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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
  
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Hello, I'm Rick, from Tennessee
I have been a fan of the designs of Virgil Exner since I was a young boy. My father encouraged my obsession with old finned cars, and I knew that some day I would have the car of my dreams, a 1957 Plymouth. We would always see a 1957 New Yorker and a 1959 Dodge in this one lot downtown. Across town, we would occasionally spot a '57 Fury.... that was the one I remember most. At that time, the fins were as tall as I was. My dad pointed through the windows, explaining what "push-button drive" was. Then there was my grandfather's 1957 Belvedere Sport sedan that he bought new, and, although he traded it in the early 60s, he says to this day, it remains his favorite car. I knew for 25 years now that I would have one, and it has finally happened. My new ride.... a 1957 Plymouth Savoy, 4 door Sedan, original optioned 301 poly V8, 2 spd powerflite transmission, and 88k original miles. Inerior is original, paint is mostly original, with some spot repairs started (that will need to be done over) by the previous owner. He bought the car as part of an early sale of an estate in West Cape May, New Jersey. It has been tucked away in a detatched garage since 1993, having passed from one lady to another in the same family. The car came with a glovebox full of history, including her "Plymouth Owner's Certificate" and her driver's license that expired in 1975. It always stayed in the garage. As a result, the car has almost no rot... pretty impressive for the year and model, even more for the part of the country... I drove her off the transport truck when she arrived last week, and everything on the car works, even the dome lights. The only missing component anywhere on it is one of the "V" emblems off the right front fender.... 54 years, one piece of chrome... I think I can deal with that.
25 years is a long time, but I think my prize was worth the wait.
Attempting to add some pics, this is my first time on this forum, so bear with me here...
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Location: Under the X in Texas | Welcome, nice barn find, and glad to have you on board (I mean on forum). |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And a few pics from when I got the car last week, a year after she was pulled out of the building...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I am a bit of a history freak when it comes to my old rides, so after speaking with the previous owner, I opened the glovebox as soon as I drove the car down off the trailer.
The contents included:
- An unused box of moist towelettes
- Several stationery pads, including a pocket calendar for 1956-57.
- Several misc. receipts, including one for the fabricated exhaust for a staggering $27.90, from 1975
- Insurance cards ranging from 1990 all the way back to the first card that expired in 1959
- 1957 Utah State Road Map
- Hwy 93 Scenic Guide
- Shell brand "planning guide" for the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York
- Several Business cards and color postcards from Hot Springs, Arkansas
- A New Jersey DOT pamphlet regarding "new standardized signs you may start to notice on the roadways"
- Dealer Sales envelope from Kabalan Motor Service, Dodge and Plymouth Dealer in Cape May, NJ
- Loan payment receipt, showing an interest payment that left her balance at an even $700. She actually bought it new in June of 1958.
- Her Original Owners Certificate and expired driver's license from 1975.
- Brochure from the dealer about reccomended insurance, that matches the name on the cards, that matches the name on the key chain...
- and, an unused set of hardware to attatch the license plate on the car.
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Expert
Posts: 2612
Location: Parts Unknown |
Very VERY COOL ! Love the car and all the "extras" 
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | I love finds such as this. An even better bonus is knowing all the history behind the car!
---John |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13055
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Really nice barn find - congratulations and welcome! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Thanks for the kind words, guys.
It's all still like a dream to me how it all happened. After waiting for so long (25 + years and after a solid year of searching once I decided to make it a priority), i had decided to sell one of my projects to fund the purchase of the car I always wanted. I listed the final project car in my inventory one day, had it sold by the end of the day, then while searching some google images that very afternoon, found a pic of this car that was linked to an old classified ad. I called the number, he said he still had the car. A week later, it was paid for, and the title overnighted to me. Days after that, it was being off-loaded at my workplace. Just like that, it was mine. After going through the car inside, out, and underneath, I am very happy with my purchase. I am going to be welding in a passenger side rocker, inner and outer, a rear dog leg, same side, and the required headlamp caps and inner areas. And that's it. It seems that receiving an optional undercoating and being stored in a garage out of the elements really saved this old car. Had it been me, I would have never touched the car, other than buffing out the worn paint and fixing the mechanicals. Since the og paint has already been compromised, I plan to remove the engine, trans, driveshaft, and fuel tank while I have access to a lift at work. Then I will transport the body and frame to the house for the welding and body work. Meanwhile I can tear down the engine at work and remedy the oily steam coming from the tailpipe. Not going to touch the trans, however, it shifts just fine. Only problem there is a little external leak.. easy enough. I think I'll keep true to the original and go with the Silver Charcoal / Satin Gray paint for the exterior. The interior, other than some minor cleaning, is simply going to be preserved. I thought I saw moldy carpet in his pics. Turned out, the car still has the original pebble grain rubber floor lining from the firewall to the rear seat. Pretty excited, but i am going to do her up right so I can put her on the road with no worries about a long road trip... besides where to come up with the gas money. 
Thanks again. It's good to finally be home.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Oh, and I was wrong. TWO things were missing... the aforementioned emblem AND the engine oil dipstick.... still not bad...
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick, be careful in handling both the rubber floor mats and the trunk mat.
They may well be brittle, and nobody re-manufactures them, although didn't somebody re-pop the Plymouth
trunk mats a few years ago?
Nice find!
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Account Suspended
Posts: 2827
Location: At "The Rock" in upper East Tennessee | Welcome, You should come by my shop if you are ver around upper east tn. Right now there is a bunch of 57/58's sitting aound here in one stage or another.
Nice find you got there, be glad I didn't find it first. GO BIG ORANGE!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 4533
Location: Ripon, WI | My advice, pull that trans pan before you truly decide to leave it alone, and you will need to put a seal kit in it regardless if it has been sitting. |
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Member
Posts: 34
Location: CA | Welcome to the CLUB! It's really awesome to see that there are still people such as yourself that'll keep it original and revive such a sexy car and put it where it belongs... On the road! Do you plan on making it a show car or just bring her back to life?? |
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Location: Parts Unknown | BarnFind57 - 2011-03-29 4:21 PM
Oh, and I was wrong. TWO things were missing... the aforementioned emblem AND the engine oil dipstick.... still not bad...
*************************************************
Probably not worth fixing then. Call the crusher ! 
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | No trunk liner unfortunately... and, yeah, I was debating as to how to deal with the floor mat. Maybe get some kind of seal/rubber conditioner and soak it down really well before I try pulling it out. (I do want to pull it just to make sure if there is any surface rust in the floor that I can deal with it now while it is JUST surface rust. It is crumbling a little at the leading edge, and is worn through at the heel location under the pedals.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 58Donnie - 2011-03-28 8:59 PM
Welcome, You should come by my shop if you are ver around upper east tn. Right now there is a bunch of 57/58's sitting aound here in one stage or another.
Nice find you got there, be glad I didn't find it first. GO BIG ORANGE!!!
1.... I have been checking out the info on your site, VERY nice work you do there, sir. Who would have thought... all these years of lovin' these cars and you're right up the road. I may have to make the road trip.
2..... Yep, Glad I saw it first.
and...
3.... I was raised in a manner that I bleed orange myself.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | safetymike77 - 2011-03-28 10:26 PM
My advice, pull that trans pan before you truly decide to leave it alone, and you will need to put a seal kit in it regardless if it has been sitting.
Yeah.. I was planning on re-sealing it while it's out, but was debating about the internals....
Of course, we have a tranmission shop nextdoor to us, and their old rebuilder is a cool guy that I have helped out on a few newer cars... maybe i could enlist a little return favor.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Doctor DeSoto - 2011-03-29 5:31 AM
BarnFind57 - 2011-03-29 4:21 PM
Oh, and I was wrong. TWO things were missing... the aforementioned emblem AND the engine oil dipstick.... still not bad...
*************************************************
Probably not worth fixing then. Call the crusher !
Yeah... It's junk.... I hope I can get it in the dumpster....
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Sweden Vansbro | Really nice barn find - congratulations, Fun with all the extras, |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | take me back - 2011-03-28 10:58 PM
Welcome to the CLUB! It's really awesome to see that there are still people such as yourself that'll keep it original and revive such a sexy car and put it where it belongs... On the road! Do you plan on making it a show car or just bring her back to life??
I would call what i want to do a "driver resto". I want to go through all the mechanical bits, don't wanna be left on the side of the road... and fix the body to prevent any further rot, paint it back in the original colors, fix the seat covers... that's about it. I want it too look good, but, we have three kids, it will be parked in public places, will be driven on the roads... I don't wanna over-do it.
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Account Suspended
Posts: 2827
Location: At "The Rock" in upper East Tennessee | Come on up anytime man, I normally have a cold beer or two around and always have some stories to tell. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 58Donnie - 2011-03-29 8:47 AM
Come on up anytime man, I normally have a cold beer or two around and always have some stories to tell.
Now how can a man refuse that kinda invite. 
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | It good to see they are still being found. I just found 3 Plymouths today, 2 '57's and a '59. Great find you have there !!! I'll be posting pics tomorrow of my finds. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 591
Location: West Chester, PA | Hey Rick, welcome to the forward look! great find you have there!
I have a 57 myself, let me know if you need any help finding all those missing parts....
-Ron |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | After the disappointing test drive that saw the pedal on the floor and the car not particularly wanting to cease it's forward motion, I Couldn't stand to see her just sitting there in the garage at work, so yesterday after work i took the lid of the master cylinder, found no fluid inside, hence why the pedal had no resistance and went all the way to the floor. Added up some fresh fluid, pumped the pedal nice and slow a couple dozen times, and the pedal was rock hard, and right where it should be... started her up, let her pollute the surrounding air with burning oil for a bit, pushed the "D" Button and headed out for a spin. Drove much better this go-round, and after warming up, the blue smoke plume disappeared. She's still a bit squirrely in the stopping department, leaking fluid out the backing plate, but it's official... I am in love. I looked again, and the old, yellowed Bendix box under the front seat contained a new set of brake shoes and a couple of Raybestos wheel cylinder kits. Thinking that maybe this presented itself the first time a few years back...
Only other discovery was a small leak of coolant from the radiator, so I will need to fix that too, but overall really happy with the car. Hoping that the journey to refurbished and back on the road shall be a short one. I am trying to free up my schedule so i can get a weekend to yank the drivetrain and fuel tank so I can have the car hauled to the house where I can carry out any needed body repairs and paint. Hopefully will have it back on the road by the end of summer, but that may be a bit optimistic with my available time.
One question, I am needing an engine oil dipstick, mine had none, and they had bought an aftermarket one that doesn't even go into the tube all the way. Does anybody know for sure, for purposes of looking, does it need to be a 301 only part, or is one from a 277 or 318 an acceptable substitute? Personally, I have no clue. If anyone out there has an extra laying around, I would gladly offer some cash in exchange for it.
Thanks....
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | Please, by all means, please, fully rebuild the brakes. Yes, removing the rear drums is a pain, but the brakes are the most important part of the car. |
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Expert
Posts: 4533
Location: Ripon, WI | I think you need a poly one. I would take a picture of your dipstick tube and call Big M.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2011-04-02 12:24 PM
Please, by all means, please, fully rebuild the brakes. Yes, removing the rear drums is a pain, but the brakes are the most important part of the car.
You are absolutely correct, sir. Besides a common sense thing (especially being a technician myself), I live on one of the mountains surrounding Chattanooga. I have for many years said that running well is always nice, but stopping well is the only option in that department. So, yeah... all new brakes will be had. Probably all stock for now, then maybe on down the road doing a front disc upgrade... maybe now... I would like any input on stuff that's out there, if somebody has any info on them.
On that subject of brake upgrades... Opinions? Suggestions?
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | safetymike77 - 2011-04-02 4:00 PM
I think you need a poly one. I would take a picture of your dipstick tube and call Big M....
Thanks for the info, will do man.
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| Good thing you got it out of that "detached garage" when you did, looks like it was going to fall down soon. I'm doing several 1956 Plymouths, it's fun and interesting from your photos to see how the 57 is the same, and different. Your stories are definitely the same. Leaking brake cylinders are a constant problem, these cars need them every few years. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I have been busy working on this old lady during lunches, before and after work. The more I have let it run and driven it around (I have access to some large, unpopulated lots, so pumping the brakes is acceptable there) it's beginning to run much smoother, quite nicely now. What i originally thought was coolant residue, I believe now was just oil burning off, probably worn rings, valve stem seals, or both... but it's starting to lessen, as is the smoke now. Pushing forward with my "driver status" for the time being, took the radiator out after finding at least 3 pinholes in the core, having it re-done. It should be ready early this week some time. While that's out, I flushed all the nasty rusty crusty goop out of the block and lines. I have new hoses, thermostat, etc. waiting as soon as i get the radiator back. Also, since i intend to still tear into it pretty heavily this winter, I elected to simply pick up a couple cans of dark gray and white primer, and set about with a very minor taping of the trim, etc... didn't take anything off. Wasn't my intention to make it pretty, just better. I didn't even wash it... making all the easier to strip it right back off in a few months. Good news is I can now drive it around without looking quite so ridiculous... Brake system is next...
Pics of the progress....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Got the grille and the missing bumper pans from the previous owner the other day, so I can start reassembling the rather funny looking at current time front end. That should also help the overall appearance. Also, got to take apart the passenger rear door so i can get at the window regulator that seems to be siezed. Needing to get that fixed before i drive it around this summer.
Overall, coming along quite nicely, and quickly...
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Location: Parts Unknown | Since this thread began, I bought my own ugly old sedan ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Plymouth-1957-Plymouth-Plaza-_W0QQcm...
.... to crush.
I am envious that you can work on yours. I can hardly wait to get home and start
wrenching !
The Cape May history with your car is really cool. A VERY historic place to have found
that hidden jewel.
Keep the pictures coming !
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Doctor DeSoto - 2011-04-10 12:14 PM
Since this thread began, I bought my own ugly old sedan ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Plymouth-1957-Plymouth-Plaza-_W0QQcm...
.... to crush.
I am envious that you can work on yours. I can hardly wait to get home and start
wrenching !
The Cape May history with your car is really cool. A VERY historic place to have found
that hidden jewel.
Keep the pictures coming !
I saw that one... really cool history behind that car, having been sitting for so long. Looking forward to seeing work done on that one.
I had been looking for a while when i stumbled into this one. Seems like there are several really good for resto 57-58s popping up here recently. In the case of mine, it had been on Craigslist for a while, he had started around $3800. But, as he had no real interest in the model of car, he just thought it was "kinda cool"... his price kept rolling downward. I ended up purchasing it from an on-line local classified ad he had it lisetd in for half of his original asking price. I think i got a pretty good deal on the car, especially as little as it needs to be up and about again.
And, yeah... I think I am as likely to crush this one as you are that one....
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | BarnFind57 and DD, you 2 guys don't leave me out as I have deceided to put my '57 4dr HT back in service. I think all 3 of our cars have about the same paint , brake , engine work to be done. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | BarnFind57 - 2011-04-11 10:53 AM
And, yeah... I think I am as likely to crush this one as you are that one....
****************************************
Back around 1980 my brother and I took off for parts unknown, in search of old cars and
backwater wrecking yards. The primary objective was parts for his 60 Fireflite that we were
driving. This is just one example, but we spied this very promising looking wrecking yard
and pulled up out front. The owner and his hired guys were standing out front yawing it with
a local or two. We get out to their laughter at what we drove up in. When asked if they had
any finned Mopars, you'd have thought we told the funniest joke ever. When the laughter
subsided, we were told (through snickers) that they crushed all that stuff out the moment
it came through the gate. "No one wanted that sh!t". They clearly thought they had done
the world a favor by doing so, and equally felt that we were total idiots for not doing the same.
I hope to have my crusher done as soon as I get home. These ugly POS's just keep piling up !
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Member
Posts: 47
Location: England. | Hello Rick. Where's Signal Mountain mate? I was lucky enough to get to Donnie's place this time last year, a bunch of Forward Look fans joined me. I'm hoping to do the same before the end of the year... if I do I want to hit Memphis imediately after. Donnie's bash was an experience I won't ever forget..I just wish I'd been able to stay longer. It'd be good to see you there if Donnie does something similar again. Lee. UK
Edited by Doobster 2011-04-10 4:04 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Well if your going to Memphis you need to eat at the Rendevous Rib Restaurant. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Doobster - 2011-04-10 4:03 PM
Hello Rick. Where's Signal Mountain mate? I was lucky enough to get to Donnie's place this time last year, a bunch of Forward Look fans joined me. I'm hoping to do the same before the end of the year... if I do I want to hit Memphis imediately after. Donnie's bash was an experience I won't ever forget..I just wish I'd been able to stay longer. It'd be good to see you there if Donnie does something similar again. Lee. UK
Hi-ya, Lee.
I am def. gonna try to get up Donnie's way some day, hopefully soon at that. I would love to drop in on a gathering like the one he had last year. Should have this pile back on the road in some capacity in the next few weeks. Don't know how far I want to stray from home just yet with her, though. Really liking how your ride is looking, BTW.
As for my location in relation to Donnie, He is in the upper corner of the state, I am in the lower corner, same side. Signal Mountain is one of the mountains and ridges that form the ring around the bowl that is Chattanooga.
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Maybe we all could meet up and white water raft the Ococee River if Donnie puts anything together for this year. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Got her face put back on today.... getting prettier every day...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And, just one more.... mostly back together now, still snugging down bolts on the front panels and grille. got the wheel covers and fender spears back on. Looks more like a real car now. Now to finish the cooling system and go through the brakes... My wallet can hardly wait....
As she sits this morning.....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1116
Location: CA | That's a nice, solid, original car. Nice find! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ^^^^ Exactly why i went for it when i saw it. It's missing almost nothing, nearly everything works, and nothing has been altered. I was amazed at how badly butchered some of these cars have become over the years. Glad I could pick this one up for sure.
Today I got the water pump unbolted so i could flush the block out. Actually didn't appear to be that old, gonna just reinstall it with a fresh gasket. Also, got a call this afternoon from the radiator shop. Mine is ready, I'll pick it up in the morning on the way into work and get that back on tomorrow. I was worried about the condition of the heater core, after seeing all the nastiness that came plopping out of the block and radiator. The heater valve was closed, so i opened it, and hit it with a little water. When i did, all i saw was bright yellow green and clear. This was a good thing. I'll get the cooling system buttoned up and brakes are next on the list.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 782
Location: Edmonton, Alberta | The interior of that car looks amazing for a survivor car found in a barn! That will be a really nice car when you've got it fixed up. Glad to hear your sticking with the original colors. Sweet find! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | sconut1 - 2011-04-18 10:18 PM
The interior of that car looks amazing for a survivor car found in a barn! That will be a really nice car when you've got it fixed up. Glad to hear your sticking with the original colors. Sweet find!
Thanks for the kind words.
I was floored when i saw the interior in the pics, but then to have seen it in person, I was impressed to say the least. Very little i have to mess with there.
I got the newly refurbished original radiator back on, the shop did an incredible job on it. He had the core built for it, bead blasted the tanks and side frames, and assembled it back.... it looks really nice.
Cooling system is done up, now on the brakes.
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Location: Parts Unknown | Just a friendly tip to pass on from oldtimers that told me ....
When removing and replacing old gaskets relating to the cooling system (I often make them
myself from saved card stock), apply a liberal coating of bearing grease (preferably a day before
to let soak in) and then install. If you are like me, where regular servicing of this stuff is a matter
of course, the next time you go to remove the part, the gasket is free from the metal and can be
reused over and over again, as the grease causes the gasket to swell, giving a nice seal, yet it does
not adhere to the contacting metal.
Dishwashing soap can be a real plus putting hoses on to heater boxes and radiators and also
keeps the hose from gluing itself to the metal, so next time you need to pop the radiator, the job
is MUCH easier.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I have heard that one before. It works great on the flat gaskets. For rubber seals and bushings, I got spoiled on "Silicone Paste Lube" from 3M a number of years ago. really thick, clear paste works especially well on any rubber seals and hose connections. I always apply a bit from the stiff brush that comes in the can, and smear it around with my finger, creating a really thin coating... it seals, and lubes the connection. Nice stuff.
Edited by BarnFind57 2011-04-19 4:04 PM
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Been busy doing some grunt work....
The car ran great, but smoked like a freight train. Removed the valve covers, which were filling with oil, dug through the mountain of sludge, found the plugged up oil returns and got them flowing... stem seals on order, should have them in a few more days. All of this in the name of ending the plumes of blue smoke.... Once all of this is cleaned out, I'll flush the mess on through, and drain it out of the bottom and clean out the pan before changing the oil and filter and waking it back up again.
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | This morning, before work, I followed the suggestions of where they might have been left....
I have so far located two build sheets, one rough one taped under the glovebox, and another, save for a few mouse chew holes, in beautiful condition, hog-ringed to the springs under the rear seat.
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Location: Connecticut | Barnfind - What's that device that you have bolted to the head ? The thing with the long rod and brackets at each end. Ron
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ronbo97 - 2011-04-27 10:21 AM
Barnfind - What's that device that you have bolted to the head ? The thing with the long rod and brackets at each end. Ron
Valve spring compressor.... works grat, too. you put compressed air into the cylinder to hold the valves up, and then you use a lever/ handle that pivots on the long rod in the middle to force the valve retainers and springs down, take out the keepers. and take the spring off. Going to be replacing my stem seals.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Build sheets....
Under the rear seat and glued to the bottom of the glovebox. The under seat one was great, carefully removed it and placed it in a protective sleeve to preserve it. The one under the glovebox was so deteriorated from water that it tried to disintegrate when i touched it, so I overlayed it and adhered it completely to the box with crystal clear packing tape. It may yellow/ damage the ink, but that one was a loss any way, the paper was so brittle.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Gave her another bath yesterday after wrapping up under the hood. Finished de-sludging the heads. installed all new stem seals. flushed out the HUGE oil return holes in the heads.... Flushed the oil out once, about time to do it again. cleaned the old, green stripe AC plugs, reinstalled them, and got the valves sorta close so I could crank it up. Very little smoking now, running smoother everytime.
Underway with the cemical radiator flush now.... in the middle of it running for 3-6 hours... Got lots more nasty stuff out of the radiator.
Replaced the literally disintegrating ground cable with a new one. Starts up much better now.
Now, I just started up with the brakes. Need to get those working properly.... Not gonna leave home port with non-working brakes.
I did take it out for little spin around the block once i had her running better. Took a couple of pics while she was out....
Lots of little improvements... 15 mins of work at a time.
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Location: Georgia | She's looking my-T-fine, Rick!!
Pete |
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Location: little rock, AR | Where did you get the valve spring compressor??? I'm working on my '57 4dr HT and I might have to do the same to mine. I'm glad to see your not converting it to a '58 like so many want to do. I like the headlight and valence design of the '57's. |
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-05-11 11:24 PM
Where did you get the valve spring compressor??? I'm working on my '57 4dr HT and I might have to do the same to mine. I'm glad to see your not converting it to a '58 like so many want to do. I like the headlight and valence design of the '57's.
Yup... I had, no doubt, some of my desire driven by the Movie, like so many others... but the two biggest influences that pushed me to owning one of these cars were a '57 Fury that I used to see when i was a kid growing up, and all the stories about my grandfather's '57 Belvedere Sport Sedan. I have always liked the slight differences on the '57.
And, the spring compressor is an old Snap-On unit. They offer a newer version, imported, in their Blue Point line, for $190, on their website. This one is the shop's, and they have had it for many years. You used compressed air in the cylinder to hold the valves up, and then force the spring down with the lever handle. I used to see several similair tools offered, but the Blue Point one is all I see now.... Since it's an import, I can check and see... we have an independent tool guy, I could get a price on one if you're interested from him, he can probably order one like it as well.
A link to the one offered by Snap-On...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=80816...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/54900/54860.JPG
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | SavoyPlaza - 2011-05-10 8:35 AM
She's looking my-T-fine, Rick!!
Pete
Thank you, sir.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | BarnFind57 - 2011-05-12 8:20 AM
oldwood - 2011-05-11 11:24 PM
Where did you get the valve spring compressor??? I'm working on my '57 4dr HT and I might have to do the same to mine. I'm glad to see your not converting it to a '58 like so many want to do. I like the headlight and valence design of the '57's.
Yup... I had, no doubt, some of my desire driven by the Movie, like so many others... but the two biggest influences that pushed me to owning one of these cars were a '57 Fury that I used to see when i was a kid growing up, and all the stories about my grandfather's '57 Belvedere Sport Sedan. I have always liked the slight differences on the '57.
And, the spring compressor is an old Snap-On unit. They offer a newer version, imported, in their Blue Point line, for $190, on their website. This one is the shop's, and they have had it for many years. You used compressed air in the cylinder to hold the valves up, and then force the spring down with the lever handle. I used to see several similair tools offered, but the Blue Point one is all I see now.... Since it's an import, I can check and see... we have an independent tool guy, I could get a price on one if you're interested from him, he can probably order one like it as well.
A link to the one offered by Snap-On...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=80816...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/54900/54860.JPG
Just found this one... just like ours...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HATEV4/ref=asc_df_B000HATEV41491485?sm...
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Ovj8ui2LL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
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Location: little rock, AR | Thanks for the info on the tools. To bad your not "loan a tool" like most parts store. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yeah... not terribly cheap, but like so many other things in life, you gotta pay to play. They are SO much easier to use, and faster, than the other versions.
At that kinda price, it's kinda extreme unless you plan on doing this numerous times.
I like having fringe benefits of working at a shop.
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Regular
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Location: Norway | Great barn find! Looking better and better (and I think she looked good when you found her...) |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 59yorker - 2011-05-18 4:26 AM
Great barn find! Looking better and better (and I think she looked good when you found her...) ;)
For several years now, i have had a thing for original cars. When I saw the pics from when the previous owner dug it out of the barn, I was really sad that he had done anything to it. I personally wouldn't have touched it. One thing I do like is a car sitting lower than when it left the factory. I think I might crank the torsion beams down just a it, and slip some short blocks under the rear end. Outside of that, she's just gonna get some external work and spot repairs inside.
And that's it... I had to stop spending money on the car, to have some dental work done, but I have keeping busy with little things here and there. I'll get my brake stuff ordered, put them back together, and she'll be back on the road in the next couple of weeks.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Been doing lots of little, but crucial work on this old girl...
Went through the brake system, replaceing or repairing everything needed...
- Replaced all four front wheel cylinders
- Rebuilt the rear wheel cylinders
- Rebuilt the master cylinder
- Replaced the flex-lines, replaced a few of the hard lines where needed
- Cleaned up the shoes and the drums, no replacement necessary
- flushed out all the old brake fluid
It's kinda nice stopping with all four wheels. I still need to do a little more bleeding and adjusting, but I am rather impressed by how well the brakes work on this big car, being manual drum brakes. I am dealing with, yet again, a leaking oil filter housing at the moment. I did finally realize that the sealing lip of the can was just slightly bent, so I straightened that... hopefully that will take care of the perpetual drip. I did have one moment when I thought that the fuel pump had died.... right up until the point that I realized there was something else that still worked on the car... the fuel gauge....
A trip to the station with a gas can fixed that one, and, once she filled back up the carb, purred too life once again. Can't wait to get it out on the open road. Shouldn't be long now.
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Expert
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Location: little rock, AR | Those brake pics look familiar as I just did the same to my '60 Savoy last July. Lookin Good!!! |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick, if that is your car's Broadcast Sheet, in pic 8b, above, now "laminated" to the back of the glove box, you should
be able, carefully, to remove the Broadcast Sheet from the glove box, as the paper should now adhere to the tape
and come off as 1-piece, from the glove box.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | d500neil - 2011-05-26 3:33 PM
Rick, if that is your car's Broadcast Sheet, in pic 8b, above, now "laminated" to the back of the glove box, you should
be able, carefully, to remove the Broadcast Sheet from the glove box, as the paper should now adhere to the tape
and come off as 1-piece, from the glove box.
That's the plan.... I got kinda distracted with everybody talking about these pieces of history, so I just went on a little hunt to see if i could find one. And I found two.
I'll get back to that soon, now. I was already waist-deep at that time with other mechanical repairs but I just wanted to see if they were there. The one under the back seat was REALLY nice, and the one under the glovebox is actually glued to the under side in strips/beads of glue, so it doesn't want to come off easy. I figured i can take the glovebox completely out, and fart around with it that way. I still need to go digging in the floor under the rubber mat, and see if there isn't one hiding under there too.
After so many years working on Volkswagens, which everybody "thinks" they can fix and therefore they are torn down and put back together a half dozen times, the originality/untouched nature of this old car just amazes me all the time. I have never owned a used car in my life that the cigarette lighter had never been used.
Crazy stuff. And I am loving every moment of it.... even when the four letter words were flying....
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Expert
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Location: little rock, AR | Words like: LOVE, HECK,GOLF,BABY ... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-05-26 5:13 PM
Words like: LOVE, HECK,GOLF,BABY ...
It's like you were there or sumthin'....
Yeah, those words exactly....
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Expert
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Location: little rock, AR | Now that I look at them it should have read: Heck Baby Love Golf |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Golf is for men who prefer the company of other men. Just say NO to golf. 
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Big pimpin' | Doctor DeSoto - 2011-05-26 10:53 PM
Golf is for men who prefer the company of other men. Just say NO to golf.
A really goofy clothes, and old guys chasing a little white ball...Too much fun.. |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Doctor DeSoto - 2011-05-26 10:53 PM
Golf is for men who prefer the company of other men. Just say NO to golf.
I knew there was a reason that sport never appealed to me.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Whenever I'm (infrequently) asked about whether I partake in the game (not SPORT) of golf, I reply
that I've ALREADY got enough frustration in my life....
And speaking of frustration: why in the Wide Wide World of Exner would the factory GLUE a Broadcast Sheet to the back
of a Plymouth's glove box?
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | d500neil - 2011-05-27 4:19 PM
Whenever I'm (infrequently) asked about whether I partake in the game (not SPORT) of golf, I reply
that I've ALREADY got enough frustration in my life....
And speaking of frustration: why in the Wide Wide World of Exner would the factory GLUE a Broadcast Sheet to the back
of a Plymouth's glove box?
i know... wierd stuff, but it appears they ran two beads of glue on the bottom side of the glovebox and stuck the paper to it.... I dunno...
And, in other news, I have realized with what is still ahead of me in the running and driving department, plus I need tires, I was wavering on this idea of simply getting it roadworthy.
When I drained the oil this last time, I could tell something was obstructing the oil drain hole. I stuck my pinky up in there, and discovered about 1" of the same heavy, chunky sludge in the pan that was all up in the heads (and I had flushed most of that outward, not into the bottom of the engine).... hadn't even looked before. At that point, i started thinking maybe I should throttle back just a bit, before trying to drive her around like that, quite possibly doing some damage to the engine internals. I actually only looked up in there after, as it was draining, i noticed little bits of black solid particles coming out in the stream of oil, indicating that it was in fact circulating around, not just cemented to the bottom of the pan.....
So, as much as it kills me, this weekend, I will be pulling the engine and trans, doing the right thing, and take care of any needed welding/body repairs at home, so maybe by this fall it will be properly done.. maybe spring, who knows.. But, I am one who fixes stuff right, and does it once. This car has been different, as I have so eagerly wanted one for so long that I was trying to take the quick and dirty route to throw it on the road. Needing to slow down and do it right is hard for me herre, but i keep trying to tell myself that i waited 25 years to have one... It's mine, now... i can wait a few months more before driving it. Not to mention, I DRIVE my old cars, so proper working order is where I like them to be.
I love taking and posting pics. The next ones you see will feature the engine on the outside of the car.
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Williams California | Rick, I'm enjoying your thread fully.
Back in the days of non-detergent motor oils, most engines would sludge up just after 40 or 50 thousand miles. When I was in the auto repair business in the '80's, we still had cars come in with sludged up engines, although by then it was from people not changing the oil and filter on regular intervals, or using the gallon-can recycled oil that was common in the parts stores to 'discount' customers.
Keep up the good work!
---John |
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Location: little rock, AR | I pulled the oil pan off of my '50 Buick in the car. Can the oil pan not be removed on these cars without removing the engine or maybe raising the engine up some??? |
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-05-27 8:16 PM
I pulled the oil pan off of my '50 Buick in the car. Can the oil pan not be removed on these cars without removing the engine or maybe raising the engine up some???
They absolutely can be.... basically lift the engine up, remove the center link and the front pipe for the needed clearance... and take it down. This engine just has so much debris floating around that has broken loose, and that can cause a big world of headache if it finds it's way into the bearings of the engine. As a dealership tech for years with Volkswagen, I can tell you all about the destructive power of engine sludge... when it's stuck and when it breaks free..... I am pretty much just trying to preserve what I have, not end up doing more damage.
It will just be a clean-up and re-seal, while the body work is being done. Then, drop it back in place later this summer. I can also run all new metal lines for the brakes, and have the fuel tank cleaned and treated. I just want to have something reliable that I can hop in to and drive a couple of hours without thinking about.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Well, that was quick.
Got the engine stripped Friday evening, and pulled on Saturday morning. Went really smooth, only bump in the road was an attempted exhaust repair for the manifold studs. Someone had put some undersized bolts in the passenger manifold/ front pipe connection (of course, the one that you can't get to so easy) and the bolts were rounded off and spinning. Not a big deal though, got them out with some effort, and the other side came apart like it was supposed to. Lots of original components on the car, most don't appear to have been messed with or replaced over the years.... original carter glass bowl fuel filter, distributor, green tag Autolite Electric Generator and Starter, that sort of stuff... and the paint in the engine compartment is in really great shape. Should clean up pretty easily. Gonna paint the engine bay and the inner fender areas when i take care of the body work, but nothing too elaborate. Glad I chose for option #4,237 on how to proceed with this little project. It'll help me feel a bit better about taking the car on a longer trip.
As is my thang, pics of the night and morning of fun time...
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Location: central Illinois | What a contrast to be seen at a dealership! Little bright red VW's next to larger that life American iron! Car's looking good, especially that grill and massive bumper.
Really enjoying your thread, keep up the good work. Oh and I was on top of Signal Mountain about 5 years ago on vacation. Some of the mostly friendly people in the world in your part of Tennessee. |
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Engine Disassembly... Part I.
Stupid non-detergent oils...
down to a shortblock today, take it a bit further tomorrow... Really glad that I decided to dig into this now... it was pretty bad, and it needs a complete cleaning.
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Location: little rock, AR | Just my 2cents. Ya might as well hone and ring it with a new chain and bearings and hell whats a new oil pump too.
Edited by oldwood 2011-06-02 11:37 AM
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-06-02 11:36 AM
Just my 2cents. Ya might as well hone and ring it with a new chain and bearings and hell whats a new oil pump too.
Not just yours... mine too...
You have basically described what I intend to do. the cylinders do have a slight ridge at the top, but not bad at all. I will probably just hone it for now. That plus a new set of rings, and I will be good for a while. The good news is that it was running very well, so I want to alter as little as possible... merely taking preventative measures. Spend a little now, instead of a whole lot later.
Stuck my finger into the goop in the oil pan... it' nearly an inch deep where it ramps up on either side of the drain hole.
Glad I took it apart now.
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | big m - 2011-05-27 6:22 PM
Rick, I'm enjoying your thread fully.
Back in the days of non-detergent motor oils, most engines would sludge up just after 40 or 50 thousand miles. When I was in the auto repair business in the '80's, we still had cars come in with sludged up engines, although by then it was from people not changing the oil and filter on regular intervals, or using the gallon-can recycled oil that was common in the parts stores to 'discount' customers.
Keep up the good work!
---John
Thanks for the words of support, John....
And, it still happens these days. In particular, my background with VW. The 1.8 turbo engines in the Passats ('99-'05) required a shallow oil pan to clear the front subframe. As a result, they originally only held about 3.9 quarts. Add that low amount of oil, plus how hard that engine works to push the car down the road, and let's not forget people forgot how to open the hood and check their own fluids about 15 years ago and there tendency to go twice as long between oil changes as they should... they are a sludge nightmare, not far from what i see here. They came out with technical bulletins about it, ran an oversized filter (now 4.2 quart capacity) and changed the requirement to synthetic oil, invented elaborate engine flushing methods, but the damage often times was already done. They are still a constant issue with warranty engine replacement (they had to extend the engine warranty to i think 115k miles, or 10 years if memory serves, although it's settled down a bit the last couple years.
Edited by BarnFind57 2011-06-02 12:17 PM
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Eeee-gadd... what a mess....
I have the engine completely torn down now, and the block has been cleaned out... heads are torn down so i can lap the valves.. Other than the ridiculous amount of rust that I flushed out, and the goop that was rumored to have been oil in a former life, it really wasn't too bad in there. a little bit of scratching on one rod journal, but nothing that can't just be cleaned up with some emory cloth. The bearings all looked pretty good actually. I'll polish up the crank and the cam and re-use them, along with some fresh rod and main bearings. a new set of rings to go with the cylinder honing I will do, add in a new timing chain, and oil pump, and new gaskets, and I should be good to go. The only debate I am having at this time is the expansion plugs. Like I said, I got a LOT of rust (solid chunks) out of the block when I flushed it out. I am afraid that the rust may have been working to hold a leak at bay in the coolant passages, so replacing them with some fresh caps may not be too bad of an idea while it's out. I have seen more than once after blocks have been flushed that the freeze plugs start puking coolant. Opinions from the Mopar veterans here?
Admittedly, all of the classic cars I have restored up to this point have not required the use of coolant....
Pics of the work so far...
Edited by BarnFind57 2011-06-09 1:41 PM
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Location: Williams California | That is some serious sludge buildup!
M'lisa just loves it when I come into the house after tearing an engine like that down, dang near gotta wash down with gasoline!!
---John |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Well, at least, the engine block should be stress-relieved, by now.
Was all that top end grunge the result of a lifetime of partial heat-up/stop-and-go city driving (and no detergent-
type engine oil replacement (ever)?
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | big m - 2011-06-13 1:06 PM
That is some serious sludge buildup!
M'lisa just loves it when I come into the house after tearing an engine like that down, dang near gotta wash down with gasoline!!
---John
Yeah.... the little lady's exact words when I walked in the door at home that evening were "Yikes... what the hell happened to you?"
When I removed my shoes and socks (I was wearing shorts that day, so the legs were exposed), I had a clearly defined "gray line"... as opposed to a tan line...
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | d500neil - 2011-06-13 3:13 PM
Well, at least, the engine block should be stress-relieved, by now.
Was all that top end grunge the result of a lifetime of partial heat-up/stop-and-go city driving (and no detergent-
type engine oil replacement (ever)?
Yep. And, now that it's cleaned, I never have owned a cam bearing installer (a lifetime of overhead cam engines, except for all the air cooled VW split bearing stuff will do that for you)... I checked the price of bearing remover/installers, then called the machine shop. They can replace the bearings at a cost of $35. Cheapest tool is $125+.... machine shop it is. I am considering just having them hot tank the block ($60) while it's there.
And, yes, just lots of gunk from years of ND motor oil. The sticker in the door jamb from 1990 lists Quaker State, but didn't go further than that. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | I just bought a cam bearing tool awhile back for rebuilding the 455 in M'lisa's Olds-our local machine shop folded up recently due to the owner retiring, he used to install cam bearings free of charge for me.
A good run in the hot tank is a great idea, it will loosen rust and crud in galleys and other areas you cannot get to easily. Many overheating problems in cars that have set for years are caused by sediments and rust build up in the water jackets of the block.
---John |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ^^^ That's kinda what I was thinking, John... just needed someone else to say it to confirm my opinion. I have seen a bunch of cars that develop issues after the cooling system is flushed out. I am thinking that $60 would be money well spent. Then I can replace freeze plugs, hone the cylinders, and the block should be good for another 54 years.
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Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Get rid of that boat anchor and put in a real engine, Ha just kidding!!! $$$ well spent. |
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-06-13 6:03 PM
Get rid of that boat anchor and put in a real engine
Where's the challenge in that?
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Got the crank polished yesterday, gonna clean up the cam today and order some engine bearings. Once I had everything cleaned up, I kept going back to the cylinders.... they feel a bit lumpy toward the top, like maybe the walls are gonna need a bit more aggressive treatment than I was originally thinking. Gonna hold off on the whole rebuild kit option, might have the machine shop hone the block as well, so i can verify if i need to go the oversized piston route. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8445
Location: Perth Australia | ha ha ha
I have not been following this thread, but it looks like the "might as well" bug has bitten
Not a bad bug to get, but it can get expencive
I am looking forward to getting to the mechanical stage on my car (hate bodywork)
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | BarnFind57 - 2011-06-14 5:29 AM
Got the crank polished yesterday, gonna clean up the cam today and order some engine bearings. Once I had everything cleaned up, I kept going back to the cylinders.... they feel a bit lumpy toward the top, like maybe the walls are gonna need a bit more aggressive treatment than I was originally thinking. Gonna hold off on the whole rebuild kit option, might have the machine shop hone the block as well, so i can verify if i need to go the oversized piston route.
Just a recommendation,
I would check the taper of the cylinders with a bore micrometer at this stage, if there is more than .006" taper, you could have oil consumption or oil burning issues. Better to be safe than sorry!
---John |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Still waiting to hear back from the machine shop regarding the block, but I had some time and a free lift after work today, so i got a lot done.
Drained the trans before removing it, pulled the pan, looks really good inside there.
Fuel tank is out, and super nice inside it, if i might say.... Driveshaft, exhaust, and the trans is out as well. Have I mentioned nice it is to have the use of a lift?
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Location: CA | Now you're just showin off, lol! Nice! |
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Veteran
Posts: 102
Location: CA | I would call what i want to do a "driver resto". I want to go through all the mechanical bits, don't wanna be left on the side of the road... and fix the body to prevent any further rot, paint it back in the original colors, fix the seat covers... that's about it. I want it too look good, but, we have three kids, it will be parked in public places, will be driven on the roads... I don't wanna over-do it.
That's totally awesome! And I understand what you mean by "I don't wanna over-do it". I plan on making my 57' Belvedere 4dr Sedan my daily driver, and I'm starting out pretty much the same way you are, that is getting her fully mechanically reliable and drive-able. Then comes the rest. An original restoration, but without overdue because of the fact that I will also be parking it in public places.
btw I used to be "take me back", but I changed my user name, so this is a follow up to your original quoted reply...
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 461
Location: Brooklyn NY | I had the same sludge with my Poly 318. The Tranny does look amazingly clean, it must have been rebuilt prior to barn storage. Have fun....see, things are starting to snowball...;} Ralph from Brooklyn |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Brooklyn NY | here are my pics
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | MoparBrew - 2011-06-17 9:17 AM
I had the same sludge with my Poly 318. The Tranny does look amazingly clean, it must have been rebuilt prior to barn storage. Have fun....see, things are starting to snowball...;} Ralph from Brooklyn
Aye Carumba... you win....
And, yeah, I knew I was just fooling myself when I said I was gonna replace some valve stem seals, fix the brakes and start driving....
But, sometimes you just have to start out knee deep in the best case scenario and give reality some time to set in. I set out to build a reliable, good-looking driver. It's just the fine print on that deal that's constantly evolving.
That block looks quite lovely, BTW.
Edited by BarnFind57 2011-06-17 11:14 AM
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57-time-machine - 2011-06-17 6:26 AM
I would call what i want to do a "driver resto". I want to go through all the mechanical bits, don't wanna be left on the side of the road... and fix the body to prevent any further rot, paint it back in the original colors, fix the seat covers... that's about it. I want it too look good, but, we have three kids, it will be parked in public places, will be driven on the roads... I don't wanna over-do it.
That's totally awesome! And I understand what you mean by "I don't wanna over-do it". I plan on making my 57' Belvedere 4dr Sedan my daily driver, and I'm starting out pretty much the same way you are, that is getting her fully mechanically reliable and drive-able. Then comes the rest. An original restoration, but without overdue because of the fact that I will also be parking it in public places.
btw I used to be "take me back", but I changed my user name, so this is a follow up to your original quoted reply...
Exactly where i am going with this. I like to DRIVE my old cars, not just look at them, and, being a technician who is very anal retentive about my own cars, I prefer the "do a lot now and maintain" to the "hope nothing breaks and deal with it when it does" method. I figure if I do the engine right, and maintain it, chances are I will never have to go this far into it again. Or so I hope.... and good brakes... well, I live on a mountain outside of Chattanooga, so top notch, functional brakes are the only option there.
And, last, like your point, the car will be in public areas, I am going to drive it, and it will get a ding or a scratch... that's all part of what makes it a used car, so yeah... overdone, it will not be.
I just look forward to getting done with all of this work and some day posting a pic of some cool accessory I bought since there was nothing else to do to it.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Transmission cleaned up nice....
Looks like from the stamping, that is original to the car, too. I guess that as clean as it was inside, that must have been re-worked at some time as suggested. It shifts beautifully, and the only leak was from the control cable sleeve. So, I will replace the outer seals, the pan gasket, fix the sleeve leak, and leave it alone till time to put it back in.
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Brooklyn NY | Nice, mine's a driver too. I'm about out of $$, so only small improvements for now.[like my headliner in another post]. Next I want to go over my driveshaft, put in a new u-joint, rubber boot, and hopefully get away with just cleaning and relubing the ball & trunion.
We have the same drivetrain, Poly 318 w/Powerflite. Mine runs fine on the 89 octane/mid grade gas, reg/87 octane it will ping when hot and accelerating.
Driving these old cars is what its all about. It's like a timewarp being behind the wheel. Have fun and drive safe...Ralph from Brooklyn |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ^^^^ Yeah to all of that, especially the out of money thing. (Dad to 3 girls here)... 
Mine is almost the same, 301 poly actually, but yeah, pretty straight forward, and relatively easy on the gas. I too hope to get away with a light refinish on the driveshaft as well. Looking forward to posting pics up of me driving her to a show, not continuing to take more pieces off....
I did get some pistons ordered up today, should have those in the next few days.
I also got the car in the garage at home this morning. She's a tight fit, but it's just a temporary thing to get her out of the weather untill the other project is done in these next few weeks. Then she'll have the garage all to herself.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Today ordered my bearings and piston rings. Also, took the pristine oil pump apart to inspect it. Looked pretty nice. (the inside of it that is... haha)...
Yesterday, I finally let the cat out of the bag. I had been holding back telling my grandfather about the car, but couldn't wait any longer. I took a photo album by their house when we were there for father's day, and showed him all the pictures of what I had bought. He just kept smiling, and going on about how much he loved his old Belvedere, and thumbing back and forth through all the pictures.
He said he wants to go for a ride when she's all done. I promised him that he would be the first.
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | Now THAT'S what it's all about! Congrats on making your grandfathers day even better! I took my parents for a drive in mine last week and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Good luck with keeping the costs in check as you go forward. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Machine shop called....
Block and the rods/pistons are ready to pick up. Hope to get up there tomorrow or Wednesday to pick them up.
Now I can pay for those and sit around and wonder where I will get the money for the rest.
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Expert
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Location: little rock, AR | In one of your post you talked about ordering rings then ordering pistons. I guess you decided to punch the block. Looks like everything is coming together. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-07-11 2:17 PM
In one of your post you talked about ordering rings then ordering pistons. I guess you decided to punch the block. Looks like everything is coming together.
10-4....
The variation in the walls was really bad in the top of the cylinders. After a thorough cleaning and an attempted honing, you could easily feel the lumps left by the stopping point of the top two rings. I had the measurements checked, and the ring gap was gonna be really stupid, so I could put it all back together and have the oil consumption and smoking variety sampler platter, or, fix it right and not have to go in there again for a while. I kept my eyes open for a good set, and paid for them... a NOS set of Sterling brand pistons to match the .030" over the machine shop was predicting. I ordered new rings and bearings as well, and, since the machine shop already wanted the pistons to measure alongside the cylinders, I dropped the rods off as well to have them install the new pistons. So much for the super cheap rebuild. Good news is that the crank and other internals looked great, So, other than some gaskets and a rebuild kit for the oil pump, I should be good to go. Now I just gotta finish up with my buddy's van so the Plymouth (Now dubbed Norma Jean, an homage to Ms. Monroe, courtesy of my lady) can have the whole garage to herself... She takes up a bit more room than a VW beetle.
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | You went that far you probably should have balanced the motor. I know it's not a hot rod but whats another $125.00
Edited by oldwood 2011-07-11 5:27 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Got everything back from the machine shop yesterday afternoon....
They did the following:
- Hot-tank the Engine block, removed all the galley plugs, flushed them out, and re-installed the plugs.
- Bored the cylinders out .030" and honed them.
- Replaced the cam bearings.
- Removed the old pistons, cleaned the rods, and installed my NOS pistons.
- Replaced all of the freeze plugs.
Now, If I can just come up with the money to finish putting her back together......
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And, now that you can actually read it... the P31 code engine serial number that matches the sales envelope....
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Very fine looking boat anchor. Just kidding as I'm jealous!!! Now its time to pull out the rattle cans again. Rattle can paint gets expensive after a while. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | So, when was that engine cast(ing date)?
As compared to the Dodges, which used a capital "I" for the '1', your engine block numbers also look like they were evenly struck, as a single numbers-unit; The 57-58 Dodge stamping numbers typically are relatively very un-evenly struck onto the engine block.
Nice looking work!
Edited by d500neil 2011-07-15 3:16 PM
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | d500neil - 2011-07-15 3:14 PM
So, when was that engine cast(ing date)?
As compared to the Dodges, which used a capital "I" for the '1', your engine block numbers also look like they were evenly struck, as a single numbers-unit; The 57-58 Dodge stamping numbers typically are relatively very un-evenly struck onto the engine block.
Nice looking work!
Thanks, Neil.
Not sure where to find a date casting on the engine. The serial number matches the sales envelope, The letters "A2" are cast into the front of the block just above the cam bearing opening, the casting number of "1737929" appears under the number "2" on the front side, right of the block, and there is a dial stamping in the center of the valley pan area that the pointer is directed toward the rear of the engine, but I don't know much beyond that. At the rear, near the bellhousing area, on one ear is a large "8" cast in, and on the passenger side ear is a small "riveted" looking plate cast in that has a "4" over a "6-7(?)" The last bit is a bit blurred in the casting.
And, yeah, this machine shop has done a great deal of work for me over the years, family owned, third generation son runs it now.... and all of the work they did still came in under $300. Sounded like a good deal to me.
Edited by BarnFind57 2011-07-15 3:33 PM
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | That should be the casting date; can you show us an image of it?
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Here's what I took...
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Location: Blythewood, SC | oldwood - 2011-07-14 11:09 AM
Now its time to pull out the rattle cans again.
I've never understood why someone would take the time to rebuild a motor and cover it in junk paint. Why not spend $30 for a quart of good engine paint and shoot it with a paint gun so it will last? |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2011-07-15 6:31 PM
oldwood - 2011-07-14 11:09 AM
Now its time to pull out the rattle cans again.
I've never understood why someone would take the time to rebuild a motor and cover it in junk paint. Why not spend $30 for a quart of good engine paint and shoot it with a paint gun so it will last?
Think I'll pick up some of the Hirsch paint that you guys were talking about and shoot it with my spray gun.... I usually prefer to do the whole of the assembly, then clean it up really well and shoot some color to it when I'm done. I'll just keep it protected till then.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | April 16, 1957?
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | d500neil - 2011-07-17 1:46 PM
April 16, 1957?
I can see that.... makes sense....
Nice hanging out with all you old forward look gurus....
I'm learing all kinds of stuff.
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Expert
Posts: 2637
Location: Minor Hill, TN | Very nice good luck with the restoration. I used to own a 1957 plymouth but 1 night some idiot pulled out infront of me and caused me to total mine. If I seen the other driver that night she would of gotten my fist and I would not care if there was a cop standing there . I was mad enough to do it |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | She's just been sitting idle a couple of weeks. Ordering the last few bits i needed for the engine...
Also, had to refurbish and reattach a fiberglass hatch on my camper, and I inherited my dad's 1955 Schwinn Deluxe Hornet over the weekend... so, naturally I had to prioritize and dropped both project vehicles to polish up the bike.
Hope to be back on this one soon....
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Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | We are all waiting for an update. Whats UP ??? |
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-08-15 9:38 PM
We are all waiting for an update. Whats UP ???
About the only thing I have managed to do on this old lady the last couple of months is allow it to build up a protective layer of dust....
Like I said, totally got sidetracked by this... my dad's bike.... But, it's about 90% done now, so I can re-direct my attention toward the Plymouth finally... sorta.... The little lady did give me one kinda cool anniversary present.... a YOM tag that I can use with the antique registration. Other than that, I have just started pulling some of the trim off, prepping it for body work. But, the girls all just started back to school this last week, so add that distraction to the list while you are at it. I did order the last couple of items, an oil pump and a timing chain, for the engine. Now I can get it on a stand, and start putting that back together at work....
Pics of the distraction and the present...
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Location: little rock, AR | Life does get in the way at times. Great present from the little lady. Your dad's bike is the s..t !!! Haven't touched my '57 Ply HT but the weather has Finally turned a little COOLER so its time to start again. |
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-08-15 11:14 PM
the weather has Finally turned a little COOLER so its time to start again.
I hear ya on that one. I am a technician, and I work in a non-climate controlled shop. The last few weeks the temps have been over 100 everyday... after being in that for about 9-10 hours, you don't really look forward to working in the garage when you get home. This lessening of heat is helping my desire to get going on the Plymouth again... after 104, 94 doesn't seem so bad...
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Norcross (Atlanta area), GA | BarnFind57 - 2011-08-15 11:03 PM
The little lady did give me one kinda cool anniversary present.... a YOM tag that I can use with the antique registration.
When did Tennessee start making its license tags conventionally, instead of in the shape of the state?
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Location: Blythewood, SC | Well, some time between 1955 and 1957. |
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2011-08-16 12:57 PM
Well, some time between 1955 and 1957.
Well.... duh.... 
Naw, actually, I have seen 56 tags still shaped like the state, but pretty sure all of the '57 tags I have seen have been like this one, state inset in the standard rectangle, white letters, black background, did that for a while. Eventually, by the early-mid 60s, they had a small state above, like on the one from my '67 bus.... here...
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Posts: 2637
Location: Minor Hill, TN | I used to have 1 of these. I would of owned it for over 26 years but some idiot pulled out infront of me and caused me to total it. To this day I still miss mine I was told that I should of never let the other party's insurance company take the car. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 802
Location: Norcross (Atlanta area), GA | And the 1968 tag on the '59 Dodge Royal Lancer hardtop at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the asassination site of Dr Martin Luther King. The earliest pictures of that car were taken by me when I visited the museum in 2006 with my then-girlfriend, and I was using a rather antiquated digital camera, but the pix came out well and that car has been cleaned up. My pictures generated lots of interest in that car.
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=13737&...
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Expert
Posts: 2637
Location: Minor Hill, TN | Use the Havolione oil from Texaco it has additives in it to help keep the engine clean . Use the 20w50 or the 30 either 1 is good. Shell gas is good also the premium has the most additives to help keep the engine fuel system clean |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1155
Location: somerville mass | a 57 plymouth savoy sedan - with a racing mill..... ballad of thunder road! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Geez... It's been nearly 2 months since I have posted on this thread (and nearly as long since I have touched this old car)
The summer was hectic, and the early part of the fall hasn't been a whole lot better, but it's all starting to settle down a bit now. I was distracted first by the fixing up project of my dad's former bike, then that led to the decision to clean up my vintage Snap On tool box set... blah blah blah.... Finally got all the engine stuff back together at my work from where it was stored at home, and I have started cleaning everything up so I can start the engine reassembly. Also, I have cleaned out the garage, not once, but twice, so I can finally get around the car there. It's a lot bigger than a VW beetle... I have started stripping little bits of trim from the car, but haven't made a whole lot of progress on it, as I am still waist deep in a bus project for one of our local club members. As soon as it's out of the way, I can turn the Plymouth sideways in the garage, and start taking care of the body welding.
It's been a while, but things are starting to come around.... |
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Location: KÅKERS, SWEDEN | I must say it's really to follow this thread, seems to be a great car when finished |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Actually making some progress.....
Got the block cleaned / flushed out. To anyone who doesn't know... when you get a block back from being hot tanked, it's nice to let them sit for a little while, and then blow out the coolant passages. I got a whole lot of rust out of there. Then, the crank that I cleaned up before storing it a while back, I cleaned out. This is one thing a lot of folks fail to do when re-using a crank. I ran some bore brushes through the oil passages, got a LOT of dry, packed oil scale out of there too. Then, cleaned everything up, started assembling the short block. As of right now, got the main bearings in, crank installed, piston rings installed, rod assemblies installed with the new rod bearings on to the crank, and the camshaft cleaned up and in the block as well. Not bad for some lunches and a few little after-work sessions. Heads were at home. I called the machine shop, and they charge a paltry sum to hot-tank those, so I decided to break the heads down the rest of the way so they could be cleaned up as well. Got them loaded in the trunk tonight, I will drop them off tomorrow at lunch. Lots of little pieces to clean up now.... Truckin' right along.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Got the heads back from the hot-tank today. Nice and clean...
Installed the timing chain and gears so I could rotate the engine... nice and smooth she turns. I thought I bought a new chain at some point, the old one is floppy as all get out, but it seems I forgot to get one. Got one ordered now, and I can get that replaced. My gaskets should be here any time. In the mean time, I have begun the slow, tedious task of cleaning up all the little pieces to put the heads back together.
Looks more like a real engine all the time. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Moving a bit slower right now, but managed to get a little done. I can only work on it for 30-40 mins. at a time.....
After getting the bare heads back from being cleaned up, I found the exhast seats on the passenger side head to be rather pitted and pounded. I decided to start with that side and I re-cut the seats and the valve surfaces, lapped in all the valves, installed all new valve seals, cleaned all the heavy scale off of the springs and keepers, and cleaned up the valves, then reassembled the head. Came out pretty nice for a almost no money spent low-buck rebuild. Working on the driver side now.
A couple of pics of the head work:
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Just a little before reminder....
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY | .
What a difference! It's great to see these pic's of your progress.
Keep 'em coming!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Soooo.... the sludge removal continues.... it's like a never-ending fun....
I got the new timing chain installed, and had finished the valve job on the second head, and started looking into the valve train. When I first started messing with the engine after buying the car, all of the rockers were stuck where they were, and only after much effort with solvents had I been able to get them to slide back and forth on the rocker shaft...
The oiling holes were badly packed with oil scale, and I could tell there was a lot more in there, so, I removed the expansion plugs from the shaft ends and ran a bore brush through them.... gross... wads of oil sludge came spilling out. Lots of nasty gook later, they were nice and clean inside, so I installed new plugs and reassembled the rocker shafts and arms back onto the head after cleaning them up as well. Every oil hole was plugged by scale. It's never a bad idea to be real thorough here.
Two beautiful, fresh heads built on a tight budget ready to reinstall on the block now.
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I see you have a REAL motor beside your Plymouth motor. Nothing like an air cooled and a dual port at that!!!
Edited by oldwood 2011-11-14 2:18 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-11-14 2:17 PM
I see you have a REAL motor beside your Plymouth motor. Nothing like an air cooled and a dual port at that!!!
Yeah, Dorsey.... I have made a good bit over the years, restoring V-Dubs... Been building those engines for nearly 20 years now. I remember you saying when we were talking the other day that you had messed around with those over the years as well. That engine is for a friend of mine's '74 Thing. His is super nice, less than 100k og miles, grage kept. Of course, it's still a Thing, basic as bare-bones gets.... But It's the nicest hollow tin can I have ever driven.
The Plymouth engine is coming along quite nicely. Heads on, lifters and pushrods in. Due to a mix-up in the box, I have replacement V8 intake gaskets on the way... (the itty-bitty 6 cyl. ones wouldn't quite fit the bill. )
Otherwise, Rolling along steadily at the moment. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Long Block is done. Cleaning up the last bits... intake, timing cover, pan, valve covers....
I began stripping the engine compartment. Very happy with how nice it already is. Plans are to remove the fenders, inner fenders, core support, and everything bolted to the firewall so I can paint and detail the engine compartment, and reassemble it. That way I don't have to take it all apart again. I think that I will go through the front end while I am at it. Sure would be nice to do all that while there is absolutely nothing in the way...
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Regular
Posts: 78
Location: Mistake on the Lake | Silver Charcoal looks like it contains a bit of blue...who knew? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | LookForward - 2011-11-24 9:46 AM
Silver Charcoal looks like it contains a bit of blue...who knew? :laugh:
The underside of the trunk lid is still brilliant, shiny, not so much as a scuff original paint. And, yeah, it's actually a nice color. Kind of a Steel Blue-Gray color. It will be returned to it's original colors of Silver Charcoal and Satin Gray when I am finished with it.
Got a little bit done, been real busy this last week or two. Pulled the water hose fittings from the intake (what was left of them) and bought some replacements. Intake and timing cover cleaned up real nice, intake bolted on, cleaning up the valve covers and oil pan so I can sandblast them, getting ready to install the oil pump, put on the tins, and shoot some shiny silver paint on the whole mess.
At home, got everything thing I had done undone, and then some... sounds like a little poem.... .... The grille, headlamp housings, bumper, and front metal all undone. Gonna pull the fenders, core support, and inner fenders in the next few nights to get ready for fresh paint on the firewall. Moving along, nice and slow, but steady.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Finally.... now I just gotta order some icing for the cake from Bill Hirsch....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And just one more pic....
this is after a cleaning and a chemical rust converter / sealer was applied.
Ready for some shiny silver now.
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | That really did a good job on the cleaning, Rick. You're making some excellent progress there!
---John |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Thanks, John... it looks pretty cute with the weathered, darkened raw finish if you ask me, but I already got the paint, and I gotta use it on sumthin.
So, the most recent progress report...
- found the source of my vibration... the rear u-joint center section is chewed up, causing the needle bearings to snag and pop when the joint is moving.... gotta get a new one of those. Luckily, the ball-and-trunion is in great shape, so a new cleaning and boot, and that's done.
- still haven't pulled the front fenders yet, haven't had time just yet, but hopefully will soon so I can go through the front end and figure out what all I need there.
- Got my engine enamel from Bill Hirsch today, so I'll be spraying that on the block soon enough.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And, now in it's primer coat, waiting for the shiny paint to be applied... should be getting that sprayed on right before the Christmas holiday with any luck.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick, I dunno if it's too late, now, or, if you really want to replicate the engine's OEM color, but "Aluminum"
high heat engine paint is NOT the correct engine color.
You want a high heat "Silver", not an "aluminum" finish on an OEM-color engine.
If it's already painted in that aluminum shade, and if you cared about the OEM color, you could always apply the
silver color over the aluminum finish.
You can ask Hirsch if they provide a correct 'silver' finish, but, there are completely adequate 'rattle
can' high heat engine paints that are available.
Edited by d500neil 2011-12-14 2:18 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | d500neil - 2011-12-14 2:16 PM
Rick, I dunno if it's too late, now, or, if you really want to replicate the engine's OEM color, but "Aluminum"
high heat engine paint is NOT the correct engine color.
You want a high heat "Silver", not an "aluminum" finish on an OEM-color engine.
If it's already painted in that aluminum shade, and if you cared about the OEM color, you could always apply the
silver color over the aluminum finish.
You can ask Hirsch if they provide a correct 'silver' finish, but, there are completely adequate 'rattle
can' high heat engine paints that are available.
Well, poop....
I was trying to find the "correct" color, and I actually found a link to this paint, on this forum....
It is the only bright "silver" type color that they offer on their website. They call it "Aluminum" but it is the only color of that type they list that I could find. I have used the rattle can stuff, like Dupli-Color, and had decent success with it, but over time, leaks and heat seem to take their toll on the finish. I had planned on going that route before reading the section regarding this paint. Dupli-Color has a true silver paint, I have seen it. The only problem is that is looks darker than the og silver color that I saw in spots on the engine block.... It doesn't have to be perfect, obviously, but I would like for it to be correct if I can.
Any other thoughts on this matter? I know I remember seeing a couple of folks remarking how they used the rattle cans, and that they looked nice and pretty for a while, but down the road, they hadn't weathered so good.... I plan on putting this engine back in the car and leaving it there. Now is not too late to change gears on engine paint. I have bought some paint, yes, and would hate to let the can just sit on the shelf in the garage, but I could.... Anybody feel free to chime in with their ideas/suggestions... I am still a newbie on these big finned mopar things... If anybody has any questions about an air-cooled VW beetle, I will tell you all kinds of stuff....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Oh, and when I say it's not too late to modify plans, I mean the primer is all that is on the block at the moment... I knew I couldn't finish the primer and paint in the time I had, so I am waiting the 7 days for that to cure before applying the top coat. So there's time to offer suggestions here. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I also located the old thread about the silver engine paint (what I used as my guide for paint purchasing) and bumped it up to the top of the list...
It's in the General Technical Section.
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | The Hirsch Aluminum paint is recommended by the Plymouth Owners Club as being "closest to correct." I think it's not as shiny as it should be, but it sure is tough. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick, just for grins, if your auto paint suppliers have Krylon brand Hi-Heat Silver paint (or, even some other Hi-Heat
Silver paints) , go buy a can of it/them, and do a little experimentation on your engine.
The oil pan areas would be ideal for this.
Theoretically, you want to achieve a light-ish semi gloss silver color; nothing glossy (like a real 'aluminum' paint would
provide) and nothing particularly dark colored.
If you don't like the results, you can easily bury that paint finish with the Hirsch-canned stuff.
The Hirsch can describes its color as being "high gloss"---and, you really don't want to have a high-gloss paint finish (on a non-
hot-rod car).
Brian, above, gives the Hirsch paint a hi-recommendation, so, it may not be "High Gloss Aluminum" as its
label states.
Edited by d500neil 2011-12-14 3:08 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | Bill Hirsch on a Flattie
Same motor several years later
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yeah... that looks nice. Pretty sure that's what I am gonna stick with. Again, my stuff gets driven and used, so durability is what I am all about.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Got some work done on this old Mo-Cheen tonight...
Hood unbolted, fenders off, fender liners undone, and the core support removed...
Found one little rotted spot at the base of the passenger fender, easy enough... no big nasty surprises, so that's good. Like I suspected, the fender on that side appears to be a replacement (it also never had any holes for the V8 emblem) Probably the result of a little fender bender at the hads of the little old lady driver.... The fender liners are in great shape (thank you undercoating) No rot on the body shell behind those fenders. The paint is even shiny behind there....
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | When you get yours finished come on over to AR and I'll teach ya the "Razorback Fight Song". Thats looking good. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-12-28 11:16 AM
When you get yours finished come on over to AR and I'll teach ya the "Razorback Fight Song". Thats looking good.
Thanks, Dorsey. I Might just do that....
I think I really lucked out on this one. These old cars, in spite of their coolness, were not noted for their quality. In fact, it was much the opposite of that.... I am quite happy that I was able to find one with such limited rot. It's just that much sooner that I get to be back behind the wheel.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | The regulator was acting up on my gun, so I ended up with some orange peel going on with the valve covers, probably just gonna let it cure for the week, sand them down, and re-spray them.
Man.... nuthin' in the world prettier than a freshly sprayed block. Several of my buddies were saying that they thought the silver paint would just be boring. Quite to the contrary, I think it looks Beautiful....
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | That sure is a purdy boat anchor. Do ya think she will run!!!! Lookin Good!!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1116
Location: CA | I agree, it looks beautiful! I just love that a 4-dr is getting a new lease on life for a change. Congrats on your hard work! |
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | Let it cure before you panic. That hirsch paint is pretty heavy and it might settle some. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2011-12-29 9:29 PM
That sure is a purdy boat anchor. Do ya think she will run!!!! Lookin Good!!!!
Darn right she will run, and run well....
And, as for a boat anchor... it had better be a big boat to even haul that kinda weight around...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Finsinthemirror - 2011-12-29 9:31 PM
I agree, it looks beautiful! I just love that a 4-dr is getting a new lease on life for a change. Congrats on your hard work!
Thanks for the compliments. And, yeah... I have been saying for a while now how glad I am that the supply of 2dr hardtops is drying up. Finally, people are remembering that they made ones with four doors too.
My next FLK car will be a wagon with any luck.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2011-12-29 11:33 PM
Let it cure before you panic. That hirsch paint is pretty heavy and it might settle some.
Yeah. Kinda what I had in mind. I know it went on heavier on the valve covers than anywhere else. I need to pick up another regulator for my gun. I will let it cure for the week that Hirsch reccomends, then re-evaluate it. If it still needs a little attention, a week away is no big deal. Just happy to see the shiny silver on it. I am in no hurry. The rest of the car won't QUITE be ready in a week anyway....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Wow... never mind...
I just got in to work a little bit ago, and the paint settled down A LOT overnight. The surface is still a little bumpy, but the color / flake consistency is amazing. At the most, I might consider just going back over it lightly for a little added paint layering to make the finish as durable as possible. I have gotten a slightly more smooth finish in the past with rattle cans, but this stuff lays heavy, and solid on the surface. It looks nice.
Thanks again to this forum and it's members for pointing me in the right direction for paint selection. I am really happy with the result.
Edited by BarnFind57 2011-12-30 8:21 AM
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Your right about 4dr's. I just bought some bling bling for my 4dr. I'll post pics on my thread when I get my package. I'm glad your paint is curing better. Nothing like doing it twice, WRONG!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yeah, it's better than I thought it would be, but the light was giving way last night when I shot it too, and this morning I can definitely see some thin spots in the paint here and there. I called Hirsch, and they reccomend to wait for at least 10, preferably 14 days, and I shoudl be able to avoid any wrinkling of the paint if I try and shoot a second coat right on top of what I have. I think that's what I will do....
It's not like there is nothing else I can be doing in the meantime....
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Expert
Posts: 2637
Location: Minor Hill, TN | You might want to see about converting to disc brakes in the front for better stopping. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I do hope some day to upgrade to disc brakes for sure. People have lost the ability to pay attention to what on Earth they are doing when behind the wheel.
In the meantime, I have already rebuilt the stock system with new parts.... I still need to pick up a new master cylinder. I also plan on running all new metal lines while the car s down....
I have also been strongly considering keeping the 4 drums, but upgrading to a power assist system.
Brakes can never be too good.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Okay.... so I promise, the last pics of the engine....
Got the second coat on the block today after replacing the regulator on my gun.... IT LOOKS BEE-YOO-TEE-FULL....
The tins have a super slick coating on them. Nice Gloss to the finish. Cast Iron looks good too. Never had used this paint before, and I must say that I am impressed.
Enough of that... now back to work....
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Location: Blythewood, SC | I'm glad you like it! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Did some of the clean up in the engine compartment....
All of that about painting the firewall... ummm.... never mind...
Gonna sound like a broken record, here. I was genuinely surprised by what I found. The paint on this thing is unreal. Took these pics after cleaning up with some degreaser. The paint still has a high gloss. I will spot spray a few areas (mainly around the brake master, and the sections on the sealant where the paint peeled.) And that's it.... What looks like rust in the pics is actually just exposed body sealer. The only rust is surface, at the very bottom corner at the leading rocker edge. What a beautiful color this car was. Looking forward to seeing the whole exterior freshly re-sprayed in it.
Hopefully I can finish up with the clean-up tomorrow night. It's going pretty quickly.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | The body anchor point... not so much as a speck of surface rust...
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Regular
Posts: 78
Location: Mistake on the Lake | Amazing Rick, you really lucked out in a lot of ways with this car. That color's beautiful, how do you plan on matching the original shade with your respray? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 664
Location: Wales, Wisconsin | Haven't been on this site for awhile but just read your post from beginning to end. WOW!! Very cool car and love your step by step build info/pics. I have almost no mechanical ability but can truly appreciate what you are doing. It all looks great.
John |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | LookForward - 2012-01-13 9:36 AM
Amazing Rick, you really lucked out in a lot of ways with this car. That color's beautiful, how do you plan on matching the original shade with your respray?
Yeah... I am used to old cars that every time you unbolt something, you find three more things wrong. I have held my breath every step of the way on this beast. I have stated before, I operate on a VERY tight budget with my projects... I have three girls at home who need to eat... It's been a pleasant surprise how it's all worked out for me. It's also allowed me to move along at a pace much faster than I am used to as well. Clean and put back on is a much better method...
Dorsey and I were just talking a while back about the car. He commented about the pace that I am keeping. I told him that I don't have a choice. The car is promised as the "getaway car" for a wedding on June the 9th..... MY WEDDING.... and as we all are aware, you can't make mama unhappy....
As for the color, (which is beautiful, I must agree) I contacted the local outfit that has mixed paint from gallons to aerosol cans for all of my VW projects in the past. The guy at the counter who I always deal with did a little digging, and was able to find the paint codes for the Silver Charcoal, and the Satin Gray. Luckily, my car wasn't built on the West Coast, he didn't have any of that. I will have them mix an aerosol can first, and I will do some tests. They also have the ability to do a match if I can bring them something to get the color off of. Hopefully the first try will get it. They have done a great job in the past.
I get more excited about this car every time I touch it. Usually at this point, I don't even want to look at the car in question.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Steppinout - 2012-01-13 2:26 PM
Haven't been on this site for awhile but just read your post from beginning to end. WOW!! Very cool car and love your step by step build info/pics. I have almost no mechanical ability but can truly appreciate what you are doing. It all looks great.
John
Thanks for the compliments, glad you are enjoying reading and looking, I am having a great time bringing life back into her.
I honestly can't help the storytelling, it's in my nature. I love to show how stuff is done, not just the finished product.
I'd post pics of my other work, but not many people are into VWs on here.
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Regular
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Location: Mistake on the Lake | BarnFind57 - 2012-01-13 4:17 PM
The car is promised as the "getaway car" for a wedding on June the 9th..... MY WEDDING.... and as we all are aware, you can't make mama unhappy....
That leaves you almost a whole month until Carlisle...
BarnFind57 - 2012-01-13 4:17 PM
I will have them mix an aerosol can first, and I will do some tests. They also have the ability to do a match if I can bring them something to get the color off of. Hopefully the first try will get it. They have done a great job in the past.
Real curious to see how this works out for you. I've heard a lot of grumbles from various folks over the years who try to get new paint mixed "by the book" to match old original colors. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Nice looking engine color, there, Rick!
And, for anyone else wanting to paint their engines in the proper shade of Silver, Rick's 'canned' spray-gun
paint looks just like Krylon's 'rattle-can' High-Heat engine "Silver" paint (or: vice-versa).
Nice looking work, Rick.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | You would have to look REALLY hard to see the difference between the block and the couple add-ons (plug wire holders, timing pointer, carb. spring bracket) i bolted up today that I painted with the Dupli-Color rattle can aluminum.
Biggest difference is the heavier application of the Hirsch stuff. The Color is darned near identical.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | LookForward - 2012-01-13 5:25 PM
BarnFind57 - 2012-01-13 4:17 PM
The car is promised as the "getaway car" for a wedding on June the 9th..... MY WEDDING.... and as we all are aware, you can't make mama unhappy....
That leaves you almost a whole month until Carlisle...
BarnFind57 - 2012-01-13 4:17 PM
I will have them mix an aerosol can first, and I will do some tests. They also have the ability to do a match if I can bring them something to get the color off of. Hopefully the first try will get it. They have done a great job in the past.
Real curious to see how this works out for you. I've heard a lot of grumbles from various folks over the years who try to get new paint mixed "by the book" to match old original colors.
Yeah, the color may not be exact, but I intend to leave the underhood area alone, paint all the door jamb areas, underside of the trunk lid i will leave, etc... I will probably blend them into one another wherever they do meet.... gonna test it in the trunk area, and go from there, since that will all need a re-paint anyhoo.
I will be pulling up the floor liner. I am sure there is surface rust, but don't know just how nasty that will be. May end up with a new coat of paint there too.
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-01-13 10:34 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | BarnFind57 - 2012-01-11 10:51 PM
The body anchor point... not so much as a speck of surface rust...
They need to give that painter a raise for the RUN he left you with in the pic shown in the mounting brace picture. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 508
Location: Orlando | When I pulled my car apart (original paint), there were runs everywhere...firewall, doorjambs, you name it. |
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | No doubt the newly hired in the paint dept. got the job of spraying anything that wasn't outer body. That engine color looks great! And that shade of blue will be pretty sharp. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yeah, the under areas of paint are not the neatest done in the world on older cars. Some areas the paint is obviously a bit thinner too.
The factory applied undercoating on my car is a mess. They sorta applied it everywhere, got overspray on spots, missed other areas... Quality, i tell ya...
On a side note, in addition to the underside/ fenderwell, bottom side of the hood, and bumper valance areas, my car also has undercoating applied in the area of the trunk, on the lower sides and floor... Was this part of what the factory did, or was this most likely done later in the car's life? Any ideas on that one?
And, during the cleaning, it looks like the hood hinges are either a galvanized or painted bright silver, with red springs. It seems I saw a post elsewhere on that, but for the life of me, I can't seem to find it now. Probably just gonna clean my hinges, but the paint is falling off the springs, so I will re-spray those.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 508
Location: Orlando | My springs (1957 Dodge) were red. It was really hard to tell...they just looked rusty. But after I cleaned them up and scraped the rust off with a wire brush, I could see the red paint in spots. The hinges looked galvanized to me once I cleaned them up, but they also had some rust (galvanizing doesn't last indefinitely.) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yeah, I think that's what mine were... galvanized... they have a nice coating of what appears to be white lithium type grease mixed with underhood grime and grease, but no rust. Hopefully just a good cleaning is all I need there. And yeah, my springs were originally what looks like a cherry red color, a lot of it is still present, but it's flaking off as I am cleaning them.
And, one other note on the exterior color... It looks a bit more blue in the images than it does in real light. I am taking these pics under flourescent, at night, so the color is actually a bit more silver/ grey with a slight blue hue going on. Regardless, it is still a real nice color. Very similar to the '58 Dodge Kingsway posted by "Tom80" in the General discussion Forum section. the color he showed in the chart is "Charcoal Poly".... Mine is called Silver Charcoal... Thinking it's the same color, if not, real close. I really like the way that car looks... kinda gives me an idea of what mine would look like (if it had two doors and no big fat b-pillar )
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Rolling right along....
I got the hinges off the body, taking them to work for a quick clean and refresh. The driver's side of the firewall cleaned up. Again, really clean for the most part, but the years of a leaky master cylinder did a number on the paint around and below it. Gonna have to spray some fresh paint on there. Started cleaning up the pounds of grease and grime from the frame. Paint appears to be in decent shape from the engine mounting area back, just surface rust on the front section. Still plan on shooting a quick coat of paint on all that's exposed, then back in with the engine and trans. I want to use the lift at work, and it looks like I might be able to get it done either this weekend or next.
Pulling the trim from around the windows in preparation for body work which will be commencing shortly.
Meanwhile, at work... bolting up all the little bits and pieces on the engine, got the manifolds cleaned up and painted with some VHT Header paint. It's looking great.
Got my trans seals, and the pan gasket, so I will get those replaced and get it all ready to go back in.
Once that's put back together, it's back to the house for the body repair.
Making progress little by little.....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Firewall cleaned....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And, since many of you know not how I am....
I love the LITTLE things.... That is, to restore the individual components... More specifically, I revive, without overdone resto. A couple of examples:
The distributor, partly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, painted, and reassembled...
And, the second set of pics is of the thermostatically operated flap system. To those not familiar, when the exhaust is cold, the flap stays closed, causing a build-up of heat in the intake manifold, to help avoid carb icing.... These things get stuck (mine was) from rust, and simply don't operate. In the case of mine, it was stuck in the closed position, restricting exhaust flow on the passenger side manifold. The way most "fix" this is either to break the flap away from the shaft (it's brazed on) or, to knock the shaft completely out, and weld up the hole, or the classic hammer the flap shaft open, and weld it up that way...
Not good enough for me...
I soaked it with PB Blaster for about 3 weeks or so, while i was rebuilding other parts of the engine. Then, after getting the arm freed up, I was faced with a broken heat coil. Staring at it for a while, it hit me.... I scrounged through my VW parts pile, locating a donor Solex carb from an old Beetle. I pulled the electric choke, smiled, thinking it just might work... I broke apart the ceter mount, exposing the bare coil spring, installed it on the shaft. I gradually shaped it to the right orientation and length, and trimmed off the excess. After that, I reinstalled the counterweight, bolted it all together, and painted it to match the manifold with VHT paint. Finally, I tested it with a heat gun. Much to my delight, it works perfectly.
How's that for being anal retentive?
Pics of my obsessiveness:
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Today I got the seals replaced in the trans. and bolted it all back together. Just a little light dusting of paint on the surface to keep the rust and corrosion at bay.
Engine is ready to install as well. Just got a little more cleaning up to do with the frame, and then it's back in.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Finshed up the cursory cleaning of the forward frame area. Again, nothing too overboard, just trying to get a little fresh black paint on the frame and all of the suspension cleaned up. Ended up leavig the suspension and steering in it's natural non-finished state. I almost painted everything in the chassis black and contrasting metallic finishes, but am still operating under the "try not to over-restore" daily driver status. Best part is that now it's ready to accept the engine and trans, so I will have it towed in tomorrow since it's going to be nice and sunny, and get those in over the weekend.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick, if that is, indeed, bare cast-iron finish on the trannie, there are several paints that you can buy, which will be
an undetectable bare-metal color match to the bare iron.
Notice the way that the trannie pan looks, in your photo?
Before very long, in the Real World, the transmission case will look worse than that, if left unprotected.
I tried heavily clear-coating several items on my car's suspension/driveline, but discovered that corrosion would
occur right through/under it.
"Bare Metal/cast-iron" paint, to the rescue!
You can apply a heavy clear-coat over the bare-metal paint, to impart a further shiny-ness/protection to the finish,
if you like.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I'm there already, man....
I actually shot a thin coating of the "rebuilder's cast gray" on the body of the trans before I put it back together. That way it will always look pretty and new. I have used that paint on generators for many years and been real happy with it.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Bueno!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | d500neil - 2012-01-24 4:39 PM
Bueno!
Yeah... I selectively cheat during the make it pretty process....
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Regular
Posts: 78
Location: Mistake on the Lake | That's seriously got to be the prettiest Powerflite I've ever seen. |
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | Back on page 4 you have a shot of the bare engine and said you used a chemical rust converter on it. You got a certain brand that you'd recommend? Did you use the same on the trans? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | LookForward - 2012-01-24 8:09 PM
That's seriously got to be the prettiest Powerflite I've ever seen.
I think I will need to carry an extendable pocket mirror with me so I can show it off to everyone....
And, thanks for the compliment. I just can't wait to feel it shifting smoothly again.
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-01-24 9:40 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | b5rt - 2012-01-24 8:38 PM
Back on page 4 you have a shot of the bare engine and said you used a chemical rust converter on it. You got a certain brand that you'd recommend? Did you use the same on the trans?
The stuff I used on that was called "Rust Cure"... it's a chemical converter that you brush on, and let it sit. Turns everything a dark color, making the rust inactive. It was some leftover that I had from some time ago. They used to sell it at a local shop that did media blasting, that's gone out of business now. I tried to find some more locally, no dice.... I found it on the 'net, but you have to buy it locally (in Texas). It's good, but it is VERY caustic stuff. Shipping isn't avaiable.... I dribbled a little on the concrete floor under the stand, and it ate the finish off, and part of the concrete....
The trans just had some very light rust staining, so I hand sanded that clean, and applied a light coat of the cast gray paint.
There are some more, less toxic products out there... guess it's time to look into those now.
Here's a link to the stuff I used, if you want to plan a road trip to get it, let me know... I will take some more.
http://www.rust-cure.com/
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-01-24 9:39 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 424
Location: Harrison, NY | Kinda late to the party however very nice 4 door! Good luck. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Christine'sRevenge - 2012-01-24 11:32 PM
Kinda late to the party however very nice 4 door! Good luck.
Thanks!
The car just arrived here at work a little bit ago. In the daylight I can see a couple spots where my frame spraying is a little thin. I was needing to paint the underside of the frame while it's in the air on the lift anyhoo, so, no big deal there. With it's spot in the garage, I could barely walk alongside the car due to the confined space. Now that I can actually get around it, the newly cleaned forward area makes the rest of the car really look like poo.
Oh well, that will come in time too, I guess.
Assembling the plate on the back of the block, and reinstalling the E-Brake drum on the trans today during lunch. Going back together Friday night or Saturday morning.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Well, last night after work, I got the car up in the air on a lift. Took the wheels off, removed the super dead rear shocks (I bought new ones for it, all the way around) blasted the majority of the crud from the rear frame/fenderwell area... insert 15 minute eye flushing for the tiny rust particles that went past my safety glasses.... that kinda sucked.... taped off the front end again, and resprayed the frame, including the under side this time. Much better now, and ready for the powertrain.
Arrived at work this morning, the car was still sitting where I left it. I stood there, staring at it... In the quiet serenity of the empty shop, I said, "Show me"....
Nothing happened, so I guess I will be installing the engine today myself.
Plans for the day: Engine and trans bolt up and install in the car, and rear frame / underbody cleaning and painting. Time permitting, I may try to hit the exhaust and hangers as well. I had more in my mind, but probably better keep it limited. That lessens how much can go wrong... usually....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Saturday went well. Never made it to the rear end of the car, but still managed to get a lot done.
Finished up assmbly of the engine and trans, got them bolted up and in the car. Replaced the worn out front shocks, pulled the rears in anticipation of repaint in the frame / rear axle area. Fixed my leak (I hope) at the trans. control cable. Got the drums cleaned up and painted. Overall, a pretty good day.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Been doing lots of little stuff every day. Got the generator cleaned up, painted, and installed. Tying up the loose ends in the powertrain so I will be able to start it up in the next couple of weeks....
Also, pulling the rest of the trim, door panels, gutting the interior mats and seats, etc. to prep for welding, body work, and paint. The right rear door is a mess inside, pretty rusty. The driver's side front door had a layer of dust. After you wipe that out, there's a bright shiny reflection.... I dunno...
Still Gotta get the regulator moving in the Passenger Rear door. She's completely frozen up. Gonna have to be gentle....
Making progress... one broken, rusty piece at a time....
I did score a killer deal on some inner headlamp repair panels, now I just need the outers.
Coming along nicely. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick, right-rear door regulators have been posted on the 'Pay, recently, and for not unreasonable prices, and/or
Big M can probably sell you one---just make sure that the inner (semi-hidden) tumbler gears' teeth are in good
condition.
The outer/visible gear teeth may be in fine condition, while the inner gear-teeth can be wasted.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Good info to know. Thanks, Neil.
I had actually talked with Big M about one if I need it a while back, just trying to take it apart gently enough to see how many pieces are gonna break...
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Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | Just read through all of this thread... very well written & documented, and a real boon to all us shade-tree hacks, let me tell you! I may be doing a lot of the same stuff with my hopefully soon-to-be-here '58 Windsor when it arrives in NY from New Mexico, and for a non-pro, to see the process is very helpful! Like to do the same kind of lo-buck, keep it pretty original and do-no-harm kind of refurbishment (I wouldn't dignify what I want, can do, or afford as restoration) and you seem to have struck just the right balance. Just hope mine starts out as solid as this one, you never know when buying from afar! We ended up selling the '58 Sweep because the body wasn't as advertised... Keep up the great work!! And thanks for all the fish... er, pics!
Edited by firedome 2012-02-07 3:42 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Thanks for the compliments.
As I have said a couple of times, I really love an untouched, original car. A well restored car is a beautiful thing, but not really for me. (Although I have done it for others) I DRIVE my cars. This one, unfortunately, had already been attacked by a hobby "restorer". I knew all along I wanted something reliable, so the mechanical repairs were a must. However, like anything else, you can over-do it. Take the front end. Instead of just jumping on a complete front end rebuild kit, I addressed it like any other driver. In that sense, the practical sense, it needs and idler arm bushing, a pair of lower control arm bushings, and, the uppers if i feel like messing with them. But that's it. I am going for reliable, not new. I think it's kinda cool to have ball joints with the "D-P-D-C" logo on them.
If I had my way, the previous owner would have never touched the body, and I could have lived with a buffing of the original paint, and interior clean-up. But, as it is, it will be a nicer car, but not so nice that I am worried about leaving it in a public parking space. However, I will be welding in repair panels, both stamped and fabricated, not following the p.o. method of bondo on top of aluminum foil.
I have to restrain myself, though. It's hard to find just the right balance of to do and not to do. I think I am doing a pretty good job keeping it in check.
They are only original once.
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | yOU ONLY NEED 9998 MARBLES AS I KNOW WHERE YOUR OTHER 2 ARE. JUST TURN YOUR HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND LISTEN REAL CLOSE. HA! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Well, it had to happen sooner or later... I found the rust....
Under that beautiful, original rubber floor mat. Lots of surface rust, but not really chunky, and no holes. I will take out the front seat, and finish pulling up the mats to get a better look. Regardless, it's not bad enough to warrant metal replacement, so I think it's gonna just get a coat of POR 15, and keep on kicking... that's what the plan was from the start anyway.
Other than that, I have been plugging away, bagging and tagging trim bits and pieces. Got all the inner door panels off, and the passenger rear is the only one with an issue, but still not that big of a deal. Basically, just still moving along in the forward direction here. I find myself wanting to sit behind the wheel and make little motor noises... I need to get this thing done...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | As she sits now... and pics of the naked doors...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And, one last pic... this is where I pulled the stainless trim off, exposing the original color combo... I like it more every time I see it. Gonna have to spend a little time at the paint supply store to find the right colors....
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | I wonder why the passenger rear door was replaced? Any other damage in that area?
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ^^^ Evidently the car got tagged along that side years ago... That door and passenger front fender (which never even had the holes drilled for the V8 emblem) were replaced at some time, both were white on the back side. The front door seems to be original and just fine.... Also, some craptacular repair to the right side rear quarter... Nothing too terrible, but i can see where something has been done a long time ago. The rear section of the rocker on that side from roughly the b-pillar rearward is pretty haggard and rusty. I'll get Some fresh metal welded in and a little straightening.... Shouldn't be too bad.
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I know what ya mean on the rubber floor covering. I didn't want to remove mine with 20k miles but I couldn't stand not knowing what was going on under the mat. I'm glad I pulled it as I found two small holes. So I have no option but to go back with carpet. The marble comment was a joke. Lookin good!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2012-02-10 4:01 PM
I know what ya mean on the rubber floor covering. I didn't want to remove mine with 20k miles but I couldn't stand not knowing what was going on under the mat. I'm glad I pulled it as I found two small holes. So I have no option but to go back with carpet. The marble comment was a joke. Lookin good!!!
Yeah... It looked really pretty from underneath.... but gravity and water.... well, one side it falls, the other it doesn't... I hope to be really careful with the mat, because it is in VERY nice shape, just some hardening around the lead edge, the rest is fairly flexible.
And, yeah... I caught the marble comment... now, can you tell me where my quote comes from?
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I googled it. Belushi died way before his time. I'd pork Ms. Wormer. Flounder said it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2012-02-10 4:34 PM
I googled it. Belushi died way before his time. I'd pork Ms. Wormer. Flounder said it.
Ahhhh..... more than just an answer.... an entertaining answer.... I knew I liked you... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Been kinda quiet up in here... been really busy so I haven't had much time to mess with the big car... But, I did have me a nice little breakthrough in the paint department.
After working for a while with my guy at the local paint shop, i think he's got me something pretty close after crossing numbers, playing with the formulas.... I shot a quick and dirty paint coat on a piece of steel, and both of the colors look good. The first pic is with an old Acme paint chip sheet. The second is the new painted metal with the wet-sanded and buffed fuel door. In both cases, looks close enough for me.
Looks like I don't have to paint her red and white afterall....
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-02-25 9:04 PM
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Regular
Posts: 78
Location: Mistake on the Lake | Camera flash can play tricks on the eye but those look pretty dang close to me... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | STORY TIME
So, the search for the obsolete rear U-joint had a happy ending today....
I paid a visit to Chattanooga Driveline today. I had with me the required parts: New U-joint, The old rear end yoke, and for giggles, I laid the original joint on the counter as well.
I was explaining what I wanted to do, and the guy behind the counter just asks what it's for, I tell him a '57 Plymouth.
He gets a funny look on his face and asks me, "So which one do you want... the yoke to convert it, or just the joint?"...
I stood there and was like..."Whu???"
He laughs a little and says that he thinks he still has one on the shelf.
I told him if he did he was my new best friend for the day.
He asks me to hold on a sec, and goes to the back.... and comes out a minute or two later holding something wrapped in tattered cosmoline paper.
He unfolds the paper, still in disbelief, I am now seeing the two bearings with the tabs on them, and that shape that I know all too well now that fits into the yoke.... about then I notice that he had come back out, with not one, but two tattered little wrappings.... I thought I was gonna squeal like a girl for a sec.
He messed with them just a little to get the bearing caps to turn... the grease had hardened from decades of sitting on the shelf....
I asked the question. "How much do you want for them?"
He laughs again, saying that they aren't even in his system anymore. He just happened to remember asking one of the older guys in the shop what on earth these funny looking joints were for, and him being told they fit some "Old Chrysler Stuff"... he says if I want to pay cash, with no receipt, he'll take $20 each for them. I nearly broke my wrist trying to get my wallet out of my pocket....
So, now I gots one to put on the car, and the other will be tucked away in my toolbox in case I need it in another 55 years.
Today was a good day.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | proof from the shopping trip,... they even had the new clips and grease fittings wrapped in the paper with them.
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | I know you have them, but I'm pretty sure you could have just bought a set of u joint straps from the Help section and used normal joints. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2012-02-29 5:24 PM
I know you have them, but I'm pretty sure you could have just bought a set of u joint straps from the Help section and used normal joints.
I was actually close to do doing just that.... My biggest concern was how little actual contact area there would actually be. The yoke has a slight curve cut-out for the seating of the joint bearing cap, then slots cut out that locate the tabs. So, the actual "seated" depth of the bearing cap mould have been less than 1/8"... that seemed a bit to iffy for me. That's why I decided to just slap another yoke on it and go... then, this little turn, which was actually cheaper than a yoke... eh, it's all good....
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Expert
Posts: 1316
Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels | I'm missing the ends with ears and holes.
Would you consider selling a set to me ?
Thanks.
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Expert
Posts: 3951
Location: Bama | BarnFind57 - 2012-02-29 8:56 PM 57plymouth - 2012-02-29 5:24 PM I know you have them, but I'm pretty sure you could have just bought a set of u joint straps from the Help section and used normal joints. I was actually close to do doing just that.... My biggest concern was how little actual contact area there would actually be. The yoke has a slight curve cut-out for the seating of the joint bearing cap, then slots cut out that locate the tabs. So, the actual "seated" depth of the bearing cap mould have been less than 1/8"... that seemed a bit to iffy for me. That's why I decided to just slap another yoke on it and go... then, this little turn, which was actually cheaper than a yoke... eh, it's all good.... You should not take much advice from the "U Joint Breaker". He was famous in 07. |
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | That's how I know what works and what doesn't. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 6203
Location: Big pimpin' | lawrence - 2012-03-01 7:28 PM
You should not take much advice from the "U Joint Breaker". He was famous in 07.
And it wasn't even aa "Faw-Fawty" either!
Edited by dukeboy 2012-03-02 7:30 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | SHE'S ALIVE!!!!
And, might I add, runs beautifully....
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 481
Location: The Netherlands | Nice! No movies???
Did you got the fuel filter gasket? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Matthew Keij - 2012-03-07 3:00 PM
Nice! No movies???
Did you got the fuel filter gasket?
No photographic or video proof yet... I finally got it going at the tail end of my lunch break. I will try and get something posted up soon, though.
As for the gasket, not yet, they should be at my house today or tomorrow.... I made a temporary out of an oil filler cap seal.....
Don't judge me....
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 481
Location: The Netherlands | As long as it works! At least you can order one easily.
Engine and tranny are looking great by the way. Don't know why I haven't seen this before |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Alright, this may take a little bit... lots of pics to update.... I've been busy...
First, tackled the all-too-much-freakin'-fun NOS original style solid driveshaft boot... just so I could say I tried.... came out nice...
Observe, the step-by-step:
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And then, had to disassemble the NOS U-joint to remove the dried up grease, flushed them out, cleaned the needle bearings, re-packed, and installe the joint to the driveshsaft....
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Then, I checked out the spray can of touch-up paint the guy mixed up for me actually on the car.....
once again, the test looked pretty close to the super clean firewall paint, so I used it to cover the areas where the paint had peeled away from the sealant, and that disappears pretty well into the original paint. Did a really nice job of cleaning that up....
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Then, as I mentioned before, I made me a temporary gasket for the glass bowl filter, but the carb seals were shot, spitting the gas out of the carb instead of into the engine. Also, once I pulled the body apart, i realized it was full of trash. Got me a rebuild kit from Napa, built that in the garage at home last night. One more thing that's fresh for the old gal...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And then, the final moment of triumph today... It was giving me a fit trying to get it started... I was getting popping, attempts at nuthin'... right up until the point I realized my dumb mistake. I had timed it off the wrong wire....
Realizing my mistake ( I had looked at what I thought was the same front-to rear order in the clip on the valve cover, not noticing that I had exchanged the position of the wires for the #1 and #3 cylinders....), I did the ancient method of pull one wire, then pull the next one and put it in the first hole, and so on, all the way around. Then, she came to life.
Still needing to actually set the timing, adjust the valves (I had left them a little loose since I ground them and the seats), play with the carb adjustment a little, that sort of stuff... Other than the clacking of those loose valves, the engine runs great already, and very little smoke after letting run for a little while. It's been a busy, but productive week....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | The video proof....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwhDM8pboaY&feature=youtu.be
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Congrats there Mr. Rocky Top!!! Just a little tweaking and you should be ready to go. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | Excellent progress, Rick!!
Those trunnion boots can be a real headache, but you did just fine!
---John |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1116
Location: CA | You really are doing a very good job on your car. It's very inspirational! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Thanks, guys...
Moments ago, I was talking to one of our customers who has his Porsche 912 here at the moment. I walked up front to make sure that nothing was leaking after having run it yesterday and driving it... looks good.... He was up there in the front garage, checking out my Plymouth. He saw me walk over to it, and was asking what engine it had, was it a '57 or a '58... Was I restoring it? that sort of thing. Turns out he had a '58 Fury when it was new. I was kinda dismissing the "Fury" notion.. it seems like everybody owned a "Fury" if they owned a Plymouth, you know how it is. But then He was talking about remembering how it was a "sort of a light color... but not white"... how he remembered the Three speed push-button transmission, the long, leaning front fenders, the big fins "Just like this one" and it having a "Big long shiny gold spear" that ran all the way down the body... I guess he knew what he was talking about afterall. He was loving mine. Cool old guy. He's been here a number of times, but untill I saw him checking out my car, hadn't really talked to him before.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | That's one of the best by-products of these old cars, is talking with an older person who had one in his youth.
Great progress on a fine car, Rick!
Pete |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | SavoyPlaza - 2012-03-08 4:23 PM
That's one of the best by-products of these old cars, is talking with an older person who had one in his youth.
Great progress on a fine car, Rick!
Pete
I have to agree. I never get tired of talking with people about this car. It's funny how many people you encounter who used to own one. I've been keeping it away from my grandfather untill it's ready to roll. He asks me about it whenever I see him.
And thanks for the words, Pete. I am really enjoying this build. It's been a long time since I was this excited about a car.
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-03-09 8:22 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Hauled her back to the house to get started up on the body work today...
Kinda snug in there, I can work one side, then turn her around and do the other....
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | Snug? I'm working in a 20 x 20 with another car in there. Car's looking good. Hope you can take your grandad for a ride when it warms up. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | SavoyPlaza - 2012-03-09 1:23 PM
That's one of the best by-products of these old cars, is talking with an older person who had one in his youth.
Great progress on a fine car, Rick!
Pete
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
My greatest pleasure in owning these cars is the smiles it puts on the faces of passing people
as you drive it, or the people that might come ask or tell you about one they had.
You get some wing-ding idiots in the mix that can be pretty funny too. But out in the general
public, most are just good folks who have just had their day made by seeing the car their Aunt
Myrtle had.
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Veteran
Posts: 102
Location: CA | Owner of a 4 door sedan checking in. What a great set of pictures; and extreme kudos on your progress!! Maybe I will post pictures of my restoration when the time comes as well. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I have some other stuff to tend to first thing today, but I plan on starting the work on the body this afternoon sometime. With any luck, I hope to have the welding done in the next couple of weeks (it's really not bad at all), and get this thing in primer.... I hope....
I am looking forward to seeing her shiny once more.
And, yeah, I hear ya Doc. as for the "wing-ding idiots" as you call them.... they make me smile on the inside... I can usually stop short of laughing in their face....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Front inner fenders sanded down (engine compartment side), primed and bathed in Semi-gloss Black.... Very pretty....
Most of the undercoating was in really good shape (not hard and brittle and flaking off like most of what I have seen) so I just sprayed a thin overall coat to make it alll clean and even again, shot it a little heavier in the spots where it came off when I pressure washed them.
I also got the heater case and fan housing back on, and a few days ago I got in the mail a new idler arm bushing and some NORS back-up lenses to replace the (1) weathered/splintered and the (1) broken one.
The speed I am moving at right now, I keep telling people to watch out, it's very likely they will get hit with something flying....
Also got something coming from John at Big M that will really help the overall appearance of the car in time (and budget) for the wedding.... Less than three months away... I think I can....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Engine compartment done enough for now.... On to the rest of the body work.
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | Hit that voltage regulator cover with some paint. It stands out as it is. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yeah... I was trying to leave as much original as possible everywhere, but once that shiny fresh engine was in there, I thought... "Well, now... that looks like doo-doo..." So I have been trying to touch up everything... just ran out of time last night.
It will get some fresh paint too, for sure. I just need to get started on the body... the weather is beautiful, and I need to get this thing on the road.
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | Looks great, Rick!!
---John |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Busy all day Saturday, running round with mama trying to get some errands done. Got about a half day in today....
Removed the seats, the rubber floor coverings, vacuumed out all the crusty stuff living under the mats... I was pretty happy to see the floor is in fact completely intact, just some surface rust on the rear half, and a little bit of rot along that nasty attempted repair on the passenger rocker repair.. I did get a good look at what was going on with the crap repair job at the right rear dogleg area... The floor area was wrinkled up pretty good, along with the lower part of the wheelwell. The good news is that the entire damage area is smaller than the surface area of a basketball. The part of the floor that had wrinkled from the impact had left a gap at the outer edge that the body shop "repaired" by laying a thick piece of rubber mat on top of the hole... Nice... Then, to "fix" the rocker damage to the rear section, they used a new rocker repair section and attached it with sheet metal screws.... on top of the original rocker... again, Nice...
There was actually shiny paint on the original rocker when I pulled the rusty "outer - outer" rocker off. Got most of that nasty stuff cut out, starting to line up the new inner and outer rocker sections before having to call it quits for the day. Pretty good progress for the time I had.
Got a bit more trimming and cutting out to do, should start welding in new metal before the week is out.
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Regular
Posts: 74
Location: Falicon 06 France | Nice job you're doing here, your engine bay is stunning !!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Been tearing into the rocker mess pretty hard and heavy. Hit a major milestone tonight.... FINALLY started welding on this big gal.
Got the floor edge trimmed up, fabricated a narrow strip to run along the edge to replace the rotted steel. Welded the strip up, then started welding the inner rocker in and joining the two together. I am doing the forward half first, then, once that is tacked in place helping hold things still, I will be cutting out the damaged rear section and repairing that mess. Exciting Stuff.
Some more pics to catch everybody up....
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Hope that Bondo Sculpture, you just ruined, wasn't created by anyone famous!
So much for the Antiques Roadshow.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | d500neil - 2012-03-19 11:05 PM
Hope that Bondo Sculpture, you just ruined, wasn't created by anyone famous!
So much for the Antiques Roadshow.
Pretty sure I didn't affect the resale value of that mess.
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Regular
Posts: 74
Location: Falicon 06 France | The amount of rust is impressive  |
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Wow...you don't fool around! Great work.
Pretty engine too! |
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Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | Your work is impressive too. Hard to believe the mess some supposed "shops" make of body repairs. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I forgot to post this pic... this is what the rocker behind the "screwed and glued" repair panel looked like.... I could see my reflection clearly in the paint. It appears that the damage was confined to the rear door section and back. Most likely the rust didn't come up till after the "repair"... I say that because The driver's side rocker section is just lovely, without so much as a hint of rust to it.
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Regular
Posts: 74
Location: San Antonio,Texas | Hello great car,great work its originality is quite impressive , I like that your going as original as possible its a great thread. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 318fins - 2012-03-22 5:40 PM
Hello great car,great work its originality is quite impressive , I like that your going as original as possible its a great thread. :)
Thanks for the kudos, man.
I must say yours is a lot more ambitious than what I am doing here. I have done full-on rebuilds before for myself and others, but this is a lot easier. I am really big on original cars, so I try to keep them that way when I can if it's possible.... That's part of why I was so excited when I found this one. The exceptions to that are I strive for mechanical reliability, so I go through all of that... and I wanted to fix the rot and do away with the bondo.... I don't think they left the factory body with body work this bad.... well, not quite...
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | I hate finding work performed by bondo sculptors, they often ruin even good metal drilling holes to affix their handywork. Looks like this car is in the right hands, though.
---John |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1155
Location: somerville mass | i have been following your find and restoration of your 57 savoy
since day 1! found (pretty solid away fom the elements!) in a
barn/garage in n.j. your work and attn to detail is amazing!
so original not driven for years. i love all that stuff you found in the glove box and the orig. keys!
it is gonna look so nice when your done! your almost there!
gonna paint it orig. color or a different two tone? clean up
the front seat with sms or similar. carpet wont hurt. no power
steering...
r&h in newspaper ads 50's and 60's - radio and heater - was a
big deal. some basic cars ply dodge ch%&y f%&d came with
niether stock! no tunes and you froze your azz off!
power disc brake conversion? petronix ignition?
great work,man! we're almost there!!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Thanks, Steve.... yep, she's gettin' close....
As for the color, sticking with the original two-tone Satin Gray over Silver Charcoal. I always wanted something you don't often see when searching for one of these cars as it was, and that color combo is not too common from the pics that I have seen. The fact that it actually looks pretty cool just adds to the allure. I have been pretty successful with the local paint shop guys mixing my colors. He is gonna tweak the lighter color just a bit to get it dead on. (It currently has a slight green to the hue vs a more blue-gray.)
Gonna put some cheap slip covers over the seats as a temporary "so I can drive it for the Spring" but plans are for SMS to fix the fabric portion and clean up the original vinyl.
The glovebox contents and build code sheets are like icing on the cake for the cool history on the car and the town it lived in all of it's life.
I love the bought after the fact Motorola AM that it has in it, so that will stay, and the rear rubber mat is perfect although the front one is pretty badly split around the pedals and worn through from old lady high-heels from the years. I will leave them for now and maybe replace them later on.
Drum brakes for now, but I am super picky in that area, so they will be tip-top before they ever leave my driveway.
And a Petronix? I'm way to old-school for that stuff. I just toss and extra set in the car just in case of emergency. I have been a die-hard points gap adjuster for decades... And I'm only 37.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Wow.... hard to believe that today marks the one year anniversary of my first post here. I think I am gonna get all sentimental or something... nah, never mind that mess....
I was in Nashville all of this past weekend, so no Plymouth progress for those days.... last night I managed to install my oil filter adapter plate for the spin-on filter, and then got some more done on the rocker. I finished welding up the forward section of the inner rocker, then got the rear section properly aligned and the rear brace cut out, straightened, and welded back in and welded it up to the inner rocker as well. Also, the damaged floor section is cut out, and I will be installing that soon as well. Every little bit is strengthening up the door sill. It's getting there. I hope to have the remainder of the inner rocker sections done tonight, and, maybe even start installing the outer rocker. Hope to have time this coming weekend to get some more of the body work done.
I also started a little temporary "budget re-chrome" on the few pieces that are actually chrome... pics to post of that when I finish, but it's actually coming out pretty nicely.
Lots of work happening here. June 9th is the date of the wedding, and it's coming pretty fast at this point.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | A little bit got done here...
I got a big box from Williams, California day before yesterday. A new used better than what I had by a long shot rear bumper from Big M Auto. Actually, mine was a straight, but completely rusted turd, and the new one is a bit of beautiful, and completely rust-free (well, a little surface stuff on the back side, but nobody will see that.)... Big thanks for that huge leap forward, John!
Got the inner rocker mostly done the other day, then got the outer welded up night before last... closed the door, looked at it and realized the darned thing was crooked on the top edge... had to cut it loose on the top edge and re-do it. The front door was hanging out about a 1/4" over the rocker when I closed it. I have to be careful about making measurements with a tape measure after 10 o'clock from now on... Luckily, I hadn't seam welded anything yet, it was just tacked in.... Thank you overlapped seam welding...
Anyway, it's in, it's straight (now) starting to work the forward inner section, then the dogleg... then, it's on to the damaged spot of rear floor once the outer part is in and straight. Should have a good bit of time this weekend to get some work done.
I really underestimated how bad the previous repair had been to the car. It really didn't look that bad, but it turns out that is all just SLIGHTLY off, so it's taking some time to get it right... But, that's the only way I am gonna do it. I still have to remove all the filler in the passenger rear quarter, and pull it outward. (the lower rear edge of the rear door hangs about 1/2" out beyond the body at one spot. (and that's after the 3/8" or so of body filler piled on there.)
It's gettin' there.
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | Nothing is easy when there is old body damage buried under bondo! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2012-03-30 4:22 PM
Nothing is easy when there is old body damage buried under bondo!
You, sir, are correct...
Busy couple of days, including a lot of today.... Much good werk...
Today I got the forward section of the outer rocker seam welded and the rear braced and aligned on the outer. got the damaged dogleg out and the new one in. Straightened the wheel arch some more. Cut a damaged section out where the edge had been creased. The seam for the wheelhouse to the body had actually broken loose (more build quality goodness, no doubt)... I drilled out the spot non-welds and plug welded them after hammering the seam straight. Began stripping the rear quarter of the layer of filler. Still gotta pull the damaged quarter back out. Slow going, but steady. This is the worst part, so I wanted to get it all done first.
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | You're doing it the way it should have been done a long time ago. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | b5rt - 2012-04-01 11:06 AM
You're doing it the way it should have been done a long time ago.
Thanks... I'd like to think so....
It is hard for me, now that this car is a 55 year old collectible (even if it is a 4 door) to think about a time when it wasn't worth fixing right. But, honest truth is that it simply wasn't back then.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And, finally, Sunday afternoon and Monday evening I managed to finish pulling the forward section of the rear quarter out, along with the fender lip. I also had to work the whole remaining quarter back straight. (The impact had actually bowed the remaining 2/3 of the quarter out)... Came out pretty nice, just needs a thin coat of filler in the forward section by the door, and a few remaining dings to pull. (nothing like the 1/2" or so gap we started with there.
From here on out, it's just some more minor rot repair and dents and ding stuff.. wreck damage is all gone.
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Member
Posts: 41
Location: Cognac , S-W of France | You' re doing a nice job Rick !
Edited by Metalshop16 2012-04-03 8:03 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Metalshop16 - 2012-04-03 8:00 AM
You' re doing a nice job Rick !
Thanks, man.... as an added bonus, the door gap before was pinched together at the top edge, and the door would drag terribly when you opened and closed the door. Now, the gap is even, and she opens and closes super smooth.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Got the paint stripped from the passenger quarter and both doors... found a couple of plastic filler surprises... no big deal, though. I will pull the dents, fix the itty bitty bits of rust, and keep on kicking.
I also kept looking at the rear door edge line on the quarter, it was really bothering me that it wasn't quite back in line, and the whole purpose is to eliminate as much body filler as possible here.... Finally figured out why it's not quite out all the way. One surface in the door jamb is actually inset/pushed in at the rear edge. I had been looking right at it, but didn't realize the problem untill running my hand over it a coupe times. On the driver's side, the same section is flat with the body. I plan to cut a relief in that section, and should be able to pull it out the rest of the way.
I also pulled the exterior door handles (held my breath a bit on the rear door due to the rusty rust) and the fron lock cylinder...
Last, I got the siezed regulator and glass out of the rear door, and got it freed up and moving beautifully. The window seal was poop in that door, causing all the rust behind the noise insulation and the stuck window. The metal is still pretty thick, though, so I plan on fixing the little bits, knocking off the loose surface rust, and hitting the inner part of the door with some POR15.
I am sitting in the garage, looking at a rebuilt engine, detailed engine bay, smooth bare metal and lots of repair and welded up body sections, and thinking back about how I kept talking about just getting it running and not messing with the body at first.... yeah... right....
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Your not through yet??? Ha! Lookin REALLY gOOOOOOOOOOd! I've bought some NOS rockers for my Sub. They came out of a old parts supply store for $20 ea. Where are you buying your new metal?
Edited by oldwood 2012-04-05 11:41 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | No, it's not done yet....
My metal is kinda a hodgepodge of everything from everywhere....
- New Inner/Outer Rockers from RockAuto... not perfect, but pretty decent, supposedly US made, and Cheap.
- Fender/dogleg patch NOS... ebay....
- Inner headlamp panels, NOS, Very dusty from years on the shelf in a body shop, STUPID cheap off of eBay....
- One outer headlamp panel, NOS, still gotta get the other side.
The rest I am fabricating myself.... I did kinda cheat on the inner part of the rocker sill.... I used a cut-off part from a door skin section from a VW bus, the fit/contour were perfect. Good times.
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Location: little rock, AR | Nothing like good old GERMAN sheetmetal. |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2012-04-05 2:05 PM
Nothing like good old GERMAN sheetmetal.
Brazilian, actually...
That way I can go up to complete strangers and ask them if they want to see my Brazilian.....
...panel....
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick, I really appreciate how you were able to close up that lower door gap, as seen in your photo #95, of 4-1-12,
compared to its fitment as seen in your pic #18, of 4-3-12.
Nice attention to detail!
Edited by d500neil 2012-04-05 5:09 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 782
Location: Edmonton, Alberta | Wow.... you're really going all out. Your body work is fantastic! It's nice to see all of that bondo gone and replaced with metal. I've been following your thread from the beginning. I'm looking forward to reading some more of your posts. Bet you're itching to get some paint on the car! |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Thanks, Neil... and you are right... I am a bit anal retentive about my body-working... I honestly believe if I am this far into one, just half-arse is not the way to fly. It seems kinda silly to strip one all the way down, then fill it with bondo, and spray something cheap on top.... Don't get me wrong, I have done it if that's what people want, but I prefer the slow and right method. The door gap is near perfect top to bottom, and I started working the quarter some more with the stud welder and slide hammer after cutting a relief gap in the jamb near the tweaked edge, and it's starting to come more in line with the door... should need just a small amount of filler to make it just right. I might have to straighten up the driver's side a little so the difference between me in 2012 and Evansville in 1957 isn't so obvious....
And, to answer your comment, Gord... YES! I can't wait to see this girl in her two-tone gray glory again. The body is coming along very well. The biggest secret to a beautiful paint job is the quality of work under it. Although I am looking at a deadline just over 2 months away, I am still determined to do it right. I want to do it once, then drive it for the rest of my life.
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Regular
Posts: 78
Location: Mistake on the Lake | Go Rick Go! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 314
| Love the Hazet Tool Buddy! What VW's do you have? I'm getting ready to embark on my first Mopar/non-VW myself. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | db300 - 2012-04-08 7:25 PM
Love the Hazet Tool Buddy! What VW's do you have? I'm getting ready to embark on my first Mopar/non-VW myself.
That cart was the very last one in the warehouse at Zelenda in New York when they changed over to the new style carts. I love that little guy.
I have owned as many as six at one time, but I realized that you never do have time to work on them all, so you just end up with a pile of broken junk everywhere. I only have one now... a Velvet Green '67 SO-42 Westfalia Bus... I have almost sold it a couple of times, and have been offered quite a bit for her.... and it's a project to say the least, but I just can't make myself part with my one and only V-dub.
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-04-09 6:39 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | With the quarter pulled all the way out, finally... (it's now within 1/8" or less from lining up with the door)... dents pulled out of the quarter, and the front door....
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Filler work around the accident area is pretty much done now... Looks good and the alignment is better than the untouched section of the same from the factory driver's side... removed the rear bumper (that wasn't a small task), removed the original license tag with a cut off tool... turning the corner on the paint stripping.... gonna try to get the trunk lid and surrounding area tonight.... Slow but steady... less than 2 months to the deadline.
I think I can....
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Regular
Posts: 74
Location: Falicon 06 France | Very very impressive work !!!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Busy weekend...
Since installing the e-brake and driveshaft, I had an issue with the car not rolling, driving smoothly, as if something was in a bind... Turned out to be an improperly installed centering spring on the e-brake assembly. Got that fixed over the weekend, she moves just lovely now.
Drove the car out of the garage, turned it around in the street, and pulled back in the garage now first... Sure is nice to drive it versus pushing...
All the roll-up glass and regulators are out, vent wing assemblies, door handles, fenders are back on at the front, along with the hood....
Getting close to the deadline, but unless there are some unforsseen events here, should still have it done in time.
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-04-16 2:15 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Still stripping paint... this thing is big....
I got a fabric sample from SMS yesterday... they do have my fabric, in stock... so I think I am gonna have to bite on that one, regardless of the price. Good thing the rest is the more affordable vinyl.
Amanda has been in the garage with me the last couple of days, stripping paint, sanding, handing me tools when I was rolling around on the floor.... I do love this woman...
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Its a trick, don't take the bait. Run for your life!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2012-04-17 11:28 AM
Its a trick, don't take the bait. Run for your life!!!
Nope... no trick.... what she she's in me, I have no idea... but I'm not telling her that.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Stripping is taking a while, but it's going well.
Nasty parts included the right front fender (a 6 cyl. Belvedere was the donor if I am reading the trim hole correctly)... it's a mess of about fourteen different colors of primer and paint over bondo.... and it's still not straight.... gonna require some love there....
The gray paint is gone from about 95% of the car now, and I am sanding the remainder of the primer off... should have that done in another couple of evenings...
I wish the whole car was as straight and clean as the driver's side. The metal there is in beautiful condition.
I am just looking forward to a full evening of sleep... but none of that till the car is done.
Pics, of course....
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Few things in this world have ever looked as good as Virgil Exner's lines in bare metal...
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Almost forgot... finally cleaned the trunk completely out, vacuumed it out, and did a close inspection... you don't see a trunk pan this solid in a '57 very often...
And by solid, I mean it's just surface rust, and not heavy at that... not so much as a pin-hole in sight...
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Expert
Posts: 2264
Location: McComb, Mississippi | Wish my trunk was that solid! I also agree on how well these cars look in bare metal. |
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Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Now your a STRIPPER??? I guess TN needs another "market" for the G-string Population. Has the mail come yet??? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | No mail goodies yet, any time now...
Got more primer off... the entire trunk/fin area (ecluding the taillamp area) are shiny nekkid metal... The roof is being particularly stubborn... If I wasn't going straight up original, and was building a custom of some sort, I'd be tempted to just spray it in clear and keep on kickin'....
Eh... back to work...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | So.....
Amanda and I are in a little junk shop in downtown Chattanooga last weekend that I had driven by a bunch of times, but they were never open.... It's one of those piles of junk everywhere, some outside stuff (even if it was never originally intended to live outdoors at the beginning of it's life) some inside, boxes, stacks, piles,etc.... everything from door knobs to circuit breakers, tools to garden ironwork, you get the idea....
I am looking through some art books in the corner, she is up the aisle from me and says, "No... this is your box over here"
I look over and she has found several boxes of chrome emblems, dealer tags, etc... there was even a "1500S Variant" tag from a Volkswagen Notchback in there.... you hardly ever see the cars, much less the body badges laying around... She is pulling something out of the box when I come up and says... "Check it out, there's two of them in here..."
$20 later, I left with a pair of twin strut Mopar "1801" mirrors that needed re-chroming, but they moved, and weren't beat up, so they should be excellent donors.
Mama gets the "Score of the Day" award for that Saturday. 
Oh, and yesterday I was doing a search on this forum regarding the placement of said mirrors (I have managed to collect up three of them now to build a couple good ones), found the info... then last night, I was sanding the last of the primer off of the passenger side before welding on some new metal, and I found two little spots of filler near the rear edge... you'll never guess what those were for....
Pre-drilled fenders.... Sweet!
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Expert
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Location: NY & VT | I love that such attention to quality and detail is being lavished on a "lowly" 4 dr post car... frankly Id rather see one of these get this kind of treatment than supposedly more "desirable" cars. These and wagons were what most families had... |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | firedome - 2012-04-26 4:13 PM
I love that such attention to quality and detail is being lavished on a "lowly" 4 dr post car... frankly Id rather see one of these get this kind of treatment than supposedly more "desirable" cars. These and wagons were what most families had...
Yeah... that's kinda the way that I have always viewed these cars... The more rare production cars are beautiful, but if I was a family man in the '50s (like I am now), the four-door was where it was at... I do believe, if memory serves, this was the most produced vehicle from the Chrysler corporation for 1957? I love her for her plain-jain....
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | A couple more pics... The two mirrors on the right are the ones from the swap shop I paid $20 for....
And, more bondo and aluminum sculpture removal... got the donor section installed (Thanks, again, Dorsey!)... got the outer headlamp cover on the passenger side installed, still piecing the inner together, but she's lookin' much better with her new eyebrows....
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yet another productive day... I have this old gal on the run now, can't stop....
I cleaned up the remaining paint and primer from the sides, started on the roof....
I cut out the good section of the inner headlamp housing for the passenger side, used the rotted metal as the template for what I needed from the repair panel, blended the two, then built up the outer lip, and once that was installed, cut some metal for the outer edge of the fender. Still have to do a little seam welding on it all, but her face lift is nearly complete. I bolted all the sections of the front panels together to line it all up while I was doing the welding... it's starting to look like a car again.
Gotta straighten the lip on the passenger front fender... it's pretty ugly....
I also still have three little patches to weld in... rear base of both front fenders, and a spot on the lower rear right quarter, and the welding will be done.
Still hoping to have her in Epoxy Primer this week.
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Expert
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Location: little rock, AR | I think you need to cut the the drivers side back off as I see a small hole that will rust out. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | Nice job of splicing those headlight brows on! Won't be much longer at this rate!!
---John |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2012-04-29 3:15 PM
I think you need to cut the the drivers side back off as I see a small hole that will rust out.
Yeah.... junk....
Thanks again, man! Made the repair of that side a lot easier.
I welded the hole up, BTW... Looks just fine now.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | big m - 2012-04-30 7:39 PM
Nice job of splicing those headlight brows on! Won't be much longer at this rate!!
---John
Thanks, John. And, yeah... better not be too much longer.... this is one that I can't finish late.
Got my hood letters to replace the three that were poo yesterday afternoon. They look great!
One more item checked off of my list thanks to Big M Auto.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | All of the mounting holes for the mirrors and V8 emblems measured out and drilled....
Forward caps / donor metal seam welded now...
Started straightening up the passenger side fender... it really needed some serious lovin', but it's gettin' there...
Last, but certainly not least, the roof is completely free of paint now. That was some slow going, between the super thin material that I had to be real careful with, and the surface rust.... gonna have to treat that to some rust converter just for good measure.
Less than a month to go now.
It'll happen....
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Location: little rock, AR | I remember hearing words: I'm just going to fix a couple of things and drive it. Yea Right!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2012-05-02 12:02 AM
I remember hearing words: I'm just going to fix a couple of things and drive it. Yea Right!!!
Well... yeah... that's kinda what i done did....
Actually, I was just thinking the exact same thing the other day.... just get it running and driving... yeah....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Tail section stripped last night.
Roof treated with Rust converter this morning before leaving for work. gonna pick up some Epoxy Primer and at least the lighter body color today on my lunch.....
Gettin' closer to pretty time....
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-05-03 8:23 AM
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | I posted a thread on restoration protocols (in the Body board), regarding, specifically, convertibles....but I wondered when
it might be easist/best to install the windshield (before or after painting).
It would seem to me that it would be a lot less stressful to install a W/S before the final painting is done.
I also would like to know that the vinyl top and mechanisms were all aligned and working before the paint is applied, in order
to (try to-) avoid unpleasant surprises, like this one....
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ^^^ I don't know if you meant to post your question on this thread, Neil, but I can give you an answer....
I have done both. I have painted the welded seam, let it cure some, then installed the glass, and later masked it off and painted.
I have also left the glass out, done all the paintwork, and then installed the glass.
IMO, if you have the time at your disposal, I would do the latter... Plain and simple, you don't have to go through the trouble of masking the seal/windscreen off, and still run the risk of painting up onto the glass or seal. Also, with the glass left out, you have a clear shot at the painting, no awkward overhangs to paint around. If you are careful, and cover the paintwork to protect it during the glass install, this is still my preferred way of doing it. The only time I have resorted to the earlier method is on a car that is trying to get rapidly to a "driver" status, and the paint has to wait till later.
I lucked out on this car... my areas surrounding the seals are actually in really nice shape, so I am gonna fix two little rust spots in the rear channel, glass in place, and keep on kicking.
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | Paint the car with the glass out if possible. It makes for a better product. Mr. Vedder has is panties in a was about putting the side glass in a convertible, when it's just an adjustment that's made internally.
Rick, if you don't want to pull the glass, you'll still get a good paint job. You've obviously been down this road. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yeah... I did pull the door glass, just to get paint all the way into the edges of the window openings... But the seals for the big glass are in really great shape, paint is good all around the front and rear glass... I have just a couple of small holes that I can fix/weld up at the base of the rear window, but those aren't involving the sealing of the glass, so I am gonna leave it alone... Also, you can't really tell in the pics, but there is a single crack in the front glass that starts at the top of the windhield, center, curves down towards the driver's side, and stops... all in all about a foot long. Right now it's fine, but if I tried to remove the front glass... you get the picture...
For now the windshield stays...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | For the record, Neil, I work on $50k+ Mercedes and BMW retractable hardtops all the time, disassembling, adjusting, etc... all the while dancing around brand new, flawless paintwork.... I guess I am kinda used to having to be really careful about that kinda stuff by now.
I once had to disassemble the entire tail end of a $130k Audi R8 with a gearbox problem... I was doing the PDI when the problem surfaced.... mileage on the car???.... 14....
The salesman (who had already sold the car and taken the deposits... two, for a total of $20k.... ) was a lot more nervous than me....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yesterday was a good day... got a box from SMS Fabrics...
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | .... And today was even better... Got the body shell in a coating of Epoxy Primer....
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | That thing is close to being a TRAILER QUEEN!!!
Edited by oldwood 2012-05-08 11:40 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2012-05-08 10:59 PM
That thing is close to being a TRAILER QUEEN!!!
If by "trailer queen" you mean me finding a vintage travel trailer, and pulling it behind her some day......
Then, yes....
As with every other older car I have ever owned, SHE WILL BE DRIVEN!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 337
Location: UK | Stunning work. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Perth Australia | I am jelouse of your progress
You must not live in suburbia, I know if I went out after work every day with my sander, it wouldnt be long before I got hate mail from the people that live around me.
I am surprised a bit that they havnt had a go at me for doing it all day sundays yet.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | OK, Rick---your all-things-considered preference is to paint a car with the glass removed, but you are quite able to do
the painting with the front & rear glass properly installed and masked off.
There is a product called Enamel Reducer which absolutely dissolves overspray depositions. Magical stuff.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ^^^^^ Jes. It is my PEFERENCE to paint with windows out, but, in the case of this car.... paint around the seals was good... the seals themselves were good... taking them out just to replace what isn't broken is silly to me... but, then again, I don't believe in the "over-resto" concept. To some people, replacing everything in the front end is neccessary when you are "fixing up" an old car.... I am replacing a control arm bushing and an idler arm bushing... because that's what's BAD. I would rather maintain good old made in USA stuff than liberally coat my car in a helping of made in China. Everything I build, I build to drive. That means if I don't make it perfect, I don't have a heart attack when I get a door ding. So, yeah, on this one it was glass in. The exception to that is I did pull the door glass and the remnants of the outside scrapers so I could do away with the little bit of surface rust hiding under there. I will put fresh paint there, and apply some scrapers....
About the worst problem I have right now is that the passenger side (that I straightened) looks great where as the misalignment of the panels on the driver's side is quite noticeable. So it left Evansville, so it shall stay... The window frame area of the driver's rear door was crooked, while the rest of the door straight. I fixed that with a big soft face dead blow hammer. 
I figure these cars were far from perfect when they left the factory, the least I can do is polish the turd up a little.
And I say that lovingly.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1116
Location: CA | They were FAR from perfect when new and Chrysler quickly garnered a reputation for that. On my car one of the window handles were half dipped and since I'm the 2nd owner I'm sure it came that way new! You're doing a great job with this car. |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ttotired - 2012-05-09 10:57 AM
I am jelouse of your progress
You must not live in suburbia, I know if I went out after work every day with my sander, it wouldnt be long before I got hate mail from the people that live around me.
I am surprised a bit that they havnt had a go at me for doing it all day sundays yet.
Actually, I DO live in Suburbia... I like livin' on the edge...
I'm just really careful about my noise start/stop times.The clock hits 9:00 p.m. and it's like a Union shop. Noisy tools are immediately put down and the quiet stuff picked up.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Thanks for the compliments, folks... she's coming along nicely, and at a ridiculous pace.
The thing I look forward to most is a nice long cruise on a beautiful Spring day.... followed by a really long nap...
The UPS man dropped these off a bit ago...
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick, all of the tire's data will be seen on the (now-)inboard blackwall area.
The whitewall side should be completely blank.
When you open the packaging, please post some images of your tires' brand and size information.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Will do. I am gonna be unwrapping them and get them on the freshly painted wheels hopefully in the coming week.
Of course, at the moment the wheels are far from freshly painted, and still bolted up to the car.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Saturday was a busy day. Got the filler work and block sanding about 90% done on the shell. Started doing the rough-in of the filler over the grafted on seams on the front fenders. Fixed the oil leak at the filter housing by installing a GOOD filter with GOOD seals. I was afraid the EPA would be after me the next time I pulled the car in and out of the garage.... Also, replaced my idler arm bushing. Steering wheel actually moves BOTH wheels now as soon as you turn it... that's nice...
Had some red and white mixed up at the paint shop....
Just kidding...
Picked up my Satin Gray (roof and sport tones) paint, reducer, and hardener after the guy at the paint shop had spent some time messing with the color to get it pretty dead on. Sprayed a test sample of it, and it looks great. Still need to go back and get some of the primary body color this week, but it's just about perfect, so no surprises there.
Tonight I hope to finish up the block sanding on the shell, hang the fenders and hood back on, and get the entire car in Epoxy Primer. After that, should just have my minor bodywork to complete on the right front fender (and maybe a bit more rear quarter massaging)... and she'll be in paint hopefully by week's end.
Due to the fact that the event I wanted to attend as inaugural roll out was moved up a week, she's not gonna be ready by then. Kinda bummed, but it takes a LOT of the pressure off of me. Now the June 9th deadline is the only one I am worried about... no worries there...
Back to work.
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Looking great, Rick!
I'm really liking that fabric from SMS - has a nice sparkle to it too.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Been stupid busy with the girls the last couple of weeks... Finishing up the school years, field trips, programs, etc... lots of really late nights spent in the garage.
Going pretty well. Everything is about multi-tasking... While I have been letting filler cure, I Got my lower valance sections cleaned up and done up nice...
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I have also been playing with the chrome bits in the late night hours (the neighbors would not appreciate metal cutting and grinding at 1 a.m.)... and I have managed to pull off some good "10 foot" results.
My stainless was all really nice, but the chrome emblems on my car were extremely rough and pitted... the chrome was pretty much toasted.
At this point, I have long since run out of money, but wanted to clean these pieces for the wedding pics. Sooooo.... here's some before and after pices of the trunk emblem. I have obtained some pretty convincing chrome plating from a can. I have never had a paint come this close to chrome, and, while it still lacks some of the luster, from only a few feet away, it carries the look of actually chrome that just needs some polishing up... not silver spray paint, like most of what you find out there. In fact, it's actually a bit brighter than the pics show. Regardless, for the $10 worth of primer and paint I bought, it was a helluva deal that will get me by on this stuff till winter time when I actually have the chrome stuff re-plated...
See what I done did:
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | This is the stuff that I used... like I said... Ace Hardware, Chrome aluminum paint, p/n 17006...
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | Ya know what. You're low on money and in a time crunch, I think it looks pretty darn good!
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | b5rt - 2012-05-16 4:40 PM
Ya know what. You're low on money and in a time crunch, I think it looks pretty darn good!
I fully agree!!
---John |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 508
Location: Orlando | What paint did you use on your valence? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | big m - 2012-05-16 8:39 PM
b5rt - 2012-05-16 4:40 PM
Ya know what. You're low on money and in a time crunch, I think it looks pretty darn good!
I fully agree!!
---John
Thanks, guys... like I said, this kinda stuff works for a temporary solution while I spent the big money on things like the interior fabric and tires that I only want to do once.
Overall, I hope that she'll just be a nice driver, that will look great in the wedding pics, and that's more than I had actually intended when I started out on this wild voyage a little over a year ago now.
She starts up and idles beautifully... I just want to take her down the road.... but I am trying to be patient... at least untill the body is shiney.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ThomasD500 - 2012-05-16 8:40 PM
What paint did you use on your valence?
Another temporary solution. I used some rattle can bright silver paint. I need to look and see brand and name. Honestly, it was on the shelf, and when I sprayed it from a distance away, it made a real nice, matte finish. Close to the high dollar jobs I have seen. If I can figure out what it was, I'll post it up. Like I said, it was on the shelf and I actually used the rest of the can and tossed it.
Nothing like being particular, huh?
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ThomasD500 - 2012-05-16 8:40 PM
What paint did you use on your valence?
Okay... so, I had to go get some more of it... I thought I had a good coat of paint on the panels, but after sitting away for a couple of days, I looked and realized that it was a little thin in spots. I went to the parts store, like I did the first time for whatever it was that I bought it for... and found some more like it. Actually, reading the can, I think it's designed for use with a clear coat, but it seems to have a great finish like it is for what I wanted it for.
- Dupli-Color "Perfect Match" premium automotive paint
- p/n DSCC410 / T363
- "Bright Silver Metallic"
Actually, funny thing is, on the can it is specifically labeled as "Duplicates Original Chrysler Colors"....
I guess it does.
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-05-19 10:29 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 508
Location: Orlando | Yeah, it's looks great (the valence) and I need to paint mine the same. Thanks for the info! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Holy Cow... what a weekend...
The little lady rolled out for Nashville Friday afternoon, leaving me a full weekend of just me and the dog. Other than a little time here and there to walk her, and of course, chase her around the house, throwing some plush chew toys (hey, it can't all be work), I was in the garage, and outside the garage, working on the Plymouth from sun-up to way beyond sun-down... and I got a LOT done.
The weekend checklist:
- Finished the straightening of the right front fender. Got most of the filler work done.
- Completed the filler work and block sanding on the doors, passenger rear quarter, and the couple of little spots on the roof. The body is quite nice and straight now.
- Re-sprayed the entire body with a second coat of epoxy primer.
- Primed and painted the passenger rear door jamb.
- Filled, sanded, primed and painted all of the door sills with the two colors of paint.
- Filled all of the little imperfections on the body shell with Glazing Putty.
- Got the second coat of paint on the front valances.
- Re-installed my fuel tank, with the new used j-bolts I got off of ebay.
Now I just have to finish up the filler/putty work on the front fenders. The body is already prepped for the lighter color, that should happen tonight.
All in all, a VERY good weekend of work.
True to my form, the pics for evidence:
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8445
Location: Perth Australia | Amazing how much you can get done when left to your own devices isnt it
If my wife and kids leave me to it, I get a lot done as well
Wish mine had less rust in it though
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yeah, I really lucked on this one, as solid as it is. I have rebuilt badly rotten cars from the ground up. Those wear you out. There's plenty to do on this one though. The wreck damage took a long time to make correct. I just wish everything was as straight as the left rear quarter.
I get more work done on a weekend alone than in a couple of weeks when I am one of 5 in the house.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Well... that couldn't have gone much worse if I tried... allow me to list the mistakes/ errors occurred...
1.) My Halogen fixture died on me, so I was going off of my garage lighting only, and it was getting dark by the time I got started..... Lots of flourescents, but still all above, so low side lighting was poor. I thought I would be able to see well enough. I was wrong. Ended up with some runs/sags down low on the rear quarters/doors...
2.) My plastic was carefully draped on the floor. I never have taped it down. I will from now on. At some point, after I had already painted the roof, a nasty thunderstorm moved in, along with it some strong wind. The gap I was using as a vent for my fans had the opposite effect, and as I was painting the lower areas, a strong wind came in from below, blowing my plastic all the way forward, and tagging the paint in the process on the driver's side...
3.) I failed to clean out the strainer in my HVLP gun before starting... again... something I will do from now on... It started spitting on me at the tail end, so the paint is none too even there...
4.) At some point the same offending wind rushed in through the side windows (screened, thank heavens, but open for ventilation) and blew my large project board off the work table, taking with it the plastic I had draped over the surface to protect it, stirring up some dust for good measure, which found it's way to the roof, of course...
So, all in all, it went terribly. I do think the roof is decent, should sand down and polish out just lovely... the lower sections, not so sure. I will try, but am thinking the best bet would be to flat it really well, then apply one last coat of paint to that area. That's probably where I am at there.
The color is pretty, though... and, in spite of the needed fixing, I am smiling from having shiny paint on the car once again.
See the shiny....
Edited by BarnFind57 2012-05-22 3:58 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | I've had days like that. I painted a drum set last month and the degreaser reacted with the paint and it puckered up like truck bed liner. I had to sand it back down and repaint. Since it was my mistake I couldn't charge the customer for the added time of course. I won't be using DuPont degreaser again! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | I was thinking of a Rodney Dangerfield line...
"This morning, I put on my shirt, a button fell off.... I picked up my briefcase, the handle fell off.... I'm afraid to go to the bathroom...."
Eh, it is what it is... lessons learned that can be rectified before the other color goes on... so no harm done. This color I can sand down no problem.. Not so with the metallic colors. Better that it happened now...
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Veteran
Posts: 191
Location: Nebraska | I have had many of the same things happen so I know how you feel. I even have a similar thunderstorm story but it blew a hood over which hit the freshly painted car. If it is any consolation though, things are looking really good on the old girl.
Why do you put plastic on the floor? When I paint I usually wet the floor down thoroughly. That way the overspray gets trapped in the water. You do get wet when bending down to paint the bottoms but I feel it really keeps the dust down. |
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Expert
Posts: 1493
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA | Sorry you had a crummy day... but the color really is nice. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Well, I can officially lower the threat level back to green...
I came home this evening, determined to assess the situation with the paint, before moving on with the final body work and color number two.
The lower section is going to need another coat. I attempted to sand out the runs, and hit primer in a couple small spots. No biggee... just gotta finish sanding down the lower sections and tail, and shoot the paint there. Done deal.
The roof was better than I could have hoped for. I got the whole roof flatted, then proceeded to work my way up to a 2000 grit wet sanding on half of the roof. The results were spectacular. I have a pretty, super smooth shine and I haven't even buffed it out yet.
I should finish up with the sanding parts tomorrow, and get the touch-up coat of paint on the following day. Should be able to finish up the front fenders, and the Main body color sprayed this weekend. Then, it's on to reassembly.
June 6th.... no problem...
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | You just jinxed it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2012-05-23 8:28 AM
You just jinxed it.
You're probably right...
but I like a challenge...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | savoy_man - 2012-05-22 4:22 PM
I have had many of the same things happen so I know how you feel. I even have a similar thunderstorm story but it blew a hood over which hit the freshly painted car. If it is any consolation though, things are looking really good on the old girl.
Why do you put plastic on the floor? When I paint I usually wet the floor down thoroughly. That way the overspray gets trapped in the water. You do get wet when bending down to paint the bottoms but I feel it really keeps the dust down.
Me too... I just had plastic thrown down so I could roll around and get the undersides of the rockers and to keep some of the overspray off of the wheels and tires (yeah, that worked )....
Next time, i am just sticking with the wet floor method. I don't know why I have a system that works, and I just have to mess with it....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | So, this evening, without a thunderstorm, spray gun malfunctions, strong winds, tangled plastic (I didn't even put that bull mess down this time), and realizing that light was my friend, I managed to make some progress.
First the wet-sanding from last night. Good shine started up already, really smooth. Still got a bit more to do here, then the other half of the roof...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And then... got the lower sections fully sanded flat and smooth, and re-sprayed the Satin Gray. Thanks to my mess-up with the painting, I ended up having to mix the rest of what I had... none for a touch-up there, I am afraid.... The last pic is what was actually left in my gun at the end of the spray party...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | And, this little guy has been hanging out with me through the whole deal... My dad found it for me, and I used to look at it, wondering when I would have thre real thing to ride around in. That time is near.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | The lighting/flash was kinda squirrelly in those pics. The color is actually really light. The roof pic is closest.
I went out to the garage to make sure the paint hadn't fallen off last night wihile I was sleeping.... it was still there. I am happy to be seeing paint on this old gal. It is helping to re-energize my worn-out self at the tail-end of this marathon build I have been doing.
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Veteran
Posts: 191
Location: Nebraska | Keep at it man. It's looking good. I know how sometimes it feels like it will never get done but there is no feeling like finishing a car and stepping back and saying "I did that". I'm anxiously awaiting more updates. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Roof still needs a bit more wet sanding to clear up the remaining sander swirls from my efforts to flatten the lumps. It actually won't show in wedding pics, so that may have to wait till later. Right now it's all about the countdown... froo-froo work will have to wait, it gets shuffled out of the way for the necessary stuff.
Las pic of the roof, I swear....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Finally finished (well, good enough for my purposes) the body work. She's still a bit wavy, but it will make a nice 20 footer.
That's actually still more than I had ever intended to do with the car, so I am not going to obsess over perfectly straight panels. It's the nicest, closest to a finished project I have had in many years.... so I'm all good....
I got everything masked off, and sprayed a couple coats of the Silver Charcoal on. Once again, painting when it was too dark (sound familiar) and It had a few minor runs in it, and not the smoothest surface. The paint is a really high metal content paint, so you have to spray it and buff it... no sanding... so tonight I will sand it all flat and prep it. Then, TOMORROW when the light is still good, I will finish painting. Was disappointed in the finish, which happens all too easy when you are rushing to get anything done, but I will simply slow down, flat it all out, and keep on kicking. I used about half of the paint so far, so I should be good to finish it up run and drip free. It's fightin' me, but we'll get there. Cutting it kinda close, but still on track to meet the deadline.
Good news is that the color is quite beautiful, and in the light, it's quite spectacular.
My arms will definitely be happy once all this sanding is over with.
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | I hope your metallic single stage comes up better than the last car I painted in metallic single stage. Taught me the importance of clear coat! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2012-05-29 7:52 AM
I hope your metallic single stage comes up better than the last car I painted in metallic single stage. Taught me the importance of clear coat!
Oh, yeah... this stuff is a true PITA.
You have to basically "chase the paint" all the way around the car.... You spray on a wet coat, go to the next section, then back and bring the gun back, fog the paint, then back to a new section, then back, each time coming back a little so that you get the metallic just right. I proved to myself last night just how crucial GOOD lighting will be for this paint. That's why tonight I will get the body ready, but not touch it, so I can have every extra bit of light possible when I actuall go to spray the car on Wednesday. I am also gonna break out the extra standing lights as well..
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | So I guess you have to have a helper to mix paint while you shoot! No time to mix the next gun load while you're backtracking all over yourself. No wonder you had some runs if you are shooting that wet. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2012-05-29 8:29 AM
So I guess you have to have a helper to mix paint while you shoot!
Pretty much... and I didn't....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Got her all sanded down last night, spotted a little dark gray primer on the body where it was a bit thin....
Amanda followed me around the car, I sanding and her cleaning/scrubbing the panels behind me.
When we finished up, I was sitting on my rolling stool, exhausted, staring at the flat, dull gray surface.... She looks at me and says," It's kinda funny."
I said, "What?"
She says, "All that work, and it looks just like it did when you brought it home."
We both died laughing at that point.... because she was pretty much right...
Paint tonight!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | To those who have asked....
Yes, I am still alive....
And still wet sanding...
And still buffing...
Amanda has her Cosco still set up in the garage, towels laid out... polishing all the stainless and chrome...
It's gonna be close (it always is when there is a deadline)...
But, a little teaser / spy shot....
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | I've been waiting all week for this! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | The suspense builds...
Pete |
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I don't think Rick even has a Savoy. He has been leading all of along. Wait a minute, April 1st has come and gone. Maybe there is a Savoy!!! Your running out of time. I didn't get an invitation. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Rockin' and Rollin' here....
Got most of the way around the body with the super-shinin'. Still have to do the hood and right front fender. The whole time I was sanding and polishing, the little lady and the three littler ladies were sitting at the kitchen table that she had coverd with large towels... polishing up all the chrome and stainless trim. Actually managed to get a little of it bolted up to the body today. Also got my wheels cleaned up and painted... they are now ready to meet up with the tires that have been sitting at my work... waiting....
She's really taking shape now.
Hard to get good pics in the cramped garage, but here's one... I am in love with the colors on this car.....
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 582
Location: Omaha, NE | Yeah, Man! Go On, Rick, Git 'er Done!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ^^^ I'm a tryin'!
Got her face all put back on and straight late last night. Then I lost a lot of time because I just stood there forever, smiling...
Installed the tires on the rims today on my lunch, went home, hung them on the car with a couple bolts, then drove rapidly back to work. This close proximity of work and home thing has been a huge blessing.
Hope to get the rest of the body buffed out tonight, and the door glass put back in.
Gettin' it done!
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8445
Location: Perth Australia | Having a deadline really helps, keeps the motovation going
Your so close now, I think we can all taste it lol
When its all done, you going to get another one to do (since your on a roll)?
You can just keep pumping them out
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | ^^^ Yeah, the deadline does help.
My usual method is to buy a project, do all the nasty cutting, welding, straightening, then fix all the mechanicals, and sell it to someone else who puts the icing on the cake, and enjoys the benefits of my hard work...
This one isn't going anywhere. I set out to build a 25 foot car. I am gonna have more like a 10 footer, so I am pleased. The body is still a bit wavy on the passenger side. And the paint shows up good in pics, but has it's shortfalls. My garage is not at all a good candidate for a paint booth. Like I said from the beginning, something pretty shiny and straight, that I wouldn't be afraid of leaving in a parking lot.
Last night, I tightened up the wheel bolts and sat her back on the ground. ..finished the little tid bits on the front (lettering polished/installed and fender spears on). Got the harnesses run around the front, and reinstalled the wiring block on the core support. Got the hood and fender buffed out. Got the lower stainless trim polished out and installed on the driver's side.
Ran out of time and steam around 2:40 a.m...
Tonight I will finish up the buffing, and install the door glass and remaining trim, hopefully get the interior tossed back in. Let's not forget the car is for my wedding, and, while Amanda is doing the big majority of that stuff, I am pausing on the car a good bit to help her. 5 days from now I will sleep... not untill then....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Yesterday was like any other day of the week...
I got up, got ready, got in the car, and went to work...
The only difference was that this is the car I got in to go to work...
She's not all the way together, but gettin' there. Paint still needs some attention, but that will give me something to piddle with this winter.
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Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | She looks just fabulous, what a set of wheels to get hitched in - congrats on gittin 'er done!! |
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Veteran
Posts: 170
Location: central Massachusetts | Great find. Wish you the best and many miles of fun. |
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Veteran
Posts: 191
Location: Nebraska | That's awesome. You really should be proud of yourself. |
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | That looks incredible! Great work in just a little time! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | She is beau-ti-mus, Rick! The colors look perfect.
Looking forward to lots more photos.
Pete
By the way, nice blue-walls, Clark!
Just kidding!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
| What a moment that must have been firing her up for the drive to work....very well done, hats off to you, good taste, and congratulations. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1116
Location: CA | Agreed here! Great car and great job! I forgot these cars came in something other than red, what a beauty! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 582
Location: Omaha, NE | What a shark, what a blue-walled SHARK!
Well done, sah! Jolly good shew! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 594
Location: Melbourne, Australia | WOW ! Very respectable looking. Hope you hang on to it and enjoy all the hard work you put in to it. This has been my favourite thread, of late ! Colin PS That grille looks great. I'll have to search and see how you did it...
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I guess we will all see you in your Zoot Suit in your New ride on the wedding day. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat Job!!! |
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Regular
Posts: 78
Location: Mistake on the Lake | Congratulations Rick, looks great! More pics! |
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Darn nice work!
The colour of a beautiful, blue flannel suit...tasteful as all heck!
Enjoy!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 468
| I like the tires!
Edited by 1958 Plymouth Infina 2012-06-08 4:17 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Thanks, everybody.
She's still needing a little bit of attention here and there, and I had to slip a cover over the seat for the day, but overall very happy with the car right now. She was a big hit, and there was a crowd around the car all day long. Every lady was checking out Amanda's dress, and every man was taking a long look at the car. My grandfather walked around it for a very long time.
Due to the time frame, I was pretty confident she'd be alright but I decided not to push my luck. I was determined to roll down the mountain and across town to the Stone Fort Inn, and then, as long as she made it down the road and out of sight, if I had to call a roll-back to bring her the rest of the way home, I was good. But, she did beautifully, and ran without a hitch all the way to the wedding and all the way back up the mountain home.... even with her factory single circuit drum brakes....
The day was beautiful, as was the bride, and the car looked pretty darned good too.
Saturday was a great day.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | A few pics.... we are still sorting through all of them.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Oh... and I was really expecting more of the "blue-wall" comments... you guys let me down....
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | So let me get this straight; you are on your honeymoon posting on Forward Look?
Priorities might be a little shifted.
But the car looks nice! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 468
| I just want to congratulate you on restoring your car! So glad you met your deadline it looks like it just rolled out of the showroom! Oh yea and it was cool you got married with it to!
Edited by 1958 Plymouth Infina 2012-06-11 12:17 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Congrats on your new boss and the car looks great. I've never had a problem with my brakes after rebuilding all my wheels cyl and a rebuilt MC. |
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Thank you for the pic's!
Congratulations!
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Veteran
Posts: 191
Location: Nebraska | Is this our fairy tale ending? What thread will I follow now?
Congratulations on everything. It looks like everything turned out perfectly. I wish you and your wife the best. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | Right on, Rick!!!!!!!!!!!!!
---John |
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | She's a beauty! Congrats on making your timeline and having her ready for the big day! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2012-06-11 12:12 PM
So let me get this straight; you are on your honeymoon posting on Forward Look?
Priorities might be a little shifted.
But the car looks nice!
Ummm..... no.....
Due to the shift in plans due to the family member cancer diagnosis, we are in Nashville....
During any Honeymoon activities, I WILL NOT be posting on the Forward Look...
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Expert
Posts: 2196
Location: Muskego, WI | Nice job on the car, now comes the best part; enjoying it. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | BarnFind57 - 2012-06-12 7:19 PM
During any Honeymoon activities, I WILL NOT be posting on the Forward Look...
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Understood.
Can you post some video later ?
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | I'm surprised that the inscription on the back glass doesn't say : "Just Restored".
My congratulations to you; condolences to your bride!
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I knew you were going to pull all your hair out working on that OLD car. HA! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 468
| This is to much of a happy ending this is the part when something bad happens .
Edited by 1958 Plymouth Infina 2012-06-13 4:06 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 1958 Plymouth Infina - 2012-06-13 4:05 PM
This is to much of a happy ending this is the part when something bad happens .
You, sir, are correct....
I drove her to work today, finally fixed my improvised glass bowl filter seal, and installed the heater hoses. I also have a miss that I was gonna search out, but ran out of time, so I drove her back home this evening, and after stopping by to get some gas for the lawnmower, pull in the driveway, and hear a noise coming from the passenger floor board, and observed coolant trickling down the floor mat from the heater valve....
At least she made it through the most important day.... and with the price of these little guys, you'd better believe my inner redneck WILL be by-passing that bad boy for the summer months....
Stoopid old cars....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | On the brighter side, the mess up did make me pause and look at the interior, which reminded me that a few forum members had asked me about the headliner in my car... material, etc... (mine is cloth, with a spotted pattern in white over a faded brown/gray sort of color.)... so, I figured that I would post up a few images of the interior headliner and the original door panels, which, I might add, are in incredible shape. I am still needing to make a new backing for the passneger rear door, but the vinyl is just as nice as the other three doors. Also, when I was getting the car ready for the wedding, I did clean up the rear seat some, and I think I am settled on my plan to simply cover the existing rear seat material with clear vinyl and call it quits. The fabric was actually nicer than I originally thought.
Pics, and, bear in mind that nothing here has been replaced yet, only cleaned.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 468
| I like the door panels. |
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | I wish you could get those door panels in reproduction. Mine were redone in the early 1990's by my well intentioned father who didn't keep the original vinyl. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | That is an outstanding headliner!
The door panels are Kool, too.
Are the sun visors faded, or just a contrasting color?
There are water-based all-purpose/vinyl cleaners out there; you should pull out the seat back and invert it, slightly, and go at
it with the cleaner(s) until it looks like the door panels' appearance.
That's a NICE car (now)...but, you know, we are never truly-ever done 'working' on them...that's the 'hobby' aspect of our obsessions.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1053
Location: Ny | That interior looks fantastic...
If only some seat cleaner could revive my interior... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Sooo..... after all that mess....
I installed a temporary by-pass for the heater valve last night. Then, re-sealed the thermostat housing... no more coolant leaks...
Then, I located the source of my ignition miss. A plug wire had come apart at the boot/spark plug end. No biggee... I figured I could have damaged it during the install. I re-crimped the end, put the boot back on, and cranked her up.... miss gone...
I drove around a bit, enjoying her new smoothness, and parked her for the evening after snapping a few pics as the sun was going down.
Then, tonight, I cranked the car up, backed her out, and headed to the local ACE Hardware for some odds and ends for the car, and on the way back home, it started missing again... once more on the same plug wire, which had again come undone.
Tonight I am sitting down and doing a little searching. The next time I start her up, it will be with some decent plug wires....
That aside.... She still brings a smile to my face....
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | A little before and after session with the pics I snapped at dusk last night and the ones I took the day she came off the transport trailer....
Roughly 14 months ago.
My how pretty she has grown....
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I Liiiiiiiiiiike those single headlights. Thanks for the comparison shots. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2012-06-15 10:55 PM
I Liiiiiiiiiiike those single headlights. Thanks for the comparison shots.
Thanks, man...
The parking lights even work...
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | Nice transformation in a short time. I like the '57 tail lights in addition to the single headlights.
Time for some enjoyable cruising. |
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | BarnFind57 - 2012-06-15 10:59 PM
oldwood - 2012-06-15 10:55 PM
I Liiiiiiiiiiike those single headlights. Thanks for the comparison shots.
Thanks, man...
The parking lights even work...
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | Like I told Mike, a little black spray paint in the wheel wells make a big difference. It's one of those details that everyone forgets with a repaint that makes a huge difference. It make the whole car look a little more fresh. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | 57plymouth - 2012-06-16 7:57 PM
Like I told Mike, a little black spray paint in the wheel wells make a big difference. It's one of those details that everyone forgets with a repaint that makes a huge difference. It make the whole car look a little more fresh.
Yep. Already re-did the undercoating in the front, but am gonna put it on the lift so I can paint up the whole underside with some Rust Paint.
Overspray is poop.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick; I can't tell, from your pics, but you did apply Undercoating to the wheel wells, as Brian discusses,
above?
For everyone else: Undercoating is Kool, as it can be 'restored', in the future, by merely spraying some Gloss Black, onto its faded/worn appearance.
Undercoating also quiets down the front end noise, too.
Edited by d500neil 2012-06-17 8:06 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1155
Location: somerville mass | wow! in the beginning i didnt know how far your were going with your savoy... it looks showroom new to me! i bet it rides smooth too! if only the woman's family could see it now!
looks sharp for a low level model... plymouth knew what they were doing.. does it have power steering? if not if you could get the parts the conversion wouldnt take long..
excellent work in a short time... you are a craftsman...
steve |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | I love the color scheme on your car, Very cool, great job. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | d500neil - 2012-06-17 8:04 PM
Rick; I can't tell, from your pics, but you did apply Undercoating to the wheel wells, as Brian discusses,
above?
For everyone else: Undercoating is Kool, as it can be 'restored', in the future, by merely spraying some Gloss Black, onto its faded/worn appearance.
Undercoating also quiets down the front end noise, too.
I did completely re-spray the front wheel well areas with undercoating before assembly to get it in all the hidden areas well , and the inside with semi-gloss black engine enamels. The frame areas got a little spray of chassis black as well. There is still a little overspray that got on the undercoating, and when I get time to put it in the air at work, I am gonna touch up those spots and paint the rear wheel areas and frame with some POR 15. I knew some overspray was gonna end up there, so was waiting until after the car was painted to go back and do those areas.
Other than an annoying fuel-related stutter, she is doing great. Took her out several time over the weekend. The number of double-takes, over the shoulder stares, thumbs ups, and grins from on-lookers is crazy. One lady stopped by to look at the car the other day at work, and wanted to know specifically if it had the push-button drive like the one her mom used to own.
Like I've said several times... not perfect, but sure takes a pretty picture, and to the casual observer, really nice.
I still can't believe after all these years that it's actually in my garage.
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Ok, Johnny Cash. I'm trying to cut off enough pieces off of my '59 parts car to start on my '57 Sub. I had a GREAT week up on Petit Jean Mtn. selling and buying more parts. Thats an inspirational project to keep me focused. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Hi... Remember me???
Been a Long Summer...
With a lot going on in our family, and so many days of humidity and temps above 100 degrees, I hadn't really had time to properly play with this big beast. I had actually been dealing with a few annoying drivability issues that are just now getting addressed as the weather is letting up some in the heat department.
- An ignition miss that I cured by replacing the old plug wires after discovering a seperated end on cylinder numero 8...
- Finally adjusted the valves for the first time since running the engine... that helped a lot in the idle smoothing department...
- Now I am staring down, once again, the disassembled carb... I had a good bit of trash in the lines that went past the open screen door of a glass bowl fuel filter, and had clogged up the main metering jets. When I first disassembled the body, I was greeted with a pretty significant level of crud in the bottom of the carb. I had taken it off and torn it down after realizing that the carb was doing nearly nothing in the mid range.. that pointed the course of correction at the main jets.. and dirty they were. I have managed to fashion a tool to remove them (I know you can buy one, but nobody local has one, so I didn't want to wait, and, honestly, when you are restless and own welding equipment, sometimes you are just looking for an excuse.. ) Hope to get it back together and back on the car in the next night or so that I might be cruising in style once again.
Still haven't fixed that stupid seat cover....
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Veteran
Posts: 245
Location: Lewisville, TX. | Is your car a jade green? Thats the color I want mine. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Nope... It's actually a kinda steel gray color called "Silver Charcoal" and the roof and sport tones are "Satin Gray"... The original colors of my junk....
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Expert
Posts: 1324
Location: Hickory, NC | The car has came out very nice for sure! I've examined '57 Savoy headliners and I'm still not sure what color they were originally. The original headliner in my car was brown with silver dots...but on another Savoy I found the headliner was almost black with silver dots. I wonder if they were black originally and faded? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | SHE'S ALIVE!!!
(Again.... )
Finally took the time to reinstall the freshened up carb on the old gal, flushed out my lines, added the anti-ethanol magical juice to the tank, a filter in line before the pump... and dialled in the screws. The car runs better now than she ever has before. After a ridiculously long test drive, I headed down the mountain to fill her up at the non-ethanol station. On the way back home, I stopped by and took a cool pic... the well-known "Space House" is only about 7 minutes from my house. It seemed a fitting partner to the Plymouth...
It sure was hard to put her back in the garage tonight. I wanted to just keep on crusing....
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Your '57 looks good in the pic but I think the '61 Plymouth with its space age tailights would be a good shot also. Have fun with cooler weather just around the corner. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2012-09-04 11:25 PM
Your '57 looks good in the pic but I think the '61 Plymouth with its space age tailights would be a good shot also. Have fun with cooler weather just around the corner.
I agree... you just need to drive that beastie over here... I'll buy the lunch...
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | BarnFind57 - 2012-09-05 5:36 AM
oldwood - 2012-09-04 11:25 PM
Your '57 looks good in the pic but I think the '61 Plymouth with its space age tailights would be a good shot also. Have fun with cooler weather just around the corner.
I agree... you just need to drive that beastie over here... I'll buy the lunch...
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
| Awesome with the space house....like the opening scene in a grade B sci-fi movie or an ad for the car or the house back in the day.
Very nicely done. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | In front of "Dub's Place", a local ice cream and burger joint that opened in the '50s.... she looks like she belongs there.
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Expert
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Location: little rock, AR | Thats a great pic. You better watch that waist line eating that ice cream. Your bride will trade you in for a newer model. I forgot my camera when I was at Petit Jean Mtn. this past weekend. I missed a lot of good photo ops. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Finally got around to fixing a few things...
Took a half day today, and managed to fix the brakes (replaced the rear hose, refurb the line tee that had been boogered up, ran correct size lines and actually installed them in the retainer clips... previously, the rear brake lines had been floating up above the axle, rattling merrily about)
Also, fixed my driveshaft binding problem, and installed a new battery so it actually sounds a bit healthier starting up.
Now, I just need to wash the poor thing...
So glad that Spring is here.
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Still gotta say that your car is one of the finest looking Forward Look sedans out there!! Color scheme is awesome. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Took a long trip this weekend in the Savoy. We took a three day driving tour from Chattanooga to Nashville, then down to Birmingham, and back home. Stayed with friends and family each evening, and kept to the two-lanes as much as possible. In all, over 700 miles on the Savoy, without any issue. The only negative part of the whole weekend was my heavily sun-burned left arm. Been a long time since I spent three days with my arm hanging out the window...
Took this pic in front of an abandoned diner in Central Alabama along US Hwy 41... what a cool building...
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Norcross (Atlanta area), GA | BarnFind57 - 2013-03-17 9:44 PM
Took this pic in front of an abandoned diner in Central Alabama along US Hwy 41... what a cool building...
Are you sure that's US Highway 41? I just traced Highway 41 and it doesn't go through Alabama. In fact, it runs past one of my old apartment complexes in metro Atlanta GA. Highway 41 runs from Tennessee into Georgia and Florida, and I have driven some of that route in recent years, which is not suprising as I currently live in Gwinnett County. Just checking to see where you went in your Plymouth, which does look good and is an excellent restoration. Consider driving it on the Mopar Run To The Sun caravan from Atlanta to the Don Garlits museum in Florida next November, as that event could use a few more Forward Looks to counter a sea of Engel-era muscle cars down there.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | hahahaha... and I am an idiot who fumbled on the number pad...
My bad, there... Hwy 11 this was. Sorry bout that.
It basically hops back and forth over I-59 and is one of the nicest drives I have taken.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | Sounds like a great trip! If you have any other photos, please post them! Nothing finer than driving your FL on a road trip...
Very cool!
Pete |
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Veteran
Posts: 100
Location: Los Angeles (and Iowa for only part of the year) | Awesome car and pics!!! Just curious, why no V crests on the left and right front fenders?
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Plymouth Twins - 2013-03-20 12:51 AM
Awesome car and pics!!! Just curious, why no V crests on the left and right front fenders?
Thanks!
Actually, I just recently reinstalled them. The only ones I was able to get still had broken pins on them, so I had to figure out a way to attach them to the body, which I did finally get around to doing a couple months ago.
If you squint in the last picture you can see a little sliver of chrome up there.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Not too many pics have been taken lately of the old girl, just driving her all over, enjoying every minute of it. I've put several hundred miles on here since the long trip we took a few weeks back.
I was at a gas station the other day, and a younger gentleman came up to me and tells me, "Dude... that car is what's up.". I think that's good... haha.
Took these pics the other night at the Bowling alley. Who wouldn't want to come out after a night of bowling, and climb into this beauty for the drive home?
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Georgia | Lookin' good, Rick! Is that in Chattanooga?
I'm glad to see you enjoying her.
Pete |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | SavoyPlaza - 2013-04-18 6:02 AM
Lookin' good, Rick! Is that in Chattanooga?
I'm glad to see you enjoying her.
Pete
Thanks, Pete.
Yup, it's in Hixson, TN, one of the off-shoots of Chattanooga if you will.
And, yes, we are all enjoying her right now. I do have to take a little break and drive the other cars every now and then. Gas isn't getting any cheaper these days.
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Your work paid off big time. What an impressive beast that car be!
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | BarnFind57 - 2013-04-18 8:18 AM
SavoyPlaza - 2013-04-18 6:02 AM
Lookin' good, Rick! Is that in Chattanooga?
I'm glad to see you enjoying her.
Pete
Thanks, Pete.
Yup, it's in Hixson, TN, one of the off-shoots of Chattanooga if you will.
And, yes, we are all enjoying her right now. I do have to take a little break and drive the other cars every now and then. Gas isn't getting any cheaper these days.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | She just rolled over 90k miles a week ago, and another 350 or so last week... it's really getting a workout.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | oldwood - 2013-04-19 11:51 PM
BarnFind57 - 2013-04-18 8:18 AM
SavoyPlaza - 2013-04-18 6:02 AM
Lookin' good, Rick! Is that in Chattanooga?
I'm glad to see you enjoying her.
Pete
Thanks, Pete.
Yup, it's in Hixson, TN, one of the off-shoots of Chattanooga if you will.
And, yes, we are all enjoying her right now. I do have to take a little break and drive the other cars every now and then. Gas isn't getting any cheaper these days.
Thats why I enjoy my "2" /6 cars. I like to savor all the mileage that I get out of my non-ethanol fuel.
I hear ya, Dorsey. I tell everybody who asks... mine has a V8, but being a ridiculously heavy V8, with a 2 barrel carb, I'd probably be just as well off with a six... just sayin....
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Expert
Posts: 2637
Location: Minor Hill, TN | I just got a 1961 Tennesee license plate. I plan to have it issued to my 1961fury. I thought why not . I also hope to see you at the Athens, AL cars and bike on the square its this Saturday. I know these folks would love for you to attend. I keep a bottle of the Ethenol treatment in the trunk of my fury incase I need it
Edited by 1961plymouthfury 2013-04-26 2:08 AM
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Rick, you can probably get more performance, and MPG, by having your car's distributor get re-worked.
What Autolite number is it? IBJ/IBK ....?
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | It's been a long time since I posted up a pic of my car... not because I forgot about her, or that I don't love you guys...
Quite honestly, just been driving her... a lot, actually...
Took these pics of her the other day at work... outside, in the blistering cold... I think this is what you might call her "grumpy" face.
But, I don't care. She's still beautiful to me...
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Location: little rock, AR | Cold here in Arkansas and will be @ 12degrees tonight. 50+ this weekend, yea!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Last pic snow... this one rain...
This poor old girl is just having to endure the elements all the time... But that's okay. She's made the rounds to a few cruise ins, small road trips, Junk Shop hunting... all in addition to the several times a week trek to work or wherever... and hasn't let me down yet.
I think it's more important for me that my car's cool factor is rated not in trophies and car show flyers, but those dead, cement like splatted bugs on the front bumper, grille, and windshield...
I can't not drive it as much as possible...
Had her for a little over 3 years now, and I still fall in love every time I get behind the wheel. It's just something that you can't explain to a non-car person. But that's okay too.
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Expert
Posts: 1384
Location: Ocala, Florida | Love seeing them really driven! You have a beautiful savoy! Could you post a pic of the radio? I have never gotten a clear pic of one of those odd radios! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 957
Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Thanks! She is definitely a much loved, and often driven, member of the family.
My radio isn't a factory unit.
My car originally sold without a radio in it, and someone added this Motorola AM unit afterwards...
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Posts: 1384
Location: Ocala, Florida | Thanks. I have seen them in quite a few other 57-58 Plymouths before. |
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