a harmless drive to the bank. 2 miles from home I noticed the temp gauge going up. No BFD - I pulled over, I carry 2 gallons in the trunk. I put both gallons in and it didn't fill up. This is a problem when you're not thinking about what you're doing. Drove a few blocks to a gas station and started putting water in - would not fill up. Okay now (finally) I'm curious. Someone left a big round hole in the side of the engine - water was pouring out. I know this was stupid but I made a run for home. 2 miles, down hill. That was background - here is the question: Could the freeze plug have blown out because the radiator cap was rated at too many pounds? What would cause this? The whole thing is gone. Question two: the parts store had 2 kinds of plug - one was brass that you hammer in one was rubber with a nut on it. Is anyone better than the other? I'd like to sneak one last question - the temp gauge peaked and isn't coming down - did I break it? I tell people I'm really unlucky (that this happened) but I'm really lucky at it (that I at least made it home).

Something people aren't considering is the odometer. I took my Plymouth on a 100 mile (each way) trip across the desert. Kind of boring so I started watching the mile markers. The first mile was okay then it started loosing. After about 5 miles I had lost 1/10 of a mile. I'm an English teacher - I've never been a math achiever - but if I figure that out right after 100 miles my odometer would read (there are 20 5 miles so 20 x .1 = 2 miles) 98 miles?? So if I were figuring MPG - never mind - this just got too confusing. Like Norm when the needle gets close to E I stop and put more gas in. Back in 47 when gas was 20 cents a gallon I don't think anyone cared. (I just looked at my keyboard - they don't have a cents key! What are we coming to?)

Something people are considering is the odometer. I took my Plymouth on a 100 mile (each way) trip across the desert. Kind of boring so I started watching the mile markers. The first mile was okay then it started loosing. After about 5 miles I had lost 1/10 of a mile. I'm an English teacher - I've never been a math achiever - but if I figure that out right after 100 miles my odometer would read (there are 20 5 miles so 20 x .1 = 2 miles) 98 miles?? So if I were figuring MPG - never mind - this just got too confusing. Like Norm when the needle gets close to E I stop and put more gas in. Back in 47 when gas was 20 cents a gallon I don't think anyone cared. (I just looked at my keyboard - they don't have a cents key! What are we coming to?)

Norm: quick question You were talking about Ford stock for $28... I once bought a stock Ford for $28. Probably not the same. And along the collector thread - I'm sure I have a handle on "collector" but what is a "buff"? Are there steps or a test? I was accused of being a 'car buff.' Is this getting too esoteric?

Thank you - I guess the angle of the picture the steering column is in the way. I had a starter peddle on my 36 Chevy and my 50 Buick the starter was part of the gas peddle. I kind of miss that. When you were working on the car you could activate the starter by pulling on the carb linkage. Ah - the old days .

Rain? I've heard of rain. I think it rained once or twice this year. re: collecting. I know a guy that "collects" cars. But I don't think he knows the difference between a wing nut and a gull wing. I don't understand how he is able to enjoy his toys. They just sit in the garage. I think most of the guys on this forum actually tinker with their toys (I mean that in the nicest way). I'm embarrassed to admit that I do everything I can to my Plymouth and my Toyota I take in to Jiffy Lube to change the oil because I'd rather not be bothered. I'm getting too old. I remember when it was so cool to slide under the car to mess around with something. Now it's a chore just to get down to the ground and back up.

I truly appreciate anyone who can paint - I tried it with no success. Lots of sanding, painting, sanding, painting. Finally I just gave up and took it to someone to have it done. I'm still waiting. It's not a high priority so whenever things are slow he puts the guys on the Plymouth. Painting takes patience, skill, time, and patience. You've done a really good job.

This is kind of silly but where is the starter button? I didn't see it on the floor nor did I see it on the dash. Not that it matters - it's a beautiful car.

I got a bunch of stuff from Restoration Specialties - you can check them out on line WWW.restorationspecialties.com I've also used Steele with satisfaction.

I'm confused - I've been trying to follow this - my question is who has the registration? If you have the vin number you should be able to trace its location. I think I missed something.

Just curious - I'm showing my ignorance but did Fram make stock oil filters? I had one on an old hot rod I got from J.C. Whitney but I don't think I've ever seen one stock.

Just a quick question about e-bay. I have a motorcycle I need to sell. Are there any pointers, ins and outs, pitfalls for selling on e-bay? Nothing is ever easy.

There was a little kid with a lemon aid stand - a man came up and asked the kid how much for a glass of lemon aid. The kid said $300. The man said that's outrageous. The kid said "Yeah, but I only have to sell one to make a profit." The guy with the books - $5000 is pretty outrageous - but he only has to sell one.

You guys are the greatest - but you probably already knew that. What a great forum. I wonder if the Cord people are this cool. Way off topic: I used to have a Packard Clipper. I was in the Packard club and found that because the Clipper was the "cheep" model it seemed I didn't get any respect. All the high end guys hung together. I don't know what made me think of that. I guess I just like the way everyone on this forum is treated the same - no matter how old and cranky.

While I'm at it I'm looking for the stuff (don't know the name) that goes across the front of the engine compartment that the hood closes on. I'm not sure if it's rubber or felt and I'm not sure where to get it. I don't think I saw it in the Steele catalog. Thank you for your help