Eneto-55

They say that's what happens if you play country music backwards. You get your truck back, your dog comes back to life, and your momma gets out of jail.

Steve, Can you see the traffic lights OK through the tinted shade? Neto

I come from Oklahoma, and so does my 46 Mayflower, and that is an area of the country where you would expect to find the visor used. My car didn't have one, and I guess I wouldn't care for one. Just a personal opinion. I certainly wouldn't criticize anyone who has one, just like white walls vs black walls. (I like the white walls - the wider the better, but not sure I'll ever be able to afford them.) I guess I tend to think the visor makes the car look "sleepy"..... (But come to think of it, maybe also a bit more "lady-like".... Maybe I'll reconsider....) Neto

In my work I assist a variety of businesses get set up with the software they need. Small engine shops use parts look-up programs which are sometimes not really Windows compliant, but they will work in Windows 7, and easily so if you run in administrator mode. Some farm programs, and software packages for small general stores, for instance, were written decades ago, and have just been tweaked to be "Windows software" (they aren't really), but still, I have not yet needed to use the XP Mode to get a program to work. In fact, we are dropping it from our standard configuration. We will still make it available if needed, but I don't really expect we'll ever need it. Again, I readily admit that it is probably much more of an issue with Windows 7 64-bit. One question I do not know the answer to is whether you could run a 32-bit XP Mode in Windows 7 64-bit. Anybody know?) Neto

I don't know what the $80.00 is about. If you have a valid installation of Win 7 you can download (for free) the programs necessary to create the Virtual PC Windows XP Mode. I have done this myself, but I have not yet found a program that needs the XP Mode to run. (I build computer systems and have installed all sorts of old style programs in the Win 7 environment. You may, however, encounter problems with older programs if you go with the 64 bit version - I only work with the 32 bit Win 7.) I don't have the link on Microsoft's site (for the download) right in front of me here, but I believe I could find it again if you need it. I just looked in my notes, and found the following: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/ This site contains 3 downloads which need to be used to construct a virtual XP mode in Windows 7. It is required that the computer onto which they are downloaded has an authenticated (registered) copy of Windows 7. The file WindowsActivationUpdate.exe is an authentication process to validate the machine for the downloads. The third file is to enable Windows XP Mode for systems w/o Hardware Assisted Virtualization Technology. Neto

We looked at them, but ended up getting it's "little sister", the Dodge Journey. As I understand, they are both cross-overs, but the Pacifica is built on the mini-van platform, and the Journey on some Dodge car platform, I don't remember which. (We were down-sizing from a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country, our second T & C.) Our Journey (2009) has the 2.4 L 4 banger. It has a nice solid feel to it - we can take these winding country roads a little faster than we could with the T & C. (Of course the ride is probably not quite as nice, but better handling.)

Are you referring to the front arm rests, or the rear? Mine were in really bad condition, so cannot reuse them, but my 46 front arm rests were leather, to match the exterior color (green). Maybe they were made of two different materials - I can't remember for sure. (I still haven't moved my car to where we live now, so can't go out & look.) I don't recall now on the rear arm rests, if they were made of the seat fabric (as in this picture), or of the door panel fabric, but I think the former, correct?

Thanks much, Jim. Seeingt that agian, I do think I recall someone referring to it in the past, but I had forgotten about it. This time I have copied the material and referenced my notes with this source. Neto

Maybe someone has already done this, but if you get the 16's, it would be nice to have the measurements for exactly where (and width) the pin stripes should be, to be "factory correct". I didn't think about it when I stripped mine years ago, and now I think I'd like to make it as correct as possible. (Regarding your question, I like the look of the narrow tires on the 16's. My dois centavos.)

Some concete cleaner is Muriatic acid, so make sure you get Phosphoric acid, like Rusty suggests. Muriatic acid is a lot faster, but when you pull the part out you can literally see it rust before your eyes. Phosphoric acid is what metal etch is made of. (Muriatic acid is great if you are going to go right to the plating tank.)

about the windlace The original windlacing had a sort of wire mesh formed into it, which kept it firmly against the inside of the edge of the door, to cut down on wind noise - hence, "wind lace". I wonder if anyone know of a source for the real thing, or is the imitation just-for-looks approach the best we can do? When I was first working on my 46 (1980 - 1982) I bought a whole roll of the stuff in a refrigeration supply company in Dallas. (It was designed to be used for walk-in freezers.) It looked very much like what was originally in the car, but it didn't last. I had it in the trunk of the car, inside the garage, and after 25 years or so, it was all crumbly. I suspect it would have done the same if I had gotten it installed, so although I'm out a hunk of money from all those years ago, I'm glad at least that I hadn't also invested in the installation time & expense already. By the way, the wind lace edging was stapled to the door posts and around the top of the door opening prior to installing the headliner, and then the door post trim. (I think the headliner is the first to go in, then the windlacing, then the door post trim.) (Hope I got this all right - it's been a lot of years.) Neto

Another simple way of using the same principle is to hang wet sheets in the windows.

My Dad had one in our 53 DeSoto for a trip through the desert to California in 60. It was not the window mount type, but one that sat on the hump in front of the front seat, and had an internal fan to circulate the air (instead of depending on air forced into it by the movement of the vehicle). As far as concerns the use of this type of cooler in houses, they work very well in any dry climate. Lots of folks had them in Western Oklahoma, probably still do, as they are much more economical to operate than what people call air conditioners now. Neto

Yesterday early mornig we were hit with freezing rain. Thick coating all over the trees, cars, etc. They tried to keep it clear, but it got worse over the course of the day. Still raining this morning, but the temp is up a bit, so may not be adding to the layers of ice just now.

I have also heard of people putting salt in the gas tank - anyone know if that would do any actual damage? (They talked like it does.) Neto

This is just too funny for words....

How about making a short lower hose section with a connection to a water hose, then fill it with the top open, and after you start it just keep a bit of water pressure on the lower end? (You could run a drain hose from the upper end if you don't want the water mess, but don't let it siphon.)

I have subscribed to Classic Car for around 6 years, but have let it expire recently. The main reason has already been mentioned - concentrating too much on later model cars. The other reason is the high and mighty attitude of the CCA (or what ever it is called) regarding what is a "true classic". Because of that interest, when they do feature an older car, it tends to be something way outside of my budget (and interest - being a Mopar guy myself). As to what years I have most interest in, that has changed somewhat since I was in HS. Back then, if it had the headlamps built into the fenders, it was too new. My favorites now are the post-war years (46-49 1st series), 55-57, & 59-62 (all MoPars only). I got my son started with a 75 Dart, and it's OK, but I still prefer the older ones. (Oh, the early Valients & the 65 Barracuda are nice, too.)

Speaking of which, if Don is saying what I think he is saying (and I always wondered, since you call the car 'plywood'), do you have plans for the wooden parts? [There is a guy out here in Ohio that is - I suspect - taking sedans (of a non-Mopar make) and building 'woodies'. I just hope his customers are told.] Neto

I don't know if it would run more than the figure Gary mentions or not, but you might check with an industrial chrome plating shop that rebuilds cranks for small aircraft. (I used to work in such a place many years ago, but I never saw the billing end of it, so don't know what it might have been even then, in the late 70's - early 80's. I actually worked in another area of the shop, with cadmium, nickel, & tin, mostly.) They turn down the journals to clean them up, then build them back up to specs with chrome. Neto

Can someone fill me in on which years / which MoPars had the straight eight? When was it discontinued? (I'm an in-liner all of the way - no 'bend it in the middle' for me.... I'd rather keep the 'v' for my t-shirts.)

It's just really great to hear about people with your attitudes - both you and Art.

My suggestion would be to talk to small to mid-sized business owners in your area about where they get their accounting done (businesses that do not have an in-house accountant). Find out which firms will do shady deals for you, then mark those off of your list. (If a shady accountanting firm doesn't just get you in deep water in the process, they would also do shady deals against you.) Then work with the best accountanting firm you can afford until you can afford to make an attractive job offer to one of their best accountants. They get worked to death in those places during tax season, and many will jump at a good solid offer. (Probably not if your company is only a new start up. They will need some assurance that they are not jumping into a leaky boat.) They will also already know your business. My two cents. Neto

I have never tried to attach photos or files, so we'll give this a whirl. Most of my tools are of the common sort, or not for auto mechanics. Here are some photos of one rather unusual one - the Tri-Angular alignment tool I picked up in an auction a couple years ago. (Have never tried to use it) It was made by Tric-Kee Tool Company, in Ballston Spa, NY. I was going to also attach a PDF of the instructions for use, but the file is too large. (I should also see if I have a good photo of my wall-mounted hand crank drill press - made some time in the 1800's. It is mounted on the wall of my mower shed in the Amazon.)