You Only Turn 40 Once...My Wife's New 34 Plymouth

[Flatie46]

If it were mine, I think I'd just enjoy it. Hope she has a great birthday, hard to top a present like that. Good luck with it.

[BloodyKnuckles]

Thanks again.

What I did as a temporary replacement for the filter is I installed a stainless braided line to connect the two oil lines. It seems to be ok for now. I am having a hard time finding one of those OE style disposable metal filters to replace the split one.

Also, how do I fix the pressure valve?

Don C, I have not fixed the DeSoto as of yet. My plans are to replace all the hard lines and rubber lines from the tank to the carb. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again guys.

BloodyKnuckles

[TodFitch]

... I am having a hard time finding one of those OE style disposable metal filters to replace the split one...

They are no longer being manufactured by a mainstream company (WIX stopped making them about 10 years ago). I've seen some information from an Indian company that claims to make them and I've seen them in the on-line catalog of one of the "usual suspects" for old car parts. Perhaps it was Roberts but I'd have do so a search to see.

Those filters show up on eBay pretty regularly too.

There is a fellow who advertises in the Plymouth Owners Club's magazine that he makes a aluminum housing that matches the size and look of the disposable canister filter that opens up to take a modern filter inside. I bet its fairly expensive.

What I've done is stock up on them and I've purchased a Mopar filter housing that takes the cartridge insert to use when I run out of canister filters.

[BloodyKnuckles]

Nice looking car. I'd guess an older restoration or fix up as the paint and interior look redone but in the original style.

I can't tell from the photos if it is a PF, PFXX or PG. Care to tell if it has independent front suspension (PF or not) or PM the serial number from the passenger door post? That would fix the exact model number.

Not too many two door sedans of that era are seen any more, mind if I add one or more of your photos to my web site?

It has a straight front axle. Also the engine has PF stamped before the numbers. The numbers on the body and the title match the engine numbers but the letters are PG on the title before the numbers. The rear bumper brackets have PG stamped in them also.

Also, I would have no problem with you using a few pics on your website. I can share more if you need them.

I have enjoyed the info on your site. Thanks.

BloodyKnuckles

[Don Coatney]

Also, how do I fix the pressure valve?

BloodyKnuckles

If you recall the day I drove your car at Bills place the pressure relief valve on my car was stuck. Put my car on the lift and pulled the plunger and polished it to remove burrs and such. Still working great today.

[Joe Flanagan]

Mine got stuck also after my engine sat on a stand for 7 years. Getting it unstuck was not so easy. I had to try a bunch of different things until I got it. After that, I did as Don did and gave it a light sanding to clean it up. It has worked fine since.

[greg g]

perhaps the ellow in Turkey has some of those filters, he seems to have access to a lot of stuff.

[BloodyKnuckles]

If you recall the day I drove your car at Bills place the pressure relief valve on my car was stuck. Put my car on the lift and pulled the plunger and polished it to remove burrs and such. Still working great today.

Thanks Don. I'll look into it.

BloodyKnuckles

[deathbound]

Everything about that car is perfect, I would make it safe, leave it as is & drive it. If it was a thrasher, that would be a different story.

[kbuhagiar]

Everything about that car is perfect, I would make it safe, leave it as is & drive it. If it was a thrasher, that would be a different story.

I agree - enjoy it just the way it is.

...but what does your wife think? After all, it is her car...right? :D

Edited August 28, 2011 by kbuhagiar

[Jim Benjaminson]

I'm pretty sure I know that car from a previous owner. If its the car I think it is, its a PG series - the cheapest of the line in '34. They came only in two door sedan and business coupe body styles. The engine number will read PF regardless of whether its a PG or PF. The PG has a straight axle while the PF-PFXX and PE all had independent front suspension. Out of over 800 1934 Plymouths in my registry, there are only 10 PG two door sedans listed. I definately vote for keeping it original......

[Rodney Bullock]

Great looking car and most rare:)I don't know if I have seen a 1934 Plymouth before. Everyone is so into 34 Fords I have never thought of a mopar. I did look at a 1931 Plymouth coupe once loved the back window.

Very nice car. keeping it original will be a hard thing to do.

[Jim Saraceno]

We are not sure if we will modify this one.

Out of curiosity, If you owned it what would you do?

I've owned my '35 for 8 years now. For all the shows and cruises I've gone to, I've only seen a few other cars from the 30s that are in original condition but I've seen hundreds turned into street rods, rat rods, and hot rods.

It looks like your car is in really good condition. Enjoy it, drive it and look around to see just how unique your car is.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Hey Ron, was looking to see you and the Plymouth on the Charlotte infield at the HAMB shack Friday..oh well maybe next year..

[BloodyKnuckles]

I'm pretty sure I know that car from a previous owner. If its the car I think it is, its a PG series - the cheapest of the line in '34. They came only in two door sedan and business coupe body styles. The engine number will read PF regardless of whether its a PG or PF. The PG has a straight axle while the PF-PFXX and PE all had independent front suspension. Out of over 800 1934 Plymouths in my registry, there are only 10 PG two door sedans listed. I definately vote for keeping it original......

That is some interesting information. Would you happen to know the previous owner's name?

I am surprised that only 10 sedans were listed.

Thanks.

Hey Ron, was looking to see you and the Plymouth on the Charlotte infield at the HAMB shack Friday..oh well maybe next year..

I was only able to go Thursday. This weekend we had Heather's family in from out of town and celebrated her birthday all weekend. I hate that I missed you. I'll see you in the spring.

The only changes that are planned is replacing the wires wheels with 16" Dodge Pilothouse wheels and new blackwall bias ply tires, 750 rear and 600 fronts. I will also repaint the engine and dress it up a bit. The interior will be redone similar to the original. I have found new bulbs and gaskets for the headlamps.

We have been driving it alot. We have put on about 350 miles already.

BloodyKnuckles

[Jim Benjaminson]

Contact me at benji@utma.com and I'll give you the name & address....

[BloodyKnuckles]

Contact me at benji@utma.com and I'll give you the name & address....

Thanks Jim.

Yesterday the generator failed. It was working fine earlier in the day and at night it stopped charging. I was able to make it home but the lights were dim to say the least.

I pulled it today and dropped it off at our local gennie guy. I hope he'll have it squared away by tomorrow. We'll see.

Also, I removed the seats and carpet and have found no signs of any rust repair. It has never had rust that I can find yet. What a good car so far. Very happy.

BloodyKnuckles

[gillettealvin]

Hey, I have a nice (rebuilt,) "later" 6 volt generator with matching (new,) v/reg you are welcome to? Let me know. GA

[BloodyKnuckles]

Hey, I have a nice (rebuilt,) "later" 6 volt generator with matching (new,) v/reg you are welcome to? Let me know. GA

Thank you very much for the offer. I'm hoping that the rebuilder will have it tomorrow. I may get up with you though. We'll see.

Thanks,

BloodyKnuckles

[Gypsy devil]

Well, this is no longer bloody knuckles and Heather's ride, but now they have a 41 Plym business coupe. Hopefully Ron got all this stuff fixed for me. Lol. After careful consideration and reading this post, I have decided to keep her traditional. I am shaving the head, installing a multi carb set up, split exhaust and lowering her front a bit. 5.50 on the front and 7.50 on the rear. Adding an overdrive to her, sprucing up the interior, 12v and getting a black paint job... And I am going to drive the wheels off her. Bloody Knuckles and Heather, thanks for the '34! Can't wait to get Gypsy Devil to Kansas!

[Don Coatney]

Well, this is no longer bloody knuckles and Heather's ride, but now they have a 41 Plym business coupe. Hopefully Ron got all this stuff fixed for me. Lol. After careful consideration and reading this post, I have decided to keep her traditional. I am shaving the head, installing a multi carb set up, split exhaust and lowering her front a bit. 5.50 on the front and 7.50 on the rear. Adding an overdrive to her, sprucing up the interior, 12v and getting a black paint job... And I am going to drive the wheels off her. Bloody Knuckles and Heather, thanks for the '34! Can't wait to get Gypsy Devil to Kansas!

Personally I think Ron & Heather should have sold that black chopped rat rod and kept the 34 but hey, glad they finally sold it and welcome to the forum. If ron is still in a selling mood I might have to talk him out of that blue binder.

[Gypsy devil]

Don,

He got rid of the 51, if that is the rat rod you are talking about. They still have the Desoto, the gasser and they picked up my chopped 41 Plym business coupe. I wasn't selling, I was in NC on leave and buying a motor from him, left with 34 plymouth and no need for a motor. Thanks... Look forward to learning more and making this a traditional hot rod.

[knuckleharley]

Out of curiosity, If you owned it what would you do?

 

If I were you,I'd give it to me.

 

If it were mine,I'd rebuild the wheel cylinders and master cylinder,and then I'd drive and enjoy it just like it sits. I sure wouldn't modify anything that couldn't be put back to original. Stripped hulks are a lot more common than complete cars,and you could easily sell that car for enough to buy a solid hulk and go a long ways towards hotrodding it with the money left over.

 

Truthfully,I am stunned that anybody would consider turning a car that nice and complete into a rat rod.

 

Then again,I have a hard time believing people are now sandblasting cars so they will rust in order to build a rat rod. I know of one guy that took a grinder to a 34 Ford 5 window coupe to grind most of the original paint off so the grind marks would show through the primer he sprayed it with.

[knuckleharley]

My guess would be that this is a PG model where is has wire wheels, no door vent windows and no small door openings on the hood sides. I love the color combination. This car will get praised wherever it goes.

John R

I was wondering about no vent windows and the really short wheelbase.

 

Never seen a 34 Plymouth without vent windows before.

[knuckleharley]

1933 and 34 have a narrower block than later cars so some mod is needed either to the starter motor or the bell housing to put a later engine in. And the shift lever is mounted on a frame cross member, not on the transmission. So doing the mods you suggest in a way that is reversible requires careful thought.

 

Can you tell me how wide the blocks are? When I bought my 33 Dodge 4dr the seller told me the flat 6 on the floor was the original engine,and I'd like to be able to verify this. He said he pulled it because it burned a lot of oil. IF I ever get the time to work on it I will probably just put one of the 218 or a 230 engine in it and drive it like it is,but it would be nice to know the old flat 6 I have under a shelf in my shop was the original engine.