Merle Coggins

Thanks Jim. That just what I needed. I forgot about the other pieces you mentioned. I now remember grinding off those rivits too, when I was cleaning those pieces up. Now I have a better idea what I'm looking for. Merle

Thanks Byron, I'll have a look around. By the way... What's the difference between windlace and fenderwelt? According to pictures I've seen, it looks the same.

That's what it sounds like to me. I once had a truck that went through 2 throw out bearings during the time I was driving it. Failures in the hydraulic clutch system was the culprit, as far as I was concerned. It only emmited that sound when the clutch pedal was depressed. Unfortunetly, when it happened to me, I was always several hundred miles from home. I was able to limp it home with clutchless shifting as much as possible. I also noticed a different feel in the pedal just before it "sounded off". Once the bearing fails it will grind the two races together whenever pressure is applied. I suggest you replace it as soon as possible. I think you could get it out without removing the clutch. Just pull the trans and you should be able to get it out. I also recommend replacing the small pull back spring when you replace the bearing. It helps hold the bearing away from the clutch arms. If it doesn't pull fully away from the clutch it may continue to spin, which will shorten it's life. Good luck, Merle

Already here Ed. It was 40 on my way home this evening. Didn't check the temp in the heat of the day, but it was rather balmy outside. Merle

I think about that often. It's a large tree and would destroy my house if it fell to the east. Since most storms come from the west, chances are pretty good that if / when it gets blown over I'll be in the market for a new house. Maybe, if I'm lucky, it'll fall to the west and just take out some fence and a Lilac bush. Although it could do damage to my storage shed as well. Merle

Did you try your local hardware store? The True Value Hardware store near me has a selection of Chrome hardware (under lock & key). Merle

I remember reading about that restriction. If I remember correctly it came about because there were so many Cottonwoods planted in front yards, and because they tend to have roots that come up through the surface, they were destroying the streets. Many were cut down and they were banned. Merle

Oh, there are times I'd love to cut it down. It's a very messy tree. Not only in late May when it's "shedding" it's seeds, but then it drops the seed pods all over the yard. Plus it's constantly dropping small branches in the yard. I get tired of picking them up every time I cut the grass, so most of them get mulched. And it drops a ton of leaves in the fall. On the other hand, I love the shade it provides. Merle

Norm, Sounds like you have some extra room now. Come late May, when it starts "snowing" in my back yard, I'll have aome Cottonwood seeds I can send over to you. Trying to share with my neighbors ya know. Merle

It looks right. I don't have mine handy to confirm the dimensions. However, if you still have your original, I suggest you check with a local auto glass business. That piece is just flat laminated glass. They'll be able to cut one from a pattern (made from your original). I don't know what the cost will be, but it'll save you shipping costs and the possibility of it cracking during shippment. Merle

Yes, Mike is correct. The Roberts T98 is the top horizontal edge filler. I already have a chunk of that. I need the vertical edge seal/filler. I wonder if windlace would work? Here's all that was left of one of them. The other side was virtually non-existant.

Where's that P/N valid? Is it a Mopar #?

:p :p :p

As work continues it comes time to order more parts for future use. I noticed when cleaning up the front fenders that there was something riveted along the rear vertical edge, where it meets the cab. There wasn't enough left of it to determine what it used to be, or to use as a sample. What was left appeared to be some kind of fibrous material with thin wire running through it. What was it? Wind lace? Fender Welt? Something else? Need to know what to order, Thanks, Merle

I was going through my Tivo last night, catching up on "My Classic Car" eppisodes, and there was one of those shown on one of the eppisodes. It was fully restored and looked great. I believe he said that there were only around 800 built in '54 &'55. They were ordered by the US Postal service, but production was cut short because the government failed to pay fully on the contract. Too bad I deleted it after I watched it. Maybe they'll rerun it again. They were at a car show in Oregon. Don't remember exactly where. Merle

Today I had a chance to play around with the new seal that I got from Mitchell Motor Parts, through ebay. Once I got the cab back upright (it was on it's side while I did a little body work and painted the underside) I was able to work with it better. On first glance it is a good inch too short. However, the rubber is fairly soft and stretchy, and I actually found that if stretched a little it even fit into the grove better. I think that it'll work out well. A little weatherstrip adhesive should hold it in place, when the time comes for permanent installation. Merle

My daily driver is a Ford F150, but only because it's a company vehicle. I've never been a Ford fan and there are things on this truck that seem a bid odd, but it saves tearing up my own vehicle. Plus I don't have to pay for the gas. Merle

Don, The size of the battery would have no effect on your device. It'll only draw as much amperage as it needs. However, a 9 volt device may not get it's full voltage need with a 6 volt system, even when charging. And a 12 Volt system would be too much for it. Although if you were running a 12v system you could buy a power adapter for your device that'll have the proper 9v output. Merle

You're right Norm. You can find pretty much anything on there. I sold a motorcycle through Craigslist last fall. It worked great for that. I know some charity organizations also post "Help Wanted" adds there too, when they're looking for event help, etc. I suppose it's no different than the classified adds in your local newspaper, except that it's available world wide. And with all things, you need to be wary of the scam artists. Merle

Dale, That top trim piece is standard for 48-50 even if the main grill louver bars are painted. According to Don Bunn's book, the 48 and 49 had stainless grill bars, but in 50 they were painted with a cream pinstripe. That's how my '50 is. Maybe the Fargo's stayed with the stainless in '50.

I was about to say that Waterford is right between us. I was going to offer to meet you there to help you load ot up. Pretty cheap. I'd consider it if I had a place to store it 'til I my truck is done. Merle

I would think you'd have to pull pretty fast to get enough power transfered through the Fluid Drive to spin the engine. It might be like trying to pull start an automatic trans car/truck. There is no direct mechanical connection between the crankshaft and the transmission shaft. The oil within the fluid drive transmits power from the impeller (connected to the crank) to the turbine (becomes flywheel surface for clutch). It works on the same principle as if you set one fan facing another. If you turn one of the fans on, the other fan will also spin from the air flowing across it's blades. Here's a cut-away drawing of the fluid drive assy. Merle

The shut off valve was in the mail box today. It looks good and I expect it to work OK. Probably won't get around to installing it for good for a while. I'll look at the seal better tomorrow evening or Saturday when I get back to working on the truck. I don't want to bitch at them without valid info. I'll keep you posted. Merle

Is Ed supposed to be Swen or Ole in this story?

The seal from Mitchell Motor Parts (via ebay) arrived in the mail yesterday. This morning I gave it a quick test fit. It appears to be a good inch or so short. I didn't have a lot of time to play with it this morning. Maybe this weekend I can check it out further. Brad, how's your's? Merle