Merle Coggins

Check with BeBops Glassworks http://www.bebops-glassworks.com/plymouthbodyparts.html I just picked up a set of rear fenders from them. They also list "Running Boards (original pattern)". I haven't seen them to know for sure, but it might be worth a call. Merle

Welcome to the forum Denise. I believe we spoke on the phone a while back? Sounds like your truck is progressing nicely. Hope to see you out and about in it sometime. Merle

If your car is indeed Negitave earth (neg. ground to us Yanks) than your notes are correct. It was probably converted from Positave ground, since that's how they were manufatured (as far as I know). On a Pos. ground system the + side goes to the distributor and the - side to the ignition switch.

Yea, I've been to the one at the "Solid Gold" McDonalds on S. 76th St. It was several years ago now since I've been down to that one. I thought I heard that they disbanded it. Is it still active? Merle

Drain plug gaskets need to be replaced occasionally. It's usually reccomended to replace them every time the oil is changed. You should be able to match up the drain plug gaskets at your local auto parts store, although you'll probably have to bring in your plug. My transmission drain plug is a pipe plug. If yours is the same you could just use pipe dope thread sealant. Merle

Norm, I just looked at their web site. I know right where they are,(at 5 Corners) but I've never been there. I'll have to get up there and check it out this summer. Merle

Interesting solution. Thanks for sharing your success.

Definetly a Pilot-House era cab. And the nose and gauges match 48-50 US built trucks. From my limited knowledge of the Aussie built trucks I won't try to guess it's model year. But it's probably somewhere between 48 and 60 Merle

My truck had a couple of ring type tie points, on the inside of the bed, attached to the bolts that hold the sides to the front panel.

I've met Eric (aka Townwagon). He is a good guy with a lot of knowledge on older Dodge trucks. He also chimes in here from time to time. I agree with Rich, if you email him he may have the part #'s you seek. He uses the same screen name with this forum. Merle

Yup, not bad. That's around what I paid for similar work, including new pistons and rings. Although I didn't take them the crank, and I installed the cam bearings myself. You didn't mention wrist pin bushings. Are those being changed? Merle

Go-Jo or a similar hand cleaner without pumice works great to lubricate rubber during installation. It will dry up after a while, or washes off easly with water. But tthe rubber will be VERY slippery. Merle

I bought all my rubber moldings from Steele. I haven't installed them yet, but they look top notch. Merle

Yes, it carried through to at lease 1950, as mine has the access hole too. but I don't have a crank for it to try. Merle

If your starter is like the one in my truck (mechanicaly activated by foot) then there is only 1 cable connection and I would advise not to use James' method, since there's no "after the solenoid" connection. It sounds like a good method if you have a starter solenoid, but I would still keep the polarity the same just to play it safe. That said, I've jump started many 12 volt machines using a 24 volt jumper pack. I connect the Hot lead to the battery or starter post. Then I try to have an assistant crank the engine. Once the assistant turns the key to the start position, I touch the gound lead (away from the battery because it'll spark). You get a surge of voltage, engine spins rapidly and usually fires right up. As soon as it fires, remove the gound lead. This method has worked sucessfully for me on many occasions. It gives a momentary shot of higher voltage for the starter, but usually the rest of the system isn't effected. And again I'd advise to keep the polarity the same and don't let the vehicles touch. Merle

I was always tought that backfiring during deceleration, with closed throttle, is due to over lean mixture. Could be a partially blocked idle circuit not allowing enough gas through during those conditions. Just my opinion, Merle

My 218 truck engine pulley looks just like yours. No damper.

I can understand your shoestring budget, but I think you'll be needing a fairly big shoestring. Especially if you buy the wood precut from them. Check with Mar-K http://www.mar-k.com/ Or Bruce Horkey http://www.members.tripod.com/woodandparts/index.htm Merle

My truck frame is OK, but the parts truck I recently got was welded on both sides and a new cross member fabricated out of rectangular tube. It sure looks like a hack job. My welding isn't very good, but I think I could have done better than that. Both sides are the same way. Glad this one isn't the one I'm rebuilding. The pictures don't do it justice. It's been welded top and bottom that I can see. Merle

Here Dan, do these pics help? Also, just above the full mark is stamped "5 Quart Capacity" Merle

The hole is probably filled with carbon from the underside giving the appearance of a pin hole. It may be a good idea to remove the plug from the top side and clean out the hole. Then reinstall the plug with some pipe thread sealer. Mine was plugged up too. I didn't even realize it was there until I read about it here a while ago. I then pulled out the plug and ran a drill bit down through the carbon (by hand) until it was open again. Merle

No problems here either. I have "Linear Mode" selected under "Display Modes" in the upper right of the forum. I am also running Windows XP Home version with IE 7 at home and XP Professional with IE 6 at work. I stay logged in on both computers and it works slick. Merle

It's a pretty good possibility. Phil, send me a PM or email and let me know what all you need. Merle

I was wondering when the April Fool's jokes would start. Careful picking on the Lefties. There's more of us out there than you may realize. Merle

Here's a couple of pics of the one I'll be sending off to Byron. I bought it a while back on ebay. I actually bought it with a glove box door. I didn't need the door, but that was the deal and the price wasn't too bad. Since then I aquired a parts truck that has one, so I'm giving this one to Byron.