NEWBIE ALERT! I've got '48 D24 in BAD shape!

[Plymouthy Adams]

Brad..you missed a prime opportunity to show off the Chrome wiper knob...

[Young Ed]

I believe I have an extra of that little emblem below those ribs. Not sure why I have it but it certainly doesn't fit my plymouth. PM if you want it

[Brad Lustig]

Brad..you missed a prime opportunity to show off the Chrome wiper knob...

I wanted to show off obtainable goals, jeez!

[Plymouthy Adams]

here is mine that I bought just for the dash..I did not like the 41 style as well as the 46-48...

And then this is the same pieces after a bit of polishing with 0000 steel wool...

[Norm's Coupe]

Once the car will move on it's own you can always say you use it as your transportation. If the condo association still complains about the looks and you are not ready to work on that. Pick up a can of something like XO Rust paint and paint the car all one color with a roller or brush. Just wash it first and paint right over the rust. You will need to strip the car anyway before doing the final job, so it won't matter if you paint over a little dirt or rust. Now, the car not only moves around but it's not an eye sore to the other owners of the condo's you live in.

[Guest VivianRegan]

Greg g... quick note: the car was a gift from a guy with whom I am still pals. They used it as a family car through the '70s, and may have gotten it from the original owner.

All I have to do is ask him. He at least remembers when it ran. He doesn't have the keys or the title, so I have to get replacements for those.

[Young Ed]

HAHA see my story about last weekend. I know how to replace the lost keys now.....

[1just4don]

MOST nice condo places around here all have garages for all the occupants. Even if you have to leave your daily driver outside to park the fixer inside,,,its worth it.

Or where else the closest to your place you can find,,,can you rent a garage stall. Around here you have to be in the country OR inside a garage because the city will write tickets faster than you can pay them. What goes on inside a garage, stays inside the garage.

You could also look for closed down empty store buildings that are unused. Something with a door in it. Most old building owners would be glad to have a little taxes bill paying help. Even an old vacant gas station! Even an old pole shed,dirt floor on the outskirts of town that some yuppie was sure they needed when they bought that old farm place,,,but now cant seem to figure out why. Around here we have corn cribs and other goofy worthless buildings around. Some times have to get real creative. Maybe owner needs grass cutting help,,,handyman repairs to this or other buildings or houses. Maybe its a building you can put a door into,and doesnt have one now. Guess where you are,dont need to offer snow scooping help,,,maybe.

Keep looking,, how about the guy you got it from,,,do they have space?? Or know where YOU can find some?? Even a widow maybe who only needs half of a double garage cause her husband has died and his car is now gone or left, for other places?? Maybe a corner of a larger space they arent using all of. Like at your work or similiar??

Others have given you great advice as to cleaning it out,get it rolling, and making it look okay while you get other issues fixed. A vacant lot close by??A extra old style garge that somebody is going to replace with a new garage. jack it up and move it over. Just make it work for you!! Even a portable carport with extra tin around the outside is better than nothing,,,and tie it down. Maybe look for a extra little lot around where it isnt big enough for a house,,,left over v shape or something,,,just a sliver of ground,big enough for a garage too small for any other practical use.-- Just keep you eyes and ears and mind open,,it will come around.

[JIPJOBXX]

Yep these old car really do become additive and if you own it long enough it becomes part of you. My old Dodge was suppose to be a twin boys and father project but like I say they became addicted to the Nintendo Machine and dad well he just played with the old Dodge.

Those two kids now are out of College and one of them if I may brag is going oft to Law School (Stanford!) this fall and so is my wallet!!!!

[blueskies]

If I could get it on the road for $4k-$5k, I'd be elated.

I think this all depends on what you want to end up with on the road. The $4-$5K number is sort of like thinking you can build a house for $50 per square foot. Sure it can be done, but what is the end goal...

I have about $4k into my engine alone... but then again, I have a different end goal than most guys here .

I'm all for getting your hands dirty and giving it a go. But you should carefully consider what you plan to spend and what you will get for the money. Nothing worse than spending your wad of cash only to realize it was about half of what it will take to get you where you want to be. Then what... Also, if you are the type to enjoy the journey more than the destination, I think this car is a perfect candidate for the journey. If you are a destination type of person, then I think spending the money on a nicely kept original would be a better route.

Pete

[Guest VivianRegan]

I went out this weekend after galivanting around the state and examined my D24 with a critical eye...

It's a keeper, it really is. I love the lines, the stainless steel trim, the massive interior.

Dad and I popped the hood(s?) and had a gander at the engine compartment... what's all that superfulous room for? It's amazing!

Then, I got a call from my HOA today... "Sure," they said, "you can park it here." It's a complex in transition... a mix of owner-occupants and renters. The cheapest place to live near the Cardinals Stadium. The HOA is flexible, as long as one pays their dues on time, and keeps there place presentable, and I do.

Before the end of the summer, it'll be parked by my back fence, all cleaned out and ready for some serious tinkering. Before then, I have a little thing called a thesis to complete. Homework first, play later!

I'm printing out all of your posts for future reference... THANKS A BUNCH!

The engine...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f209/trippendicular/The%20Dodge/engine1.jpg[/img]"]

[Guest VivianRegan]

Yep these old car really do become additive and if you own it long enough it becomes part of you. My old Dodge was suppose to be a twin boys and father project but like I say they became addicted to the Nintendo Machine and dad well he just played with the old Dodge.

Those two kids now are out of College and one of them if I may brag is going oft to Law School (Stanford!) this fall and so is my wallet!!!!

HILARIOUS! I was one of those Nintendo kids... whole summers of it (it was 120 degrees outside!) And now look... done with the bachelor's, nearly done with the master's, and it's DODGE TIME for me.

Congrats on the Stanford-bound boy!

[Dennis_MN]

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/323300984.html

A 48 Plymouth in central Minnesota for $2500. Doesn't look bad, but it sure sounds like a project from the description.

Dennis

[1just4don]

Grab that fan blade sticking out there,use other hand to push on the fan belt,,,to keep it tight and from slipping and PULL as hard as you can. If it rolls over by doing this,,,so much the better. IF it is rusted tight it quite another matter.(doing this with a running condition motor with the switch accidentlly left on,,,may result in broken or missing fingers) (dont think you have to worry from what I see this car condition to be)(specially with NO battery!!)

Do I detect you are a "lady" . Sorry if I am in error tho. Are there "OTHER" ladies on this forum??? Or are the few names that could go either way mostly male ??. IF You are a lady,,,must be a GOOD one,to want to tackle this project. 'Some' ladies would prefer to be in their A/Ced houses admiring their 152 pairs of shoes,,,or inside their A/Ced car going shopping for pair 156. Nothing wrong with that, just a different kind of person. Good luck,glad you can park at your house,makes for a good lawn ornament.--just don--

[Young Ed]

Ohoh if there are females amongst us will we have to clean up our acts? I think Don Cs wife was keeping an eye on us briefly-she must have given up

[Don Coatney]

Ohoh if there are females amongst us will we have to clean up our acts? I think Don Cs wife was keeping an eye on us briefly-she must have given up

Ed;

My wife Lisa gave up "keeping an eye" on me years ago. That would have been a full time profession for her. Now days she just reminds me to stay in line using the cattle prod as required. May 14th marks 25 years for Lisa and I.

[Young Ed]

I'm sure she soon realized the rest of us weren't worth watching either...

Congratulations on your anniversary! Will there be a big bash?

[Plymouthy Adams]

Will there be a big BASH....Only if he slips up and forgets..

[Allan Faust]

Some repairs to be done in the front floor, but very minor compared to some on the forum who have no floor at all!!!!

.

I resemble that remark.... from someone who found an aluminum siding rocker panel on mine..... Its been quite an adventure tearing down these past 2 years, but being here (the forum) and all the help (the guys/gals on the forum) and the fun of accomplishment (every little step teardown or buildup) its been worth it.....

Allan

[Allan Faust]

Ed;

My wife Lisa gave up "keeping an eye" on me years ago. That would have been a full time profession for her. Now days she just reminds me to stay in line using the cattle prod as required. May 14th marks 25 years for Lisa and I.

Congrats Don.... takes quite a man to tolerate a woman that long.... (loud slap)... ouch, that was my wife of 5 yrs...... may I hope to reach 25.... Hope you have 25 more....

Allan

[Young Ed]

Allan dad bought a 53 4dr for parts once that had a 2x10 for rocker/floor. The door pilar was screwed into the wood! The 1/4s were chicken wire with bondo on it. Twas quite the car.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Are you saying his car was a chicken coupe????

[Young Ed]

It might be one by now. It was parted out and recycled for the most part. Don't think there was much good stuff left in that car! That's what ignition switch I found laying around to hotwire my coupe when I forgot to bring the key to the cabin.

[Allan Faust]

Are you saying his car was a chicken coupe????

That's sick Tim...... and I thought it was a woody wannabe.....

Allan

[James_Douglas]

Vivian,

You have been given some very good advice. But, I must disagree with my fellow car nuts on one pint.

On an engine that has sat for a long time DO NOT try to turn the engine over. Surface rust will have formed on the cylinder walls. Any dry movement of the engine will scrape that rust and destroy what ever is left of the piston rings and bearings

In addition, these cars originally had cast iron rings. Cast iron rings that are not regularly heated and cooled by running loose their ductility (springiness). So they won't seal well no matter how worn or not they are at this point.

The best and cheapest way to try and save the engine for running around is to do what Pete just did to fix his bad pin bushing.

First, take the side covers off and clean out the little "wells" that feed the lifters. You will know what I mean when you see them. They will be full of oil ash gray gunk sludge. Let that all go into the oil pan. Use turpentine to flush them out.

Remove the oil pan and clean well.

Then take off cylinder head off. With the head off, barrow a "ridge rimier" from a shop and take the little ridge off you will feel with your finger on the top of the cylinders.

Fill the cylinders with transmission fluid and let it sit and drip out for a day. Set a big pan under the car to catch it. Then take some steel wool (fine) and scrub any surface rust out of the cylinders. Wipe out and get as clean as you can.

Use a sharpie and label the pistons before taking them out. Now tap out the pistons from the bottom to the top. Make sure you do not mix and match the bearing caps and bearings. Number six plastic bags before you start and put them in the bag as you take each one out.

When you have the pistons out inspect for cracks. If crack free then clean the pistons well and order a new set of rings. A machine shop can help measure the piston size and order the rings for you.

There is a tool that attaches to a drill that will clean you cylinders for you in place and it is called a cylinder hone. A few passes up and down to de-glaze the cylinders is all that you want.

Put the pistons back in after putting some oil on them and use some assembly lube on the rod bearings. Put the head back on with a new gasket. Put the oil pan pack in. Use an oilcan and spray the lifters and the camshaft as best you can, then put the side covers back on.

Now, make sure the engine is full of water, no anti-freeze, add some 15w-30w engine oil, not good stuff as you will drain it soon.

Get a fresh battery and with the coil wire disconnected turn the engine over for 15 second bursts with rest times of 30 seconds. Do this 4 times. Then turn the engine over for a full 60 seconds. The oil pressure gauge should show lift off of zero. Once that is done you are ready.

Get a can of engine starting fluid. Give two good squirts down the carburetor. Put the coil wire back on and try to start the car. It may take 2 or 3 times with the starter fluid. (I am assuming you cleaned the fuel line out and have fresh gas and a new gas filter)

If it starts, keeping an eye on the oil pressure (25-35 PSI or more) you MUST bring the engine up to about 1500 RPM and hold it there for 10 minutes for the new rings to seat. Do not change the RPM. After 10 minutes you can let it idle.

At this point you are set to do the fine tuning and such. I have used this process to save a number of old engines. If the rod and main bearings are ok and the valves are not burnt you can expect the car to run good using this procedure.

Run the engine for 30 minutes and drain out the oil. Put in some 20w-50w oil, the good stuff, and you are ready to roll.

If you turn it over by hand or just dump oil down the cylinders and try to start it, it may well run, but in a year or less you will be pulling the engine for collapsed rings and low compression.

Best of luck, James