37 D5

[Sjiefaa.]

Hey!

A couple of months ago I bought an 37 D5 sedan of another forum, I've always wanted a pre-war humpback sedan.;

After a ton of Emails and arranging transport, the car got dropped of at the warehouse in Tx. (I work for a company that imports car parts from the USA)... ;

It then took some more time and a lot of headaches to get it here, but last week it finally arrived in Rotterdam, the Netherlands... We unloaded it from the container, put some gas in it, and with a little help from a second battery it started right up.

Unfortunately gas poured out of the fuelpump, so I couldn't drive it to the shop . I guess the diaphragm dried out during transport, as my colleague in Texas drove it around the block a few times with no trouble.

All in all, I'm really happy with the car. It's solid and 99% complete. I shat my pants buying a car unseen and overseas, but the seller came through and even had the alternator rebuilt after he sold it to me. Thanks again, bubba!

In the last few weeks I;

- got the fuelpump rebuilt and mounted

- gave it a good inspection and removed a ton of Texas muck from the underside of the beast;

- got the cowl vent and swingout windshield moving again (nothing a spray of WD40 and some elbow grease couldn't cure );

- adjusted the steering box to remove most of the play;

- adjusted the E-brake and tightened everything up with some new washers;

- charged the battery and discovered an 8V unit from a forklift or something (haven't seen that one before!)

- went through all the lube points;

- made a ''bushing'' for the steering column, which had a lot of play;

- Replaced all four shocks, the old ones were like bicycle pumps...;

- rebuilt the RH front wheel cylinder;

- cleaned and adjusted the front brake shoes.

In the shop;

Someone from the HAMB also me a nice photochop of the '37, picture is from the car in front of the PO's place;

I'm not sure if I want to lose all the chrome, but I do like the lowered look! This car is in such a nice condition, I don't know if I want to do something to it that is irreversible... But long term plans are still vague, right now I'm focussed on getting it road legal (DMV)...

The brakes on the Dodge really suck, she takes a hard left turn as soon as you touch the middle pedal.

A quick test on the roller bank got me confused; BOTH RH side brakes are fooked.

I don't get it;

- The master cylinder is a split circuit unit, but it splits front and rear;

- Brake shoes are adjusted properly (with old cars like this, all shoes are separately adjustable);

- All wheels turn freely and the drums don't hang-up (what's the correct term..?);

- There appears to be no more air left in the system;

- Can't find any weird bends or dents in the brakelines;

- The PO fitted new hoses just prior to shipping the car...

- WTF?

I won't be able to work on the car for about a week, so I'll have enough time to think this over. If anyone can chip in, feel free to do so

Things I need to repair for the DMV (so far);

- all four shocks are fried Done!

- 2 kingpin sets

- 2 tie rod ends

- wheel cylinder right front is leaking Done!

- 4 dried-out tires

- windshield wipers don't work

- Battery box is rotted out

- sort out funky braking

I know it's not a P15 or D24, but hope you'll like following my progress.

Thanks for reading, Shiva.

[moose]

I see you found your way over here! Now you can get the good answers.

[P-12 Tommy]

Nice car. I like the humpbacks. Welcome to the club.

Tom

[Sjiefaa.]

I see you found your way over here! Now you can get the good answers.

Yeah, I already was a member for a few months (I bought a disc brake kit from Rustyhope)...

I found some real cool projects here!

Thanks, Shiva.

[Sjiefaa.]

Nice car. I like the humpbacks. Welcome to the club.

Tom

Thanks, your P12 looks great.

Shiva

[Phil Martin]

Brake problem I have had like this if your shoes have the bands glued on be sure one isn't coming loose on end it will make one brake lock up bad.

[mackster]

congratulations on your new car1 the hAMB is a righteous place! she will be in the road in no time!

i think what you were trying to convey is that the brakes dont drag and all the wheels turn freely...i was thinking of the adjustment tool that I have seen other members use to adjust the brakes...it looks like a wrench that goes around the brakes shoes to make sure you are 100% level all around...some members have had great luck with it...some dont even use it. but i think is worth a shot for you!

[Sjiefaa.]

Brake problem I have had like this if your shoes have the bands glued on be sure one isn't coming loose on end it will make one brake lock up bad.

I'll have a good look when I tear the brakes down, sounds promising.

Thanks.

congratulations on your new car1 the hAMB is a righteous place! she will be in the road in no time!

i think what you were trying to convey is that the brakes dont drag and all the wheels turn freely...i was thinking of the adjustment tool that I have seen other members use to adjust the brakes...it looks like a wrench that goes around the brakes shoes to make sure you are 100% level all around...some members have had great luck with it...some dont even use it. but i think is worth a shot for you!

I adjusted the brakes by turning the wheels and adjusting the shoes seperately, so they just wouldn't drag. Any link or pic from that tool? I'm not sure if I know what you mean...

Thanks, Shiva.

Edited October 25, 2010 by Sjiefaa.
spwelling

[mackster]

better yet! here is a thread about some homemade tools! and i think this might help you out...

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=20780&highlight=brake+adjustment+tool

hope this helps!

[HughForrest]

If a bit of brake fluid leaked on a brake lining the car will pull to the opposite side. The lining that got brake fluid on it gets no grip at all.

[Sjiefaa.]

better yet! here is a thread about some homemade tools! and i think this might help you out...

hope this helps!

That looks very helpfull, thanks!

If a bit of brake fluid leaked on a brake lining the car will pull to the opposite side. The lining that got brake fluid on it gets no grip at all.

I did clean the brakeshoes after rebuilding the wheel cylinder, but I'll have another look when I tear it all down again...

Thanks, Shiva.

[deathbound]

Your car looks sharp stock or photochopped.

[Greenbomb]

Good looking car! My aunt and uncle had one when I was a kid; They traded it in on a '52 Plymouth.

[carls 49]

hi shiva and welcome. good to have you here. congrats and have fun with that cool 37.