Hi; Clutch-o-Matic you say? I always thought that the 51's had an M6 Fluid Torque semi automatic where you use the clutch to shift ranges (each range has two speeds that shift automatically), or into reverse, but don't need it to stop at an intersection. From what I understand those units are very reliable, perhaps the clutch just needs adjustment or the unit itself needs oil. The clutch can be rebuilt by places that redo brake shoes, the solenoids can be found as well but usually only as six volt units. As for the hemi engine a gasket set for a 354 hemi is interchangable with a 331 and most of the parts are either available from Egge machine or PAW. Cork and paper gaskets can be made from raw material (using the old gaskets as patterns) available at any auto parts store, my first stop in locating any parts. Ignition parts can be cross referenced with NAPA number which I have if you need them. The tube radio is actually a good quality set manufactured for Chrysler by Philco. It has two seperate units behind the dash; one is the tuner and the other acts as the power supply and audio amplifier which has an oval speaker mounted to it, they are connected by a cable and socket. It can be repaired as well but one would have to know what it does or does not do before diagnosing what's wrong. I would look for some old radio collectors in your area and ask for advice.Usually the achiles heel of tube car radios is the vibrator in the power supply, they can wear out or stick causing the fuse to blow or the radio not to work. My honest opinion about the door handles is to leave them alone. Driving a 51' Imperial is rather like driving a Studebaker bullet nose, they are unique enough that one doesn't have to customize it for it to stand out in a row of 55'-57' Chebbies and Fords. Best Regards Arran Foster 1954 Imperial Newport Needing A Left Side Tailight Bezel and other trim parts 1975 Chrysler Newport Need to pick up a new speedo cable and a master cylinder. 1978 Puch Newport I think that I will do a bearing job on the rear wheel. ----- Original Message ----- From: <agraybill@xxxxxxx> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2005 6:28 PM Subject: Re: Re: IML: question @ my 1951 Imperial Well the only thing is that it is so hard to get parts for this car. I mean it is in great shape but there is only so much you can do with it. I am only 25 so maybe I can't appriciate what the car really means but I know that I have been searching for things for the car for a long time. For example. The car is a clutch-o-matic. There is a slight problem in the tranny. The clutch works but you can push the pedal all the way to the floor. I can't find anyone who knows a thing about it. The same with the engine. It is a 331 Hemi. I just want to paint the heads and clean it up but no one knows enough about it to help. And in the condition it is in, I am afraid to drive it because I dont want to do any damage to it. When my grandpa had it appraised in 2000(the car was 49) it was valued at 10000 dollars, but I have no use for a car that is just going to sit around. I believe it needs to be driven. So that is why I want to do the custom work to it so I can have it the way I really want it. P.S. The radio runs on tubes and doesn't work, but no one seems to know how to fix that either. ----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com ----------------- This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm ----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com ----------------- This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm