Olddaddy

Al, I need to talk with you about the transmission adapter you bought from me earlier this year. I picked up another one, but it's missing the crank adapter. If you still have the one you got from me I'd like to borrow it, or get it measured and produce the missing crank adapter I need. Thanks, let me know. Charlie.

There is something distinctly abortive about this car.....a good example of a great deal of time and effort to make something less desirable than it was when you started.

You may have heard that Gatorland, one of Florida's pre-eminent attractions suffered a disastrous fire on last Monday morning. I work for a small General Contractor that specializes in Themed Construction, based on Disney property in Orlando. Within hours of the news flash we were on the scene and with a bit of luck will land the contract to rebuild the park. This is important to me as I've lived here all my life with brief periods away from Florida. Gatorland is part of the old, "real" Florida, pre-Disney, pre-tourist really, and pre-decline as in quality of life for those of us here more than five years. I was blessed to be part of the rebuilding and expansion of Cypress Gardens, Florida's first attraction, and now with luck Gatorland, Florida's second attraction. It's a treat to be part of something old, special, and unique, sort of like my Plymouth! Long live reptiles!

I've restored old cars, trucks, tractors, and motorcycles for 36 years now. Your truck is hands down one of the nicest jobs I've seen to date. I'd love to see it in person some time. You have nailed the Pilothouse Dodge truck perfectly. My compliments, and envy!

Custom Metal Finishing in Indiana has reasonable prices and good quality, 866-489-4089.

Homeland Security is working to keep the bad Canadian element off our USofA forums. I guess they're onto you.

When I was 16 I had to borrow a car from a buddy just to take my drivers test. I never drove my parents car, ever. I scraped together $100 and bought a 1960 VW Transporter, the van type with no windows. It ran on 3 cylinders, the 4th one having a stripped out plug hole. It sounded like a machine gun going down the road. I rebuilt the engine on the floor in the utility room by the washing machine. The bearings were the wrong size for the crank so I filed them by hand till the crank would turn. It ran for awhile but eventually caught fire and burned........I traded it for an Austin Healey 100/6 and was never the same again. And my parents never ever let me drive their car........never!

I'm installing a slant/6 in my 50 Plymouth wagon. It will require massaging the firewall some, but not much. It's really a toss up between the slant/6 and a 318. I prefer inline engines, and a slant/6 is my favorite of them all. It was an easy choice for me. I'd steer clear of a 273 or 340/360. All good motors, but the 273 is not nearly as good as a 318 for the same money. A 340/360 will be more costly and less fuel economy etc. You can't beat either of the slant/6 or 318 engines in my opinion.

Tim, do you have a link to those pics? I'd like to know what the engine is. I see an automotive alternator, and a radiator, but I can't make out what it is. Very cool though!

I'm also in the Orlando area and have a variety of 218/230 engines and parts in my shop. I can help you out with anything you need as far as info, parts, etc. I can also hook you up with the best machine shop in the southeast for building flatheads. Old time hotrod and racing guy who worked on them back when they were new and tearing up the race tracks. I've used his services to build six 230s in the past year. Email me directly and I'll give you my phone info.

Our house is over 100 years old, and that's really old for Florida. We traced the history back to the early 20s, beyond that it's a guess. We bought the house from the son of the woman who owned it from the 30s forward. He told us little and we really didn't ask much. A truly beautiful, unmolested Cracker house in original condition was what we wante and got. Shortly after moving in we noticed the lights in the front bedroom would come on and go off on their own. We figured a bad switch, but even after the house was completely rewired it continued. Doors between the master bedroom and the bathroom will open, and then close themselves as if someone was walking through them. One day someone, or something reached out and patted the back of my head. I turned around thinking it might be my wife playing around with me, and found I was alone in the room. Our daughter has two invisible friends, Aultz, and Angst who she refers to as "glow friends". She carries on an active and constant relationship with them. A few years after moving in we learned that the step father of the man we bought the house from had died in the house, in the hallway near one of the fireplaces. We've never felt threatened, and if it is him we are happy to share space with him. Happy Halloween!

I have a couple flathead six engines in my shop waiting their turns for rebuild. I went out to pull the engine ID numbers today and found a mystery. One of the engines has no ID number stamped on the block. I've never seen this and wondered if anyone else has? I suppose it's a rebuild block or maybe an industrial engine. The other engine number is T112*17121. Anyone know the year of this one?

You may want to look at this page, it has considerable info about 1 wire versus 3 wire alternators. I used Mopar alternators, pretty generic from slant/6 powered cars with pretty good success. Link; http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml

You're lucky Don, the last time I travelled I came home to find the dog had taken over my half of the bed! I solved the car problem by building a barn where my car gets first choice of location.

I have a couple of them if you need them.

I posted on the old forum already, but still need transport from Virginia to Florida for a 41 Plymouth hood. Jim Yergin made me a great deal on a hood, so if anyone can fit it in their vehicle I've got gas money for you. No hurry, anytime is fine.

The new format is quite a change, but if it works better for a benefactor, GTK it works for me. Many thanks GTK!