Looks like the end...

[Normspeed]

LOL Robert! Why am I seeing Jimmy Cagney smashing half a grapefruit into someone's face? Nyaaaaaa! See?

Folks, Robert has taken on a few tasks that i would not do on my own car including dismantling and cleaning his instrument cluster including the inside of the glass. He's taken on the challenge of bodywork at home with the help of a friend who knows the ropes, he's replaced door latch and lock assemblies, and completed several other repairs and projects. I've helped him on a few items including diagnosis of a bad u-joint, at which time he had a modern driveshaft made up.

He loves his P15, drives it all over Southern California and beyond, and it fits him like a glove. His respect and appreciation of vintage cars, radios, clothing and values are not just a hobby but a lifestyle.

Can't say I blame him for farming out some of the work. The real problem is the same one many folks face, whether they have work done at dealerships, big chain stores or the mom and pop shop. Not enough competent knowledge of the cars, not enough shops with the proper parts and machine shop connections. I've heard of a number of modern paint and body shops in L.A. County that refuse to work on the old iron. Too labor intensive. I think it takes an old car enthusiast to really do right by these cars mechanically, and a lot of the enthusiasts who would make the best local mechanics are staying busy on their own projects with no time to make it into a business venture. I don't know the answer to it all, but believe me, Robert is one guy who has paid his dues and had his P15 ticket punched.

[old woolie]

And FYI, I have had many compression tests on this old flat 6... and it shows that the first three are low... and #4 is dead and the last three are right. That's what I had before this got worse. And for the record, I do some mild work of my own in my driveway... I haven't a garage and I changed out the starter and regulator, generator and a few other things right in my own driveway... I'm still learning about the care of these cars... so, give me a break!

Wow! A 7 cylinder flathead. Rare.

[Normspeed]

Robert, check your PMs. I know where there's a decent looking used Dodge motor in your area.

[Captain Neon]

I think all I ever said was have a car in reserve while the other's being fixed. No reason not to have two P15s. If I lived in sunny southern California, I'd consider having two P15s to get myself around. However, southern California is not the place for me. Visited Anaheim once in 1999, and it's a nice place to visit, but I sure wouldn't wanna live there.

I still miss Arkansas. I'd move back in a heartbeat, but my wife hated it there.

[Robin (UK)]

Robert,

I know this P15 is in your heart and I sure understand how you feel.

Take all the help you can get, but make sure you watch and learn from those who help you out.

Also, the advice on this Forum is almost always good - use it wisely.

I taught myself to work on my old car (a 1954 Ford Consul) when I was a 19 year-old student with no funds to pay for a much-needed head gasket replacement.

I invested in some basic tools and a workshop manual and did the job myself, by the side of the road.

The feeling of satisfaction was immense!

The cost saving was essential.

I would echo the other advice and suggest that the job must be done right - no point replacing a head gasket when valves are a problem because you'll only have to do the work again.

But please don't let the comments about who should own the cars upset you - that's just one guy's opinion and I don't think he meant to offend you.

Perhaps it was a clumsily worded observation but I think he was saying that some knowledge is essential in order to stay out of trouble and (in my experience) you must know the language to speak when you are talking to mechanics who might be out to try to earn a fast buck.

They can easily spot a lack of know-how and will talk you into paying for work that may not be the correct course of action.

Good luck.

I really hope you get the old girl sorted quickly.

All the best.

Robin.

[T120]

The car I owned when married was a 1948 Dodge D25 coupe.The Dodge was a great car but was eventually sold.I now own a 1948 dodge D25 coupe-same model ,different car.We all have our reasons for harbouring a "passion" for these old cars-some members of the forum are certainly more mechanically

proficient than others.It's nice to see that most are helpful to those that feel

a connection with the cars-nice to see the cars on the road.IMHO.

[Robert Smith]

Wow! A 7 cylinder flathead. Rare!

Oh dry up! Ain't ya got anything better to do you big bully?!

Keep ridin' me like that, you'll have to pay the fare!

With the exception of the "kind hearted" Mr Old Woolie, I'd like to publicly thank all the members who have contributed to this thread and offered their help and knowledge regarding my problem. I have been busy and haven't been able to contact those who have offered their help as of late.

My hat is off to you gents!

=R

[Robert Smith]

Visited Anaheim once in 1999, and it's a nice place to visit, but I sure wouldn't wanna live there.

Well, if that's the part of So Cal you've seen, then I don't blame you! Up here in LA county, there's many small cities and famous cities that are very nice and quite... Like Monrovia! Up here (Pasadena area) we call Anaheim "Ana-Crime"... I'm not a big fan of Orange County my self.

[Frank Elder]

Most of my in-laws live in Terra Bella, Porterville and Tulare.Some even in Bakersfield, Maybe we'll swing by after Barstow and Reedley this summer! Going to try to visit some members this next year:cool:

[Captain Neon]

Well, if that's the part of So Cal you've seen, then I don't blame you! Up here in LA county, there's many small cities and famous cities that are very nice and quite... Like Monrovia! Up here (Pasadena area) we call Anaheim "Ana-Crime"... I'm not a big fan of Orange County my self.

I am still annoyed about that trip. It was for a week-long workshop at Chapman U. I spent every spare minute reading the text because my employer stated, "If you don't pass this class, don't come back to work."

If Chapman had sent the textbook beforehand as the U of WI did for their attendees, I was gonna cruise the PCH, go to a Dodgers and an Angels game, I even think the Raiders had a pre-season game while I was in town.

Right now, I am planning on going to San Diego for the 4th of July. My brother-in-law is getting ordained on the 7th. The rest of the family is talking about attending a party at his church in Chester rather than going to San Diego. We haven't made up our minds yet, but time is running short to make a decision.

[Robert Smith]

Well gents, here’s a bit of an update.

To those who have offered help, I am sorry for not contacting you guys sooner, I’ve been very busy with the holiday season and haven’t had time to focus on the car. On the bright side, the car seems to be hangin’ in there and hasn’t been driving too bad. It has surprised me as of late since I’ve noticed a small boost of power over the last few days, so she’s doin’ her best.

I will keep you gents posted on what happens next with the car… shouldn’t be too serious I’m thinking since she drives nice one day and not so nice the next… that car has a personality I’m tellin’ ya!

[Don Coatney]

I suggest you find and fix the problem now. I once bought a Dodge Truck that was being driven from California to the east coast. Somewhere near the Mississippi River this truck burnt a valve. The owner continued to drive the truck until he arrived in Columbus, Ohio. He then sold the truck to a U-Haul dealer, rented a truck and continued his journey. I bought the truck and brought it home. I removed the head and discovered the burnt valve had burned its self all the way past the valve seat and had burned a large hole in the engine block rendering the engine worthless. You should stop driving your car now and fix it before this happens to you.

[Rodney Bullock]

I have been reading the post on this subject. I don't know if Old woolie is trying to get you motivated or what, I do know that I have alot of respect for a guy that lives the life all the way driving, dressing and to some degree talking in 1940's style. That remark you made " You keep riding me, you'll have to pay a fare" was so funny another forum member and I laughed for half hour on that one. Edward G Robinson came to mind. Yah see ! This forum makes the world seem so small, I wish we all lived within 100 miles of each other because you would not have a problem in the world. I would have some guy's come over and fix your car and give one of my cars to drive until it's done. I love my little coupe and get sick when my car is broke down. I have guy's out here that owe me a favor or two, they have these motors lying around because they consider our motors "blocks of wood" They would give you a motor:rolleyes: What Don said in his post is very true, your motor might be holding on however if you burn that valve real bad it could ruin your mopar. Please take the gentleman up on his offer before t's to late:D Good luck man.

[moparalltheway]

Could you give us lbs per cylinder. Did you do wet and dry? Check leak down? Did you blow compressed air into the cylinders? I don't know how this thing is even starting from what you say. Do you keep a case of starting fluid on board? Cold start,6 cyl low compression engine, minus 2 or 3?, = no start.