1947 Special Duluxe Restoration

[1947specialdeluxe]

Hello! I just got a 1947 Plymouth special deluxe club coupe that I want to restore. It has a really clean body, all the rust, except for a tiny spot under the driver door, is surface rust. It still has the flathead and tranny in it too. Only thing is it's been sitting in a field for like 30 years and the motor might be rust-seized. Any tips for dealing with this? Thanks.

[yourpc48]

A rebuild should be in order but I have one like your describing that I got running. It would turn over but did sit for 25 years since the car was licensed. Oil and Carefully remove the spark plugs. You can lube the upper part of the cylinders by pouring in some transmission fluid (has very high detergent levels) to each cylinder. Let it sit at least overnight and then try turning it over by hand. If it turns over at all turn it one full rotation and pour more tranny fluid in the spark plug holes. Let it sit over night again. If you can get this far and you can make full rotations by hand then change the oil and then you might try turning it over with the starter. (Cover the holes with something to catch any tranny fluid that comes out) See if it will build up a little oil pressure. Now this is what I have done with many old engines that have sat for years and have had good luck with this method. I did this with the engine thats in my P15 and it runs but like I said if it has been that long the rings can be stuck in the grooves, valves can be stuck (mine were), etc. etc. If you do this and then go to rebuild it, at least the parts will be freed up.

If you want you can run a comperession check but it would probably be very low without starting and running the car for a short time. This could scar the cylinders if the rings are not freed up yet. You decide if you want to take your chances.

Others may have some ideas as well and may have some ideas specific to these engines. Good Luck....

[1947specialdeluxe]

Thanks for your advice! I really appreciate it, as I am a beginner with restoration jobs... I have also heard to put diesel fuel down the cylinders, but will the tranny fluid work better?

[Young Ed]

I've heard ATF, diesel, marvel mystery oil, coke all sorts of stuff. Personally I'd try ATF or marvel first. Heck its all check if one doesnt work try another. What part of MN are you in?

[Niel Hoback]

DO NOT use Coke or anything else that is water based.

[thrashingcows]

I've been using the ATF and Acetone mix lately. This stuff really works!! 50/50 mix and away you go. The only thing I don't like is it separates out quickly so you have to keep shaking it. And since acetone will eat plastic and rubber you will need to use a container with a number 1 or 2 in the arrow triangle.

I dismantled my spare master cylinder with this stuff. It had been sitting in water for who knows how long and I didn't think I'd get a single thing loose. Lots of the mix, and a few days to let things sit, and I got it completely disassembled!!

[1947specialdeluxe]

I've heard ATF, diesel, marvel mystery oil, coke all sorts of stuff. Personally I'd try ATF or marvel first. Heck its all check if one doesnt work try another. What part of MN are you in?

I'm from Hinckley... You're in Minneapolis? Don't you just love this warm weather streak we've been having? Do you happen to know of any good P15-D24 car clubs in Minnesota worth subscribing to?

[1947specialdeluxe]

DO NOT use Coke or anything else that is water based.

Why's that? Does it just not work, or is it damaging?

[1947specialdeluxe]

I've been using the ATF and Acetone mix lately. This stuff really works!! 50/50 mix and away you go. The only thing I don't like is it separates out quickly so you have to keep shaking it. And since acetone will eat plastic and rubber you will need to use a container with a number 1 or 2 in the arrow triangle.

I dismantled my spare master cylinder with this stuff. It had been sitting in water for who knows how long and I didn't think I'd get a single thing loose. Lots of the mix, and a few days to let things sit, and I got it completely disassembled!!

Wow I'll have to try that! So just pour that mix into the cylinder and let it sit for a few days?

[Young Ed]

I'm from Hinckley... You're in Minneapolis? Don't you just love this warm weather streak we've been having? Do you happen to know of any good P15-D24 car clubs in Minnesota worth subscribing to?

Yup just north of actual mpls in the suburbs. We go through hinkley all the time on the way to my parents cabin in WI. Congrats on finally getting a mcdonalds

As for a club its not p15-d24 specific but I belong to the MN chapter of the plymouth owners club. We have members all over the state. Let me know if you want some info on the next meeting.

[Niel Hoback]

Anything with water in it will promote more rust.

[T120]

..Something to keep in mind as mentioned by,yourPC48,after the oil treatment in the cylinders ,the spark plugs have to be out when attempting to turn the engine over by hand.

[thrashingcows]

Wow I'll have to try that! So just pour that mix into the cylinder and let it sit for a few days?

Never tried to free up a motor with it. But I would think that is what I would do. Then bar on the crank to rock it over.

Have you pulled the head? The cylinders might need so be cleaned up of surface rust as well.

[1947specialdeluxe]

Yup just north of actual mpls in the suburbs. We go through hinkley all the time on the way to my parents cabin in WI. Congrats on finally getting a mcdonalds

As for a club its not p15-d24 specific but I belong to the MN chapter of the plymouth owners club. We have members all over the state. Let me know if you want some info on the next meeting.

Haha thanks, now I have the choice of a big mac OR a whopper... Even though I would have liked to see something a little nicer go in like an Olive Garden Alright, I will have to check out this club, and some info about meetings would be great! Thanks.