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'55 Plaza Suburban arrives today
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-11-15 9:45 AM (#526294)
Subject: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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The 1955 Plaza Suburban 2-door we bought sight unseen arrives today. I'm scared and excited at the same time. My first car was a '59 Coronet, but I haven't owned a Forward Look vehicle in almost 40 years. I'll probably have many questions. My first would be if the doors on coupes and 2-door wagons are the same.



(Plaza.jpg)



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56D500boy
Posted 2016-11-15 10:33 AM (#526305 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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71charger_fan - 2016-11-15 9:45 AM The 1955 Plaza Suburban 2-door we bought sight unseen arrives today. I'm scared and excited at the same time. My first car was a '59 Coronet, but I haven't owned a Forward Look vehicle in almost 40 years. I'll probably have many questions. My first would be if the doors on coupes and 2-door wagons are the same.


Nice (but either loose that woodgrain or add more - looks strange the way it is)

One the door issue I can't imagine that the doors would be different between the 2dr wagon and 2dr sedans, either in 55 or 56





In fact, the PNs for the front door shell assemblies for 1956 (and I assume 1955) 2dr Plymouths are the same for both the 2dr Club sedan and the 2dr suburban:

1657006 right
1657007 left

Case closed.
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SavoyPlaza
Posted 2016-11-15 10:58 AM (#526306 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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Very cool, Terrence! I hope it's as good as you're expecting. According to my Auto Interchange Systems book, the 1955 2-door
sedan and wagon doors are the same.

Post some photos when she arrives! Let us know your plans for her, too.
Welcome to the forum.
Pete
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-11-15 11:47 AM (#526314 - in reply to #526306)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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The seller bought it with primered quarters and paid an airbrush artist to get creative. I hope to put the two-tone, two-door side trim on it. Thanks for the info on the doors, I need a driver's door glass.

Is there a vendor that offers seat cover, carpet, and/or headliner kits for these cars?

Edited by 71charger_fan 2016-11-15 11:52 AM




(Plaza Rear.jpg)



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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-11-15 2:22 PM (#526322 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Location: Frederick, MD
It's here.



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56D500boy
Posted 2016-11-15 2:45 PM (#526325 - in reply to #526314)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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71charger_fan - 2016-11-15 11:47 AM The seller bought it with primered quarters and paid an airbrush artist to get creative. I hope to put the two-tone, two-door side trim on it. Thanks for the info on the doors, I need a driver's door glass.


The air brush work is very good. Just not enough of it. (OR too much )

I am not even close to being and expert but I have the 1956 all Chrysler parts manual and it says:

Front door glass for 2dr Club sedans and 2 dr wagons for the P28, P29, D60, D61 and D63 models are listed as being the PNs same left and right, PN 1592743 clear and 1592744 "Solex" (which I presume to be tinted).

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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-11-15 2:47 PM (#526326 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Thanks for the parts lookups. If he'd carried the airbrushing another 15" forward, I'd probably keep it.
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58 DESOTOS RULE
Posted 2016-11-16 12:51 PM (#526386 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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Nice! What do you have for a drive train in it? Six or V-8? Manual or automatic? 

If it were my car, I would get rid of the painted woodgrain trim - or go whole hog and do a full job. 

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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2016-11-16 1:54 PM (#526388 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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Just screwing some plywood on the sides would be a cheap visual fix
and hide any dents or rust issues.

Just trying to think outside the box here .....
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2016-11-16 5:37 PM (#526419 - in reply to #526388)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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Cool beans!

I like it. It would be interesting to see if someone could place real wood on one of these!
I hope it turns out to be everything you hoped for and more.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-11-16 10:05 PM (#526438 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Flathead six, three on the tree. I'm thinking of a 12-volt conversion. I have the car, but am still waiting on the title. Once I get it registered, I'm going to get estimates on some rocker panel and lower front fender rust repair. We're looking g at color chips and will likely change the color when we lose the fake woodgrain. I'll have to change the upholstery too. It's blue, but really ugly blue.
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56D500boy
Posted 2016-11-16 11:13 PM (#526440 - in reply to #526438)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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71charger_fan - 2016-11-16 10:05 PM

Flathead six, three on the tree. I'm thinking of a 12-volt conversion.


My first car was a 1955 Canadian Dodge Regent 4 dr sedan (think Plymouth Belvedere with a Dodge front clip) Flathead six, 3 on the tree. I got it in 1967 from my Dad when turned 16. He had bought it in 1956. We used it for lots of camping trips. First with a tent and later pulling a 14 ft 1953 Terry trailer (slept 5, ice box, 24" apartment size propane stove (cook top, oven and broiler). And my Mum loaded that thing to the gunnels. Some how the old Dodge managed (mostly) even when going from Regina Saskatchewan to Vancouver BC through the mountains. Not that there weren't some "incidents". One that comes to mind was going over the Teton Pass (I think between Idaho and Montana??) anyway, very steep, very switch backy. At one point, me being the 10 year old kid standing in the back seat, helping my Dad drive, I blurt out after one switch back, "Dad, Dad, put it in first! Put it in first!!" He says, "It is". Oh god. Basically we came to a halt on the steep grade. We got out of it thanks to some guy in a half ton who hooked on to the Dodge with a chain and got my Dad to jack-knife the trailer so it wasn't a dead pull when they started up the grade again. He towed us to the top of the pass and we stopped and unchained. Thanked him and he was on this way. Did I say the brakes faded (badly) on the decent? (Trailer had electric brakes). Had to stop and let them (both the car and the trailer brakes) cool down before we finally made it to Jackson Hole.

Just a story about a flat head six that could (mostly). When I had it, it was high school Grade 11 and 12 and then 4 years of university. Served me well. Hated the 6V battery in the winter. Not enough umph even with a block heater, etc.

One thing that I remember that I had to do often, was to tighten the nut on the shift linkage on top of the transmission (at least that is the way I remember it). I can't remember jacking the car up at all (probably did - no jack stand for sure) and then sliding under the car on my back and reaching up with the wrench (9/16"?) and tightening that shift linkage nut. Thinking about it now, I have no clue as to whether there was a lock washer involved. Now a days, I would install a Nyloc nut *and* a lock washer and be done with it. (Which is probably the point of this whole story. ) I still have that 9/16" wrench and have been using it on my "new" 56 Dodge Custom Royal D-500. Z



Edited by 56D500boy 2016-11-16 11:15 PM
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-11-17 8:40 AM (#526469 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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The roof racks lasted mere minutes after the car arrived. I didn't throw them away, but they're off the car.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-11-20 2:18 PM (#526704 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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I just came to the realization that this car is positive ground. I was going to convert o 12V anyway, so I'll probably install a whole new harness and switch it to 12V negative ground.
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56D500boy
Posted 2016-11-20 4:52 PM (#526717 - in reply to #526704)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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71charger_fan - 2016-11-20 2:18 PM I just came to the realization that this car is positive ground. I was going to convert o 12V anyway, so I'll probably install a whole new harness and switch it to 12V negative ground.


OOps.

When I went hunting for a early FL car I specifically wanted to avoid 55 because of the 6V positive ground thing. I focused on 56 because of the 12V negative ground and they would generally likely still fit into my 1942 single car 12 x 20 garage.

I met a guy selling a 55 Custom Royal 2 dr Lancer that I might have been able to live with: He had installed a 2nd 6V battery on the right side of the engine bay (there is room). In parallel with the original 6V battery. So still 6V but twice the cranking amps. Starts like a champ.



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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-11-22 2:25 PM (#526865 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Finally got the title processed, got plates and insurance, and was legal to drive. Of course, the battery was flat. I eventually coaxed it to life and drove it around the neighborhood a couple of times. The ride is surprisingly smooth and the handling is, as expected, a little iffy. But, once I get it rewired, I think it'll be a fun cruiser. But, it was fun to finally move it out of the garage.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-11-27 4:40 PM (#527285 - in reply to #526865)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Pulled these plugs yesterday. Who knows how long it's been since it's seen a tune up. Was going to do plug wires but was stumped by that wire tray that runs under the coil. Do I have to pull the boot off to get the wire out then fish a new wire through and install the boot in the car?



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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-01 7:42 PM (#527691 - in reply to #527285)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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My HEI distributor arrived today. My new wiring harness has been here a couple of days. I'm still waiting on my alternator, bracket, and 12V solenoid.



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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-05 10:08 PM (#527978 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Yesterday, I scored a driver's door with glass, upper dash, lower dash with gauges, grill, armrests, knuckles, and a steering wheel for $300.
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Powerflite
Posted 2016-12-05 11:33 PM (#527984 - in reply to #527978)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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The stock deluxe wheel for a '55 Plymouth is the white "Hollywood" plastic wheel, like this one. '56 got a black colored version of this.



(55_Plymouth_Hollywood.JPG)



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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-06 7:40 AM (#528003 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Since mine is a Plaza, there was nothing deluxe on it. I like that wheel but I think I prefer the Mayflower center.
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C-300
Posted 2016-12-06 11:55 AM (#528019 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Great Plymouth! The door glass is easy. When I sent my 54 Dodge to the body shop, they lost the driver's side glass and cracked the passenger side. I took the cracked passenger side pane to a local glass shop and they cut a new pair for me... easy since they are flat.

Aaron
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-07 5:52 PM (#528140 - in reply to #528019)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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The sorry state of what currently passes for a wiring harness on this thing.



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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-15 12:52 PM (#528784 - in reply to #528140)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Posts: 667
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Location: Frederick, MD
Found a few NOS lenses. I just ordered a grill piece to replace my dented one out of a salvage yard in Texas.



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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-23 11:04 AM (#529610 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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I drained the oil out of it the other day. It was black and sludgy. I put in some NAPA high mileage 10W-30 and ran it until it got warm. I then drained that out and refilled it again with fresh oil. Even though it was a running car, I had no idea what, if any, maintenance it had before I got it. I let it idle yesterday until it was hot. I'll probably drain and refill it one more time before I call the oil change done.
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1961plymouthfury
Posted 2016-12-23 12:52 PM (#529620 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Get some marvel mystery oil put some in the fuel tank and some in the engine to see if that will help. Do not feel bad my '61 ran hot for a while and 1 of the start ups I put the marvel mystery oil in the engine and did a monthly start up and I let the car run for about 10-15 minuites and shut it off. I also put this in the fuel tank also. I also do not burn the cheap low grade fuel also. I use the 93 and I keep a bottle of ethanol treatment in the car ( I use the lucas and you can get it at you local auto parts store or walmart. )
Shell has the most additives in their premuim to help clean the engine and fuel system of your car and if you are a fuel rewards member from shell when you fill up with the 93 the next fill up you get .10 off a gallon this is only until the 1st of the year.
I hope this helps out Good luck to you with the car
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oldwood
Posted 2016-12-23 5:39 PM (#529644 - in reply to #529620)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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You need to run a high zinc content oil or you could swipe out a camshaft. Brad Penn oil is what most people are using for flat tappet camshafts. Most people are not even aware that these cars need a high zinc content oil. FYI
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-23 6:21 PM (#529645 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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I drained it again this afternoon. The oil was very dirty, but it at least looked like oil instead of liquified coal. Fortunately, through the end of the year, NAPA has some really good oil specials.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-27 8:22 AM (#529833 - in reply to #529645)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Started my 12V conversion/rewiring yesterday. I had to order a curved upper alternator bracket as the original generator bracket doesn't work with the alternator.



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firedome
Posted 2016-12-27 8:32 AM (#529834 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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Nice work... love 55/56 wagons!

Like Dorsey said make sure you use a high zinc oil like Brad Penn Grade 1, that's what I use in my older cars.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-30 9:35 AM (#530043 - in reply to #529833)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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HEI distributor went in yesterday. Had to mount it with the vacuum advance on the bottom to clear the engine block.



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Powerflite
Posted 2016-12-30 12:46 PM (#530051 - in reply to #530043)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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Nice. Electronic ignition is the best upgrade you can make to the motor. What year & motor is the distributor from and what modifications did you have to make to it?
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Old Ray
Posted 2016-12-30 4:55 PM (#530065 - in reply to #530051)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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Powerflite - 2016-12-30 10:46 AM Nice. Electronic ignition is the best upgrade you can make to the motor.


Yes, but they do not like excessive heat, carrying a spare module with you is a good idea, ..........ask me how I know this.

Edited by Old Ray 2016-12-30 10:06 PM
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71charger_fan
Posted 2016-12-30 9:48 PM (#530081 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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I bought the distributor from Landon's Stovebolt. It uses modules, caps, and rotors from an '80s S-10 2.8 V6.
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moparsteve
Posted 2016-12-31 11:25 AM (#530113 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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that is one super cool wagon!
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-04 10:38 PM (#530453 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Pulled the dash today and was surprised to find it has a mechanical oil pressure gauge. I gave up on trying to rewire it with the dash installed.
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Old Ray
Posted 2017-01-05 9:56 AM (#530480 - in reply to #530453)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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71charger_fan - 2017-01-04 8:38 PM Pulled the dash today and was surprised to find it has a mechanical oil pressure gauge. I gave up on trying to rewire it with the dash installed.


Pictures please ..........but only if possible, not inconvenient, or bothersome. Thanks.

PS: not sure if this link will work, a guy on the 55-56 dodge/plymouth Face Book site is doing the same thing, being old I find the face book format confusing and fustrating but good pictures sometimes.  

https://www.facebook.com/groups/519679014781599/?ref=bookmarks



Edited by Old Ray 2017-01-05 10:06 AM
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-01-05 10:37 AM (#530484 - in reply to #530480)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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Old Ray - 2017-01-05 9:56 AM not sure if this link will work, a guy on the 55-56 dodge/plymouth Face Book site is doing the same thing, being old I find the face book format confusing and frustrating but good pictures sometimes.


LOL. There's a "format" on the Facebook 55-56 site? I thought it was random shotgun scatterings. The whole facebook "experience" is like catching a disease called "Attention Deficit Syndrome". Hurts my old brain.

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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-05 3:50 PM (#530521 - in reply to #530484)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Got the dash torn apart. The radio tubes were toast, but, since it's positive ground, it doesn't matter anyway. I ordered a radio delete plate off of Ebay. That radio had to have been half the weight of the dash panel. I pulled the headlight wiring through today. I'm waiting for the proper crimper to come from American Autowire for the doubled terminals. Starter and alternator wiring, except the grounds, is done. I'm not looking forward to pulling the tail light wiring.



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Powerflite
Posted 2017-01-05 5:07 PM (#530532 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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That's an interesting place to put your fuse panel. I would have put it above the left kick panel.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-05 8:55 PM (#530559 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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I needed to put it somewhere I could see it to check/replace fuses. With the dash in, that was about the only place I could find that didn't interfere with the parking brake or vent mechanisms. Now, with the dash out, I might relocate it. There's what would be a perfect place on the firewall to the left of the steering column but, when I test fit it, the parking brake mechanism would have crushed it with the brake released.
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-01-05 9:32 PM (#530561 - in reply to #530521)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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What wiring harness/relay/fuse box are you using for this conversion (6V pos to 12V neg). BTW don't forget about your fan and wiper motors.

This one?

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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-06 9:11 AM (#530598 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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I'm using an American Autowire Highway 15 harness. I liked that it wasn't pre-soldered into the fuse box making it easier to pull wires. I was planning on putting resistors in line feeding into the heater and wiper switches so those motors will continue to see 6V. Unless I turn up some 12V motors from a '56.

http://www.americanautowire.com/shop/american-autowire/highway-15-w...

I bought the Harness from Summit so I saved about $40 off American Autowire's direct sale price.
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57chizler
Posted 2017-01-06 2:33 PM (#530631 - in reply to #530559)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



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71charger_fan - 2017-01-05 5:55 PM
There's what would be a perfect place on the firewall to the left of the steering column but, when I test fit it, the parking brake mechanism would have crushed it with the brake released.


That's where mine is mounted in the '56 Plaza and no problem with interference from the hand brake.

Edited by 57chizler 2017-01-06 2:36 PM




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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-07 8:49 AM (#530681 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


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Location: Frederick, MD
I'll probably relocate mine to the same location. Assuming I won't hit it with my leg when working the clutch.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-11 8:22 PM (#531124 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Today, I was going to pull the new wires to the tail lights and pulled off the interior side panel in the back. I thought they stuffed the area with insulation. When I got a whiff of it, I realized I had a giant mouse nest to remove. Fortunately, it appeared the tenants had moved out long ago. I wish now I'd taken a photo before I started pulling it out, but it almost completely filled the cavity from the inner wheelhouse back to the tail light and up to the level of the windows. I filled a kitchen trash bag pulling it out. Gross. I'm going to have to get in there and scrub the area then I'll probably get some POR-15 to seal the surfaces.
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Old Ray
Posted 2017-01-11 9:19 PM (#531128 - in reply to #531124)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 507
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Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains
71charger_fan - 2017-01-11 6:22 PM I'm going to have to get in there and scrub the area then I'll probably get some POR-15 to seal the surfaces.


Humm, in Alberta the deer mouse poop carries a bad bug, but I didn't see you location (charger fan?), maybe just spray some cleaner and wear a dust mask?
Here is some some fun reading for you;

Quote;
"Hantavirus is carried by some mice and may be transmitted through contact with their droppings. Most cases occur in the spring during cleaning when people may breathe in air borne particles.

Early symptoms are similar to the flu, but can quickly develop into severe breathing problems and in some cases hantavirus infection can be fatal.
The incidence of the hantavirus and the risk it poses to the public is low. However, particularly in the spring, when the weather improves and people spend more time outdoors and doing spring cleaning, remember to keep any risk to a minimum and take precautions to avoid hantavirus infection.

The only confirmed carrier of the hantavirus in Alberta is the deer mouse (reddish-brown or in some cases grey, but always with white fur on the underside of the neck, belly, feet, and tail). However, it is possible that other rodents may carry the virus and it is not always easy to determine what kind of mouse one is exposed to (particularly when the only evidence is droppings). The virus does not appear to have any effect on mice which carry it.

All rodents should be treated as potential carriers.
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Powerflite
Posted 2017-01-12 2:27 AM (#531139 - in reply to #531128)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9604
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Location: So. Cal
Sounds more like a pack rat.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-12 8:32 PM (#531196 - in reply to #531139)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I had to pull out the left headlight bucket to drill out the hole for the wires to a larger size and put in a grommet. Getting five wires through the stock-size hole was going to be too tight. I had a Dorman light socket on the shelf that fit perfectly into the back of the stock parking light. Now, I have to buy another for the other side.



(Plaza HL bucket.jpg)



(Plaza HL wires.jpg)



(Plaza HL connector.jpg)



(Plaza PL Housing.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza HL bucket.jpg (146KB - 676 downloads)
Attachments Plaza HL wires.jpg (125KB - 678 downloads)
Attachments Plaza HL connector.jpg (110KB - 676 downloads)
Attachments Plaza PL Housing.jpg (125KB - 654 downloads)
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soiouz
Posted 2017-01-12 8:48 PM (#531198 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Expert

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I don't know why I had not seen that thread before today!

That is a really cool wagon you got there! Keep the photos coming!
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