mayflower48

Thanks for the input. It always starts,just seems a bit slow, but will always start. I had a P-15 56 years and I thought it cranked a little faster. Just thought I would ask.

While looking at my service manual I noticed that the 49-54 starter has about 35% more torque than my P-15 46-48 starter. The question is has anyone upgraded to the later starter and was there an improvement in the cranking speed of the engine and is it worth doing.

They are no different than your VW. All engines are just nuts and bolts. Pistons go up and down, cranks go round and round. I think that if you have done the VW's you know the basics. Just take your time, take lots of photos, and ask all of the questions you might have here on the forum. A good service and parts manual will be your best friend. I bought mine from books4cars.com.

I did.

Back when I was in high school(late 50s) and had a 1948 like the one I have now, I was headed to the girl friends house. There was a 53 Chevy at the stop light. Not wanting to pass up a little street race we left on the green light. Side by side in first gear, then in 2nd I pulled ahead a bit. I knew if I went to third he might catch me,so I just kept my foot in it. When I turned off I heard a knock in the engine. I knew it would not be good so I just pulled the engine. The high RPM had jerked wrist pin right out of the piston. The rod was still in the cylinder, with the top half of the piston at the top of the bore. At that time I could go the the junk yard and get another good engine for $40.00 Not so cheap anymore. I think I went over the 80% rule by a factor of 2....

Ah, those were the good ol' days. Gas was 19.9 cents, could get 5 gallons for a buck. Had a 48 Plymouth like the one I have now, even the same color. The Drive In was 75 cents a person, or a $1.00 for a car load on the other end of Phoenix. Worked in a sheet metal shop after school and on Saturday and made $1.00 per hour, cash. Hamburgers were 19 cents, fries 15 cents and a giant root beer 25 cents. Those days are gone but not forgotten.

I bought one from NAPA for my 218. I think it was about $68.00. No problems so far, about 500 miles

The last thing the bugs seen was the word Plymouth.

You might check to see if all of the fan blades are still there. Had one break once and it sounded the some as your deal.

Mine is about 45 cold and just under 40 warm at idle.

Bought mind from R I also. Very nice people to do business with. Everything fit like a gloove. Did the whole car front to back. Installed battery turned on the key and everything worked first time. There work is outstanding in my book. Would spend the money with them again to do another car. And yes I know making a harness is not that that hard of a deal. All you have to buy is the right wire size, in the right color, and all of the correct wire ends and your in business.

A file does not make sparks, but it will remove metal. Just a thought.

I just looked at my car and it is the same as you show in the photo.

Not when the government pays you to set on your rear end for 99 weeks.

They sure did a great job. You should give them a plug here and maybe others could use them. They do great work.

That's great, but it is still man hours.

Joe Flanagan said his first bid was $2600.00 on the high side. The Plymouthy Adams said he got all his done for about the same amount. If it was done in 14 days as he said, (about 80 hours) that comes out to $32.50 an hour just for labor. I don't think I could find anyone to cut my grass for $32.00 an hour. The fabric must have been free.

I made my freeze plugs out of stainless steel and used O-rings. I would add a photo but have spent an hour and a half trying to figure out how with no luck. Used the search with no luck.

I will second Sherms Plating. First class work on pot metal. It is all labor to make it right, and that is where the cost is.

Also will not turn input shaft if overdrive is not locked out. Don't ask me how I know this.

Just one question. If your car has not been running for a week or two, and it cranks more than 2 or 3 turns is the bearings metal to metal contact?

First car was a 1948 P15 four door. Paid $75.00 for it, drove for three years and sold for $75.00 when I went into the Air Force 56 Ford 50 Studebaker, tough as a tank 64 Falcon 68 Ford F100 Bought it new at the end of the year for $2262.00 I think the payments were $67.00 a month for three years and I wasn't sure how I would make the payments. Well I drove for 29 years. I still have it and I am restoring it. I'm not thru driving it. Need to get my money's worth out of it. 72 Pinto 75 F250 Mustang II 68 El Camino 80 Buick 97 Ranger 06 Buick 94 GMC 55 and 57 T-Birds And the latest one is a 1948 Plymouth 4 Door, a dead ringer for the first that I owned. See the picture at the left.

If anyone is in the Reno, Navada part of the world, you will want to check this one out. Been there a number of times. http://www.automuseum.org/

Mr. Gasket Co. makes lock washer that is made for header bolts. It is the same thickness and size as the orginal. Should be able to get them from Mr Gasket of maybe online from Summit Racing. Mr Gasket P/N3416

This link might be of help. It will show you the steps to apply weather stirpping.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffFBlft1oGw