Jim Yergin

Great news Rodney, congratulations. Jim Yergin

First I need to build up the "confidence factor." Last week it was driving to and from work in Warrenton, tomorrow's goal is to make it to Fairfax and back. Ed, see my answer to Don's question about Tenessee but it sounds intriguing. Rodney, that is the P.O.'s cat. Don't know his present status. Thanks Skip and Tony C for the compliments. Compliments from people who have been there and know what is involved really mean a lot. Jim Yergin

We bought our 1941 Plymouth P12 Special Deluxe station wagon in October 1988. I have been working on it off and on since then with interruptions for three job changes, two kids, finishing the renovation of our 1823 house and the construction of an addition to the house that doubled its size (having two kids will create the need for space). I also dealt with an illness that kept from working for 6 months. However, as of October 31, 2008 I had a driveable car and met my 20 year deadline (my original deadline was my now 15 year old son's first day of kindergarten). There are still things to be done but at least it is back on the road. As I told my son the other night, one of the best things to happen to me was to find this forum. Because of this forum I was able to rebuild and install my 230 engine and overdrive transmission. Among other things I found out how to static time the engine, clean out the gas tank, fix the leaking fuel line connection with the replacement ferrule, and install four wheel disk brakes. I also met a bunch of nice and helpful people both in person and on this site. I really appreciate this forum and all who participate and contribute. Jim Yergin What I started with October 1988: The car today:

It looks like cleaning the tank and removing the gravel may have worked. I successfully drove the car to work this morning. Now the test will be to see if I make it home. Jim Yergin

I dropped the tank to clean it out. Didn't see much if any rust, maybe just some varnish. Used phosphoric acid and a length of chain to clean it up. After that I power-washed the inside. When I did that I removed six pieces of gravel. I have got to think that someone previously cleaned the tank using gravel as an agitator. Maybe that "lost" gravel got stuck up against the outlet pipe and restricted the outflow. Now I will re-install the tank and see what happens. Jim Yergin

Looks like the problem is crud in the gas tank. When I bought it, I had been told the tank had been flushed and cleaned. Either that was not true or over the past 15 years as it sat empty, it rusted. After I blew out the lines including the line into the tank the gas flow was fine and I was able to idle the car at high idle speed in the driveway for 45 minutes no problem. Tried driving it and within a couple miles the car stalled out. Got it home by letting the electric pump work for a couple of minutes to fill the carb and then drive it as far as I could and then repeat the process. Later I ran a line directly from the pump to a gas can and the flow was perfect. I figure when the car was stationary after the lines were blown clean the crud didnt impede the flow. When I drove the car the crud got stirred up and caused the problem. At least I feel like I have discovered the problem and will be able to fix it and once again be able to drive the car. I will go back and review past posts about cleaning the tank but am open to any tips anyone would care to share. Thanks. Jim Yergin

Norm, Thanks for the good suggestion. A second fuel line filter is in the plan. Jim Yergin

Frank and Norm, Thank you for your replies. I do have a filter between the tank and the pump. The "crud" that clogged the float valve came from the flexible line between the last length of hard line at the frame to the carb, not from the tank. I intend to disconnect the hard lines in sections back to the tank and blow them clear to make sure they are not obstructed. Jim Yergin

I have installed an electric fuel pump. The car ran well with it until the fuel line failed because of ethanol and the pieces clogged the carb float valve. I replaced the fuel line and the valve. The fuel will now fill the carb float chamber and the car will run but it outruns the fuel supply and stalls out. At first I thought I had the float level too low but it outruns the fuel flow even after I removed the needle from the float valve. I will check to see if there is some kind of partial blockage in the line that is inhibiting the flow. Alternatively, could the electric pump be failing so soon and not pumping as it should? Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. Jim Yergin

I installed a replacement float needle valve in my carb and it seems to have corrected the problem of the gas flow not shutting off. But now I think the float level needs to be set. I fooled with it when I was trying to get the car to run with the bad valve. Does anyone have any tips on how to set the float level? What are the symptoms of having it either too low or too high? Thanks. Jim Yergin

Bob, I went through some more recent information I received from AAJ Brakes. It looks like they may now have a four tab bracket for the earlier Plymouth front end. Jim Yergin

Thanks Frank. I am committed to making it driveable and reliable. I have a new float valve on order and hope that it will solve the current problem. In the meantime I am installing seatbelts in the car. Now that proves I intend to get it back on the road. Jim Yergin

Unfortunately, because of the fuel line mishap, this is an all too accurate picture as to how she looks now, stationary with the hood up. Jim Yergin

Pat is correct. I have the AAJ setup on all four wheels on my '41 P12 wagon. Didn't have to worry about the rear wheel emergency brake setup since I kept the original emergency brake on the transmission. Bob, I had to change out the spindle uprights on my front end and use P15 uprights in order to have the three tab mounting brackets for the front discs. My '41 had four tabs. I assume your '40 would be the same. No problem with the switch, bolts right in. Also, that way I didn't have to alter the original '41 parts and I have everything there in case I or any future owner wants to go back to the original Jim Yergin

Thanks for the encouragement Chet. The fun I had driving it when it ran is a big incentive to keep working at getting the "bugs" out. Jim Yergin

Don, As always it was great to see you again. For the record I am the secretary of our local woodie club chapter not the president. Sorry that Rodney could not join us. Looking forward to your return trip in December when I hopefully will have my car back on the road and we can go for a drive. To anyone on this forum who lives in an area that Don visits, I urge you to take the opportunity to meet this truly nice gentleman in person. Jim Yergin

Don, Unfortunately the car will not be making the trip. I hope that doesn't keep you and Rodney away. As my 10 year old daughter said when I told her the woodie was undriveable right now, "well look on the bright side, at least we know we will make it home." However I do promise you a ride in the car, when is your next trip to the area? Jim Yergin

Actually, that is how I determined that the inlet fitting was blocked. I took the top off the carb and saw that it was dry even though I could hear the pump was running. That is when I removed the inlet fitting and removed the blockage, repeatedly. Beyond the inlet fitting it is clean. The crud is all out of the fitting and I have the correct fuel line but I had to pop the check ball out of the fitting a number of times and I think I must have damaged it because now it will not seal unless I push it shut and hold it with my finger. I plan on replacing the fitting and seeing what happens. Before this the flow would shut off even with the electric fuel pump so I am guessing that the problem is not the fuel pump putting out too much pressure and overcoming the check ball. Jim Yergin

Here's a tip, don't ever buy fuel line hose from Rankin's hardware in Warrenton, Virginia. I bought some there that was marked fuel line and used it when I installed my new electric fuel pump. I ran it from the frame to the carb, bypassing the mechanical pump. Today when I went for a drive after a while the car started bucking and then died. Just like when the other two pumps failed. I could hear the electric pump running so I decided to check the carb. I removed the top cover and it was dry. Further investigation showed the inlet check valve into the carb was blocked with thin rubber material. Apparently my new fuel line couldn't tolerate gasoline and the insides were dissolving and blocking the valve. In an attempt to get to town to get new hose (I was closer to town than to home) I tried driving as far as I could (100 to 200 yards) before I would have to get out to clear the valve. I got the proper hose and installed it however I must have damaged the check valve because now it no longer shuts off the flow of gas and the car flooded and stalled. Ended up having the car towed home. Second time in two days. The tow truck driver mentioned that I seemed to be making a habit of this. No thanks. Jim Yergin

Very,very nice. Congratulations. Jim Yergin

Norm, right now the electric is the only pump running the car. I am not worried about restoration points, its a driver and that is all I want to make sure I can do, drive it. That's not good to hear about relability problems. Ed, the first pump was a dual action pump that the seller represented as having been rebuilt for today's gasolines. The second one came with the car originally and it appears to have been rebuilt but I don't know anything more about it. Jim Yergin

Last weekend I broke down with a malfunctioning fuel pump. I made a roadside transplant of my spare pump and the car ran fine. Yesterday the car quit on me again. Luckily I made in to a parking lot near an auto parts store and a hardware store. I disconnected the fuel line from the pump to the carb and cranked the engine. No gas. I removed the pump and took it apart to see if it was blocked or gummed up. It was spotless and the diaphram looked OK and the arm operated the diaphram. Put it back on and still no gas. Decided to change out the flexible fuel line from the frame to the pump thinking since it was pretty old it might have an air leak or be collapsing. Made up a new line with some gas line hose. Still no gas. Finally I ran a gas line directly from the pump to a gas can. Still would not pump. Ended up having the car towed home where I installed an electric fuel pump, bypassing the mechanical pump, and got the car running. The local Carquest store was able to get me the Airtex E8011 pump within four hours. Can't figue out why I am eating fuel pumps. Maybe just a coinicidence. If nothing else I am discovering that repeated break-downs in a distinctive car can get you well known in a small town. Jim Yergin

Tim, Not that I know of. It was rebuilt by George Asche and installed as it came out of the box. James, If it is not holding vacuum, how would that increase idle speed? Don, From reading past posts it was my understanding that the timing should be advanced up to the point of no pinging. I have no pinging. Bill, Sorry that I wasn't clearer. I have done just that and there is no more movement, it is totally back. Thank you all for your ideas. Jim Yergin

Looking for suggestions as to why I can't get my idle speed down below 1500 rpms. I have a P12 with a newly rebuilt 230 and a George Asche rebuilt carb. Runs great except for the fast idle. The idle adjustment screw is backed all the way off, the throttle linkage return spring is in place and in good condition, and the throttle arm on the carb appears to be all the way back at rest. The timing is about 6' advanced. I could not find any vacuum leaks using both carb cleaner and unlit propane at the induction points. Any ideas? Jim Yergin

Rodney, The plan is to take the car to the Gold Cup Steeple Chase races on October 18. It is a big tailgating event and I now have the tailgate for it. Don is right about our woodie group brunch in Fairfax on Sunday, October 19 at 11 AM at Brion's restaurant. It would be great if you could join us. Jim Yergin