Silverdome

John Reddie, I agree that does look like a choke stove. I'm not very familiar with the Canadian models and options as I have lived in the middle of America my whole life.

Jayfire, Is this a Canadian car? The reason I ask is I see it says Spitfire on the head, which would be a Chrysler head, that would make it a 25" long block. The American cars were 23" long, so somebody may have switched the engine and that may be causing the shifting problems if not properly lined up. Just thinking out loud.

Mine has done it since my dad bought it in the late 70's. I'm going to follow along and see what we can learn together.

Looking SWEET. What kind of insulation did you use above the headliner?

The response so far. Mark, We're glad you got in touch with the information below. Our team of experts is reviewing your issue and we'll be back in touch within two business days. Reason: Automotive Technical Issues If you have additional questions please contact us at 1-(877) 805-6272 or 1-(800) LET-NAPA between 8AM and 5PM ET, Monday through Friday. Thanks,NAPA Know How Team

I tried a little diplomacy. Let's see how far this gets. This is what I sent to their technical department. It has come to my attention from several members on different antique auto forums that the pilot terminal of a NAPA 535 signal flasher does not work. From what i have read they are having trouble with the middle post losing connection. I am not sure if it is burning out which could indicate a too small of wire gauge being used. Or if it is losing connection due to faulty soldering or crimping. This is a six volt flasher which needs to be able to carry twice the amperage of a twelve volt flasher. Your cooperation in fixing this problem would be greatly appreciated by many people who enjoy these antique cars.

Has anyone alerted NAPA of the problem? That would at least give them the opportunity to correct it for future purposes because NOS won't last forever.

Not going into 3rd gear could be a few different things. Shift rod adjustment, worn shift rod bushing, worn or broken down engine/transmission mounts and possible obstruction somewhere along the linkage to the transmission. Good call on the wiring harness, let us know how it goes. Plymouthy Adams pretty much summed up about speed and handling. As always show us some pictures of your project. Good luck and have fun with your project.

You could shoot some clear coat on it to give a little shine and have bumpers and hood ornament chrome powder coated. That wouldn't be too terribly expensive and it would give it back some of it's nostalgia. It's just got 2 doors so that helps a little in some peoples eyes. I'm not a '53 fan so I'm probably not the best person to comment on this. I hope he finds a happy home for it though.

I'm not a wagon guy but this one has a cool factor to it. My wife would probably love it, she's always looking at old wagons when we're out and about. Good luck on your project and keep the pictures coming. How's the seats, door panels, headliner and floor boards?

Got her out cleaned her up and took her for a spin on the 4th. Just like my dad used to do.

Jomani, By watching your video it looks like you have some room at the front of the fan and back of the engine. There is only 2" difference in length so I would think you could find some fudge room to move the radiator forward if you needed extra clearance. Without seeing you mounts and how they're arranged it is difficult to be sure but I'm guessing there's room.

You can purchase left handed drill bits from McMaster Carr or similar company. They will also help as you will be drilling in reverse and usually will back the broken bolt out.

Tell me more about the chrome three pointed star. On mine there was no chrome just a star.

Good one to start with. when you get it on the road you'll have plenty of room for you and several friends to enjoy a ride with. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

The type of metal that those drums were made of is called drawing quality steel. Here's a link to the definition https://www.thefabricator.com/glossary/drawing-steel. The steel in which most people use for patch panels is designed for strength across more open flat areas yet still ductile or formable enough that it doesn't crack when putting simple forms into the metal.

I was able to get it to run after I ran a remote fuel line to the carburetor. Shortly after it started the fuel line cleared itself of the clog so I reattached the line from the fuel pump and it has started and ran well since. I'm still going to install all new fuel lines just for peace of mind in the future. I inherited this car almost 28 years ago since my dad died. I try to keep it in driving condition when time and money allows. Since my kids have grown up I have more of each but the money isn't as prevalent as the time. I've never used any of the Sta-Bil products because I had heard mixed messages from good to horrible. This past winter I did use some Seafoam in the '48 and it seemed to help but I also never let it sit more than a month between starts. I also charged the battery occasionally.

Man what a difference in starting power. My '48 Plymouth business coupe had been getting pretty slow on the cranking speed. So the other day when it died while sitting there idling and wouldn't crank very fast to restart I made the decision to correct it. I replaced all the cables for the battery. I used double 0 from the negative battery post to the solenoid and from the solenoid to the starter. I used single 0 to from the positive battery post to the engine block under the generator, I needed a little more flex for that one. I pulled the starter, cleaned and tested the armature and field windings with an ohm meter then replaced the bushings on each end. Now it turns over like a 12 volt would. I've got about $50 in it and am more than pleased. Next I have to find out why the fuel line is plugged. I'm going to start with the rubber flex lines because I don't believe they have been changed or at the very least from the late '70s. I have boiled out the tank and had it lined so hopefully that is still fine.

I'm always late to the party. It probably wouldn't fit my P15 anyways.

May I ask how you tried to repair the vibrator?

@Eneto-55, One thing about that old car it was a dependable starter and it never backfired. @thebeebe5, It was a metal squirt can and I was very careful not to get any outside of the intake holes on the manifold plus not hang my head over the opening just in case of the aforementioned back fire.

I once started and kept it idling my '65 poly 318 with no carb and an oiling can filled with gasoline. My arm wasn't long enough to keep it running while driving though, LOL.

These new tires aren't made to last that long. I think they must make them out of a compound that is designed to breakdown after a certain amount of time. I bought a tube a few years back from the local farm store that said made in China. I put it in a tire and wheel assembly, aired it up and it held air for about 30 seconds then split down the seam. I looked at the old tube and found that on old patch had turned loose so I cleaned it up put a new patch on and reinstalled it. It still holds air to this day. I don't know the exact age of the tire and tube but they look to have been made in or before the sixties.

Off the top of my head I know I don't have the cable to engage the O.D. and I believe my brother told me he didn't get the solenoid. The O.D. unit was on my dads car that my brother ended up scrapping after he removed some of the more desirable and less worn parts. It's sitting in the corner of my machine shed at the moment. When I pull it out to look at what I need I'll let you know more.

Yeah, even through the surface rust and dirt I can tell it was beautiful back in its day. His car sat outside for many years with missing and broke windows so it's not as pretty as it once was. It was in our family for quite a while also but his dad had to sell it when he was younger and going through a divorce. The guy that bought it was a junk collector and didn't take very good care of it for the years he owned it. The boy bought it back when he was able to and has started bringing it back to life. It runs like a top and drives nicely but it has a long , long way to go.