New to the Forum

[Oldguy48]

Hi Carl, and welcome to the forum.

Good luck with your project, and above all, have fun and don't get discouraged. There will be challenges to face as you progress, but hang in there. You'll find a way, and learn a lot more about that Dodge than you could ever imagine. And you'll find that you will appreciate the engineering that brought that vehicle into existence.

When you get into a tough problem, chances are that you'll get the information you need right here. These folks know their Mopars, and will be glad to offer their advice, and tips. And have a Merry Christmas

[greg g]

You want to wear a respirator when cleaning out the interior. If there were mice or other rodents in there, the dried droppings can harbor the Hunta virus. This is a nasty deal if you contract it. Latex gloves aren't a bad idea either.

Early mopars also differed from standard with wheel lug nuts, They are side specific, and the drivers side is lefty tighty, righty loosey. Remember this when trying to exchange the wheels and tires. Another thing these wheels have a very shallow back spacing, the distance from where the wheel mounts to the hub and the inner edge of the wheel. I believe stock is 3.5 inches, you can not use rims from more modern cars where that back space depth is greater that 4.5 inches or the tire will rub against the spring. Lotsa stuff to digest here, but it all part of the process of learning the mechanical systems

when cleaning things out don't throw anything metal away till you difinatively identify it.

If you begine to take things apart, make sure you get a digital camera and document your process. Many times a lot of time will pass between pulling things apart and putting them back together, pictures help alot.

Oh yea, its not to late to ask Santa for a shop manual. reprints are available from several sources.

[Carl Lohn]

Oldguy48,

Thank you for everithing and you have a good christmas too. I hope santa is good too you.

[brian hood]

I want to warn you, YOU ARE IN FOR A LIFE TIME OF 4 SPINNING WHEELS!! BE CAREFUL ! Ha Ha He He

[speedyshark]

Hey that is a cool car. With body lines like that guys will hate you and the girls will all want a ride in it:D I also started young in cars (14yr) Just remember try to keep it. You will want to sell it to get something else or trade it off DO NOT DO IT. That car is cool and not many around. I am telling you because I did it, I look back and say "if I only kept that one." Just a little advice.

Like other guys have said take your time learn all you can then do it. You got enough time to get it looking good. If you were closer I would let you borrow my rims and tires off the D24 to get her home. I know how it is to be excited and can't wait to get started. But don't worry you will get her going. Good luck and the restore is all the fun. Have a safe and Marry Christmas.

[BobT-47P15]

The digital camera advice above is very good.

Also plastic zip loc bags and a felt tip marker.

And a notebook to make notes about certain things

as you go.

Are there any salvage yards in your area with old cars??

[Frank Elder]

I bet James Curl would know that answer.

[james curl]

Therer use to be one in LLano which is almost 40 miles away. I would try Brownwood, Abilene, or San Angelo. Go to internet phone book yellow pages for the towns near Brady and look up their phone number and call them to see if they have any old dodge or plymouth cars. Katner in Thrall has quite a few old dodges and plymouths on their many farms. They do not sell over the internet, but you can get their phone from the Taylor or Georgetown internet yellow pages. Mike Katner and his mom run the place since his Dad died and Mike is sometimes a little slow about going out to the farm to retrieve parts, too hot, too cold or too wet, but he will finally get them for you but you have to pick them up in Thrall.

[plymouth49]

Welcome to this forum and congratulations on your new car! I know you can't wait to get it home and running!!

I started out with a 1950 Plymouth. It was my aunt's. I staked a claim on it when I was 8, was spending free time polishing and maintaining it by your age, and was driving it legally at 16. I think your car is even neater than mine, as mine was a four door.

Here are a couple of hints: read, read, read! Inhale every bit of information you can about these cars. With the internet, you can get hold of a lot on information - I know you know this already - so go to it.

Spend time trying things out. Make some mistakes - we all do. Get the feel for your car, for your tools, for the metal: like, how a bolt feels when you are tightening it. Learn from your parents or other family or friends, too.

Expect to come across dumbells, like those guys at the truck stop that would not mount your tires for you. They were just being arbitrary. People will make outlandish statements and tell you all the things you 'can't' do. The best thing for you to do is to just go ahead and do them anyway.

Well, again, good luck and all the best for the holidays!

[steveplym]

Hey Carl,

Welcome to the forum. Nice to see the younger generation still loves to mess with old cars. I got my first classic when I was 14, 1965 Chevrolet truck. I restored it with my grandfather and drove it to high school. Those are memories I would have never gotten any other way. He always owned older cars and I had grown up with a '47 Plymouth he owned that I now own today.

One thing about old cars you get to enjoy the cars, but it is great to enjoy the people as well. Good luck with your project as there is a lot of useful information to be found here. As well as a good group of guys.

It is also nice to know there are members on here younger than me and Young Ed.