Suburban, 53 Plymouth

[pflaming]

No, I'm adding the 12 to the 6 and use the 12 for electronic services, like DVD player for the grandkids! Or GPS , ! , ! . !

[Don Coatney]

PP listen carefully to what I am saying. Twelve volts will work with 6 volt wiring. Six volts will not work with 12 volt wiring.

 

If you install 12 volt wiring on a 6 volt vehicle you are creating a fire waiting to happen. Reason being the amp load capacity on 12 volt wiring is half of the amp load capacity of 6 volt wiring. Therefore the 12 volt wire size is half of the 6 volt wire size. You have been on this forum long enough that you should know this.

[pflaming]

Don, yes your kind reminder is very important to know. The kit is a 12 volt kit. I wired my truck accordingly. I m using a kit now because accuracy in an electrical harness cannot be stressed enough and I don't trust myself on that, for that reason I will put a 12 volt KIT in the truck before I give it to my daughter in Indianapolis.

Have a great new year! Paul

[Don Coatney]

Don, yes your kind reminder is very important to know. The kit is a 12 volt kit. I wired my truck accordingly. I m using a kit now because accuracy in an electrical harness cannot be stressed enough and I don't trust myself on that, for that reason I will put a 12 volt KIT in the truck before I give it to my daughter in Indianapolis.

Have a great new year! Paul

Hard to understand what you are saying. Is your truck and suburban fully converted to 12 volts, using a 12 volt battery and a 12 volt charging system with the old 6 volt stuff eliminated?  

[pflaming]

Yes. And I am using an alternator not a generator. Electrical has become that important to me.

[pflaming]

Progress update. The inside is very clean, sans all seats and dash, today I cleaned the firewall and I'm working on the fenders and hood to have them ready to install when the car is hauled back from my body shop friend. He is putting in a new floor.

Firewall looks great, will leave it as is.

[Plymouthy Adams]

pflaming, on 11 Jan 2016 - 5:58 PM, said:pflaming, on 11 Jan 2016 - 5:58 PM, said:

Progress update. The inside is very clean, sans all seats and dash, today I cleaned the firewall and I'm working on the fenders and hood to have them ready to install when the car is hauled back from my body shop friend. He is putting in a new floor.

Firewall looks great, will leave it as is.

image.jpgimage.jpg

 I must have a serious problem with my monitor....anyone else see large patches of rust?  

Last we spoke you was going to do this one right...now you going to leave the firewall status quo...and I know you not going to be able to match that paint.....you need to kill that rust...you need to paint it a nice protective finish and one that is not oxidized and broken down..if not oxidized then why you got rust where you do..the surface seal has been breached...the engine is out...the firewall is easily accessable...do it some justice..only takes a few extra minutes...

Edited January 12, 2016 by Plymouthy Adams

[RobertKB]

I concur with Tim. The engine is out so do something with the firewall while it is easy. While my engine for the '51 Dodge business coupe was at the rebuilders, I did the lower part of the firewall. Gave it a good sand by hand, cleaned it up with a bit of varsol, primed, and painted. One spray can of primer and a couple of paint which is the colour I have chosen for the car. Probably two hours total.

 

 

 

[pflaming]

You guys are very convincing, will clean the bottom, prime and paint. I like like how you two toned your wall.

Robert, question: are the girls in those pictures American girls?

[RobertKB]

You guys are very convincing, will clean the bottom, prime and paint. I like like how you two toned your wall.

Robert, question: are the girls in those pictures American girls?

 

Paul, the firewall will not stay two tone as the whole car will end up the colour of the lower firewall. Pictures don't do the colour justice. It is very close to the original green the early '50's mopars were often painted.

 

I believe most of the girls are American but in my world I call them alluring and nice wall candy. Even my wife likes them and says they look cute. I have a very understanding and loving wife of over 40 years who puts up with me, my old cars, and girlie pictures.

[Don Coatney]

Painted my firewall before installing the engine.

 

[pflaming]

I hauled the '53 to my body shop friend to weld in new floor panels. The first picture is my suburban, the engine pics are his car.

Between jobs he is installing a SBC in a plymouth suburban. Thought some might like to see what he is

Doing.

http://p15-d24.com/topic/35857-official-engine-picture-thread/page-7#.

Edited January 15, 2016 by pflaming

[DJ194950]

You sure that is not yours? Sure looks like it!

 

DJ

[deathbound]

Nice patina on that V8.

[pflaming]

For the record: 1) I am a NOVICE mechanic so read me with caution, 2 ) without the help of very knowledgeable forum members I would have had a difficult time getting my truck back on the road, both times, 3) this is my hobby, therefore I listen but I retain the power of personal preference pertaining to paint, patina, presentation, preservation, Plymouthy, a propensity to prohibit the further use of "PP", 4) this suburban will be my last exercise in auto restoration so it will be a very personal build.

Special thanks to Graybeard, Plymouthy, D. Coatney, young Ed, Dave, BBQ Tim, the list is LONG.

With much appreciation and best wishes to all.

Paul

[ssnowden]

Speaking as a fellow novice and being a few years younger than you pflaming, your willingness to dive in to the deep end on these things has been fun and educational to watch. The experts give you a good-natured hard time sometimes, but always make sure you're considering all the options and keep you safe on the important stuff.

 

I've learned a whole lot reading your threads because sometimes you ask a question that experts don't remember that we novices don't know. Keep up the good work!

[pflaming]

Thanks Snowden. Your observation reminds me of an incident in 8th grade health class. The teacher, in a one room school house, was explaining diarrhea. Being a ranch boy at the far end of a long road with no telephone, no electricity, and no neighbors in three directions I had a rancher vocabulary. Poly syllable words were few, thunderstorm being one of them

When I asked what diarrhea was, the matronly teacher said it was a "sudden, fluid, movement of the bowels." "Oh, I replied, " you mean the trots!"

"Well yes, she said, that is what the ranchers would say". Actually when mom wasn't nearby, we called them the shits! So there you now know.

[pflaming]

I was intending to quietly build this suburban but I like." Build " threads, so got to do my part.

My first stage will be sound mechanicals, then interior to get me a driver. Then the exterior.

I have extra hoods and fenders so I'm experimenting with color so I ca paint the firewall. Looks like gray and white. I like te attached hood two tone,p to match the top. This is not the hood I will use so did little dedenting.

[pflaming]

Had to store some Dodge parts so used the truck. The trucks been sitting for possibly three weeks, I turned on the key, let the ELECTRIC fuel pump work for three seconds, it started on the 2nd hit, love that pump. Also love the consistency of disc brakes.

I'm struggling with constant leg cramps, sometimes in the calfs, sometimes in the thigh. Was told by a football coach that dill pickles prevent cramps. Got a jar on my bench and either eat a few or take a nice drink during the day, it has not eliminated the cramps but I think they are less severe.

Edited February 9, 2016 by pflaming

[pflaming]

I am working on my suburban dash, it must be cleaned and painted so I can wire it. I have '53 and '54 parts and discovered this mornig that these two dashes are different and parts do not interchange. The gauge cluster and the ash tray, to name two, are different.

[pflaming]

Update: dash cluster, all the internal parts interchange, the formed case and the frame do not. The opening on the 54 is larger than on the '53.

As most are aware, this is a time consuming task, so many bolts and screws, and layered parts. My suburban is at a friend's shop for a new floor, so lots of other things to do. To rewire, the dash had to be completed and now is. Will let the paint cure for three days. I have a kit from E Z Wiring which will be nice.

I trust this meets your approval. Will likely go burgundy on the seat covers, etc.

Edited February 15, 2016 by pflaming

[casper50]

Looking very sharp. Getting final paint down is exciting. I can't wait.  Getting close.

[pflaming]

Hey Casper, made some progress. This is really time consuming. The old dawg is attempting to stretch an aging mind![

attachment=59403:image.jpg]

[casper50]

I'm going to use a tintable undercoat on the bottom of mine.  Make it the same color as the final color I've picked out.  Looking good so far.  Takes time and patience.

[pflaming]

Casper. I'm making progress, it's all cleaned and primed. Inside parts, hinges, braces, etc as well. Will now put into storage till I get the car back with a new floor.