Busy week

[rearview]

Finally made some real progress on the old Dodge. Got the brakes together, bled and adjusted, and a remote reservoir installed for the master cylinder. This allowed me to drive the car out of the garage for the first time since I bought it last fall. I spent a couple hours pressure washing some of the Georgia clay out from under the body and around the engine and trans. There is still a LOT more clay left, but the big chunks are knocked down. I then started mounting my new oil filter and 6v positive ground alternator. The oil filter is actually a Harley kit that adapted well and the alternator was a lucky ebay find. I ended up having to replace some wiring while bumping around the engine bay... that old stuff is just hanging on the edge of destruction, so the most questionable wires got re-done. Pics:

[Normspeed]

Very nice. Great looking fastback. I like the brake reservoir on the firewall. My wires were like that and my headlight harness is still pretty bad. If you're keeping it 6 volt I'd go for some larger battery cables. They make a big difference in starting. I got a battery shop to make all 3 new ones using 2/0 cable, total was maybe $30-$35.

[rearview]

Those are #2 fine-strand cable... they just look skinny in the picture for some reason.... I can't explain....? Made a huge difference from what was there

[Normspeed]

It's like that camera that makes me look bald...

[rearview]

Yup, same one makes my mother-in-law look "big"

[Reg Evans]

Nice car! I like the black bumpers and the electrical,brake and oil upgrades.

That armored ignition cable looks like it needs some attention soon though.

[rearview]

I was thinking about flipping the front bumper so the guards look like fangs

[Brad Lustig]

I love the lines on your car!

[Norm's Coupe]

Car looks neat. Like that forest green color too. I had a 52 4 door Dodge back in the early 60's the same color.

[Plymouthy Adams]

IF that car is green then let me say it is very very dark..both my monitor at home and here at work shows the car as being black..while the profile picture hints a tad a very dark blue..my friend had never seen that body style before and for the heck of it, do you know how many of these were produced? Georgia law requires that the mud washed off be returned to the state if not used for medicinal purposes..

[Norm's Coupe]

Tim,

It looks like forest green on my monitor. As mentioned I had a 52 Dodge that color way back when. If his car is the same as mine was, it is a very dark green, and looks sharp when cleaned up as it is in the picture.

That said, we know colors on our monitors are not always true colors. Then again, it could be just the light reflection making it look green to me. So.....he'll have to be the one to clear up that question.

[rearview]

It's a dark metallic blue.... look at my profile for better pic of the color. It was very "contrasty" when I took the exterior pics on tuesday.

They made quite a few of them... I think around 52,000?? combined for 51 and 52 (only years for this style). I've got the exact production numbers at home in that Chrysler of the 50's book. I'm guessing that since they were the lowest end model that people didn't keep them. I'd never seen one before, that's why I bought it (plus I got a good deal, that always helps). There was one for sale recently on the HAMB that was chopped, etc. Looked sweet.

[Norm's Coupe]

That picture clears it up. Now it's dark blue. That first picture still looks forest green though on my monitor. Either way, it's nice looking.

[rearview]

Thanks for the compliments

Things I learned:

1. Georgia clay is harder than my head when it ages properly

2. Morons should not be allowed to work on vehicles... I had to use my BIG impact to loosen the oil drain plug.

3. Nobody except the smallest parts stores know anything

4. Nobody except the smallest parts stores will even try to help with your "idea"

5. Fuzzy wires = bad

6. Sparks = bad

7. Vise grips are your friend

8. Duct taps does not fix everything and it sucks when left on for 20 years

[rearview]

IF that car is green then let me say it is very very dark..both my monitor at home and here at work shows the car as being black..while the profile picture hints a tad a very dark blue..my friend had never seen that body style before and for the heck of it, do you know how many of these were produced? Georgia law requires that the mud washed off be returned to the state if not used for medicinal purposes..

I found my books last night and they made 70,700 2-door sedans in 1951 and 1952 combined. It was by far the most popular version. They made no verts in 52, it was discontinued after the 51 model year.

[Young Ed]

Is that all converts or just that roadster convert that got discontinued?

[rearview]

Just the Wayfarer model.

[Justin Slingsby]

do you remember the part number for that Harley remote filter base?

[Johnny S]

I'm interested in the Harley filter set up as well. It looks like it fits real fine.

[rearview]

I got the kit from a guy on ebay.

current auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Old-School-Chopper-HP1-style-Remote-Oil-Filter-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35572QQitemZ250096006529

I fabbed the base it is mounted to and used a WIX 51215 filter (I think that's the number)

It will attach to the stock filter base, but looked goofy. There's plenty of options you could do there, be creative.

[greg g]

Love them Bustle Butt Dodges. Dad had a Cadet Blue one. It is the first car I have a memory of. Spent many Friday nights sleeping on the mohair back seat while the parents went to the drive in movies. Cartoons. newsreels, half the feature was about my limit, then I conked out on the back seat.

[JerseyHarold]

My in-laws had a '49 Wayfarer in that body style. Traded up in '52 to a Coronet sedan.