49 Dodge Wayfarer (Coupe)

[Don Coatney]

Looking for front end adjustment specs Doc

Do you have a service manual or a MoTors manual. The alignment information can be found there.

[doctor dirt]

I got them off the net on a google search with the cars "vitals" fluid capacity and all that stuff. Next time I'll peek at the net then come here!!! Doc

Edited April 15, 2013 by doctor dirt

[Plymouthy Adams]

I would expect the wife to pay for the WWW's if she "confiscates" all votes...

[doctor dirt]

She's paying IN one way or another.......................  shhhhhhhhhhh!

[_shel_ny]

Thanks to all, shel_biz_48,  do you remember the size?

I may have hit the panic button too soon on the clock fuse. Yours is 3 amp, and may be different

 

Mine is a 2 amp fuse pretty common diameter.

 

The length is the uncommon part - 1948. The fuse is only 5/8" long, and I could not locate one that short in my travels.

[doctor dirt]

Thank you so much, I did find the adjustment settings on the net, I will try my pathetic search first then come running here if it fails!

I'm replacing fuses and light bulbs while waiting for the tires to roll in ...hahaha!! then I'll have tires+s mount and balance and then alignment and then attack the steering box, the deaded steering box   da,mn forgot about the brake drum assembly too!!! Last time I did this on a 66 Caddy Coupe deVille the springs were in the wrong places and the rear brakes only had one spring on each wheel hahahaha!!!! This takes time and patience so it will be a pain in the brain to do!!!

 

Theres nothing like getting a crooked car to drive straight and stop straight! Thats when the fun begins!

[Plymouthy Adams]

I would do any repair on the suspension prior to alignment...also make sure it has a good grease job prior to the shop getting it

[doctor dirt]

Yep everytime up on the lift we find one or two more fittings hahaha!!! The tires could be in by fri or sat if not next week. Shocks are all good coils too I will try to adjust the drums on Thurs but my mechanic maybe busy, I sneak the Dodge in when I can!

Shouldn't the steering box be last to mess with? I'm not sure but I think everything else needs to be in order to get that nice and even. Any comment?

nite all be back in the morning Doc

[Plymouthy Adams]

the steering wheel centering is part of the alignment. If there is x p[lay the center could ultimately be in X position later.....bye hey...that's entirely up to you and your local alignment folks...I have one car here that when aligned..must have the bumper off..a support plate installed  and a specified weight attached..fun fun fun..try explaining that to the shop....deer in the headlight looks 10 times more intelligent

[T120]

Theres nothing like getting a crooked car to drive straight and stop straight! Thats when the fun begins!

[doctor dirt]

Great piece Ralph, thanx Doc.

[doctor dirt]

Very true Plymouthy I just might get lucky and not have a huge box problem!! Today went well, I did nothing and no parts arrived I did forget to get my brake lines but their safe at the napa store! Hoping for Thurs nite to get things done and if the tires come in they'll be plenty to start!

 

Has anyone purchased a Fulton repop from the company in Calif. (can't remember their exact local.) Once the mechanics have settled down I want to begin the search for the visor!!! I've looked on ebay just to get a feel for avalibilty and costs. They seem to be mostly universal fitting but I need to know if theres "don't" buy certain ones. I see the adjustments is in the center (a slide adj.) but don't know anything about the hardware differences, if any!! Throw me some feed back if you've dealt with retailers and/or general info. thanx Doc (abit bored in S. Fla)

[doctor dirt]

Readjusting brakes on Thurs and will be checking levels my guess is dot3 is the choice for a 49 Dodge. Are there any specific brands to use or stay away from.

Doc.

[T120]

I use DOT3 in my Dodge.No brand loyalty.I believe they're all pretty much the same ...haven't heard anything to the contrary.

Edited April 18, 2013 by Ralph D25cpe

[Dodgeb4ya]

This is the 2 Amp OE MoPar shorty clock fuse used up through 1948. 1949 and later I guess were shorty 3 Amp.

Bob

Edited April 18, 2013 by Dodgeb4ya

[doctor dirt]

Excellant on both thanx, picked up some DOT 3 and will check the clocks fuse later. Theres an inline that goes to the stereo and runs the clock too so the fuse in the clock may welll be fine! Who ever rigged the stereo could have done a better job but right I'll leave it.

Tires won't be here till Mon or Tues so I have alot of time to check all fluids, fuses, bulbs and mess with the brake adjusters (see if anythings missing)

Got the car registered this morning and ins. card from Hagerts slipped in by email. Its legal but it wants to go NASCAR left turning hahahaha!!!! Later and thanx Doc.

Edited April 18, 2013 by doctor dirt

[doctor dirt]

Getting close to doing the things I listed when the car come here. For a rotiserre restoration this car sure needed some attention!!!! I guess sitting in a warehouse for 13 months isn't as bad as 30 years in a drafty barn but its not could either way! Heres whats left until something breaks or falls off;

 

1/Tail pipe hanger (very end)

2/wiper arm grommets (will dismantle Sat and hope to match it at the hardware store)

 

 

Hoping the steering box is a minor adjust once the tires are on, alignment and brake adjusters are in line!! Can't wait to get on the road!!!   Doc

 

 

 

 

 

flash!!!!!! once the brake adjustments are made does the Dodge self adjust when put in reverse and moved then hit brakes????

Edited April 18, 2013 by doctor dirt

[Niel Hoback]

     Self adjusting brakes came along about a decade after your car was built.  I think you should pull a drum and see how they work so that you will be more comfortable with them.

[Plymouthy Adams]

In all seriousness, do get the book for your car..if you have one already familiarize yourself with the systems that make up your vehicle...the book is very important to service and maintain this car

[doctor dirt]

The book is on the way, the fellow who was going to do the job is held up in Conn. and won't be down till next month. I have a friend who is a certified wrench but hasn't much experience on these brakes. He's very sharp and willing so the old man will get on the phone and guide him if he needs it.

 

I thought the self adjusting was on my early 60s Caddys but wasn't sure when they began.

 

I'm unable to do much of anything physically, I had a serious car vs cycle accident 3 years ago and besides my heel being degloved and my tibia broken through under my knee and above the ankle my back was broken multiple times! I couldn't wax a car let alone turn a wrench! Thats why I ask alot to try and pass along anything the young mechanic won't know on the car. Once the old timer is here I'm home safe! I was no mechanic when healthy but atleast I could do some things thats all changed! thanx fellows! Doc

[Plymouthy Adams]

understood...and am glad the book is on the way as the wrenches to be will be in need of the reference material and specs sheets found inside ..

[Niel Hoback]

And, it makes good reading!

[doctor dirt]

Tires just arrived from Diamondback,very quick delivery and they look very nice!! Tomorrow the new brake hoses go on along with checking to see if all the hardware is in place and adjusting the brakes. .

Sunday I have a 9AM appointment to swap out the Cokers for the Diamondbacks and then do the allignment. Hoping the 49 will be going down the road straight and true and stopping without a "hard dive left" hahaha!! I think the brake hoses will take care of the main reason for the dive but that drivers side front is not looking good. Exciting to get on the road!!!!  HA!! Doc.

[alsancle]

Please take and post some pictures with the new tires - even though they are whitewalls

[doctor dirt]

HA!!! I will, I need to identify what the grommets on the wiper arms are called. I can't search them because I think I'm wording them incorrectly. The motor works fine and everything is there except the grommets that maintain the arms on the motor.

Still looking for the tail pipe holder!!!

 

The brake fluid was down 3/4 of a small can and we alligned the brakes and bled them but they need a little more time (80% better). The breather cap was filled with dirt and grime so I freed it up with a bath and a small piece of tape for a tight seal! I'll check it again after I run 400 miles and dump motor oil and double check everything! 

 

Help with the GROMMETS is a big deal, rainy season is around the corner down here!!!! thanx Doc