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 New Member... 1957 Plymouth SavoyJump to page : < 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... > Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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BarnFind57 |
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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...  (57SavoyJohn 058b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 013b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 028b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 016b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 018b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 034b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 039b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 044b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 049b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 053b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 054b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 005b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 009b.jpg) (57SavoyJohn 075b.jpg) Attachments ----------------  57SavoyJohn 058b.jpg (66KB - 255 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 013b.jpg (70KB - 271 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 028b.jpg (64KB - 260 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 016b.jpg (56KB - 249 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 018b.jpg (53KB - 262 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 034b.jpg (71KB - 259 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 039b.jpg (79KB - 265 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 044b.jpg (69KB - 287 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 049b.jpg (65KB - 260 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 053b.jpg (60KB - 244 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 054b.jpg (51KB - 260 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 005b.jpg (86KB - 262 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 009b.jpg (68KB - 255 downloads) 57SavoyJohn 075b.jpg (61KB - 280 downloads) | ||
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| StillOutThere |
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  Location: Under the X in Texas | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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... (021b.jpg) (042b.jpg) (043b.jpg) (048b.jpg) (052b.jpg) (066b.jpg) (070b.jpg) (071b.jpg) (081b.jpg) (084b.jpg) (097b.jpg) (098b.jpg) (099b.jpg) (102b.jpg) (095b.jpg) (096b.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 021b.jpg (113KB - 234 downloads) 042b.jpg (101KB - 259 downloads) 043b.jpg (105KB - 248 downloads) 048b.jpg (116KB - 248 downloads) 052b.jpg (114KB - 239 downloads) 066b.jpg (112KB - 300 downloads) 070b.jpg (117KB - 257 downloads) 071b.jpg (121KB - 265 downloads) 081b.jpg (104KB - 262 downloads) 084b.jpg (97KB - 256 downloads) 097b.jpg (103KB - 257 downloads) 098b.jpg (88KB - 251 downloads) 099b.jpg (99KB - 257 downloads) 102b.jpg (109KB - 255 downloads) 095b.jpg (99KB - 250 downloads) 096b.jpg (102KB - 228 downloads) | ||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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. (111b.jpg) (112b.jpg) (113b.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 111b.jpg (106KB - 248 downloads) 112b.jpg (114KB - 247 downloads) 113b.jpg (112KB - 252 downloads) | ||
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| B/G 61 |
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Expert Posts: 2612 Location: Parts Unknown | Very VERY COOL ! Love the car and all the "extras"  | ||
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| big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7809  Location: Williams California | |||
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| wizard |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13055 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | |||
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| 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 | |||
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| 58Donnie |
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Account Suspended Posts: 2827 Location: At "The Rock" in upper East Tennessee | |||
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| safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | |||
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| take me back |
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Member Posts: 34 Location: CA | |||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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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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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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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| Royal |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 444 Location: Sweden Vansbro | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | |||
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| 58Donnie |
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Account Suspended Posts: 2827 Location: At "The Rock" in upper East Tennessee | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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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| oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | |||
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| phurious |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 591 Location: West Chester, PA | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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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| 57plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 3577 Location: Blythewood, SC | |||
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| safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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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| rbmain |
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| BarnFind57 |
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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.... (056b.jpg) (038b.jpg) (052b.jpg) (053b.jpg) (073b.jpg) (074b.jpg) (064b.jpg) (068b.jpg) (066b.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 056b.jpg (124KB - 227 downloads) 038b.jpg (110KB - 239 downloads) 052b.jpg (111KB - 259 downloads) 053b.jpg (101KB - 253 downloads) 073b.jpg (106KB - 242 downloads) 074b.jpg (116KB - 244 downloads) 064b.jpg (122KB - 255 downloads) 068b.jpg (111KB - 249 downloads) 066b.jpg (118KB - 259 downloads) | ||
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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | |||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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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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| BarnFind57 |
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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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| oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | |||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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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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| Doobster |
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Member Posts: 47 Location: England. | |||
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| oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | |||
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| oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Got her face put back on today.... getting prettier every day... (002b.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 002b.jpg (116KB - 272 downloads) | ||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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..... (002b.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 002b.jpg (112KB - 262 downloads) | ||
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| Finsinthemirror |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1116 Location: CA | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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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| sconut1 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 782 Location: Edmonton, Alberta | |||
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| BarnFind57 |
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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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| Doctor DeSoto |
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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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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 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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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 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. Pics... (005b.jpg) (008b.jpg) (009b.jpg) (063b.jpg) (064b.jpg) (060b.jpg) (062b.jpg) (065b.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 005b.jpg (144KB - 240 downloads) 008b.jpg (142KB - 250 downloads) 009b.jpg (129KB - 234 downloads) 063b.jpg (141KB - 249 downloads) 064b.jpg (134KB - 280 downloads) 060b.jpg (100KB - 259 downloads) 062b.jpg (115KB - 243 downloads) 065b.jpg (140KB - 255 downloads) | ||
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| BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 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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