JR-39D11 Posted April 10, 2013 Report Posted April 10, 2013 I haven't been able to work on the Dodge as much as I would like but I still hope to be able to drive it this summer. I thought I would provide a status update.I have the front suspension back together with new kingpins, tie rod ends, upper and lower control arms, repacked the bearings; the brakes looked good so did nothing there. I also flushed and treated the gas tank with the POR gas tank kit, the tank was filled with rust sediment, I drained and refilled the rear-end and the steering box. What’s left is to remove the dash start the rewire and get speedo fixed Replace the rubber brake lines and flush the brake system Install the rebuilt engine, with the transmission Figure out how to mount the front fender lights And cross my fingers. Quote
JR-39D11 Posted September 25, 2013 Author Report Posted September 25, 2013 Big step this weekend. I can't find the dipstick tube and a few things a bit hard to remember but getting there. Quote
jcmiller Posted September 25, 2013 Report Posted September 25, 2013 It's looking good, but I think we only have a couple weeks of summer left here in the NW! Quote
GlennCraven Posted September 25, 2013 Report Posted September 25, 2013 Lots of good work. ... Good luck finishing! Quote
pflaming Posted September 25, 2013 Report Posted September 25, 2013 Very nice work. Question: why do you put the short block in first then assemble the rest later. Why not complete the engine then install. Not criticizing, just curious. Quote
JR-39D11 Posted September 25, 2013 Author Report Posted September 25, 2013 (edited) It's looking good, but I think we only have a couple weeks of summer left here in the NW! I had hoped to be done by now but between my back going out and OCD kicking in after I saw how good the paint started to look after some test buffing (I probably have about 50+hrs in buffing and detailing). All the paint was completely oxidized by the years of sitting - this is a true barn find. We established that it has been repainted but it's well over 40years ago by looking at the service sticker date in the door jam. The only new paint that is on this car is going to be on the Engine everything else is detail work and since summer is done I have plenty of time to do probably 40hrs move of polishing to finial waxing before I'm totally done. Very nice work. Question: why do you put the short block in first then assemble the rest later. Why not complete the engine then install. Not criticizing, just curious. Just timing choice. I had folks willing to help me get the block in but I wasn't completely done and I figured get the help while it's there. it's so open without the front clip and with a lift I figure I'll be fine finishing. Edited September 25, 2013 by JR-39D11 Quote
JR-39D11 Posted October 14, 2013 Author Report Posted October 14, 2013 Getting close to starting it for the first time since the tear down (just in time for winter), however in the whole tear down and rebuild process I misplaced the dipstick tube. Anybody have thoughts on what I can do to get something working? Quote
JR-39D11 Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Posted January 26, 2014 front clip finally back on. Quote
Smokeywolf Posted January 30, 2014 Report Posted January 30, 2014 Nice build Will you do the shock relocation modification? Quote
JR-39D11 Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Posted February 10, 2014 Nice buildWill you do the shock relocation modification? I'm not aware of the modification your asking about? The car did make it out of the garage for the first time in nearly two years but even though I've bleed the breaks multiple times I still can't seem to get all the air out of the lines. I probably went about a 100ft on the road and due to the brakes just turner around and put her back in the garage. That was enough to get me excited. Quote
Smokeywolf Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 Very nice build How many of the D11 B/coupes are still around? I have one Quote
Lumpy Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 That is VERY nice. Would be very proud to drive that down the street, or better yet, country road. Hope you put some fresh paint on that air cleaner!!! I'm curious, why does the car sit so high in the front? ken. Quote
JR-39D11 Posted February 28, 2014 Author Report Posted February 28, 2014 That is VERY nice. Would be very proud to drive that down the street, or better yet, country road. Hope you put some fresh paint on that air cleaner!!! I'm curious, why does the car sit so high in the front? ken. Sorry to disappoint but no Fresh paint is going on that air cleaner or the horns. I painted the block, starter and generator since they were so bad with oil and rust but the rest of the car I'm just shining and cleaning what's in place; I just finished the front fenders. before and after pictures attached. The front is stock height the rear has a four inch drop to give it a"Tail Dragger" look I might just go to 2 or 3" drop in the rear so I'm not looking into the sky while driving. Quote
Lumpy Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 okay...I get it. !!! Haven't seen the tail dragger look for so long, I didn't recognize it. ken. 1 Quote
sig Posted February 28, 2014 Report Posted February 28, 2014 love the stance. just been trying to decide how to do mine also..I´m a bit bored of lowriders . (they´re everywhere) and the d11 nose looses a lot of impact when its below chest height !!...I´m between taildragger and gasser also ...great stuff mate 1 Quote
JR-39D11 Posted March 25, 2014 Author Report Posted March 25, 2014 First drive this weekend, not to far but about 20miles, didn't want to push it, the car is not insured yet and I don't have bumpers but it did good. The brakes worked good (took about five bleeds to get all the air out) steered okay but I still need to tune the front end, the Camber is way out of whack in fact everything works accept the radio, that just blows the fuse a half sec after turning it on. I hope to have some better pictures soon of how good the paint buffing came out. Quote
JR-39D11 Posted April 7, 2014 Author Report Posted April 7, 2014 Still need a rear bumper and glove box door and to break in the engine. [ 1 Quote
sig Posted April 7, 2014 Report Posted April 7, 2014 more than great !, fantastic!!!..a thing of beauty indeed, love the colour too 1 Quote
Niel Hoback Posted April 7, 2014 Report Posted April 7, 2014 That sure is nice looking ! Perfect period color, also. 1 Quote
fstfish66 Posted April 10, 2014 Report Posted April 10, 2014 i also love the color,,and the front trim, ive only seen one or 2 1939 dodges and none as nace as yours,,didnt realize 39 had same front bumper as my 40,,,your looking for a rear bumper for the 39 ?? 1 Quote
JR-39D11 Posted April 10, 2014 Author Report Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Thanks all, the color is great but I can't take credit for picking it, that's what old paint looks like when you do about seven stages of buffing. the before and after shots I have really show how that old paint came back to life but it was very labor intensive. I have the rear bumper but it is very rusty and the chrome is peeling away. I want a nice used bumper, my goal for the car is to make it look like a survivor that aged nicely and not have a bunch of new or redone stuff unless it is NOS from the right period. The picture shows how drastic the paint improved. Edited April 10, 2014 by JR-39D11 Quote
Niel Hoback Posted April 10, 2014 Report Posted April 10, 2014 Knowing the story behind it, I like it even more. Quote
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