Californian Posted January 17, 2009 Report Posted January 17, 2009 I would have to say Overdive, it was the best thing I did to my P15 Deluxe 4door, When I made the swap in 1974 I first then learend the O/D works best with a 4:11 rear end ..after that I took a road trip from Daly City CA up to Kirkland WA and it ran great, caught a speeding ticket on the way home in Redding on Hy 5 from the CHP for doing 70+ in the 55 and that car was just cruzing.... The one other thing I did then was when I rebuilt the engine was to go to the Chrysler marine dealer in San francisco and purchase a set of brass freeze plugs for the engine, the polished brass looked great against that silver engine paint, and they won't rust out.... Tom (09) Quote
claybill Posted January 19, 2009 Report Posted January 19, 2009 without a doubt....dual exhaust...cheapest thing for a bit more performance. Quote
55 Fargo Posted January 19, 2009 Report Posted January 19, 2009 without a doubt....dual exhaust...cheapest thing for a bit more performance. How cheap? wouldn't the split exhaust manifold cost a few bucks sot to buy or have made up? Quote
Vazlov1949 Posted January 19, 2009 Report Posted January 19, 2009 OK I'm sold on the split exhaust. Anybody have a line on some old headers for Dodge flatheads? I did some checking from the info on our "links" page and as far as I can tell nobody on that list is still splitting stock manifolds. I talked to Mike at Kansas Kustoms and he said he doesn't do them anymore. He did say the old Mopar manifolds had a better success rate than GM for splitting. Quote
Jim Yergin Posted January 19, 2009 Report Posted January 19, 2009 Try forum member Charlie Akers at http://www.rustyhope.com/page2.html Jim Yergin Quote
Powerhouse Posted January 19, 2009 Report Posted January 19, 2009 OVERDRIVE...definitely number 1 in my book. then...better cam, better progressive carb, dual intake, dual exaust, modern oil filter and OIL, PCV system(that works correctly), Extra electric radiator fan, 6 bladed metal radiator fan, etc.... BUT, if it's not gonna be a daily driver...I'd leave it COMPLETELY STOCK. Quote
realgonekatt Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 Just starting on mine. However, So far building a new wiring harness to replace the underdash tinder bundle is #1...Coming up, discs and modernish m.cylinder, drop her and split the exhaust. Cant wait, this car is tits man!! Quote
James_Douglas Posted March 14, 2009 Report Posted March 14, 2009 I have an overdrive... I have disk brakes... I have raised compression... I have an 6V alternator... I have radial tires... I have 200 radio stations on a stock AM tube radio... I would say that radial tires and the disk brakes as a set. I drive in city traffic ...at 4K pounds plus...with people using anti-lock brakes you need to be able to stop or all the other changes are not going to be of much use... James Quote
grey beard Posted March 14, 2009 Report Posted March 14, 2009 Question: Is everybody who posted on this thread going to heaven for telling the absolute truth? My humble two cents' worth here is in an area no one else has mentioned - my PCV system. Sure wish I could get a gnat's-eye view inside the valve covers of some of you regular drivers' engines. That road draft tube really was primitrive, and only did any meaningful evacuation at road speeds. It is my belief that a PCV system, coupled with good quality modern detergent oils and frequent oil and filter changes AND a 180 degree thermostat will keep these blocks as clean as they can be kept. Please remember, it takes a whole lot of time to get a flathead casting up to true operating temperatures, especially the motor oil - likely twice as much time as a small block V-8. The cooling system will be at normal temps for a long time before oil temperatures begin to climb. Without a PCV system, the only way for condensation to exit the crankcase is for blow-by to push it out or for the oil temperatures to get high enough for it to evaporate out the road draft tube. JMHO On the final drive ratio issue, like Reg Evans, I find that 31-inch diameter radials gives my 4;10 rear just the right ratio for putzing and cruising. Wouldn't need any more gears or oil to get to a happier combination on the highway. With what I have just now, overdrive would not get much use, except for down hill, and any lower geara than current first gear would be used only by Grandma, and what did she ever know? Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 15, 2009 Report Posted March 15, 2009 Question: Is everybody who posted on this thread going to heaven for telling the absolute truth? Dave; On more than several occasions I have driven my car 500 + miles in one day with ambeint temperatures over 90F and road speed averages around 60 MPH. In my case the draft tube works as it should. If I did all my crusing in the driveway I would agree with you. I have not removed my valve covers in about 4 years for inspection. But the clear oil on my dip stick tells me I do not have a condensation problem. I have gone as high as 7000 miles between changes and I have never had to add a quart of oil between changes. Over 25,000 miles on my engine to date. I am telling the absolute truth but I dont believe there is a heaven to go to. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted March 16, 2009 Report Posted March 16, 2009 Dave;On more than several occasions I have driven my car 500 + miles in one day with ambeint temperatures over 90F and road speed averages around 60 MPH. In my case the draft tube works as it should. If I did all my crusing in the driveway I would agree with you. I have not removed my valve covers in about 4 years for inspection. But the clear oil on my dip stick tells me I do not have a condensation problem. I have gone as high as 7000 miles between changes and I have never had to add a quart of oil between changes. Over 25,000 miles on my engine to date. I am telling the absolute truth but I dont believe there is a heaven to go to. Even if you do, do most of the engine running in the driveway, if the engine is good, the oil stays nice and clean. Mine is also as clear as the day I put it in the engine. That said, the single best modification one can make to his/her car is that which makes them the happiest. Ooops, guess I should have read all the other post. Seems I said that before. Quote
Suddensix Posted March 16, 2009 Report Posted March 16, 2009 3 point shoulder harness. Without that I wouldn't even drive the thing. Also have all the other stuff mentioned. Quote
Frank Elder Posted March 16, 2009 Report Posted March 16, 2009 One of the reasons I love my car, big brother can't tell me to buckle up, my decision, not the insurance lobbiest. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 16, 2009 Report Posted March 16, 2009 and big brother is also there to protect you from having the plug pulled as you lay in a hospital brain dead bankrupting the entire family and causing metal anguish for eternity... just the other side of the arguement... Quote
Frank Elder Posted March 16, 2009 Report Posted March 16, 2009 Point taken, even now all childeren are so protected that they cannot develop a decent immune system or chip a tooth/ bang their head/ or have an adventure without their parents being afraid of being arrested for neglect or abuse. Much less an adult making a choice for themselves...it has been taken out of our hands unless you cry religious beliefs, and even that doesn't carry much weight anymore. My 2 cents and no more rant. Quote
marfulle Posted March 16, 2009 Report Posted March 16, 2009 Seat belts. What the heck is everyone thinking Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted March 16, 2009 Report Posted March 16, 2009 One of the reasons I love my car, big brother can't tell me to buckle up, my decision, not the insurance lobbiest. Well said. I paid about $160 for a pair of belts for my coupe back in the late 90's. Decided not to put them in just for that reason. They are still in the original wrapper in the cabinet. Quote
mackster Posted March 16, 2009 Report Posted March 16, 2009 Here's my 2 cents worth...Overdrive does make a huge difference, but can be expensive. The best value change has to be dual exhausts. Relatively cheap and simple but lets the engine breathe so much better. I went with other mod. (Dual Exhaust) I think is the single most important. and the only one I can afford. Quote
John Mulders Posted March 16, 2009 Report Posted March 16, 2009 Well said. I paid about $160 for a pair of belts for my coupe back in the late 90's. Decided not to put them in just for that reason. They are still in the original wrapper in the cabinet. I might be interested, just saw another local accident. Someone drove into the backend of another car. The driver side windshield had a nice crack where the drivers head must have been hitting the window. Seen a couple of ER documentaries where people are treated for these kind of accidents. Not good. Discussion on whether the government can determine this or not. Hmm, a while back a local politician said belts were unsafe as he knew of a person that broke his collarbone due to the belt. Just wonder what the state of the person would be if he had no belt. just my 2 cents John Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted March 17, 2009 Report Posted March 17, 2009 I guess I haven't really modified anything. Just use it as it came. Works good enough for what I do. I did add a pair of lap seat belts in front. Got them from a Mustang resto shop who was selling at a swap meet. Quote
mikemaker Posted March 19, 2009 Report Posted March 19, 2009 Here are my 2 cents: best bang for my buck was splitting the exhaust. Pretty cheap and immediate gratification along with some additional giddyup. Quote
1947PLEVY Posted May 14, 2009 Report Posted May 14, 2009 I am going to put another dome light in the front of the car. 47Plevy Quote
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