falconvan Posted February 14, 2014 Author Report Posted February 14, 2014 Lots done in the past few days; I found a belt that fit and got the tensioner mounted, intake is mounted along with all the little gizmos bolted to it and hooked up. That stuff sure eats a lot of time. I found an adapter to eliminate the factory oil cooler and mount a take off plate so it's on the way and the cooling passages for the factory one are plugged. Quote
falconvan Posted February 22, 2014 Author Report Posted February 22, 2014 I've been sick for three days so I didnt get back out there until today. I got the O2 sensors put in and had to shorten the harness for the passenger side one. I made it way to long, not sure how I measured that wrong. I put the core support on and made a mount for the oil cooler (Caprice police car) and the remote filter. I'll have to get a 90 degree elbow to shoot the air intake sideways so the radiator will fit. Looks like a late 60s Mustang aluminum radiator is going to be the best fit. The passenger side wheel well still fits but the drivers side will need some surgery.I also picked up a new parts hauler yesterday; it's a 2000 3/4 ton Ram van with a 5.9. A little bit of a beater but it runs great, everything works, and has lots of hauling room. Best of all, it was cheap. Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted February 23, 2014 Report Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) If you like old movies, watch this car in "The Desperate Hours" 1955, starring Humphrey Bogart and Frederick March. March drives a 49 or 50 Plymouth business coupe. Edited February 23, 2014 by MarcDeSoto Quote
falconvan Posted February 23, 2014 Author Report Posted February 23, 2014 Cool! I'll have to check that out. Quote
JerseyHarold Posted February 23, 2014 Report Posted February 23, 2014 If you like old movies, watch this car in "The Desperate Hours" 1955, starring Humphrey Bogart and Frederick March. March drives a 49 or 50 Plymouth business coupe. Another movie that has a '49 Business Coupe (brief appearance as a NYC police car) is 99 River Street. I like this movie because there are a bunch of '52 Plymouth taxis in it. Quote
falconvan Posted February 28, 2014 Author Report Posted February 28, 2014 I got all the cooler and filter lines run tonight; hope to get radiator in and maybe fuel lines run this weekend. Quote
falconvan Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Posted March 2, 2014 Lots done today; got my radiator installed, starter back in, ran the battery cables for the trunk mounted battery, did some work on the panel where the ECC and relays are going to be mounted, and notched the steering column tube to clear the drivers side header. I raised the engine 1/2" but still had to notch it; forgot to account for the thickness of the header wrap when I built the header tube around the column. Im going to have to relocate the MAF; it's hitting the top of the radiator fan and I've got the radiator as far forward as it can go and the fan as low as it can go. But all in all; it's coming along pretty good. Im hoping there's an attempt at starting the engine in the near future! Quote
pflaming Posted March 3, 2014 Report Posted March 3, 2014 Your presentation is very helpful. Just one comment, you of all people should know that you don't TRY to start an old engine. Rather you do not stop working on it until it STARTS! Case closed! And yet, good luck and efficient work habits. Quote
falconvan Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Posted March 3, 2014 Very true! Just don't want to get overconfident. Quote
kented Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 which radiator/fan combo is that? looks like a really nice fit and upgrade for the coupe Quote
falconvan Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 Thanks, I got it off eBay; it's for a late 60s mustang. I had a hard time finding one narrow enough to fit between the rails of the original radiator support but this one did. Should be fine for cooling a V6. Quote
1FSTRYD Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Every thing is coming along very nicely. I can't wait to get to this stage on mine. I love the mechanics side of the builds Quote
falconvan Posted March 9, 2014 Author Report Posted March 9, 2014 Yeah, me too. I get bored with them shortly after I get one done and usually end up selling it and starting on something else. But this one might be around a while. I finally hit that point where I had to stop working on the car and start cleaning; the car was full of tools and junk, every flat surface was piled with stuff and I couldn't find anything. So now everything is cleaned up and I was able to get the car to the point of a crank test. Starter circuit works and after testing some voltages on the PCM it looks like I have power where it needs to be. Next thing is to run the fuel lines and see if she's going to start. Might get there tomorrow! Quote
DJ194950 Posted March 9, 2014 Report Posted March 9, 2014 Clean up before starting?? Can't get that in my head! I'd have to hear it run first! LOL!!! On your way, love it! Doug Quote
pflaming Posted March 9, 2014 Report Posted March 9, 2014 "I finally hit that point where I had to stop working on the car and start cleaning; the car was full of tools and junk, every flat surface was piled with stuff and I couldn't find anything." I was at that place also the day before. SO BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU THROW THINGS!! This morning I'm so tired I can't even sleep. But I'll be OK when the sun comes up. Today is Sunday so will go to a Mennonite Church. Don't have the energy for a Pentecostal service, maybe should even consider a Quaker Service. You have really done a magnificent piece of work on that coupe. Just absolutely beautiful. Quote
falconvan Posted March 9, 2014 Author Report Posted March 9, 2014 Thank you, Paul. I'm hanging out with the Baptists this morning. My wife and I sing at a little church not far from here once a month. I'd like to visit a Menonite service sometime, though. Quote
Tim Keith Posted March 11, 2014 Report Posted March 11, 2014 A good non traditional swap might be a Toyota 7MGE. This is an inline six of 184 cubic inches that makes about 200 HP stock. The dimensions of the block are similar to the 218 flathead. I've laid the Plymouth flathead head gasket over the Toyota block finding very similar dimensions. The bore spacing is similar to the 218, the 7MGE with a 2-thou larger bore. The five speed has a hydraulic clutch and ought to be relatively easy to adapt. The 7MGE is wide on the top with its DOHC but narrow down low on the block. Should be no issues with the steering box clearance. The 7MGE is the motor in Toyota Supra and Cresida. The stroke is relatively long for a modern engine(same as a Dodge 360 V8), but this inline six can rev to 7,000 RPM. The healthy stroke produces relative strong torque. The Supra weighs more than a P15. The inline motor is not a hot rod, but a cruiser motor that makes smooth torque. The turbo charged version 7MGTE is similar, making 230 HP, but with much improved mid-range torque. During its production years the Supra with the turbo motor had the quickest 50 to 70 MPH acceleration of any vehicle sold in the US. There are still some of these motors available from the JDM suppliers. Although it is foreign made, it is an inline six and it ought to work very well. Smooth, good torque and economy. The only issues with this motor is it is a good idea to replace the head bolts with ARP fasteners, or retorque the head bolts periodically. Its only 184 cubic inches but it is an excellent cruiser motor that will go 300,000 with regular maintenance. I think it would drop right in a P15. Quote
falconvan Posted March 15, 2014 Author Report Posted March 15, 2014 Sounds like a great idea, Tim. I've also thought about the 3.8 Supercharged v6; either the GM one or the one in the Tbird Supercoupe. Quote
falconvan Posted March 15, 2014 Author Report Posted March 15, 2014 It's alive! I've got a few wiring snafus to track down but it does run! Time to start reassembling and work on getting it road ready. Quote
pflaming Posted March 15, 2014 Report Posted March 15, 2014 You have a long list of envious forum members. Keep keeping us informed. We (I) love build stories, they are more realistic in problem solving and creative engineering than any car mag. Quote
DJ194950 Posted March 15, 2014 Report Posted March 15, 2014 congrats falconvan 2nd. that Big time!! Doug Quote
falconvan Posted March 15, 2014 Author Report Posted March 15, 2014 Thanks guys, I'm excited to get it roadworthy and take it out. Lots to do yet, though. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.