1949 Wraith

I have ordered an Airtex 73201 mechanical which I will install and I plan to order another Airtex 6 volt electric as a back up.

From a bit more research it looks like I should check the pivot pin on my pump, as they end to become dislodged on some models this could be my malfunction.

Any recommendations on brand of replacement mechanical fuel pump. I tend to have parts shipped from Rock Auto they carry Airtex and Spectra, both are out of stock right now. I hope to rebuild the original any brand recommendations for rebuild kits? Thanks

That's what I figured was the situation was with my mechanical. Thanks for the help.

My new to me C28 has a Airtech 6v electric fuel pump in use and mounted on the frame under the driver. The car has it's normal mechanical fuel pump as well. The car works fine while the pump is switched on, turn it off and the car will stall in about 30 seconds. Is the mechanical pump likely faulty? With the electric pump installed before the mechanical pump will this location negate the mechanical fuel pump pulling fuel through this electric pump when it is turned off? I want to have and carry a spare fuel delivery option in the car for emergencies. I would prefer buying another mechanical as a spare.The electrical units don't look too sturdy do they hold up well? If they do, maybe I should just buy another one of them, it does make a pretty good anti theft devise when turning the pump off. I did buy 2 feet of fuel line to test the mechanical by bypassing the electrical pump, but I thought I would ask first save a bit of mess. I figure to carry this extra hose, if the pump in this location would stop the mechanical from working

It is the same on my 49 Dodge. When I first got the car I thought the set up was a bit strange. Now I think it was a great invention keeping the heater core out of the cabin. The car stays cooler in the interior while driving in the summer heat than any of my other vintage car. 4 doors with with the windows down and the 5 vents in operation and it is like driving a motorcycle in the shade. Also it is always hot under the hood where the heater is, I imagine that also aids in heating the air.

Thanks for the info. if I order one the worst case I have to return it. I prefer not to take it apart until I have a cartridge and gaskets, I took the unit I had on my Chevy apart to see the cartridge number, then gaskets would not seal and it took about 5 days for a new one to come in. There is a big Moparfest in the area on the weekend and I hope to pick one up there.

Car is on the road now. I put on about 120 miles on her yesterday other than a bit of vapor lock, after sitting for a few minutes, she performed great. Can anyone confirm this is similar to the by pass oil filters of the era? Canister is about 5 inches tall and probably about 4.5 inches wide. I would like to order the correct cartridge and do an oil change.

Thanks, hopefully the safety check gets done tomorrow then I am good to go.

Here are the requested photos She spent most of her life in Arizona and she is cleaning up great. Very happy.

Near London Ontario

The car performed very well on the test drive. A deal was made and the car should have her safety inspection and on the road next week. Thank you for all the input

So I have permission to test drive the car on a back road to test the auto shifting. Hopefully it works fine but it is good to know that it is possible to fashion a functioning replacement. From my research replacement diaphragms can tend to fail shortly after being put into use, as they where all manufactured 75 years ago and are deteriorating and drying out. The lever that locked out the under drives leaving basically 2nd and direct gear, can that be used as a 2 speed trans by shifting like a normal standard without causing any damage? The owners manuals on the time said you were only to use it to push start the engine. I know the 1 and 3rd gear under drives but it would be more of a functional car for me if I had 2 and 4th with causing damage.

Yes I have read the excellent description of the mechanics of the m6 transmission and the controls are for the hydraulic systems. There no real description of the earlier m4 vacamatic controls and their set up

That's good to know. Thanks

I have not been able to locate replacement diaphragms online are they still readily available? I did come across an article that said the early units had a cable to disable the under drives allowing you to shift between low high and direct drive, is this correct? I would be fine with that until I could source parts. My concern is having a vehicle that will only drive in high under drive at 40 mph.This would just reinforce my wife's opinion that I am crazy in adding another "project" to the garage.

I would only change it if I could not get it repaired to get into high direct drive.

I am looking a possibly purchasing a 1941 Chrysler Windsor Club Coupe C28. The car has the fluid drive with the vacamatic transmission. It is an estate sale so I was not able to test drive it other than on a long driveway, she would select and drive in the low and high range but I am not sure it was up shifting in the low range and I did not have the room to get to shifting speed in the high range. I am not a big fan of automatics, but I must say the vacamatic was interesting. Since this series of transmission was only used for a couple of years is it still possible to get parts to make them function properly and for me not to have to come out of retirement to buy them? Is it possible to swap a donor fluid drive 3 speed transmission (3 speeds from 1940-49?) without to much modification? I believe the 1941 Royal year came in this configuration so hopefully transmission mounts should be close if not the same. I know I will need the shift linkage, I am not sure about the driveshaft length and parking brake, but I imagine it can be figured out. I really like the car and would like to keep it original if I can, but I want options if it can not be fixed. I don't want buy a car and be driving around in high under and being passed by Model T's. Thank you for your input.

Thanks for the info Jerry

I am placing an order to Rock Auto and hope to order the exhaust and intake gaskets for my1949 Canadian Dodge Special Deluxe( D32) which is basically a Plymouth P18 with the Canadian long block 218ci engine. When ordering these parts can I use the American Desoto S13 gaskets? My distributor Is a Chrysler Corp of Canada unit, part #1233565, Auto-Lite AP-4102-1. If anyone can point me to the correct, cap, points and rotor I would appreciate it, especially if there is an American equivalent. Thanks for your help. Regards, Nick