dmdec

Thanks guys, now the search for a Bus. Coupe

As others have said. Outside door mounted mirrors were options on some low end models right through the early sixties before federal laws stepped in with mandates. My 1963 Savoy was sans outside mirrors and sans many other things as well, radio, arm rests, cig lighter , etc. Wish I still had it though !

Happy New Year to all my P and D friends ! Hoping I could get some info on engine swaps for my 1951 Cranbrook motor. The Cranbrook runs great with a motor with only 39000 miles. But what I really would like is a late 30's thru early 50's Business coupe. If I could find a good rolling chassis Business coupe, what model years would accept my '51 motor/tranny, with little or no alterations ? Also would possibly be willing to sell the '51 as is, and look to buy a Business Coupe. If interested, let me know. Thanks

Thank again guys. Have no idea why someone would remove the filter and by-pass the system, but as I plan on driving only about 300-500 miles a year (at most) and changing the oil every year , I'll probably just leave it like it is.

I'm trying to identify my 1951 Cranbrook. It has no oil filter. The copper oil line returns back into the block. The bracket is there for a filter. Does anyone know if the '51 Cranbrook came standard with an oil filter or was it an option. I believe I have a stripped down Cranbrook with no options. No turn signals, Lighter, radio, or clock. It does have arm rests front and rear however and sunvisors. (Cranbrook chrome tags on the front fenders). Just wondering.

Thanks to all you guys. You've been a great help !!

Hope one of you guys can help. Trying to replace rear brake shoes on my 51 Cranbrook, and ran into a problem. After removing the castle nut on the right side, I could not get the hub to slide off. Got a slide hammer and put some heat on the hub. Nothing doing, the thing wont budge. Any suggestions ?

Thanks to all you guys. Definately heading to the locals shops, thanks again !!

Does anyone know where I could find a header exhaust pipe for my Cranbrook. Found one supplier, but its over 100 bucks and will take 6 weeks to make. Wondering if there is a ready to ship supply somewhere. Thanks for the help

Thanks guys, thats exactly what I needed to know. I love this forum !

Thought it would be a good idea to get some expert advice on this subject. Will be getting the barn find '51 Cranbrook on the road this spring and would like to know if I need to use a lead substitute to protect the bone stock six banger. I plan on very limited mileage, probably less than 500 miles per year. Any thoughts ? Thanks (car has 39000 miles)

Actually Choptop, it's a Club Coupe, but you guys make some very good points. I appreciate the input. Probably would be mach easier just to sell the club coupe. BTW underside is rusty, but all panels and the rockers are pretty much rust free. Any idea what its worth ??

I have a 1951 Cranbrook coupe with 39000 miles on it. The motor runs like new, with no issues. I may have a chance to pick up a 1948 Coupe and was wondering if the '51 motor and trans. would drop in with little or no mods needed. Always wanted a business coupe and would glady make the switch if its no big deal. What problems would I encounter ? Thanks

thanks to all , very helpful with good advice.

Need some help guys. Redoing the brakes on my 1951 Cranbrook, took the whole front brakes apart before I noticed the big bolts that hold the wheel cylinders on have what I call "orientation arrows" on them. Now I dont know where to position the arrows during re assembly. Can anyone help ?

excellent leads , Thanks guys !!

thanks Young Ed. Please lead me to the source . thanks

Does anyone know where you could find repop exterior die cast chrome trim pieces for a 51 Plymouth ? I;ve looked around, but NOS stuff is off the charts price wise, and local plating shops in my area want even more to re-plate the old stuff. My stainless steel trim is all good, but the die cast stuff is a royal mess. Thanks

Thanks for all inputs. To Tom, thats my concern. After only about 1/2 hour running the car, the oil is starting to change to a light brown dirty color. I think I will go to a straight nondetergent 20 wt for winter and 30 wt next summer, then maybe switch to detergent 10-30 from then on. As I will be driving only about 500-1000 mile per year probably any good oil will work fine.

Looking for some suggestions on what oil to put in my barn find 51 Cranbrook. After I got it running , I changed the oil as I'm sure the last change may have been 20-25 years ago. The old oil came out fairly clear for its age. (Car has no oil filter). Replaced the old oil with detergent 10/30. I have since read that detergent oil in such an old car may not be a good idea. What would you guys suggest I go to for winter storage ?, and for next summer ? I was thinking straight non-detergent 20 wt for the winter. Or, would it not hurt to leave the 10-30 in until spring . Thanks for any comment... I'm in Michigan.

OK Don, I think your suggestion is a good one, but wait until I buy a new battery just in case the one in the car is reverse charged. Ill get a multi meter also to answer that question. Thanks a bunch.

One more thing. If I want to set it up as positive grd. with a new battery, do I need to do anything ?

OK guys thanks . Got some good info. To Don and ALF.. The car is stock 6 volt. Never converted. Im getting the impression the car will run fine either way. Please confirm that is true. One thing I forgot to mention. All seems normal like I said, except for one thing. The AMP meter runs backwards. In other words, when you rev the motor, it goes to the left side or (-) side. Other than that all appears normal. Keep the anwsers coming guys, THANKs

Hello I am a new member who has just acquired a new barn find 1951 Cranbrook club coupe. I couldnt be happier, this thing runs like new (well almost). I have a few electrical questions though. When I picked up the car, the fellow had it hooked it up as neg. ground to the battery. Car turned over fine, so when I got it home, I put in new plugs, charged the battery, hooked up the fuel to a gravity feed can and walla, the car started right up and purrs like a kitten. I ordered the owners manual and found out the car should hooked up as positive ground. Now I am confused and have many questions. Here goes: 1. Should I hook it up the right way as positive ground, will I harm any thing ? 2. What would be the harm in leaving it as is ? It seems to run great with negative ground. 3. Can they run either way ? (apparently so). 4. Are there any long term effects if I just leave it negative ground ? I heard that a battery can be "fooled" into accepting a charge in reverse order, maybe this is whats going on ????. Should just buy a new battery and hook it up positive ground. There is no evidence that someone changed it to neg. grd. How would I tell. Hope someone can help me. Thanks abunch Dennis in Mich. I plan to make a econo. driver out of it. Maybe new paint and chrome. Thanks again