allbizz49

It doesn't matter which way the oil pump is indexed. Just get number one cylinder at tdc on compression. Pull the cap and see where the rotor is pointing. Should be pointing at the number one post on the cap.

I'd bet that when he first tried to start it, it was flooded, badly.... He continued to crank it which killed his battery. Now, knowing what he knows, it won't get flooded and it will light off for him. Everything being right, it should start pretty quickly.

I think it's time to put some juice to it and fire it up. Also, I always do my valves running, hot. Once you fire it up and get it to temperature, check them while running. I always set them a bit loose, just a bit.

I wouldn't sweat a compression test. I'd check and double check my plug wiring order, make sure you're firing when you're supposed to, fill the carb bowl and crank her over. I bet she'll light off for you. Good luck, crossing my fingers for you to get it fired up

100%

I'm not a big fan of starting fluid myself but I wonder if that's true or just another theoretical possibility being told from one person to another. I figure if everything is s how it should be, a motor should fire without it. I have shot starting fluid in a few motors over the years without issues. I'd like to see some real world testing on that. Either way, good luck Marc on getting it fired up. I'm sure it will light off for you

Why not just put a 318 and 5 speed in the pilothouse? Why all the work of swapping the body onto a modern chassis?

Optimas aren't of the same quality as when they were being made here. Can't beat a good ol wet cell 6v. Also, can't beat old battery chargers. This has been the best 10 bucks I've ever spent at a swap meet.

You tried to charge a 6 volt battery with a 12 volt charger? If so, I'd say that's what smoked your battery, not leaving it hooked up to the coil.

I've had good luck with Champions. Paint it black, almost won't know it's there.

Merry Christmas to you!!! The best thing about Christmas is that it means Turlock is only a month away!!

The tape is butyl and the caulk is urethane, not silicone. I've done quite a bit of glass using both. Really not that difficult.

Congratulations on the 38!! I've been looking for one. My girlfriend and I bought a house built in '38 in June , I'd love to have an old Mopar of the same year parked out front. Oldest I have is a 49. Also, what are you considering a small block hemi? A DeSoto or Red Ram? I ask only because I am putting a DeSoto 291 in my 49 Plymouth business coupe. Good luck and have fun with your build.

The whole restomod thing is played out. It's like pro street in the 80s and 90s. Build it how you want and don't label it. If you have built cars before, you know what you need to do. Accumulate the needed parts and get to building. I'm not a fan of modern engines in old cars but it's your car so do as you please. Stab the engine, get your transmission output shaft angle where it needs to be and fab up some mounts. Pretty simple stuff. The biggest issue I can see will be the steering. I'm building a 49 Plymouth business coupe with a DeSoto hemi. I am trying my best to keep the factory steering box but I might end up doing a rack which I can't stand. I like my old cars old though. Pretty much get the motor and tranny where they need to be and build the rest around that. Good luck and have fun with your build

Nice sedan. Where's the coupe?

Take it to an auto parts store and match it up. Originally it would have been bolts, not studs. At least all of my old Mopars are bolts Good luck.

The muffler on my 53 looks exactly like one pictured above. Just a stock looking oval. It's the quietest car I've ever owned. Unless you're standing directly behind it, you can't hear it running.

Is the retainer just an e clip or similar? If so, hit your local hardware store. I bet they'll have something that will work for you.

Sand your panel flat with 600 wet and reshoot it. The problem with painting each panel at a different time is that you will end up with different textures. I paint everything I do in pieces unless it's a Kandy or custom/flake. I shoot them all at the same time though. Also, 60 isn't ideal for painting. I usually only shoot base clear so first thing I do is set the can of clear in the sun. That way, it has time to warm up while I'm shooting sealer and color. You can do the same with single stage, warm it up. Good luck.

How about laying under the car and watching while someone turns the wheel back and forth?

I guess the lessons here are to carry a fire extinguisher and don't use your back seat for storage. Glad you're ok and the car isn't lost.

I've never had them attack paint. It will etch aluminum though. I use it regularly, never had an issue. I pull old cars and bikes out of back yards, sheds and garages on the regular and the first thing I do is clean the underside , engines, suspension with purple power.

Castrol super clean or the generic version, purple power.

Technically, the engine number should be the VIN. That's all Im saying.