 Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
(the wife ain't gonna like it if she turns out to be lookin' like Megan Fox, ya know!!!)
I think she might come in handy for the engine work, she looks comfortable here  
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Okay okay, first off- old cars, very cool. old bikes, very cool. Old ladies, not very cool at all! Plus, I think she knows me well enough that she won't buy my excuse that I'm helping someone out of the kindness of my heart. 
Eeh! I seriously doubt that. Ya see, anyone who'd rescue old Honda Dreams and even OLDER Dodge Meadowbrooks would HAVE to have more than just modicum kindness in their heart!  
And I'm sure your wife HAD TO recognize this abundance of kindness in your personality EARLY ON in your relationship OR she probably wouldn't have married your azz in the first place! Yep! Deep down inside, women DO LOVE the sensitive-types, ya know!!!
And soooooo I'M STILL thinkin' MY PLAN just might work AFTERALL, dude!!!
(but just REMEMBER....no Megan Fox look-a-likes can be involved here!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
Eeh! I seriously doubt that. Ya see, anyone who'd rescue old Honda Dreams and even OLDER Dodge Meadowbrooks would HAVE to have more than just modicum kindness in their heart!
And I'm sure your wife HAD TO recognize this abundance of kindness in your personality EARLY ON in your relationship OR she probably wouldn't have married your azz in the first place! Yep! Deep down inside, women DO LOVE the sensitive-types, ya know!!!
fine, just don't tell anyone, it will ruin my rep! 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Quote:
(the wife ain't gonna like it if she turns out to be lookin' like Megan Fox, ya know!!!)
I think she might come in handy for the engine work, she looks comfortable here
Hey BOY!!! Now didn't I just say, "But just REMEMBER....no Megan Fox look-a-likes can be involved here!!!"
NOPE!!! NOT EVEN for ANY of that "engine work"!!!
GEEZ...you try and help a guy out, but do they LISTEN?!!!
(...but ahhh...thanks for the picture there, anyway Dave!!!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 403
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 403 |
hmmm...perfect candidate for a stroked 440...say to 472CI? set of Indy cylinder heads and you are on your way....keep it stock looking for that Mopar sleeper look.
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Saw this in Warm Springs, GA last May. Ford yeah but one can see how beautiful your dodge will soon be. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
hmmm...perfect candidate for a stroked 440...say to 472CI? set of Indy cylinder heads and you are on your way....keep it stock looking for that Mopar sleeper look.
Sounds like that would be awesome! However, the straight six in it runs great, so until that fails completely, no new motor.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819 |
What could you do with this?? 
Last edited by CynMcA; 10/15/2009 5:06 PM.
I would be unstoppable if not for law enforcement and physics.
2002, Cardinal Red & Silver
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
That wouldn't be my first Thunderbird!
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819 |
Quote:
That wouldn't be my first Thunderbird!
Yeah, but this one has seen more Bondo than turtle wax!
I would be unstoppable if not for law enforcement and physics.
2002, Cardinal Red & Silver
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
I keep looking at that 'Bird, they lost some serious style points in the mid 60's up into the late '80's 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819 |
Quote:
I keep looking at that 'Bird, they lost some serious style points in the mid 60's up into the late '80's
Didn't they? I thought it would be a nice project until I remembered that I had absolutely NO mechanical aptitude! That, and the fact that I have the attention span of a small rodent meant it was never going anywhere! 
I would be unstoppable if not for law enforcement and physics.
2002, Cardinal Red & Silver
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
so does it just sit in your driveway?
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Down One Less Bike
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819 |
Quote:
so does it just sit in your driveway?
Not anymore . . . Someone felt sorry for it and bought it off of me last year.
I would be unstoppable if not for law enforcement and physics.
2002, Cardinal Red & Silver
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
A little update... When I bought the car, the rear fender was dented in and looked like this  It's been a while since I've done any bodywork, but I think it turned out pretty well, I'm pleased with the results. I was surprised how easy the fender comes off. I want to replace the fender gasket before I put the fender back on. I took a dead-blow hammer to the inside of the fender and beat out the dent, then got it up on some sawhorses for the stripping, bondo, sanding and primer.    I've also been rewiring the car, little by little, now I need to get some bulbs and try some lights out. Waiting on new brake lines, and figure out a fuel issue, then it will be driving around time! Oh yeah, my sister spoiled the surprise last week and told Angela after too much booze   Oh well, now Angela's all excited and ready to sell her car and get in this one daily, she has paint colors and interior all picked out, and I still got major points for doing all this! 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
These cars are such a pleasure to work on, compared to the new ones. Metal fenders that are thicker than toilet paper, simple wiring, bolts that come loose instead of breaking off. So I can't remember if you said... Are you going to paint it Two-tone?
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Angela wants it super gloss black with a grey/white/black interior. It should look really fine when it's done. And it's really going to be a daily driver, we're selling her car soon to pay for the restoration You're absolutely right about the sheet metal, it's very thick and easy to bring back to life.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Oh well, now Angela's all excited and ready to sell her car and get in this one daily, she has paint colors and interior all picked out, and I still got major points for doing all this!
Angel is one lucky woman to have you doing all this for her... and, from what you said sounds like you'll get lucky too!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Well, I understand the love of a glossy back car. I had one, a convertible, year ago. (And one of my cars, a 48 Chrysler, is black.) But be advised on three points; A shiny black car will showcase any small dent or imperfection that is in the body; black, older cars inherantly look "older" (not a problem in this case); and you will become intimately aquainted with a garden hose, bucket and sponge trying to keep that sucker looking "balck and shiny" instead of "black and dusty". I wash my Chrysler every friggin time I take it to town. Really. (And I'm not kidding) Having said all this, give the girl what she wants!
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Yeah, I would have flat blacked it given the chance, and I totally know about the imperfections showing. I figure if anyone complains about the ripples in 60 year old sheet metal I'll just tell them to get f****d. I'm not making a show car, I don't see the point in having a garage queen, be it a car or a bike. This thing will get miles in all weather, just like it did when it was new. Shoot, it's might actually be able to get traction in the snow, it weighs like 3 tons!
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
I can tell exactly what you are going through here, Dave, what with my vast sheet metal knowledge and experience. I once even made a slightly skewed match box (for long wooden matches) out of sheet metal... never did sit straight on a shelf but I pretty sure I got a B on it, or maybe a C...
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
If you want to see one in shiny black clicky hereNot worth too much, even fully restored, but that's not really the point.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 246
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 246 |
Oh man, that is a honey joy ride!
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 208
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 208 |
MY first car was a '52 DeSoto Sportsman Coupe with a pillarless hardtop. It came with a large displacement Firedom V 8 engine and a semi auto transmission.
There was a shift lever on the tree with two ranges. It had a clutch and a solenoid switch deallie which allowed for two different gears in each range. So we had a 4 speed fluid semi automatic transmission.
My dad drove the DeSoto some 200,000 miles and gave it to me in 1963. I drove it another 100,000 miles and sold it to a stock car racer. It ran for two seasons on a dirt track and ended it days in a demolition derby.
My dad had a device which metered RED X upper engine oil into the gas line near the tank and the engine ran perfectly for over 300,000 and never had the heads off.
It was built like a tank and rode very well and was a perfect car for a new driver. Slow on the take off but would maintain speed and had a good top end. We towed trailers with it and the car would never quit. It had a huge trunk and we packed it full on many weekend jaunts from NYC to Kingston NY from '52 through '63.
I can recall riding through New Jersey during the gas wars in '49 and paying 9 cents a gallon for gas when Dad was driving a '48 Nash. Those were the days when the trip took almost 4 hours to go 95 miles and we always stopped at the Red Apple Rest in Suffern NY on the trip North. Single lane concrete state highways that always went through the center of towns on the way. You needed good 35 to 55 MPH acceleration to pass on those old roads. God help you if you got behind a farmer hauling a load of hay or manure on the highway.
07 Speedmstr, Long Tors, bags, sissy bar and rack, windshield, engine bars, 2 ww lights, 2 fast eddy stickers and a .45 ACP.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Update time! It finally got warm enough to be outside, so I've been going to visit my old friend here and tinkering around. She fired right up after sitting in freezing weather for about 6 weeks. Yesterday I took the heater motor out and got it working, and ran some new wires for it. I need to re-do the leads coming out of the blower motor before I reinstall. Also got the vacuum actuated windshield wipers going, took the pump out, shot it with some WD-40, a little persuasion with some pliers and it was back to normal. Two speeds. On or off. Same with the heat. Today I went and started on the brake lines, I got the new soft lines weeks ago and they've just been sitting. After cleaning away 60 years of grease and dirt, I found the hard lines had rusted through. Trip to AutoZone to get new parts. Next time I go, they should be installed, and hopefully I can take a trip around the block! Got the hood stripped and primed, can't wait to be able to drive it to the body shop on weekends with my friend and get it all one color.  Here is the fender I worked back on the car (only hanging on with a few bolts hand tight)  For you dash lovers out there   Seats 6!  And a place to hide some bodies... 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
aaahhhh yes, vacuum wiper blades, those are sooo much fun armstong power steering and shoedabaker brakes gotta love it!!! the does appear to have a great deal of potential, i dig it man 
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
And a place to hide some bodies...
Dave, I noticed there's very little rust on that old Dodge o' yours. Do you know any of the history of your car? Like maybe what part of the country it has spend most its time?
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
Dave, I noticed there's very little rust on that old Dodge o' yours. Do you know any of the history of your car? Like maybe what part of the country it has spend most its time?
Very little rust is absolutely right! Except on the floors inside where water sat after the weather stripping failed. As for the history, I only know that I am (supposedly) the fourth owner... the original family bought it new and owned it for most of it's life, then the guy that got it from them, and he in turn traded it for a debt to the guy I got it from, and I have the title from the original owner and it's from Missouri... so I don't know. Do you think carfax would be any help? I still can't believe how solid the sheet metal is, surface rust that I can knock off with a 3M pad mostly, some pitting but nothing a good skim coat of filler doesn't cure. Even the bolts break free instead of break off, I'd say I'm having a better than 90% rate success with getting old bolts out. 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep, considering it has evidently spend most of its "life" in Missouri, it's pretty amazing that most of the rust appears to be of the surface variety only. BTW, I just realized that your "place to hide some bodies" reference cracked me up because just a couple weeks ago I was channel surfing one night and found a local TV station that was running an old episode of the "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" program from the mid-1950s, and in this episode there was a guy who kills his shrew of a wife one night during an argument and then throws her body in the trunk of his early '50s Ford sedan. And as he drives to a lake to dump her body, a motor cop stops him because one of his tail lights isn't working. And yep, it had the usual Hitchcockian twist at the end! The link below is to the last part of that episode on youtube...thought you might find it funny, in sort of an ironic/coincidental sort o' way here .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdpebliR0E8(BTW, I hope everything is cool on YOUR homefront back there AND that this doesn't give you any ideas here!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Hey Dave, if ya have space for one more "body", I've got one I'd be willing to let ya have, as per our conversation earlier this week....Heh, heh, heh..... 
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
lookin' good, Dave. That fender turned out pretty good.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 520
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 520 |
I used to have 55 olds delta 88 deluxe all orginal including paint had a olds rocket 324cid it was scary how fast that thing was mainly because it had no seat belts but it would lay the rubber down
2005 America 145 mains, , #48 pilots, , k&n pod filters, ported intakes manifolds, nology coils and wires, pro com CDI, 62 HP at wheel 68,000 hard miles still runs great gone "traded"
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
Ya know , having worked on those old cars for many years myself I found anything made before about 67 or so the bolts tend to come out even after years of neglect. let something for the 80s or newer sit for s couple months and nothing comes apart easily.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 289
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 289 |
That's one fine lookin' old car you found there bud. The brownie points ya' made off this are gonna last you years.
'07 Triumph America - 153 mains, 45 pilots, airbox gone, '71 650 chop, '04 America powertrain for chop being built now.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Also got the vacuum actuated windshield wipers going, took the pump out, shot it with some WD-40, a little persuasion with some pliers and it was back to normal. Two speeds. On or off.
Three speeds as I recall... on, off, and slow!
Too cool there Dave... what a gem ya ended up with! I just love the interior which I'm sure has that 'old car' smell that I can almost pick up on just from the pictures. I'd have to think you are having a lot of fun with the ol' '49er. Thanks for showing us your progress.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
LOL, old car smell... my 12 year old son hates it
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
That musty, old car smell kinda grew on me as I was restoring a 65 Mustang years and years ago.
I bet Clay wouldn't even sit in the car would he?
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
Quote:
Quote:
Also got the vacuum actuated windshield wipers going, took the pump out, shot it with some WD-40, a little persuasion with some pliers and it was back to normal. Two speeds. On or off.
Three speeds as I recall... on, off, and slow!
Too cool there Dave... what a gem ya ended up with! I just love the interior which I'm sure has that 'old car' smell that I can almost pick up on just from the pictures. I'd have to think you are having a lot of fun with the ol' '49er. Thanks for showing us your progress.
My 55 Studebaker has vacuum wipers and they work fine up until about 55 to 60 mph then they go up and stay there. If I let off the gas to increase the vacuum they come right back down and work until I hit the gas again then they go up and stay there again.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Brakes work! Woot! There is still some air in them that needs to be completely bled out, but they work, no leaks, and stop the car.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: My '49 Dodge
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well Dave, I think while you're at it you better ALSO check the calipers, brake pads AND the rotors on that baby TOO!!! Wait a minute...this is '49 Dodge we're talkin' about here, isn't it??? (...never mind then)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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