rb1949

Thanks, makes sense. And now know the wire is good. Figured pushing had to make a ground somehow. No work now, a blizzard. Wait til the snow melts.

My '49 Beast came with one key, ignition key, original, round head, Chrysler name. Having one lone key wasn't to exciting. Searches on the subject were pretty easy, finding this car had 3 keys: ignition, trunk and glove box. Seems the original keys were made by ILCO with the ignition blank X1199G and the trunk blank XO1199G. I say the blanks are identical, the difference being the shape of the head, and of course, the cut to fit the cylinder. These blanks are available all over the internet, with prices ranging from $3 to $15 ea. plus a ship fee. But confusing discrepencies. Only a few had the round head, most were saying the octagon head was 'original'. I believe the trunk was indeed diamond shape. Some advertised the diamond being for the trunk/glove box, which cannot be true. Then, you can observe the pictures provided to compare your key (if you have one). Looking closely, the grooves in those blank keys were different. Ugh, why such a difference for the same key number? Off to the hardware store. Their computer database doesn't go back to '49. The experienced key gal found what looked like a match (A Cole 149) and cut it. Unfortunately it didn't fit. She again snooped the rack, and found another. This was also a Cole 149 number, but made in Italy. We agreed the grooves were a better match. She cut it, and I trotted outside, having brought the car this time. BINGO .... instant fit and start. Round head too, and the head had colors, so I picked Blue to match the car. And also had another one cut. So luck got me new keys for $2.49 .If my theory is correct that the blank fits the trunk, the next challenge will be to figure out the cut needed for the cylinder. Not worried about the glove box. Oh, also has a locking gas cap, with one key. NOT GOOD! Original? No idea. One key was cut, and that fit perfectly. I read a lot of key discussions on here, some quite a challenge. Good luck on all your key needs.

Hey there Dodge. Got the 3 screws out. Center cap came up and off. No screws for the ring, the center cap holds it in place. Did NOT remove the 3 leg 'gizmo' holding the spring in place. Didn't see any worn or broken pieces in there. Turned the ignition to 'ON', and the horn blows constantly!! HA. But that's a good sign, the wiring must all be intact. Now to figure out how it works, and why it doesn't honk with everything assembled(?) Gave up for today. Will check and clean any contact areas. Must have been off before, didn't like the looks of 2 screw heads, so will go pick up 3 new ones. This dumb thing will honk with the ring, or else. Even backed it in the tiny garage. We're expecting a mini-blizzard Wed-Thur. Will keep yapping with progress.

Thanks my friend. I looked this morning, and sure enough, there are 3 screw holes underneath the chrome housing. Will advise on progress to get toots. And of course, NOW I find this bit of info on the darn thing. Dodge, 1949-50 All Models Horn Button Removal—Disconnect wire below steering gear, on some models, or at horn relay On 1949 models remove the screws from underside of wheel hub and remove medallion and horn ring On 1950 models, pry up the medallion and bezel and remove screws holding horn blowing ring Remove screws holding contact plate and wire to hub Lift off plate and wire, then remove spring.

Try this site 1946-53 American Automotive Tech Sheets - Route 66 Hot Rod High and see if your car is on the list. Download the PDF file (Free). Mine showed the door/window parts. View as PDF so you can zoom in. Save, and print, for future reference. Good luck.

DRATS. Some pretty hefty prying at 3 spots, and that center cap doesn't want to budge up and off. Not even a little bit for hope. Why is something so simple creating bad words?

Glad they were useful additions to a pile of parts documentation. Steering wheel & ornament links were neat too.

Anybody ever use this site for body/frame info? http://www.route66hotrodhigh.com/TechSheets/index.html "These high quality reproduction body/frame technical sheets (PDF) show exploded views of all major body parts and the corresponding OEM part numbers .In addition there's the electrical wiring diagram(s) ('46 - '49 models only), steering geometry information and frame dimensions. The OEM part numbers are great for verifying that NOS part is indeed the part that you need." Lucky, mine included the wiring diagram. Check out the list for your year/model. The PDF download is free. edit: That list includes many more vehicles besides Mopar.

Great work winning on this one. Hope you enjoy it for many miles to come.

Here I am again. Well, it was a morning to tend to all the documentation procedures, and put a dent in the checkbook at the BMV. UGH! But a welcome 60° under sunny skies for Feb. The Beast was washed. That salt spray from transport sure hid a lot of defects that pictures don't show. Worry about that later. Let's turn the key, mash the gas, and go for a ride. A few issues noted during the short drive to put on the list. Those questions. As said, this once beauty has been neglected down to a driver status. Gosh, what a big ol' thing! None of the power assist goodies like on the other 'compact'. Slow and easy going. Got ample stares on the road, some thumbs up from pedestrians, and even a photo shoot. Isn't it fun to be out in old iron, even if it's not perfect? If you followed my intro "On The Loose", you may remember that "beach cruiser" was mentioned. I did hit the beach. Got to train this thing so 'autopilot' gets me there. Ha. But with some photo tricks, do you think it's going to fill the need for such a task? (The trunk will hold lots of beer.)

Your pix looks identical. And should be so simple. More gentle persuasion will probably do the trick on old part to remove & identify problem underneath. Yup, camera is ready too. Thanks for keeping an eye on me.

Hey, nice ride there. Even the classy visor. And ...... red is better than blue. (referencing something in the background)

OK, black wire from steering column to relay. With key on, jumped that to ground, and got honks. Looks like its up top in the column problem. But, center cap did not just lift straight up and off. Didn't seem to move upwards with gentle prying. Don't want to damage/bend it Will fiddle with it again later. Sooner or later will get those loud 2-tone honks. Better than the little squeak on the newer car.

Snooping found these, that an OWNER can request. You're not the owner, yet?? This page has a link to a pdf form to order a 'build sheet'.(nothing about owners). http://www.fcanorthamerica.com/company/Heritage/Pages/Build-Records.aspx This page has contacts to Dept of Motor Vehicles by state, for a 'title history'. http://maxwedge.com/research/dmv.php Happy hunting. Being the 7th owner of a '49, I was lucky. Copies of owners papers, starting with original delivery, have followed the car all these years. Here's what the 1948 Virginia plate looked like.

Correct, question was rotation of the center button, horn ring does not turn. Jumped batt to horn .....good honks. LOUD. 2 horns, hi and low. Looks like relay next to the voltage regulator. Will recheck that diagram. Getting closer.

Great job. For your intended swap, is fabrication needed, or are there mounts/brackets available?

That's too long to be away from your buggy. Good luck with a method that will keep you out of there.

Yes, testing should start at the horns and go backwards. To "hear" the relay click, I presume the horn is disconnected .... otherwise it wound honk. Does the center cap button turn CCW? Technical terms are perfect. If schematics, diagrams and manuals pointed to gizmos, whacht-a-ma-callits and thing-a-ma-jigs, it would be easy.

Knuckle, yes, the dash is classy. Bob,thanks for the pix. Looks like a Windsor? So pieces that make the horn work should be right there to look at. If the testing sequence gets that far. It's on the list.

No toots. Spotted a horn wiring diagram here. Guess it's logical to start at the horn and work backwards. Jump from the relay to the horn to see if it honks(?) Then find the wire from the steering column. Grounding that should honk, if the relay is working(?) If all good, is that pointing to check for a problem in the horn button. Horn ring removal, press and turn CCW or CW. Question: does this pop off the horn ring, or are you trying to remove the center cap from the horn ring? If the cap comes off, maybe there are screws under there holding the ring. Here's a picture of the steering wheel.

Good news for your eyes, I'm about done digging in papers. After this chapter you get a break. Stupid Winter. Should be outside, working on cars. Or cruisin' !!! Oh well, good to have the keyboard time now and get this part of the project done. When beach season kicks in, I'm down there more hours per week than at work. Can't drink beer at work. Thanks to all who have continued to follow along. This part of the '49 story will make you gasp. I've got a hold of a Mopar with quite an unusual history. That word, documentation, again. Receipts are documentation. And there are a bunch of those too. Remember I said I was going to hold off on owner #2 in Arizona? He makes the history even more incredible. With a stack of receipts. Sit back, enjoy, and hold onto your chair for this. Best accounts are 1990 or so, and for whatever reason, Arizona owner #2 decided to RESTORE this 1949 Chrysler. Not a back yard, clean it up job either. Have NO idea of the mileage, or condition at the time. Let's start with receipts for a complete engine rebuild. That was nice. The old kitten should purr along for quite a while yet. In the pile are receipts for all new wiring harnesses. The whole car. Man, that's a lot of work. (There is a note, saying the radio works. But, not now.) Digging further, you'll find receipts for re-chroming the metal-work. All of it. If it had chrome, it's on that list. Holy cow. How bad could the chrome be in Arizona? That car must have sparkled in the sun. There is a receipt for some paint, but not a paint job. Minus the chrome, it would have been a good time. Maybe touch up? So hard to tell if this dark Ensign Blue is factory original or a re-coat. It has a nice old patina, and probably no reason to try and buff it out to a glossy shine. That pile is deep, not done yet. Up pop receipts for a complete interior. Note the word complete. Seats, headliner, door panels, kick panels, visors, carpet, trunk carpet, even a spare tire cover. I doubt anything close to original, but still VERY NICE, fabric. Down there is also the packet holding the fabric samples from Lebaron Bonnie(???) New wide whites were ordered from Cooker, and may still be the ones on the ground today. What else could this guy do, but enjoy it. Must have been a beautiful machine at the time. Have a copy of a professional appraisal, but I not going to shock you with the figure. I was stunned. Not sure what happened after Arizona, but what was there to do? Drive it! For what is was, I think it lacked the care to help keep it that way. The most recent additions were a rebuilt carb, new generator, starter and voltage regulator. The wheel cylinders were also replaced. New gas tank. The radio doesn't work!!! So there you have it. A somewhat interesting story about my 'new' 1949 Chrysler Windsor and what it has been through. Did not know such documentation was coming with it. Now it's up to me to uphold the tradition. Today, it's far from that pristine condition in Arizona, (the interior is still excellent), and fits the bill for being the driver I wanted. Hope she likes her new home, getting some care in return. We will both be happy. Got to be honest with reality. All that was then, this is now. I'm sure there will be some surprises in store once the wheels start to move. Don't forget about me too quick. I haven't started on the questions yet. Great cruisin' to all, in your Mopar, or any old iron. It's more fun to be out there in classic shoes.

Great looking ride. Congrats.

Quite a project. Your ambition is commendable. We'll be watching your progress.

Joining in with Cowboy, my '49 Chrysler Windsor has: Model Code: 452, Body Type: 6 P Sedan, Engine No: C45-60924. Where do I fit to be in the know? Thanks.

Handy driving tips to get "started". Also reading the original Prestomatic manual. Ready to cruise. Hey, great tutorial on the radio. Thanks. That looks more like it. My guess on it being the "fat" 803 must be wrong, So the "slender" 805 reaches left over to the steering column. Yes, a speaker is to the right. Does look tight, how on earth did you get a camera up there? Will have to be a lot warmer to have ambition for this (or any other project). Have not started that log book yet. One more chapter to the story on the way.