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My 57 New Yorker
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-02 1:25 AM (#337191)
Subject: My 57 New Yorker



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Location: Southern CA
Well after months and months of searching I finally got my first FL car. I had mentally prepared myself to replace at least some sheet metal when I found one, but I'm happy to say that this car still has all it's original metal and none of it has any holes or spots that are too thin. Before I bought it I checked all the painted metal with a weak refer magnet and it stuck everywhere I checked. I have to thank Forward Look for assisting me in finding the car as I bought it from another member who responded to a "want to buy" thread that was authored by a member who didn't want this car after all.

The member I bought it from received it from a friend who inherited it from his Father Leonard who had owned it for many-many years. The car has been in dry storage from about 1980 until 2011. Leonard really took care of and pampered this car, evidenced by the solid body, file full of receipts for repairs and maintenance, duel oil filters, and there is even a spin-on cartridge filter for the coolant. To make sure he would always have spare parts, Leonard also parted out a Saratoga many years ago and saved tons (gobs & gobs) of parts for his car. I bought all the parts as part of the car purchase. The mint spare speedometer reads 23,000 miles, and based on the condition of the spare parts I believe it to be correct.

I bought the car last Saturday in Montana and it arrived at my house today, I've been working on it since the moment it arrived and I'm thinking about sleeping in the backseat tonight, lol. The first photo below is from the previous owner, the rest I took today.

I'm really glad to be a member of this site and hope to make some new friends who share the same passion as me for these shiny pieces of American history. More to come...

Edited by Leadfoot1000 2012-09-02 1:36 AM




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Attachments My 57 Chrysler 043.JPG (48KB - 268 downloads)
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Attachments My 57 Chrysler 052.JPG (50KB - 307 downloads)
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d500neil
Posted 2012-09-02 2:39 AM (#337193 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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Bummer that you've got one small cut/tear in the seat beading; otherwise, your upholstery shop could easily blind-stitch-in
new upholstery inserts into the seats, at little cost.

For having only 23,000 miles, the power brake pedal has a considerable amount of wear on it, which
indicates that the car incurred a lot of stop and go driving during its service life.









Edited by d500neil 2012-09-02 2:43 AM
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-02 3:12 AM (#337195 - in reply to #337193)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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The spare parts I got with the car included a speedo that reads 23,000, so the Saratoga that got parted was still a youngster. The car I bought has a lot more miles on it, I have a receipt for an engine rebuild in 1978, two years before it went into storage. It runs real smooth with no smoke, but the accelerator pump doesn't squirt, must have dried out from sitting so long, so I'll rebuild the carb next weekend. I pumped up the cooling system and it held good except for the heater core. I'm still debating what to do with the interior, the headliner is very good, the seats are so so, but the door panels have had it...



(My 57 Chrysler 010.JPG)



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Attachments My 57 Chrysler 010.JPG (125KB - 276 downloads)
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-02 3:28 AM (#337197 - in reply to #337193)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Hey Neil, I mean't the previous post to be a reply to you but I clicked the wrong button. I'm sure you noticed the raised rear-end, that's the first thing I want to fix. level the car and get rid of the stinkbug look. I think I figured it out but would like some confirmation before I pull the springs off. There is evidence of a trailer hitch and I see one spring in the pack that looks out of place, like it was added to compensate for the trailer weight. It's the second spring from the top. Hopefully somebody with a New Yorker can check their car and confirm that spring doesn't belong there. It looks like it was cut with a torch. Check out the photos...

Edited by Leadfoot1000 2012-09-02 3:42 AM




(My 57 Chrysler 022.JPG)



(My 57 Chrysler 013.JPG)



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b5rt
Posted 2012-09-02 9:14 AM (#337218 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Looks like a great starting point. Having something solid to work with is half the battle. I don't have the NYer to reference your spring pack but believe your diagnosis is correct. Looks like the one spring was added. Take that out and maybe she'll even out. That'd be a cheap and easy fix.
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imopar380
Posted 2012-09-02 11:55 AM (#337239 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Very nice looking car, and a solid one at that. You couldn't ask for a nicer car to start some work on! The cloth seat inserts look to be non-original type cloth - probably have been redone once in its life. There were 2 different cloth types that were used in 57 NYers, but this doesn't look to be one of them.
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-02 1:34 PM (#337253 - in reply to #337239)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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imopar380 - 2012-09-02 8:55 AM

Very nice looking car, and a solid one at that. You couldn't ask for a nicer car to start some work on! The cloth seat inserts look to be non-original type cloth - probably have been redone once in its life. There were 2 different cloth types that were used in 57 NYers, but this doesn't look to be one of them.


Thanks Ian, the tuck & roll vinyl in the center of the seats doesn't match the vinyl in the seating areas either. The vinyl and cloth of the seating areas must have been redone at some point.
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Chaz
Posted 2012-09-02 7:11 PM (#337278 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker


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Glad to see that car in the hands of someone who appreciates it! I'm sure you'll do it justice. I didnt even consider that another leaf was added to the springs.. I'll bet thats why the rear is tails up. It was great meeting you and working out a deal that was fair for us both. Keep posting your progress . I'm gonna follow this one!
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d500neil
Posted 2012-09-02 8:03 PM (#337283 - in reply to #337278)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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I'm not a Chrysler-guy, but that center section looks to me to be an OEM feature.

In addition to the added-leaf spring, it appears that the leaf inter-liners have been removed.

Those inserts make the leaf springs' operation quiet, and also soften the overall ride quality,
since the leafs are not in contact with each other, and they do not tend to produce a mutual "lever-
bar" effect, as they do, when they are clamped down together....as they are, in drag racing applications.

The two clamps (one of which looks to have been 'custom'-fitted) are OK; the 300's have three of them, IIRC,
to stiffen up the rear end.

The NY'ers have 6 1/2 leafs, IIRC---yours looks like its shortest/stiffest leaf (which will tend to raise it up)
is a full-length leaf, and it definitely does not look like an OEM stock-type leaf.










Edited by d500neil 2012-09-02 8:09 PM
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-02 10:56 PM (#337303 - in reply to #337283)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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d500neil - 2012-09-02 5:03 PM

I'm not a Chrysler-guy, but that center section looks to me to be an OEM feature.

In addition to the added-leaf spring, it appears that the leaf inter-liners have been removed.

Those inserts make the leaf springs' operation quiet, and also soften the overall ride quality,
since the leafs are not in contact with each other, and they do not tend to produce a mutual "lever-
bar" effect, as they do, when they are clamped down together....as they are, in drag racing applications.

The two clamps (one of which looks to have been 'custom'-fitted) are OK; the 300's have three of them, IIRC,
to stiffen up the rear end.

The NY'ers have 6 1/2 leafs, IIRC---yours looks like its shortest/stiffest leaf (which will tend to raise it up)
is a full-length leaf, and it definitely does not look like an OEM stock-type leaf.










Good observations Neil, the right side pack's's shortest leaf is solid and thick, like a home-made one. While the left side's shortest leaf has the same center channel as the other leafs in the pack. I need to buy one stock leaf pack & use the pieces from my two packs to build one stock one, or buy two and keep mine for spare parts. Time to PM Big M for parts. I have a 58 shop manual which states that the inter-liners are new for the 58 model year, but they would make a nice addition if I can locate some. I'll change all the bushings also while I have it apart.
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big m
Posted 2012-09-03 12:19 PM (#337346 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Looks like you found an excellent car in your search.

Congratulations!!

---John
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My57Saratoga
Posted 2012-09-03 1:30 PM (#337358 - in reply to #337346)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Congrats!

Mike
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old mopar guy
Posted 2012-09-03 2:04 PM (#337364 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Sweet Car! Nice Find! 57 New yorkers are so rare and to find a rust free one your very lucky. All the best and HAPPY MOTORING! Victor.
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59ride
Posted 2012-09-03 3:48 PM (#337378 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: RE: My 57 New Yorker



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Good for you!
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-04 1:36 AM (#337441 - in reply to #337358)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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My57Saratoga - 2012-09-03 10:30 AM

Congrats!

Mike


Thanks a lot John, Mike, Victor and Ron for your congratulations! For about a year I've been searching the internet daily for leads & I only saw one other NY 2dr hdtp that was running, but it was really rusted out & had tons of bondo trying to hide it, & newer paint over that. I've wanted a 50's car for a long time & just kept looking at photos & going to car shows trying to decide which one I liked the best. I almost bought a 55 Buick Century about a year ago and then changed my mind at the last minute. When I finally decided that the 57 Chrysler was the coolest of all (IMO) I had no idea how difficult it would be to find one, and it was double the price of the Buick in the same condition. But it was worth every penny and I'm really happy to have it. I've been wrenching on it all weekend....oops I better go say hi to my wife...
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JT Vincent
Posted 2012-09-04 6:54 PM (#337528 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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What a great car. I've been scrounging around for a year to find all the little things to make my car complete. Starting with such a nice one is probably a better long-term strategy. It looks so straight and solid. I seem to remember one like that on here. Is the paint new?
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mogge65
Posted 2012-09-04 8:37 PM (#337537 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Welcome aboard on FL-site Steve! Congrats to a very good choice of wehicle. Hope to see how it turns out..............keep us posted! Morgan
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-04 10:43 PM (#337553 - in reply to #337528)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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JT Vincent - 2012-09-04 3:54 PM

What a great car. I've been scrounging around for a year to find all the little things to make my car complete. Starting with such a nice one is probably a better long-term strategy. It looks so straight and solid. I seem to remember one like that on here. Is the paint new?


Hi Jon, thanks. It was painted within the past year. That's the car I which had inquired about the bumper guards about 3-4 weeks ago. Turns out that the owner had installed Saratoga bumpers on it because the chrome was a lot better. I bought the original bumpers with the car along with a bunch of other parts from the Saratoga that the owner before him had parted. They include the bumper guards, which I'll be installing soon. I'm still deciding if I should rechrome the original bumpers or just use the ones on it and drill them, the chrome is good quality for a driver. I just got really lucky finding the car, and both me and the seller feel like the deal was fair...as it should be.
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-04 10:49 PM (#337555 - in reply to #337537)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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mogge65 - 2012-09-04 5:37 PM

Welcome aboard on FL-site Steve! Congrats to a very good choice of wehicle. Hope to see how it turns out..............keep us posted! Morgan


Thanks Morgan, I'll keep posting to this thread as it progresses. After I get all the mechanical bugs worked out of it and lower the rear I plan to get WWW tires and then just keep making improvements and detailing it little by little.
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-11 12:04 AM (#338350 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: RE: My 57 New Yorker



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When I drove my car 1 block from the delivery trailer to my house it had a vibration coming from the rear when I hit the gas pedal, I figured that the u-joints were dry from being in storage for so many years or just sloppy from wear. So I read some info on the ball and trunion and pulled the drive shaft out. Sure enough the rear u-joint was dry and binding and the ball and trunion has a little side to side slop in it. Back to the computer to look for parts. While looking I found that the new trunion is available but did not locate a rear u-joint. About that time it started raining and I remembered my crate of spare parts still sitting in the back of my truck (when the spare parts were delivered I had them loaded directly into the back of my truck & have been so busy working on the car that I didn't store them yet).

Anyways, I hurried to the truck to cover the parts with plastic so the spindles, generator etc. would not get wet. While unloading the long parts, bumpers etc in the rain I noticed a long skinny "package" standing in the corner of the crate wrapped in a Christmas table cloth. I thought what the heck is that? As soon as I grabbed it I thought "no way" could it be a complete drive shaft, the very parts I was moments earlier searching for were here the whole time. Yes it is and it's apparently from the same low mileage parts car the rest of the parts came from because the trunion has no slop at all. I'll disassemble it and the u-joint, clean all the pieces, grease em assemble em hope that solves the problem...

Edited by Leadfoot1000 2012-09-11 12:12 AM




(57 Chrysler Repairs 022.JPG)



(57 Chrysler Repairs 023.JPG)



(57 Chrysler Repairs 025.JPG)



(57 Chrysler Repairs 011.JPG)



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Attachments 57 Chrysler Repairs 011.JPG (99KB - 270 downloads)
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Chaz
Posted 2012-09-11 7:06 PM (#338452 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker


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Next time I see you I'll tell you the story on that driveshaft and why it was wrapped up like that.
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-13 11:03 PM (#338747 - in reply to #338452)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Chaz - 2012-09-11 4:06 PM

Next time I see you I'll tell you the story on that driveshaft and why it was wrapped up like that.


I'm sure it's a good one, I'll probably see you in Vegas sometime at a car show.
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-23 9:11 PM (#340274 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: RE: My 57 New Yorker



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I finally got my car back out of my garage today and took it for a spin. The rear helper spring leafs are gone and the ride height is a lot better now, although still higher in the rear than I like (see pics below), maybe a lowering block will be needed. The rear frame to ground measurement is exactly the same on each side, so that's a big plus. The WCFB carb rebuild came out good, I had a problem with a stuck needle under the accelerator pump cluster that I didn't catch on the first assembly. It didn't come out on dis-assembly nor was it shown in the kit's exploded view so I didn't know it was there. I figured it out when my shop manual arrived with a more car specific view and ended up drilling the needle with a tiny drill bit to pull it out.

I've also changed the diff fluid & oil & filter and serviced the Ball & Trunion u-joint & replaced the boot.

The engine runs great, but there is a very bad vibration/chadder on acceleration at any speed and/or when it shifts. There is also an "eeek" noise when it shifts. I tried some Trans-X, but no change. I'll try changing all the trans fluid next weekend (I shudda done that in the first place!).

As you can see, the car is begging for some wide whites, I ordered some from Diamondback and they should be here next week.

I put that Oregon plate on the back (with the sticker that expired in 1984, the year this car was put in storage) just in case I passed by "the Fuzz" while on my test drive.





Edited by Leadfoot1000 2012-09-24 8:43 AM




(005.JPG)



(006.JPG)



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craigt
Posted 2012-09-24 2:29 AM (#340301 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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love the metallic green makes the ol girl look longer.
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-24 10:15 PM (#340425 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Good thing she's not any longer or it wouldn't fit in the garage.
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oldwood
Posted 2012-09-24 10:30 PM (#340429 - in reply to #340425)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker


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I have a saw zall. I need a new COUCH!!!
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2012-09-24 10:31 PM (#340430 - in reply to #340425)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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I like your thinking for landing on the car you wanted most FIRST, and then going after it. It makes the beast so much more personal
and an extension of the owner's personality and commitment. It seems to me that very few people get into their cars this way. They just
buy what they stumble across and move forward from there, often with a much more willy-nilly approach to the car and the specific "science"
of that given car.

The 57 NY'er is the flagship of the fleet, in my opinion. It stands as the grandest and most elegant of all the non-Imperial cars, Imperial
being so different it hardly compares.

I am real happy for you and enjoying this thread as you put the details together. Keep it coming.
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-25 12:02 AM (#340438 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Thanks Doctor. I always try to study things in detail before I make a decision and move forward. It helps avoid disappointment and anger at oneself when we make a bad decision or mistake. This one worked out great as I have zero buyers remorse and I'm enjoying working through each problem with the car. I'll keep updating this post as long as I know people are enjoying it and retaining interest.

While in my garage a few days ago working on the car I hear a child's voice say "wow, that's my dream car" so I look outside and there's an 8 yo Asian kid and his sister walking by. I said "you want to see it closer? he ran to the garage to get a closer look at the finned beast. After a few moments he said "you should consider getting some wide whitewall tires for it, they will really improve the looks". I was pleasantly shocked and assured him that www tires would be installed soon. His sister asked a question about the car and he answered it before I had a chance. Upon leaving he asked if he could see it again and I told him anytime.

By the way, I'm already thinking about an additional car someday in the future (when I have a big garage) and plan to drive a Desoto before I decide...I love those Desoto taillights...
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craigt
Posted 2012-09-25 2:34 AM (#340450 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Posts: 126
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funny you should say that...i measured the shed the other day and my 55 WONT FIT by 10in....not happy jan!
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BigBlockMopar
Posted 2012-09-25 4:15 AM (#340455 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Nice progress!
As for the vibration in the car, you might want to check the engine and transmission mounts for being soft and wornout perhaps, and also check the engine sparkplug wires and sparkplugs for misfiring. This can cause vibration-like issues in a car aswell.

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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-25 8:46 AM (#340468 - in reply to #340450)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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craigt - 2012-09-24 11:34 PM

funny you should say that...i measured the shed the other day and my 55 WONT FIT by 10in....not happy jan!


Sounds like time to do a "pop-out" of the end wall by installing a header (beam) within the wall to support the weight of the wall section you will remove & re-framing the wall section a few feet out. It can be done in a manner to look as though it was part of the original shed plan. Or you could get a Smart Car & store in your pocket

Edited by Leadfoot1000 2012-09-25 8:49 AM
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-25 9:08 AM (#340474 - in reply to #340455)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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BigBlockMopar - 2012-09-25 1:15 AM

Nice progress!
As for the vibration in the car, you might want to check the engine and transmission mounts for being soft and wornout perhaps, and also check the engine sparkplug wires and sparkplugs for misfiring. This can cause vibration-like issues in a car aswell.



Thanks Herman, I'll check those mounts as the are likely worn-out from age. The fact that it occurs when shifting also is leading me to the transmission. However, I'm now thinking I need to drive it again and get it into drive gear, maybe 40 mph, then accelerate and see if it occurs. If it occurs at that speed it seems it would not be the transmission because the trans gears would already be locked? Although I used to be a mechanic in my young years, I know virtually nothing about automatic transmissions. As for the engine, it's smooth as silk, even with a simulated load by applying the brake and pressing the throttle...Steve
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57burb
Posted 2012-09-25 2:35 PM (#340536 - in reply to #340474)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Chaz did a great job painting that car. Very nice score!!

From one '57 NYer owner to another, enjoy it!
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2012-09-26 8:52 AM (#340635 - in reply to #340438)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Location: Parts Unknown
Leadfoot1000 - 2012-09-25 9:02 PM

Thanks Doctor. I always try to study things in detail before I make a decision and move forward. It helps avoid disappointment and
anger at oneself when we make a bad decision or mistake. This one worked out great as I have zero buyers remorse and I'm enjoying
working through each problem with the car. I'll keep updating this post as long as I know people are enjoying it and retaining interest.

While in my garage a few days ago working on the car I hear a child's voice say "wow, that's my dream car" so I look outside and
there's an 8 yo Asian kid and his sister walking by. I said "you want to see it closer? he ran to the garage to get a closer look at the
finned beast. After a few moments he said "you should consider getting some wide whitewall tires for it, they will really improve the
looks". I was pleasantly shocked and assured him that www tires would be installed soon. His sister asked a question about the car
and he answered it before I had a chance. Upon leaving he asked if he could see it again and I told him anytime.

By the way, I'm already thinking about an additional car someday in the future (when I have a big garage) and plan to drive a Desoto
before I decide...I love those Desoto taillights...


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Wow. That poor kid is #@!ed up ! Wonder what led him astray at such a young age ?

If you've followed my story, ... my first FL car was an LA-built 57 NY'er coupe, painted Champagne and Charcoal.
I loved the car, but came to love the DeSotos even more. But I still think the NY'er is the final word in elegant for
the non-Imperial cars.

When you decide to build that bigger garage, allow enough room for a Dodge and Plymouth too, as you will likely
catch that disease too.
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-27 12:33 AM (#340779 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Location: Southern CA
Hey Doc, how do I find your story on this site? My car was built in LA also. In my garage I plan to have an area for a few cars in progress and a separate area for a finished car or two to keep them away from the flying metal and primer. The Desotos will be stored outside and only used for parts

Edited by Leadfoot1000 2012-09-27 12:51 AM
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-09-27 1:15 AM (#340780 - in reply to #340536)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Location: Southern CA
57burb - 2012-09-25 11:35 AM

Chaz did a great job painting that car. Very nice score!!

From one '57 NYer owner to another, enjoy it! ;)


Thanks Danny, I'm having a great time with it. I was really excited when I found this car and Chaz said he would hold it for me until I could fly to Montana to see it in person. I checked the car thoroughly and found that Chaz had been honest about the condition. As a normal procedure, I offered him about 15% less than his asking price (we had already determined that all the spare parts would be included). When he said no and gave me his bottom line price I thought to myself "your either going to own a 57 NYer or your not" "this is it and it's not going to get any better than this" a few seconds later I accepted his price and we shook hands and the deal was done.

He did do a great paint job. I've done a few garage paint jobs myself and none came out as good as this one. There are so many things that can go wrong, too much or not enough reducer, bugs, temperature, moisture in the compressed air, gun issues......

BTW, where can I view photos of your car?
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Chaz
Posted 2012-10-30 10:51 AM (#345088 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker


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Did you get those wide whites on there yet? Pictures?
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-10-31 1:47 AM (#345162 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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I had the transmission rebuilt a few weeks ago by a great mechanic, it's really dialed in now, shifts great. The power brake booster started leaking on the way back from the trans shop, so since I had to remove the master cylinder to get the booster off, I'm switching to a dual reservoir master from a 67 Chrysler while I have it apart and changing the rear wheel cylinders. The wheels and tires are waiting to be installed. A couple more weekends and I'll be able to get it out of the garage and drive it again and I'll take some photos then.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2012-10-31 11:18 AM (#345183 - in reply to #340779)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Location: Parts Unknown
Leadfoot1000 - 2012-09-27 9:33 PM

Hey Doc, how do I find your story on this site? My car was built in LA also. In my garage I plan to have an area for a few cars in progress and a separate area for a finished car or two to keep them away from the flying metal and primer. The Desotos will be stored outside and only used for parts :)


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

The NY'er story is not posted anywhere in particular. I've just discussed it here and there as it relates to
other threads.

I heard directly from the 300 guys ... my NY'er and DeSoto were pretty much just good for parts, seein's
how they weren't 300's.

So, ... I mean, .. what are we gonna do ? We're stuck driving parts cars !
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-11-12 10:19 PM (#346911 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: RE: My 57 New Yorker



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I have installed the new wheels and tires, but can't get the car out of the garage until I finish the brake work. I have some trim rings also, but decided to drive it without them first since the wheels will be scratched as soon as they are installed, then there is no changing back. I also have a pair of 1950 new yorker (15") wheel covers that I plan to try on the back with bullets on the front. That's the beauty of wheel covers, you can easily change them and change the look of a car.

Since my car is in somewhat original condition, I plan to make an effort to keep it that way with just a few exceptions, tires/wheels being one of them, and a duel reservoir master cylinder being another. Here is the new master temporarily in place while I fit everything up. I'll keep the original wheels and wheel covers with the car in case I decide (or a future owner) to restore it to original style someday.

Steve

Edited by Leadfoot1000 2012-11-12 10:26 PM




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Chaz
Posted 2012-11-14 10:00 AM (#347068 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker


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I really like the wide white walls. The wheels - not so much.... But thats what owning a classic is all about. You get to do it up YOUR way. The brakes look like a nice conversion. You can actually access the reservoir! That old accordion looks good gone.

Edited by Chaz 2012-11-14 10:01 AM
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2012-11-15 1:05 AM (#347199 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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I'll take some more pics when I get the hubcaps on, that cap is too small without a trim ring. I don't care for the look either, I should remove the photo. The pic above with the new master cyl. in place is just temporary while I'm fitting the brake lines and wiring without the booster in place, better access. "That old accordion" (the spare one that came with the car) is going right back in place as soon as I paint the firewall. I only changed the master for safety reasons (safety of me and the car's cherry grill), I have no plans to alter anything else. Better photos coming soon without the fugly wheel look...
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THREE HUNDRED
Posted 2012-12-06 2:27 AM (#349899 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Great car great color. Yes the 57 NY is also my favourite of the Forward cars. I like the front end better than the 300. Only I like the trim better on the 300. I used to have one, but it was too much work so I sold it to sweden, they have more time to fix cars
http://up.picr.de/12703906kt.jpg

Try some Chrome Reverse wheels without hubcabs for a late 50's mild Custom look. Might work fine.

Edited by THREE HUNDRED 2012-12-06 2:28 AM
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58plyfred
Posted 2012-12-06 3:20 AM (#349904 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Beautiful New Yorker!! 57 Chryslers are one of my favorite finned mopars!!
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2013-01-28 8:36 PM (#357285 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: RE: My 57 New Yorker



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I just finished setting the ride height (lowered the rear 2 inches, now it sits more like the green 57 in my avatar, from an early sales brochure) and putting some new hubcaps on my car. The caps are from a 1950 New Yorker, I really like their smooth aerodynamic looks, the wheels are powder coated 15x8 smoothies, the wide whites are from Diamondback. On the front right now I have the bullet center & "hot rod" trim ring, but also have two more of the matching 1950 hubcaps that I can interchange. Well, I know it's not original but I think my car looks pretty cool now, anybody else?....Steve

Edited by Leadfoot1000 2013-01-28 8:46 PM




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mogge65
Posted 2013-01-28 9:09 PM (#357288 - in reply to #337191)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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I´d go with the set up you have up front, "bullet center & "hot rod" trim ring" all around. First choice when cruising to your local hamburger inn etc etc.. These 1950 Hubcaps is beautyful and suits well on Sundaydrive to the Church......
I think it´s great to have two or even three diffrent set ups to change from time to time. only thing you´ll need now is a Wirewheel set up to cruise on the boulewards........ Love the car

Edited by mogge65 2013-01-28 9:10 PM
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d500neil
Posted 2013-01-29 1:30 AM (#357308 - in reply to #357288)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
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Location: bishop, ca
Steve, love the look, and, the wheel covers (and 15" wheels).

Your speedo/odo will now register slower times and mileages.

How did you lower the rear end?

What is the official size of your tires, as imprinted on their backsides?

If they're DB's, you should love how they ride.











Edited by d500neil 2013-01-29 1:32 AM
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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2013-01-30 10:27 PM (#357538 - in reply to #357288)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Location: Southern CA
mogge65 - 2013-01-28 6:09 PM

I´d go with the set up you have up front, "bullet center & "hot rod" trim ring" all around. First choice when cruising to your local hamburger inn etc etc.. These 1950 Hubcaps is beautyful and suits well on Sundaydrive to the Church......
I think it´s great to have two or even three diffrent set ups to change from time to time. only thing you´ll need now is a Wirewheel set up to cruise on the boulewards........ Love the car :dollar:


Thanks Morgan, I love the car too...I use it to go to the local hamburger joint on Sunday afternoons, so I guess the current set-up is perfect..lol I always keep an eye out for some other stylish hubcaps & will try another set someday when I find some...Steve



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Leadfoot1000
Posted 2013-01-31 8:19 AM (#357571 - in reply to #357308)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



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Posts: 241
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Location: Southern CA
d500neil - 2013-01-28 10:30 PM

Steve, love the look, and, the wheel covers (and 15" wheels).

Your speedo/odo will now register slower times and mileages.

How did you lower the rear end?

What is the official size of your tires, as imprinted on their backsides?

If they're DB's, you should love how they ride.


Thanks Neil, the tires are BF Goodrich TA Radials from DB. I'm very pleased with the ride and handling they provide. The rears are 255/70-15 w/ 3" WW on 15x8 wheels with a 4-3/4" backspace. The fronts are 235/70-15 w/ 2-3/4" WW on 15x7 wheels with a 4" backspace.
I lowered the rear with 2" lowering blocks placed between the spring and spring perch. I didn't want to try lowering it by removing leafs from the spring pack because it could (would) allow more rear end wind-up on heavy acceleration. Also, as you know the springs on these cars have a reputation for breaking, removing individual leafs places more stress on the leafs remaining in the pack...Steve








Edited by Leadfoot1000 2013-01-31 8:20 AM
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d500neil
Posted 2013-01-31 2:53 PM (#357616 - in reply to #357571)
Subject: Re: My 57 New Yorker



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
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Location: bishop, ca
Actually, I am not aware of any (significant; never-say-never) OEM rear leaf spring failures on the FWDLK cars.

The FRONT torsion bars, when OEM, where known to break, but that/those failures were reportedly occasioned when
the cars were relatively brand new---and may have occurred from bad metallurgy and/or from a mis-located
left/right side bar having been installed.

The OEM bars either broke, quickly, or are still in daily service, .5Century later.







Edited by d500neil 2013-01-31 2:54 PM
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