Don Jordan

I did two cars with Rhode Island kits. They are perfect, look original, and save you a lot of time. Just my 2 cents.

you guys are right - hooked it up positive to ground. car fired right up. except for the once or twice that I really hate these cars I sure do love them.

You'd think for as long as I've had my Plymouth I would figure this out but I'm still confused. I was going to change my electric fuel pump. I read the instructions (unusual for me) which said "connect ground wire (-) to a suitable ground." But I was looking at the pump I took off and I had the positive (+) hooked to ground. It had worked for a long time. If I hooked it up backwards would the pump run backwards? Does it make a difference which way it's hooked up? I'm going to put the pump in now and wire it once I get an answer. thanks guys.

I've been told as long as I can remember that I serve as a functional bad example. I guess if one person is helped my job here is done.

I'm going to cop to this for 3 good reasons 1) this thread is so far down the list everyone has lost interest 2) I doubt that I will ever see any of you guys so I don't risk the chance of getting busted for being so stupid. 3) I hope I will be forgiven for my indiscretion because I am older than the car. One of the problems having 2 cars is sometimes you do something to one and think it was the other. I complained that my starter was turning too slow to start the car. I said I had put 0 battery cables on it. I lied. They were 4. I hope this will help someone as stupid as me. I ordered a set of 0 battery cables, put them on, pushed the button and almost fell out of my seat. It was like someone changed the car over to 24v. That puppy cranked so fast an started so quick I almost didn't get my finger off the button. All the grief I put myself through changing starters, trying to figure out about power surges and current drops and it was the silly battery cables all along. I would like to thank everyone for their input. I guess my creditability is shot here. I guess that's how we learn. It was worth it just to hear it fire up. Now that the weather is nice I'm going for a ride.

Battery - new cables - new (0) Starter - rebuilt Everything had been working fine - it sat dormant throughout the winter. It just started cranking slower and slower until it wouldn't start. I have to agree with the others in that I fear it is an electrical problem within the car and not the starter at all. I switched it with the car that runs - no help. I've got the battery on the charger now and will try again tomorrow. I know it's something silly. I was having trouble with my other car. It would not start. I went over everything I could think of. Finally I took the dist out and there was a short in the condenser wire. It was so small it was hard to see. Once fixed the car ran like a dream. I know it's something small because the car does run once you get it started. (sounds like something on a T shirt) (or: it was running perfect when I shut it off). Lon - I never really wanted to be a mechanic - but back in the 50s & 60s it was very cool to at least KNOW about cars. All the songs about cars Little Duce Coup, 409, (naturally I can't think of any right now. But I know what a 283, 289, 326, 454 etc. is. Ask a kid today what those numbers mean - most won't know. I just wanted the knowledge (and a little bonding time with my father). It seems I got neither.

My father was a mechanic (grease monkey) all his life and he was determined that I not learn anything about cars because he said it's a horrible way to make a living. He died when I was 15 and I inherited his tools. So I got kind of a late start working on cars. Lots of mistakes along the way. So while some of you guys assume anyone can do it - not everyone can. That said I'm told there is no difference between the 47 and 48 but I'm all the time running across little annoying differences. I took the starters out (against the advice of some) and took them to my starter guy. He benched tested them and said they are good. If you look at the pictures you will see that one is bigger than the other. I'm not sure what that means. I switched one of the starters into the car that was having problems - nothing. Saturday a friend of mine is coming by and we are going to try to figure the current draw and voltage drop thing. I'm sure it's something simple. I took the car on a 1,000 mile road trip and it performed admirably. can anyone ID the 2 starters? thanks

Lon you're a wonderful person. I already took the starter out of one car so I will perform all the tests on the other one before I switch the starters. It's such a beautiful day all I really wanted to do is go for a ride. First things first. thanks again. d-

P Adams: quick question - while I understand the concept of 'current draw' & 'voltage drop' I'm not sure how to put it into practical play. Where do I measure and what are the numbers? Couldn't I just pull the starter and check out the brushes? Is all this in the service manual? thanks

It sure is good to see people who appreciate quality cars. What a great job he's done.

6 v stock (except I do have an Opitma batt)

I'm afraid I don't know what it means but the cables I put on are '0'. I also put a new grounding strap on. Judging from some of the comments I think I'll take it off this week end and have the starter guy look at it. He's been around many years and I have faith in his opinion. I will let you know what happens. Thank you for your input.

I don't know why my questions always sound so remedial but please believe me when I tell you I am serious asking this dumb question: I have 2 P 15s. A 47 2 door sedan and a 48 4 door sedan. With a very little choke the 47 starts right up. Runs like an dream. The 48 labors to start. The motor turns over so slowly it just won't catch. I've done all the auto shop 101 stuff. New battery and cables, voltage regulator. A friend told me it could be the started. Is that possible? Wouldn't the starter just get old and brush off to Buffalo? It works though it struggles. Would having it rebuilt end all the problems? I've been parking it down hill to avoid some of the problem. When it warms up it starts faster (but it doesn't turn any faster) I would appreciate any sincere comments you can offer. Save the snide caustic stuff for later. Thanks guys I'm in your debt, d-

I was able to print all the pix - thank you. I'll take them over tomorrow and see what he has to say. I don't think I've ever seen one on e bay. Do these cars ever get finished? It seems like there is always just one more thing to do.

Is it possible to forward these pix to an e mail?

Excellent!! Thank you ever so much.

My neighbor, who helps me with my car, noticed that my hood was not settling even and suggested it could use a brace. I know one was made so I checked the parts book. Problem is it doesn't give dimensions. My friend said he would make one for me if I could get a picture of what one looks like. I haven't seen that many installed so if someone has one and could snap a picture I would be appreciative. thanks

I was studying the picture of the linkage (and am impressed by how clean the engine is) and I was wondering where the throttle linkage is. I can never seem to get a clean shot.

I have learned that sometimes the less you pay the more it costs.

I feel so guilty - we are praying for just a little rain here. The temp plunged down to a wintry 53°. The other day I had to wear a long sleeve shirt. I truly don't envy the east coast. I wish safety and warmth to you.

This is for what it's worth: There is a little wire that goes across the bottom plate in the dist. and plugs in with the condenser. I pulled out the dist to check for shorts. I ended up taking the dist apart. I saw a very small break in the wire coating - just enough to expose just a hint of wire. You couldn't see it just looking down. I knew it was something small I never would have guessed it would have been that small. I would like to thank all those for their input. I would like to send my prayers to all those on the east coast. I hope everyone is safe.

Don: I found a guy in Ark. that rebuilds gauges. I had my gas gauge and sending unit gone over and everything works perfect. Tomorrow I tackle my electrical problem. Thanks everyone for the leads

thanks everyone - I'm just going to put my 2 Plymouths side by side and start switching parts until it runs. I know it's something little. It never can be something obvious.

I could have but it would still fire - backfire but there still would be some reaction. I will check tomorrow. I would feel so humiliated if it were something that simple.

I pulled the plug and grounded it to the block - nothing. Yes it has always turned a little slow but with some spark it would at least start. I will try the test light but I'm not sure what I'm looking for. The only culprits I can think of is coil, condenser, points, rotor, cap. Perhaps a short in the distributor. I think I may try pulling all those things off the car that works and see if I can find the missing piece. Is there some sort of short that would prevent spark to the plugs. The engine turns over so the entire electrical system is not fried. Tomorrow is another day. I guess that's why we get into this: for the sheer frustration.