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1960 Plymouth Belvedere Jump to page : 1 2 3 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Many of you know that I have a '56 Imperial that I've been working on for 10 years and that I hope to have it done by summer of 2016. Well, I now have another project, a 1960 Plymouth Belvedere 2 door sedan. I purchased it from Larry Wilken, the owner of the Mopar Farm in Billings, Montana. Larry is retiring and selling off his left over inventory. He purchased this car back in 1982 in non-running, non-driving condition and it has sat since. It is a Montana car and is very solid. The driver side does need a new rocker and lower rear quarter, but NOS chrysler panels were included in the sale. There is some damage to the driver fender and door and various other small dents. I don't plan on restoring the car, exactly, but I do hope to get it running and driving. It's a 318 poly, 2 speed auto. Everything is there other than the radiator, fan and brake master cylinder. The engine turns over by hand and it feels like it's smooth with decent compression. First step is to clean it out, it's pretty gross inside! (Belvedere 2 dr sedan shrunk.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Belvedere 2 dr sedan shrunk.jpg (499KB - 663 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Sorry, I cannot get it right side up. | ||
jimntempe |
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Expert Posts: 2312 Location: Arizona | .. (Belvedere 2 dr sedan shrunk.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Belvedere 2 dr sedan shrunk.jpg (396KB - 664 downloads) | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8443 Location: Perth Australia | Looks like a good score Someone else looking for headlight rings | ||
58coupe |
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Expert Posts: 1739 Location: Alaska | I had a car just about like yours, bought it in 1968. 2 dr sedan, all white with red interior but it had the GC 361 and factory 3 speed. It got totaled in an accident. | ||
SavoyPlaza |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1172 Location: Georgia | Looks great! She should make a unique driver. Keep us updated with your progress. Pete | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Congratulations, jboy! GREAT car. Ya just gotta love those '60 Belvies and Fury's with their "going so fast that I tore the sheet metal back from the front fender"-look. Very cool IMHO. Can't wait to see what you're going to do to it...doesn't seem to need much before it's back on the road, grabbing attention from everyone around. Edited by FIN ME 2015-08-16 11:52 AM | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | Someone stole my front end!!! lol (001.JPG) Attachments ---------------- 001.JPG (309KB - 675 downloads) | ||
AceS |
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Veteran Posts: 281 Location: WA/USA | Neato! Same color as my wagon. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Well, it's a runner! New fuel pump, plugs, wires, coil, and rebuilt distributor. The starter solenoid was missing so I just touched the starter cable to the power cable off the battery and attached a hot wire from the battery to the ballast resistor. I could tell it had too much timing advance initially as it was cranking, but I slowly turned the distributor and it fired right up! I couldn't run it long as it doesn't have radiator, but no smoke or knocks, very encouraging. I had a clear PVC line connecting the ends of the trans cooler lines and it appears to be pumping as well. Next step is to properly wire it up. I need to purchase a new ignition switch with keys as I didn't get any keys with the car, or can a lock smith make me new keys if they have the VIN code? Also, what is the part number for the correct starter solenoid? Would any one be willing to post any pictures of the driver inner fender wiring? | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | New ignition switch and starter solenoid are in. Added new cables under the hood as well, turns over much faster now. Made some linkage to replace the piece between the firewall and carb. Can now be started from inside the car. New water pump and thermostat as well, radiator coming next. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Radiator, water pump pulley, fan and belt are in and I was able to run it for the first extended period of time. Idles nice, but it is burning some oil but at 146,000 miles and having sat for 30 years I'm not surprised. I still plan (hope) to get it driving for the spring. Half way through the brakes now, still need to figure out some small things. Long term plans include an A833 4 speed swap, but not until the Imperial is finished. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | I need to update with some pictures. I have 4 tires that hold air on the car now, which is nice to not see it sagging so badly in my garage. Added the missing hood spring so the hood stays up on its own, which is really nice. Gas tank has been dropped, cleaned and refilled and the car now runs from gas in the tank. Found a headlight switch and most of the lights are working (need to track down the brake and turn signals). Getting very close to taking a (very slow) test drive down the street. | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8443 Location: Perth Australia | The oil burning might go away with a little time, but who cares as long as its not an actual smoke screen You could drive up to a Prius or similar and say that "If I didnt get this car going, it could have made 2 of those" then leave them in a cloud of oil smoke while waving Do you think that would go over well? | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Not a very exciting update, but I was able to obtain a title for the vehicle so it is now officially mine! | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Here are a few updated under hood pics. Had a leaking freeze plug, waiting to replace it so but was able to flush a lot of crap out of the block. New fan was in the Imperial but I went electric fan in that car. Lots of left over bits from the Imperial are being used, including some of my left over linkage parts. Been collecting parts too, I have a manual peddle assembly and an 833 4 speed overdrive, 4 barrel intake and the box contains NOS lower rear quarter panels. Edited by jboymechanic 2016-05-19 9:24 PM (318 Poly driver side.jpg) (318 Poly fuel pump.jpg) (Plymouth trunk of parts.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 318 Poly driver side.jpg (213KB - 684 downloads) 318 Poly fuel pump.jpg (187KB - 692 downloads) Plymouth trunk of parts.jpg (160KB - 695 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Well, I've made a little more progress. I didn't have working shift or parking brake cables. I removed the shift cable, which was leaking fluid, and replaced the o-ring and lubed it up along with the buttons. I cut the ripped portion of the rubber cable sheath off by the trans and cut the sheath near the fire wall. I then pulled the sheath down and re-clamped it onto the trans end of the cable. Hopefully these steps will prevent or at least greatly slow the trans leak. I completely disassembled the rear parking brake, the shoes were bare metal. I had spare parking brake shoes left over from a parts tran for the Imperial, so I used those. I cleaned everything up and soaked the cable in a bucket of PB Blaster. Everything is clean, free, adjusted and working properly. At this point, I just need to finish bleeding my brakes and I can take this thing for a test drive! | ||
SavoyPlaza |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1172 Location: Georgia | Hope you can take her on that test run real soon, Jon. Post some photos when you do! Pete | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | First drive in over 30 years! https://youtu.be/96fZ83p7PCM | ||
wizard |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13042 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Way cool!! | ||
Ray |
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Expert Posts: 1497 Location: Fairfax, Minnesota | 2 door post- ultimate sleeper? This will always make others wonder when you line up at an intersection. I wil look forward to seeing the completed project. | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | Some people would not have saved the arse end of the car that I saved from the tree. There are not many 2dr's that have survived from 1960. Great video of you bringing down property values. Great minds think alike. Screw the neighbors and their Prius!!! | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Thanks for the encouragement, but there is still much to do. I only have one working brake light and the turn signals aren't working. One tail light is on all the time and it needs exhaust. Speaking of exhaust, it isn't smoky at idle but it gets smoky real fast at 1500 RPM an up! I'm guessing the piston rings are stuck from sitting, hoping to add some sea foam to the engine oil (which is already filthy). I'll just keep running it and changing oil and monitor consumption. Gas gauge doesn't work, nor does the speedo. The front seat is really bad, and it's leaning half way into the back seat and it needs floor boards. Piece of cake, right? | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Well, I found and bought a 1966 Poly 318 locally on craigslist. It came out of a 1966 Dodge Coronet, in good running condition and complete air cleaner to oil pan. The only part missing is the alternator, he kept that but threw in the starter. My next step is to find a small block bellhousing for a 4 speed manual with overdrive (A-833 transmission) so I can mock up my future drivetrain. (1966 Poly 318 resized.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1966 Poly 318 resized.jpg (250KB - 634 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Found a bell housing, it uses a 10.5" clutch and 130 tooth flywheel. Originally used behind small blocks in 1975-6 A-bodies/1975-80 F-bodies/1976-80 trucks. Also found a factory pilot bearing, this bearing was used in the early to mid 1990s for stick shift trucks, fit into the end of the crank (original car was automatic) without modification. (318 Poly pilot bearing.JPG) (318 Poly with bell.JPG) Attachments ---------------- 318 Poly pilot bearing.JPG (388KB - 636 downloads) 318 Poly with bell.JPG (333KB - 645 downloads) | ||
58coupe |
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Expert Posts: 1739 Location: Alaska | When you use that style of pilot bearing most of the time the input shaft from the trans. has to be shortened by cutting off some of the end. The crank is not drilled for a manual so not enough room for the long input shaft. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Here is everything mocked up, the input shaft length into the crank pilot was not an issue. (Poly with Clutch.JPG) (Poly with A833 OD.JPG) Attachments ---------------- Poly with Clutch.JPG (447KB - 606 downloads) Poly with A833 OD.JPG (372KB - 609 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | The Imperial is off being painted, so I've been working on the Plymouth here and there. Tomorrow should be a big day, hope to install my A833 overdrive that I've had rebuilt. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | The Imperial is off being painted, so I've been working on the Plymouth here and there. Tomorrow should be a big day, hope to install my A833 overdrive that I've had rebuilt. I was able to install a factory clutch pedal, but it is now hooked up to a compact Wilwood hydraulic clutch master cylinder. I had to grin my brake master cylinder firewall support plate, punch a hole in the firewall, and add a solid, flat surface to mount the clutch MC. It's crude and ugly, but it works and I can get that little MC in and out of there without disturbing the brake MC or lines. Edited by jboymechanic 2016-10-20 4:21 PM (IMG_1351.JPG) (IMG_1354.JPG) (IMG_1355.JPG) Attachments ---------------- IMG_1351.JPG (432KB - 558 downloads) IMG_1354.JPG (392KB - 569 downloads) IMG_1355.JPG (495KB - 558 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | I had also installed my 1966 318 Poly and I upgraded to a Mopar square back alternator and electronic voltage regulator while I was at it. (IMG_1357.JPG) Attachments ---------------- IMG_1357.JPG (482KB - 579 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | I modified my stock transmission cross member to accept the mounting location of the late production A833 OD, my rubber mount is a left over body mount from my 1956 Imperial. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | I modified my stock transmission cross member to accept the mounting location of the late production A833 OD, my rubber mount is a left over body mount from my 1956 Imperial. My welds aren't pretty, but I'm sure they will hold well enough. (IMG_1362.JPG) (IMG_1363.JPG) Attachments ---------------- IMG_1362.JPG (359KB - 564 downloads) IMG_1363.JPG (310KB - 567 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Here is the rebuilt trans. I cleaned up the shifter and made new linkage with aluminum tubing and heim joints, I didn't even have to bend any of the rods. Can't wait to really try it out! (IMG_1358.JPG) Attachments ---------------- IMG_1358.JPG (356KB - 592 downloads) | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8443 Location: Perth Australia | Have fun with the lower 1/4 patch panels, I have been having that kind of fun as well They don't fit well, I sectioned mine (plym lh rear.jpg) Attachments ---------------- plym lh rear.jpg (141KB - 547 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Transmission is in the car and clutch hydraulics have been figured out. Bought the hydraulic mount and slave from Brewers Performance and had to add a new notch to the clutch fork to add a second return spring. Shifter was re-bent to clear the dash and bench seat. Car starts, clutch releases and I can shift through the gears with the engine running. Next step is a drive shaft and throttle linkage. (slave cylinder.JPG) Attachments ---------------- slave cylinder.JPG (336KB - 612 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Well, I have a new drive shaft installed and my factory 4 barrel intake is on the engine. Hoping to mount my Quick Fuel 4 barrel on the car over the holiday weekend and see what happens. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | A lot has happened in the last month. I mounted my 680 CFM Quick Fuel carb and it was too much for the motor, I Just couldn't lean it out enough to keep the 318 running. Tried to start it so many times that I wore the clutch out in the starter. So, new starter in car and I had to change the oil as I had flooded the car so badly it was about a quart high diluted with gas. Yikes! So after doing a lot of reading, I purchased a 500 CFM Edelbrock (#1403) and got it mounted up. It would fire and run roughly for about 15 seconds and quit over and over again. Long story short, I ended up having weak spark and I corrected the situation with a Pertronix II ignitor kit. Starts and runs beautifully now. I never suspected ignition issues as the engine ran so well with it's original 2 barrel, but it made all the difference in the world. Today, I finally buttoned up (some what) the throttle linkage and took the car down to the end of the street and back, its first drive as a 4 speed car. I will say that a 318 poly sounds absolutely nasty straight out of the exhaust manifolds at WOT! I still have some work to do on fine tuning the clutch hydraulics, I wasn't 100% disengaging when pressing the pedal to the floor and the car shifted hard (with a slight grind) into 1st and Reverse as a result. Overall, I'm happy with my progress and hope to continue to fine tune the setup here and there. My next immediate step is to get some exhaust so I can run this thing without my neighbors calling the cops. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | An unfortunate update, yesterday I went to fine tune my hydraulic clutch fork arrangement. I had a friend pump the clutch pedal while I was under the car and realized that the slave cylinder was indeed delivering the full 1.125" stroke to the clutch fork. Even with the release bearing only about 1/16" away from the clutch levers, there was still enough slop in the clutch fork pivot that the clutch won't fully disengage. So I ripped it all apart; pulled the drive shaft, clutch fork and hydraulics and the transmission and cross member. Only took about 1.5 hours by myself with the car on jack stands, so not a terrible job really. I plan to go the hydraulic release bearing route now as it is now my only remaining reasonable option. Didn't want to go this route given the cost of the release bearing and the fact that the trans has to be pulled to change it, but here I am anyway. I would have saved a lot of time and money had I just done this in the first place. At least now it will be a cleaner installation and allow more room for the exhaust. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/awr-cach30005hm Edited by jboymechanic 2017-01-22 12:00 PM | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | It's been a long time, but the conversion to the HydraMax hydraulic release bearing is complete. Kind of a pain to do by yourself with the car on jack stands, but it's done and the car drives and shifts like it should. Need to do the following before I'm willing to register and insure this thing and really drive a somewhere: 1. Exhaust 2. Floor pans 3. Get brake lights and turn signals working 4. Get gas gauge working 5. Fix the seat so I'm not falling into the back seat Hope to order factory dual exhaust and have the driver side pipe modified to fit the 1966 manifold. Then I'll farm out the floor pan work. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Exhaust is almost complete, bought duals from classic exhaust. Fit the car really well right out of the box. Just need to clamp things up and get my hangers in place. I'll take some pictures when it's all done. Gas gauge is working and the front seat has been sort of fixed so it doesn't flop into the back seat area any more. I have new floor pans, just need to have them installed. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | The exhaust is done and all of my lights (brake and turn signals) are working. Need to test my speedometer yet, but I used a spare cable from my Imperial. Still needs new floor pans installed, but I have registered the vehicle to drive. Hope to do a test drive this weekend yet. | ||
60 Imp |
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Location: North Australia | Nice job Jon. Keen to see the car in road trim! Also very keen to see that Imperial. How did the paint job go? Steve. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Here are the latest pics of the Plymouth. Speedo still isn't functioning, I'll have to check the drive gear in the trans. Car needs tires, some front suspension/steering work and an alignment. Setting up an appointment for floors first. (318 Poly V8 1.jpg) (318 Poly V8 2.jpg) (Clutch Cover.jpg) (Passenger Exhaust 2.jpg) (Starter and Exhaust.jpg) (Dash Lights.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 318 Poly V8 1.jpg (244KB - 518 downloads) 318 Poly V8 2.jpg (278KB - 622 downloads) Clutch Cover.jpg (205KB - 499 downloads) Passenger Exhaust 2.jpg (195KB - 502 downloads) Starter and Exhaust.jpg (174KB - 517 downloads) Dash Lights.jpg (86KB - 512 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Car still looks the same, just peeled off some duct tape. I have not washed it. (Driver Front End.jpg) (Driver Rear Quarter.jpg) (Front Passenger.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Driver Front End.jpg (153KB - 504 downloads) Driver Rear Quarter.jpg (182KB - 483 downloads) Front Passenger.jpg (187KB - 514 downloads) | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | I would not use that plastic fuel filter. Too many horror stories. You can buy a metal filter cheap. Glad its coming together for ya. I know your ready!!! Edited by oldwood 2017-07-11 1:22 PM | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | oldwood - 2017-07-10 11:53 PM I would not use that plastic fuel filter. Too many horror stories. You can buy a metal filter cheap. Glad its coming together for ya. I know your ready!!! You're absolutely right about the plastic fuel filter, but I like running them for a while after I'm revived an old car or engine so I can see how much crap it's filtering out of the fuel tank and lines. Once the fuel is more consistently clean, I'll switch to the tried and true Mopar filter. Last night I went to check and change the rear axle oil, what a nightmare! I spent about an hour with a putty knife scraping crap off the axle housing and diff, enough caked on oil and dirt to fill a 5 gallon pail about half way! All clean and oil changed, now to watch for the leak! Edited by jboymechanic 2017-07-11 1:33 PM | ||
Chrome58 |
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Expert Posts: 1316 Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels | oldwood - 2017-07-11 6:53 AM I would not use that plastic fuel filter. Too many horror stories. What horror stories ???? | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | The Plymouth is now at a body shop having new floor pans installed and the trans tunnel is being filled in around my 4 speed shifter. Car made the 9 mile voyage without issue, it also drove very well at 55 MPH. I was pretty nervous as I had no idea how the car would do, but no cooling issues or vibrations at any speed (so I'm feeling pretty good about my trans swap and cross member mods at this point). The night before the trip I checked the steering gear oil level, it was totally dry! Filled it up, but there was a big puddle of oil under it the next morning. Guess I know what my next project is on this car. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Car is in storage for the winter. Floors did get replaced, but I won't be touching the car until spring. I plan on really focusing on the Imperial this winter. (thumb_image1_1024 4.jpg) (thumb_image4_1024 3.jpg) (thumb_image3_1024 4.jpg) (thumb_image2_1024 4.jpg) Attachments ---------------- thumb_image1_1024 4.jpg (129KB - 492 downloads) thumb_image4_1024 3.jpg (93KB - 483 downloads) thumb_image3_1024 4.jpg (103KB - 485 downloads) thumb_image2_1024 4.jpg (117KB - 512 downloads) | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | Dug the Plymouth out of storage today. Ran great, but it was a white knuckle ride for the 15 miles from my dad’s shop to my house. Alternator is no longer charging, and the alignment is so bad you could hear the front tires squealing all the way home. It was hard to get the car in second gear, not sure what is going on there. Plenty to do, but at least now it’s home so I can work on it here and there. | ||
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