To do list

[Mark Haymond]

To keep my engine conversion work flow going smoothly I made a list of things I had TO DO to get the 47 Plymouth running again. It was a beautiful plan. I would hang the four page list on the garage wall and as I finished each step I could cross it off. My list would grow shorter and inspire me as the last project approached completion. Alas, I was an innocent in new territory. No one told me about the FOLLOW UP LIST and the dreaded RE DO list.

Some of the stuff did not have to be done to just get it back on the road. Things like floor carpet, relocated shock mounts, and new windshield wipers could be taken care of at my convenience after I got to enjoy driving my ride again. These went on my new FOLLOW UP LIST.

Frustration jobs on my (unwritten) RE DO list are to re do the thermostat housing gasket and hose fitting. Due to pitted metal surfaces on the engine side and the thermostat housing, choice of the wrong gasket material, and other misadventures, it took me four tries to get it to seal and not leak antifreeze. Final solution - used blue RTV and no gasket material. It is holding up well so far. Currently on the RE DO list is to put a seal kit on the Saginaw power steering pump, the one I got from the salvage yard six years ago. Gee, who could have guessed that it was not a perfectly good pump? It is leaking steering fluid onto the belt pulley and throwing it in a circle all over the engine.

Despite all this I can see that by next month it should be on the road again. I will then be able to take care of the FOLLOW UP items. Eventually I will just flat run out of setbacks. And I can ride and smile.

[54Illinois]

Sounds like you have a great game plan. I am too far for the list, for my engine, but I will use your idea for the body, or rebuilding a spare motor.

Thanks!

[JIPJOBXX]

Take out a bank loan to complete job!!!

[Plymouthy Adams]

I would say I am a compulsive list maker myself..they serve many purposes and most are there as a remeinder to cover all bases..but on days when the weather or other contributing factors prevent what you want to do.. a quick glance at the list can point out smaller jobs that can be quickly and easily done like polishing and packing away parts for reinstall etc..keeping in mind that it all eventually will have to be done..anything you get done today is one less thing to do later..

[Don Coatney]

Planning, and hard work do pay off in the future. Problem is that lazyness pays off right now!