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Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> Members Rides | Message format |
1961plymouthfury |
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Expert Posts: 2647 Location: Minor Hill, TN | Have you thought about converting to electronic ignition ? | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | no, I do not think I will be converting the car to electronic ignition. more progress will come in the next few days. | ||
firedome |
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Expert Posts: 3156 Location: NY & VT | What a terrific find, and you were very smart to get a rust free CA car... who did your transportation? | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | thank you very much.. I have come to the conclusion that the problem with the stumbling is the vacuum advance unit. I plugged off that port and the engine does not stumble. looks like I will be buying a new vacuum advance. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | it will also need a new ignition coil. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Still looking for a vacuum advance. I did get the coil replaced. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | I will be picking up the vacuum advance Monday. today, I replaced the headlight bulbs and took out the radio and gave it a thorough cleaning. I found a local upholstery shop that will reupholster the front seat for $150. all they will be doing is replacing the old rubber underneath the cover and fixing some of the seams of poped loose. I should have the brake system finished up by mid next week. then shortly thereafter, the car will be painted. Edited by plymouth 2013-08-24 8:28 PM (2013-08-24_19-19-40_553-1.jpg) (2013-08-24_19-19-47_894-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-08-24_19-19-40_553-1.jpg (273KB - 170 downloads) 2013-08-24_19-19-47_894-1.jpg (286KB - 166 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Here's the history... The car came from Berkeley, CA. The Lowell family lived there, and the father Mr. Lowell (whom I met as a very elderly man when I bought the car) worked at the local Dodge dealership I believe as a mechanic. They had previously had a 1959 Dodge and traded it in for a new factory built-to-order 1961 Dodge Polara. I am told that when Mrs. Lowell took a test drive in a similar car, she stepped on the brakes (power) and came screeching to a halt - and insisted the new family car being ordered not have power brakes. Not sure why the heavy duty - extra leaf - rear springs were ordered. Maybe because Mr. Lowell was familiar with the large Chrysler Corp. cars of that era and knew they could develop sagging leaf springs (even though the 61 had a much lighter Unibody). So this was the family car for many years. They went on to purchase other cars but this stayed in the family. They had a son named Rich, who was about 12 when the Polara was ordered (I saw a b&w pic of the car and him at that age). Rich really loved the car. Fast forward to many years later, the car had put on over 100K miles, and Rich was now away in college in No. Cal near Redding. He took over ownership of the old family car, brought it to college (his brother lived nearby). Over the next few years, Rich took auto shop courses and brought the car there as his student shop project. In one course he completely rebuilt the engine. In another course he completely rebuilt the transmission. And in an auto body course the car got its first paint job (pre-urethane enamel, still the old school enamels which didn't hold up well). All of this was under the guidance of expert instructors - with good results. I have seen pics of when Rich had the car really stripped out at his brother's ranch and was in the middle of the restorations. Now fast forward to the late 1980's. I saw an ad for this and went to look at it. Rich was selling it, it was now being stored at his parent's family house in Berkeley, and they were now in failing elderly health. Rich was living in the high desert near Nevada and did not have much contact with the car, he wanted to give it a new home. Enter me. My history with 1961 Dodge Polara's was strong. I spent the summer of 1961 at my sister's house near the beach on Long Island NY, and parked right alongside her front yard in the driveway of the summer rental house next door was a gorgeous new Marline Blue Polara 4 dr hardtop with the giant bubble back window. Everyday I saw that side profile and I just loved that car, it was so new too. After the summer the renters were gone, the car was gone - new car styles replaced the Forward Look era cars - - - So I bought Rich's car and I really liked it, it drove like new. But many different turns of events in my life made it so that the car ended up in long term storage situations - first in a bard on a ranch in No. Cal. (where the paint job and upholstery stayed nice) then stored for several years outside in Riverside CA where the car really went downhill in the sun and smog (which I think ate the paint away, very common problem in smoggy L.A. area). The car hadn't been started or driven in many years, so I had it towed back here to S.F., CA. It stayed outside for several more years, but I always kept layers of water & sun proof car covers on it. But the heavy fog of S.F. started taking it's toll. I never got the car started, because when the car was in storage in Riverside someone took the gas tank cap off and the gas in the tank evaporated and turned to a kerosene like varnish. I did get the engine running with the rubber fuel line dropped into a spare-gas can. But other events -including loss of that outdoor storage and the prohibitive cost of garage rent here in SF - so I came to some trading arrangements with John at Big M with the promise that the car not be parted out but sold to someone who would bring it back to life. thanx so much for what you are doing to the car -what I never was able to get to - Paul p.s I have been in touch with Rich all these years. He has since gone back to motorcycle riding and travels all over the world now with friends. I get a Christmas card from every year detailing his world travels. He will be very heartened that the Polara has a new life, we shall send him some pics ! | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Few more pics. my plan is that I am going to cruising the coast this year. while I'm down there I am going to take all the dented or dinged trim with me and find a good chrome shop to straighten it for me.. (2013-08-22_13-23-30_748-1.jpg) (2013-08-20_20-47-58_678-1.jpg) (2013-08-03_10-51-49_466-1-1.jpg) (2013-08-03_08-00-12_154-1-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-08-22_13-23-30_748-1.jpg (296KB - 167 downloads) 2013-08-20_20-47-58_678-1.jpg (195KB - 172 downloads) 2013-08-03_10-51-49_466-1-1.jpg (157KB - 172 downloads) 2013-08-03_08-00-12_154-1-1.jpg (151KB - 158 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | the dealer radio adjustment instructions. Still in the glovebox (2013-08-25_13-35-28_191-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-08-25_13-35-28_191-1.jpg (296KB - 170 downloads) | ||
d500neil |
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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! That is the Astrophonic radio, there, but that is the instructions for all radios' tuning adjustments. Now, where's the Broadcast Sheet? (PICT2435.JPG) Attachments ---------------- PICT2435.JPG (109KB - 159 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Im gonna try to find that broadcast sheet. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | it was not on top of the glove box. where else could it be? I am pretty sure it was not on the back seat. Edited by plymouth 2013-08-25 10:05 PM | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Freshly painted radiator. (2013-08-27_18-30-54_914-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-08-27_18-30-54_914-1.jpg (260KB - 164 downloads) | ||
d500neil |
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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 | ..Under the rear seat bottom, between the springs and the (foam/jute) backing. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | I'll take a look tomorrow. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Getting the vacuum advance rebuilt. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | I did not find the build sheet underneath the rear seat. I did however, find some panties underneath the rear seat. if only this car could talk....... | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8445 Location: Perth Australia | Depending on the size. you might want to be carefull what you wish for | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | ttotired - 2013-08-28 6:30 PM Depending on the size. you might want to be carefull what you wish for Lol good point. On another note, I have the engine sanded and ready for paint in the morning. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | progress. I painted the engine today and ran new windshield washer hoses. one of the Jets was clogged so I blew out with compressed air. now I get two good squirts of water on the windshield when the pedal is depressed. Edited by plymouth 2013-08-29 2:55 PM (2013-08-29_13-40-01_837-1.jpg) (2013-08-29_13-40-13_936-1.jpg) (2013-08-29_13-40-23_443-1.jpg) (2013-08-29_13-40-35_533-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-08-29_13-40-01_837-1.jpg (286KB - 164 downloads) 2013-08-29_13-40-13_936-1.jpg (206KB - 164 downloads) 2013-08-29_13-40-23_443-1.jpg (237KB - 168 downloads) 2013-08-29_13-40-35_533-1.jpg (207KB - 169 downloads) | ||
d500neil |
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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 | Another restoration trick is to remove the OEM cover from the voltage regulator and to install it over the guts of a modern/ new V.R. .....assuming that OEM style V.R.'s are not 'currently' being re-popped. This winter, or as soon as possible, whichever comes first, you should get the master cylinder properly overhauled...in the meanwhile you can easily and regularly check on its (fresh-) fluid level. Edited by d500neil 2013-08-29 4:25 PM | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | The master cylinder has been overhauled. Im just waiting to paint it. | ||
d500neil |
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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 | "Bare Steel" or "Bare Cast Iron" looks perfect. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Thanks Neil. Today I bit the bullet and bought some tires. They all radials with a thin white wall. I will be mounting the tires tomorrow. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | New tires. (2013-08-31_09-43-26_773-1.jpg) (2013-08-31_09-43-37_746-1.jpg) (2013-08-31_09-44-10_730-1.jpg) (2013-08-31_09-43-56_16-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-08-31_09-43-26_773-1.jpg (297KB - 154 downloads) 2013-08-31_09-43-37_746-1.jpg (415KB - 164 downloads) 2013-08-31_09-44-10_730-1.jpg (330KB - 172 downloads) 2013-08-31_09-43-56_16-1.jpg (399KB - 160 downloads) | ||
imopar380 |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7210 Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | What size are your tires? Off the shelf 14" radials are the hardest to find in a decent overall diameter compared to the original 800 x 14 bias. When I bought my Saratoga it had P-215-75R14 tires on it that were way undersized, so I ended up getting 15" wire wheels and mounting P235-75R15 wide whites on it, which are about the same overall diameter as it's original 850 x 14 bias tires. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | They are 225 75 14s.. they were very hard to find. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | 61 and my girls 64 (2013-09-01_16-14-39_867-1.jpg) (2013-09-01_16-14-52_352-1.jpg) (2013-09-01_16-15-20_98-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-01_16-14-39_867-1.jpg (418KB - 168 downloads) 2013-09-01_16-14-52_352-1.jpg (382KB - 163 downloads) 2013-09-01_16-15-20_98-1.jpg (400KB - 165 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Comparison. CLR treatment vs. untreated paint... (2013-09-01_16-23-19_381-1.jpg) (2013-09-01_16-23-25_756-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-01_16-23-19_381-1.jpg (292KB - 152 downloads) 2013-09-01_16-23-25_756-1.jpg (155KB - 176 downloads) | ||
moparsteve |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1155 Location: somerville mass | cool polara and your girls dart you both i bet get alot of attention driving around the area incl mccomb mississippi! amazing how it was haned down all these years... you might want to get s seat cover to preserve the original seat pattern. eventually you may want to repaint it to the originial or similar color. you started with a non running 58 plymouth that you couldnt afford w members chipping in look at you now! did the car come with a/c? are you driving it now with the orig calif. tags? nice ride! keep up the good work! | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | thank you very much. the car does not have AC. I have to get the rear passenger shoes relined and I will be road ready. I still have to get the car registered and get the vacuum advance back from rebuilding. here is a picture of the passenger side rear brake assembly all torn apart. By the way, the Fairbanks brake drum removal tool works wonders. (2013-09-03_16-56-33_66-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-03_16-56-33_66-1.jpg (220KB - 156 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | a few pictures of the under trunk area. (2013-09-04_10-11-50_436-1.jpg) (2013-09-04_10-12-00_783-1.jpg) (2013-09-04_10-12-20_509-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-04_10-11-50_436-1.jpg (171KB - 277 downloads) 2013-09-04_10-12-00_783-1.jpg (148KB - 168 downloads) 2013-09-04_10-12-20_509-1.jpg (127KB - 161 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | today, I finished up the brakes. I took the car on its first on road journey in years. I did not take the car too far from home, but the car does ride very smooth and quiet. There is no pull when I apply the brakes. The car stop straight as an arrow. The speedometer was making a lot of noise though. I just lubed up the cable and the speedometer head and the noise is gone. (2013-09-06_11-32-51_886-1.jpg) (2013-09-06_11-33-00_10-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-06_11-32-51_886-1.jpg (437KB - 159 downloads) 2013-09-06_11-33-00_10-1.jpg (293KB - 160 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | The speedometer is no longer making noise. I drove it again and there is a squeak on the right side coming from the front suspension. Other than that, the car handles wonderfully. Anyone have an idea what can cause the suspension squeak when turning to the right? | ||
d500neil |
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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 | A dry ball joint. | ||
MOPAR-TO-YA |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5139 Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | plymouth - 2013-09-06 6:23 PM If it squeeks when the front end is moving up and down, I would think it is a rubber bushing in your A frame, or possibly sway bar if so equipped.................MOThe speedometer is no longer making noise. I drove it again and there is a squeak on the right side coming from the front suspension. Other than that, the car handles wonderfully. Anyone have an idea what can cause the suspension squeak when turning to the right? | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | had a minor setback today , but I'm going to be positive about this. I realized that my master cylinder fluid level was lower than it was yesterday. so I started looking for leaks. the front driver side upper cylinder was leaking. I will take this as an opportunity to make sure all the bolts and hoses are tight. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | freshly primered upper control arm. (2013-09-07_19-02-24_678-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-07_19-02-24_678-1.jpg (144KB - 159 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Dash cleaned up (2013-09-07_20-00-38_169-1.jpg) (2013-09-07_20-00-48_688-1.jpg) (2013-09-07_20-00-55_88-1.jpg) (2013-09-07_20-00-55_88-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-07_20-00-38_169-1.jpg (127KB - 159 downloads) 2013-09-07_20-00-48_688-1.jpg (195KB - 148 downloads) 2013-09-07_20-00-55_88-1.jpg (141KB - 164 downloads) 2013-09-07_20-00-55_88-1.jpg (141KB - 161 downloads) | ||
dartguy699 |
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Regular Posts: 63 | did you sell the Plymouth? I didn't see anything here about it. jp | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Yes I did it a few months back to a forward look member. | ||
1961plymouthfury |
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Expert Posts: 2647 Location: Minor Hill, TN | I converted to Electronic ignition on my 1961 fury. I no longer need to worry about changing points . All I need to do is change spark plugs when needed. With Electronic ignition your spark plugs will last longer | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | No thank you on the electronic ignition. with a set of ignition points, they may need periodic adjustment , but they will never leave you stranded on the side of the road. you can adjust points. you cannot adjust electronic ignition.. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Well, it's decided that the Polara will be receiving a front end rebuild to accompany the rebuilt brakes, engine, transmission, and power steering gear box. I'm using Moog parts. This will be my first front end overhaul on a forward look. Edited by plymouth 2013-09-10 12:02 AM | ||
db300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 314 | Love your progress pics! Thanks for sharing! | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | Thanks. Looks like I may have to put off painting her for a few months while I pay for front end rebuild parts. | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | I found the engine code and cleaned off the timing marks today. waiting for the vacuum advance to return as well as the cam plate for the driver side front brake assembly. (2013-09-10_13-35-40_392-1.jpg) (2013-09-10_13-34-31_38-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-10_13-35-40_392-1.jpg (381KB - 159 downloads) 2013-09-10_13-34-31_38-1.jpg (229KB - 163 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | polished lower front fender with CLR. (2013-09-12_11-38-33_661-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-12_11-38-33_661-1.jpg (292KB - 161 downloads) | ||
plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 2264 Location: McComb, Mississippi | I have been polishing up a few pieces of chrome on the car. I am using 0000 steel wool and chrome polish with a very surprising results. The windshield wipers and chrome around the windshield really turned out nice. (2013-09-12_12-44-34_587-1.jpg) (2013-09-12_13-34-34_306-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2013-09-12_12-44-34_587-1.jpg (117KB - 157 downloads) 2013-09-12_13-34-34_306-1.jpg (265KB - 151 downloads) | ||
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