50 Dodge Lug Nut

Greg - I renewed my policy in October with American Modern Insurance--Collector's Auto. The premium is $134 including the mandatory Florida surcharges. This is based on 3,000 miles per year and a declared value of $10,000. At renewal I was asked if I wanted to increase the declared value. I declined as I hadn't completed all the work and repairs I plan to do or have done this year. I'll probably bump up the value at the next renewal. This company does require an insured to have the same limits of liability coverage as they have on their daily driver vehicles. Proof of that coverage is required. One thing I noticed on the policy once I received and read it was the changes to the "trailer" clauses. I believe several or many of you tow Tear--Drops or other trailers and perhaps "carry" your cars on trailers for whatever reason or purpose. Please do yourselves a huge favor and read and understand the coverage you actually have--once you sift through all the exceptions the insurance company's cockroaches in silk suits---have put into your policies. I noticed some unfavorable changes in my policy from one year to the next. I called the agent/company for an explanation and was given a lot of double-talk and contradictory explanations. Finally I was asked to submit specific questions on specific sections of the policy and the company would address those questions for me. I haven't done that yet as I am neither pulling a trailer or carry my car on a trailer, but that might change one day. So. bottom line: READ YOUR POLICY. Know what coverage you have and what you are paying for, before the unexpected happens. Frank

Interesting video on Ford's Model T Production Line and actual shots of the car being driven in snow, etc. Click here: http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=S4KrIMZpwCY

Richards47--- OUTSTANDING idea. You're right in that what you see may not be what you think you got. I'll pull the ring tomorrow and check it for flatness and go from there. Bob T --- Thanks for your pic & diagram. The Dodge D-34 horn assembly pictured in my manual is similar to yours with the major exception being the mounting Tee featured in yours versus a 6 or 7 sided mounting bracket with 4 lugs that is used in the D-33 & D-34 models. Other minor differences are there as well. Thanks for your help too. Frank

If you have a piece of the original Division Bar trim/filler, call Restoration Specialties and let them know you want to have them match what you have to what they have available in inventory. They will accommodate you. I have dealt with Todd at RS. My original concerns with matching what I had in my car for window run channel and division bar channel were the same as yours......dimensions. I was reminded and finally accepted the fact what I have is 60 + years old and has weathered, worn, and fell apart so 100% accurate measurements are near impossible. They should be able to help you and allay your concerns. Frank

When I bought my car 2 1/2 years ago in Sioux City Iowa I had to have it transported to our home in Sebring, FL. I used Exotic Car Transport. They were recommended to me by several members of a Corvette club. I figured if the company is good enough for these guys & gals, and kept them happy, they'll satisfy me moving my '50 Dodge. Their service and communication was outstanding. Very accommodating and the driver kept in touch with me every day while on the road. It cost me $1560 door to door to have the car moved. Here's their website: http://www.exoticcartransport.com/ Frank

Greg, Thanks for your ideas and comments. Without having removed the ring, of course can't tell too much. But the wire with the little soldered button looks to be in good shape, there is no corrosion that I can see, again without having taken anything apart. Plus looking at the diagram in my parts book or repair manual, everything seems to be in order. I will pull the ring, contact plate and retainer Friday. I was hoping to find that always elusive "easy answer" before tearing into it. Thanks again, Frank

OK, folks, now that I have your attention, here is a situation with the horn in my Dodge. Pressing the horn ring at either 12:00 or 3:00 o’clock will sound the horn. It works quite well and is very loud. Pressing the ring at any other position yields nothing. No sound. Looking at the horn ring with the decro horn cover plate removed shows nothing unusual. When grasped and turned, the ring does shift to the left or right approximately 1/8” on its mounting but it does “bottom out” when pressed. Also the ring does not appear out of round or bent when viewed with a straight edge (I used a framing square) or level. It is in-line and fairly equi-distant from the steering wheel throughout its circumference. Grasping the wire with a pair of needle nose pliers and trying to move it around while beeping the horn does nothing. Any suggestions or ideas as to what’s wrong here. OR, is this normal? Is it possible that’s the way it should blow? Thanks for your help. Frank

Try Restoration Specialties & Supply http://www.restorationspecialties.com/ 814-467-9842 I just bought window runner channel, related window channel & trim for all four doors/windows and weather stripping. Excellent service, very helpful and courteous on the phone. What you're looking for is on page 197 of their catalog. You can download a .pdf version on their website. Regards, Frank

Your cylinder head and what can be seen of the bloc,k looks outstanding. What brand of paint did you use and how long ago was it applied? Thanks, Frank

Hi Ed, Years ago, there were several "rumors" making their rounds re McNeilus' reasons for collecting/buying all the jeeps. They wanted the rear ends, transfer cases, transmissions but I never learned exactly why. Some of the stories ranged from their starting a "leisure/off-road" division to doing rebuilding work for military applications to exporting the jeeps and or drivelines to the Caribbean Islands and elsewhere. Best regards, Frank

For those not familiar with the name Gar Wood, he was Garfield Wood, an inventor, businessman, boat builder and speedboat racer. He held the world's water speed records from several races. Later in his life, he founded Garwood Industries and built truck bodies for several trucking and truck related industries--especially the garbage truck. No doubt, years ago many of you had seen garbage trucks with the Gar Wood name on them. He also provided our military with equipment and later manufactured concrete mixers for installation on heavy duty truck chassis. His company was eventually sold to McNeilus Mfg in Dodge Center MN and in-turn McNeilus was sold to Oshkosh Truck Corp about 8 years ago. Just a bit of OT history. Frank

And, Thanks for the posting suggestion, I will remember that trick. Huh, I didn't know about that. Frank

Set 3 of 3 of the project. Again, here's a link to the Google Web Album pics if you want to see the entire picture series for this project. http://picasaweb.google.com/frank.ess.bee/MrsGreenSFloorboardRepairs?authkey=Gv1sRgCKz7uIX56O-6wAE#

More pics of the floorboard repairs. Here's a link to Google Web Album pics if you want to see the entire picture series for this project. http://picasaweb.google.com/frank.ess.bee/MrsGreenSFloorboardRepairs?authkey=Gv1sRgCKz7uIX56O-6wAE#

I have completed the cleaning, repairs/patching and re-coatings of the front and rear floor boards. Here are several pics showing what I started with, thru what I finished up with. I have created a Google Web Album if you want to see the entire picture series and description of this project. Here's the link: Frank http://picasaweb.google.com/frank.ess.bee/MrsGreenSFloorboardRepairs?authkey=Gv1sRgCKz7uIX56O-6wAE#

Charlie-- I can only offer you some help with item #6. I bought a 3 row aluminum radiator from Ledfoot Racing in Calif several months ago while doing some major engine work. I'm very pleased with their service, price (paid $199) and the product. Although I dealt directly with them, here's the ebay URL: http://compare.ebay.com/like/190359259119?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=192349832071&crlp=1_263602_304662&UA=WXF%3F&GUID=4264a6a712d0a47a27061336ff6cd179&itemid=190359259119&ff4=263602_304662 Frank

Greeting from Sebring Florida. A warm and toasty 26 degrees at daylight this morning. We had "frosticles" on the roofs, cars and fences till about 9:30 AM So much for Al's global warming.http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif Frank

A 1913 Harley Davidson motorcycle in perfect condition. The gas lights are really something. http://www.fark.com/cgi/vidplayer.pl?IDLink=5734912 Frank

Ditto on the covers from Calif Car Covers. A friend purchased one for his car. Also, check out this source: http://www.autoanything.com/car-covers/10A50166.aspx Their cover is flannel lined, designed & manufactured well and fits my Dodge nicely. It also came with the antennae grommet. After using mine for about 6 months outside while building my shed/garage I noticed some wear & chaffing on the inside of the cover where it rubbed on the Ram head hood ornament--due to more than usual windy days in our area. I had a local canvas shop sew a patch on the underside to prevent additional wear. If I was to continue to use the cover regularly, I'd have the canvas shop sew an old time "codsack" into the section for the hood ornament. Spending the few extra $$ for a security cable is advice well taken. Regards, Frank

I used to always comment that the post and plate bumper jacks were made by the toy companies after their busy Christmas season was over and they needed something for the factories to produce. Given the crap we get in this country from our Asian trading partner, maybe this was one of their first exports to us years ago. :-) Oh, if we only knew then what we know now! Frank

There's a set on Ebay for a '50 Plymouth car, if that will help you. Regards, Frank http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290463747753&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:MOTORS:1123

HI all. Check out this piece of equipment in the video from Jay Leno's Garage. http://widgets.nbc.com/o/47f1317f105123ad/498ebd00a62edaa0/47fe70d4555df05a/9e46bd46/-cpid/ba4377d3bfd6c81 Which of us could put this to work on a weekly basis. Hmmm, wonder if Santa will read my letter this year. Regards, Frank

Michael - Here is a link to the known/posted Florida shows, cruise ins, swap meets, etc. Hope it's helpful. Frank http://www.oldride.com/events/florida.html

I went to this event in November. They have the show twice a year. It's a great show, if you plan to be in that area of Florida around the show date then by all means do attend. I don't think it's worth a trip all the way to Florida just to go to the festival. Unless of course, you really want to leave the frozen north. Here's a link to the show's url:http://www.zephyrhillsauction.com/index.php Most of the vendors at the swap meet section have GM and Ford stuff. MOPAR parts, equipment, etc can be found if you look long & hard enough. The vendors usually have their merchandise tagged correctly although some parts I saw were definitely not as ID'd or what the vendor stated. Don't believe they were being deceptive, they simply didn't know, won't sure or "that's what somebody said." Their prices are Ok for the most part although a few of the vendors go way overboard. I was looking at a 1950 Florida License tag in decent condition and the seller wanted $80. Wouldn't negotiate one dime--- so told him to eat it! Also, several of the national industry vendors attend and set-up booths as well. Be sure to plan your day to attend the auction section. Lots of really nice stuff on the auction block. Bring plenty of $$$$ if you expect to bid on anything. It was waaaaaay beyond my price range for most of the auction items. The car & ruck show part was good also, but several attendees commented that the displays, etc were not as populated as in the past. Do expect to do plenty of walking. The place is huge. Depending on what time you get there, and where you have to park, you might walk 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile from the parking field to the main gate alone. Hope this helpful. Regards, Frank

Consider yourself 342 days early for Christmas 2010