MechE Hokie Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Hi Everybody, I'm starting a project and I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a Mechanical Engineering student at Virginia Tech and I'm starting the restoration of a '49 Special Deluxe. This was my dad's car back in the day, and it's been sitting for 30 or so years now. I've got a week for spring break and I decided I'd try and get the old girl thats been sitting in the garage running. I'm pretty new to the whole restoration scene, but I've spend a lot of time doing maintenance stuff on my car and farm equipment. My dad claims the car is in solid mechanical shape other than a brake leak somewhere. Luckily I have a parts car my dad picked up to donate just about everything. Any help or advice would be appreciated! I've posted the rest of my before pictures at http://s639.photobucket.com/albums/uu112/MechE_Hokie/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Looks like a worthy project with a good parts car. Don't throw the bumpers away off the parts car! Popular street rod items. I'd change the fluids in the engine and put some light oil down each plug hole. Try to shoot it towards the pistons if you can. See if it turns over and go from there. Brakes even without the leak he remembers would be shot from sitting that long anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gaspard Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Wow! The epitome of a 'barn find"! The dust cake is a good sign there was not a roof leak, thus cancer will be minimal. You'll find this forum can answer just about any question. Jim in Dallas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 How cool is that to have your Dad's car !!! Lucky guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt.Fred Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Great pictures! Looks like a nice place... all sunny and full of old stuff. have fun, some of these people here have answers to nearly everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Flanagan Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Hokie, I'm working on a 49 Special Deluxe too. Are you in Virginia? I'm in Alexandria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MechE Hokie Posted March 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Hokie,I'm working on a 49 Special Deluxe too. Are you in Virginia? I'm in Alexandria. Joe, I'm in Shenandoah County, not far from where 66 and 81 meet, but being in school keeps me in Blacksburg for most of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Welcome to the best forum on the net. What a great project you have there and with a parts car as well. You will enjoy the adventure working on the old girl and your dad will like it also. Good luck with getting it started and make sure you ask any and all questions you have. If it can't be answered by someone on this forum, it can't be answered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Welcome to the forum. Last summer I drove my 48 Plymouth (the blue one) from Tennessee to the Sully show in Dulles to meet with several other forum members as there are several in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Don, why the fire extinguisher? Is that because your engine is so hot with extra horsepower for the next big race? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Robert, iff'n ya notice, there is also an extinguisher lying on the ground in front of Greg's "hot rod"....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Don, why the fire extinguisher? Is that because your engine is so hot with extra horsepower for the next big race? Many shows require a fire extinguisher in sight for every vehicle. I always carry one in my car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 POC won't judge any car without one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 that is getting to be pretty much the rule at all car shows big and small..one must have the extingushier to display the vehicle..plus it is good to have one on hand anyway.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 I finally bought an extinguisher a year or so ago. Keep it in the trunk. About $20 or so at a discount store or home center. Got another just like it to keep in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Many shows require a fire extinguisher in sight for every vehicle. I always carry one in my car. Haven't had to have one for any shows I have gone to. I do have one and often take it with me. I have had it a long time and I am wondering how long they are good for? Should I have it recharged? Maybe it is just cheaper to buy a new one but then what do you do with the old? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aero3113 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Shows around here require a fire extinguisher and first aid kit. If your extinguisher has a gauge and its in the green should be good, if not its prob cheaper to buy one than have it recharged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Roberts Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Haven't had to have one for any shows I have gone to. I do have one and often take it with me. I have had it a long time and I am wondering how long they are good for? Should I have it recharged? Maybe it is just cheaper to buy a new one but then what do you do with the old? An experienced guy who did the scheduled maintenance on the fire extinguisers where I worked told me " The powder inside gets blocked up solid so take the extinguisher and turn it end for end a few times to free it up " . As you turn it end for end you will feel the powder inside break free and slide to the opposite end . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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