Getting the old tub ready for winter...

[bamfordsgarage]

Hey how about mounting it upside down...

When I had the heater apart for cleaning and lube, I ran the fan with the housing in various orientations to see if it made any difference — it ran a bit noisy with the heater upside down, so it seemed safer to install it right side up.

[bamfordsgarage]

On the off chance that you aren't completely tired of seeing my ratty interior and rusty heater, here are the last two pictures. I promise. For now.

Along the theme of treating the Dodge like just any old 5-10 year old used car, I needed a cupholder that looked period and utilized stuff found around the house. The holder itself is a sweets tin commemorating the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth and featuring photos of Their Majesties Queen E and hubby Prince Philip. It is screwed to a hat channel of unknown age that in turn is screwed solidly to the heater. The whole setup is very sturdy, tip-free, and most appropriate for a vehicle manufactured and used in the British Commomwealth.

Note the screen covering the heater inlet — this was cut from the large hunk of heavy mesh screening I liberated from the derelict Packard plant in Detroit last year on the way to Hershey. Perfect!

Still to do: replace the heater hose gear clamps on the heater hoses with original-type units, and replace the zip tie with a length of brown string.

_ _ _ _ _

In the 20 years I've owned this car I think last night was the first time my bride has ever asked me to turn down the heater.

[Jim Yergin]

Nice work Chris. Gotta love it.

Jim Yergin

[Merle Coggins]

Just a single drink holder? What about the passenger?

Merle

[Plymouthy Adams]

just like a trip to space in a space capsule..limited space means shared facilities..the cup is no exception...

[bamfordsgarage]

Merle, when I find another suitable can the holder will become a double. Jerry does not have the coffee or tea habit but usually has a water bottle on the go.

Tim, this morning will go down in history as the first — and likely only — time my car has been comparable to a space capsule.

[Don Coatney]

Tim, this morning will go down in history as the first — and likely only — time my car has been comparable to a space capsule.

Not true

[bamfordsgarage]

Thanks, Don, I had forgotten about that picture of the those two comparable craft. Remind me again — which one is the D25?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Thermostat question: I would like to install a 195° 'stat in the Dodge. Our local Napa has a listing for the 180° unit but claim is that is the highest temp available. Roberts and Bernbaum both list thermostats but not temperature ratings. However, as they each only offer one I'm assuming that one is a 180°. The P15-D24 reference pages show only 160° and 180° units (Don, you will note I am doing my homework first and not starting a separate thread!)

Is there a 195° thermostat available for our cars and could someone point me towards it? Thank you.

[Plymouthy Adams]

there are two appraches here as I understand it...the original format/design thermostat was at the highest in my recollection a 180 and they are not going to have any hgher..however...do not give up the ship...there is available out there in wonderland an adapter that will allow you to install a later style thermostat in the early blocks...this will allow you to go to the 195 thermostat...I hate to say I do not know the link nor have I made a search but this I bleive has been posted here in the past..

ask your local to research this retro kit..

[Plymouthy Adams]

quick look...see post 3

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=5810&highlight=install+style+thermostat

[55 Fargo]

How about a winter front, or something to restrict airflow thorugh the rad. Enough to elevate temperature, but not enough to allow it to boil or run too hot.

I would think the 180, would be fine until about -12 c, then the warmer t/stat would make a difference, but a winter front over the grill or something infront of the rad might allow your engine to run in the 180-190 range......

[bamfordsgarage]

Thanks Tim, for the suggestion and link. I was surprised to see the thermostat pictured, with the brass elevator ring, is almost identical to what came packaged with the 180° stat I bought at an O'Reilly's or Advance in PA. The only difference I recall is that instead of two brass wings to capture the mounting bolts, the adaptor had only a thin brass perimeter ring that dropped into a recess in the head (or the housing, it was a year ago and I can't quite remember). Anyway, I may thus be able to replace my 180° with a 195° by using this brass fitting as an adaptor.

Fred, you are right of course. And a winter front or cardboard or a hunk of Greg G's old carpet would be more period-appropriate. I have a cardboard in front of the rad now.

[Don Coatney]

I do not recall if your jalopy has an internal or external by-pass. If you are external then you may have to buy the new style Napa 180 unit as pictured below and liberate some parts from this "kit" almost but not quite like the Packard plant screen liberation. You will notice that this new style has a rubber donut and adaptor but uses a standard (by modern standards) thermostat. So by using the donut and adaptor you should be able to buy a standard modern 195F thermostat and be good to go.

However I have one more option suggestion. Install a weatherfront on the front grill of your car. By doing so you can better controll engine temperature with out swapping thermostats.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v65/DonCoatney/Radiator/thermostat/

It was tough to do but I kept all this information right here without starting a new thread:D

[Don Coatney]

It took me so long to do the research make my posting that several beat me with the same information.

[Plymouthy Adams]

ah..but the main point is..he got the right information every time..it was the second thread listed when I used the search feature

[Don Coatney]

ah..but the main point is..he got the right information every time..it was the second thread listed when I used the search feature

Tim, why did you not drop the hammer:D

[bamfordsgarage]

Right information each time. Right on and thanks to all. I'll try and remember the Search function too next time!

_ _ _ _ _

Jerry and I are heading out in the Dodge now for the "Last Run of the Season" with our local vintage sports car club.

[Plymouthy Adams]

it was a silent hammer it seems...lol..

I do admit I have had a few things elude me using the search engine..it is all in using the right words..and if the original lister calls it just a tad of shade different in name...it is enough to throw the search into a negative..but for the most part..I can find it in short order..it is by far one excellent tool

[bamfordsgarage]

Christmas came early at Bamfords Garage!

And as it happened, winter came late — we had our first snow last night, which is only the fourth time in recorded history Edmonton has not had snow in either September or October. Only three years have we not had snow before November, and even for those years, the latest was November 06.

Anyway, the postman delivered a gift from Forum member RobertKB yesterday, this spanking new adjustable winter front for a '46-48 Plymouth that Robert picked up some 30 years ago, but has never used and never expected to. A few of the attachment clips were AWOL but with a bit of garage time and baling wire, everything fits just fine.

I'm heading out shortly to get some road grime on the thing so it blends in with the rest of the car...

Thanks Robert!

[greg g]

If you are not going to be loading up the top carrier for your trip, you might want to think about mounting some extra caribou/moose light to the front edge. Never can tell when one of them might meander out of the roadside vegetation.

[bamfordsgarage]

We're going to carry two or three spares up top, no plans yet for much else.

I could probably power some extra lights from the marker light wire. Only have 6-volt though, and I've not come across any 6-volt accessory lighting worth the effort. The driving and fog lights I have now work (good grounds and reflectors, 12 ga wire from a relay) but they are mostly for looks — the stock headlights are much better.

[T120]

Very generous of Robert to give you the winter front for your northern trip.I have a winter front for my Dodge, although I'm not quite ready to part with it yet.I don't need it here in southern Alberta,but having lived and worked in the North and reading again - Robert W.Service's verse ,"The spell Of The Yukon", with the line -"There's a land -- oh, it beckons and beckons, And I want to go back -- and I will".. it makes me think twice about parting with some of my winter gear.

And,Greg - good caution on watching for Moose whIle driving.I've never used auxiliary lighting but I have had close calls with Moose on the Alaska highway while driving in the dark.

Edited November 13, 2011 by Ralph D25cpe

[greg g]

Wonder how long a couple of 12 V wide beam driving lamps would work off a jumper pac??

[greg g]

Grote has been a well known name for a while

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALL-6V-6-VOLT-8N-9N-JOHN-DEER-IH-TRACTOR-WORK-LIGHTS-GA-/300615961394?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item45fe1b8b32

And these are from a Canadian company

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALL-6V-6-VOLT-8N-9N-JOHN-DEER-IH-TRACTOR-WORK-LIGHTS-GA-/300615961394?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item45fe1b8b32

[bamfordsgarage]

Six-volts. Now that's more like it. There is a Grote distributor a few miles from me. I could rig up brackets that affix to the leading edge of the car top carrier and tie in to the marker light wires with plug-in connectors.

I've never had an encounter with cariboo, moose, deer etc. What is the point of the extra lighting? Is it to see 'em sooner, or scare 'em away better, all the above...?