RobertKB Posted February 29, 2008 Report Posted February 29, 2008 I hadn't done a a tune-up to my '48 Dodge D25 Club Coupe in 20+ years and about 15,000 miles. Forked out $70 for plugs, points, condensor, rotor, and distributor cap. Pulled the plugs and and distributor which is easier to work on when sitting on the bench. Thought to myself that the motor looked a bit faded so decided to throw some paint on it. Put in the old plugs and brushed on a liberal coating or Tremclad (Rustoleum) to the head and down the side anywhere that was easy to reach. Threw all the new parts in and guessed at the timing and she fired on the second time over. I knew the timing was retarded (like the owner) but got lucky with my guess and it is presently set as 2 degrees BTDC. I am going to do a test run tomorrow as it is supposed to be 50F here tomorrow. I know at car club events this spring people will ask if I rebuilt my motor over the winter. If only all rebuilds were so cheap!! Only thing I would like to add are some new plug wires that look more original. Quote
mackster Posted February 29, 2008 Report Posted February 29, 2008 WOW that's a looker! if it rides as good as it looks, you will be doing real good! great job. Mack G. Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 29, 2008 Report Posted February 29, 2008 Robert is that the high heat Tremclad aluminum, or the regular paint, it comes in bombs and in the can, does it not. I am going to do the same thing on my engine soon.................Fred Quote
40phil41 Posted February 29, 2008 Report Posted February 29, 2008 Sounds just like my '41. Hasn't had a good tune-up in a long, long time. When it comes out of winter hibernation in May I intend to do the exact same thing (including paint the engine). With the addition of new brake shoes and rebuilding of the brake wheel cylinders. Phil Quote
RobertKB Posted February 29, 2008 Author Report Posted February 29, 2008 Fred, that is just the regular old Tremclad. I put that on 25 years ago the first time and it was just looking tired so I decided to use the same paint again. Bought a small tin of it and a decent brush and had it done in about 20minutes. Phil, although my car ran smoothly and started OK, I know I will notice a big difference in performance. Last year I did the same to my '63 Fairlane with the 260 CID in it and again although the car ran OK I noticed a huge difference in performance and gas mileage. They deteriorate slowly and you don't really notice until you do the tune-up and then it seems like you put in a new motor. Well worth the expense and I plan on doing them more regularly in the future. Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 26, 2008 Report Posted March 26, 2008 Hi all, I done did the same thing as Robert, I gave my old flattie a new paint job (silver), painted the oil filter canister, the genny and a few other items, the rest was done not too long ago, still need to paint the rad. Man does she look purdy, will pst pics later..........Fred Quote
hkestes41 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 I did much the same with my new engine and OD transmission plus a few bits of "bling". Will be out with the old and in with the new in the next couple of weeks after my travel schedule slows down. Quote
david lazarus Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 Hey hkestes41, That is a really great looking engine and transmission set up, one day I might get some of that stuff on mine. However.....why do the twin carbs tilt to one side?? (sorry if this seems a dumb question!!) Quote
hkestes41 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 Hey hkestes41, That is a really great looking engine and transmission set up, one day I might get some of that stuff on mine. However.....why do the twin carbs tilt to one side?? (sorry if this seems a dumb question!!) The rear carb mounting flange on the Offenhauser intake is just slightly taller than the front one. It is that way on all the Offenhausers I have seen. Why exactly I do not know. The difference is not as big as it appears in the pictures and the engine cradle I built to transport the engine/trans home from Colorado in had to be modified slightly once I got there to allow for the OD solenoid. So the rear of the engine sets a little higher than the front in the cradle which I think may exagerate the look some. Quote
Johnny S Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 What fan are you running on this engine? Is it just an aftermarket 6 blade? Quote
Guest rockabillybassman Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 The rear carb is higher so that they both sit on a level plane when in the car. Your engine does not sit level, it is higher at the front and forms a straight line through the centre of the crank all the way back to the pinion in the diff. Or it should. Carbs work best when they're level. Quote
hkestes41 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 What fan are you running on this engine? Is it just an aftermarket 6 blade? It is the fan that was on the engine when I bought it out of a 53 wagon. Far as I know it is stock. Quote
hkestes41 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 The rear carb is higher so that they both sit on a level plane when in the car. Your engine does not sit level, it is higher at the front and forms a straight line through the centre of the crank all the way back to the pinion in the diff. Or it should.Carbs work best when they're level. I was thinking that maybe they are like that because it is going to be so damned fast now, that if they didn't tilt to the front all the gas was going to slosh out the rear of the carbs. Quote
david lazarus Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 Ha Ha, I like hkestests41 explanation. But Marty, I think yours makes more sense. I have Offy dual intake and headers on their way to me now so hope to get that set up in the next few months. Quote
1940Mopar Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 hkestes, where did you pick up your side valve covers. I'm looking for a set to go on my motor, and the couple of places that used to carry them don't seem to have them anymore. Quote
fireman_033 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 there is a set on ebay now Item number: 250229192857 34.00 plus shipping no reserve. Quote
hkestes41 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Posted March 27, 2008 hkestes, where did you pick up your side valve covers. I'm looking for a set to go on my motor, and the couple of places that used to carry them don't seem to have them anymore. I bought mine from Langdons. A bid higher price that the ones which show up fairly regularly on Ebay. But, since I was already buying a bunch of parts from Langdons and Tom was so willing to offer advice and information, I went ahead and purchased from him. Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 28, 2008 Report Posted March 28, 2008 Here she is all cleaned up, painted and lookin purdy............Fred Quote
Normspeed Posted March 28, 2008 Report Posted March 28, 2008 Lookin good. Part of the fun is seeing people's faces when they look under the old hood and see a neat little flathead looking back:D Quote
RobertKB Posted March 28, 2008 Author Report Posted March 28, 2008 Hey Fred, The motor and accessories look good. It's amazing what a little paint will do? Did you use Tremclad? Where did you pick up your plug wires as that is exactly the style I am looking for? Happy motoring. We are expecting 10-15 cm of snow overnight and tomorrow so I took my '53 Plymouth out for a long run today. Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 28, 2008 Report Posted March 28, 2008 Roberts they are form Roberts Motor Parts, But I would use more modern types from a trctor store or something, these are okay, look good, they were only about $20.00. Yes this is Tremclad, and home Hardware Paint on the oil filter and genny. We may get that 4 to 6 inches of snow tomorrow, we sure as heck don't need that.............Fred Quote
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