Projects Updates on my 33 Plymouth PD Coupe Build

So is the back better or did the son come to your rescue?

 

No Doug, it is just me and my wife. She helped me lift and install heads and intake. Back WAS better but now..... We will have to wait and see.

Got the heads and intake installed and the right side header. A few lines hooked up. My back is hurting and it is 92 degrees in the shade. Sorry to say I have quit for the day.

Here's pics.

Dave

 

If I asked my wife for help and I was in that condition all I would get is a lecture.

 

Well, it runs again! My back is dead for the day so I had to quit. Still a few things to do engine wise like retorque head bolts, spark plug tubes, etc. but at least it runs. Still got things to do elsewhere on it but closing in.

Dave

 

Engine is back together and running. Exhaust has been reconfigured to accommodate switching to the headers. Still doing little things like fixing the failed new turn signal switch, doing some spot welding here and there, cleaning up wiring, etc. Yep, it looks like it will make it!

Dave

 

The salt conditions are reported as being the best in years. Wish I could meet you there.

 

I have been jacking and hammering on the roof and welding in a steel roof insert the last few days. Also painted the floor throughout with POR 15. Works great for salt protection. I cut and reworked the stock seat frame to allow the mini van seat to set in it better too. I plan to drive the car to cruise night tonight for the 1st time.

Installed new felt U channels and upper seals in the doors the other day too.

Built an aluminum bracket to tie the radiator and shell together. Rubber inserted at the lower end.

Fixed the turn signal switch the other day and also replaced the leaky '40 Ford brake light switch. Down to the small stuff now.

Here are a few pics.

Dave

 

Are you going to practice sitting in it for the same hours it takes to get to B-ville?

 

Yep!

Dave

 

Seat and rubber floor mat are in. I bought a new '30-'31 Model A rear mat from Snyders and trimmed it to fit.

Dave

 

Today was a good day! Didn't have to do or fix anything on the '33. Took a good friend for a ride in it.

Bonneville is not far off.

Dave

 

How's the back?

 

It's old and tired but I'm still walking.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow 3 of us are giving rides from the fair across the way to an historic farm house and 1 room school house in our antique cars. I use my '22 DB screenside. others are Model T's, Model A's. 2 -3 hours we get to shoot the breeze and drive around.

Dave

 

Killer, bet most of them never saw a screenside.

 

We took a 25 mile round trip and weighed the '33 this evening. 2750 lbs and it was 50/50 front to rear weight, without driver or passenger. A little heavier than I expected but really pleased with the weight balance.

Dave

 

Hey Dave, is your place on the 97 just outside Madras?

 

Yep. Just south. Can't miss it.

Dave

 

My friend Rodney snapped this pic yesterday. Then today he dropped by with a 3.55 8 3/4" pumpkin to replace the too tall 2.76's that are currently in the '33. Thanks Rodney!

Jeez I'm old!

Dave

 

At least the car looks good. I hit 70 in April.

 

That one made my day laughed out loud sitting here all by myself.

 

Finally got the 3.55 gears installed today. Major pain! Cleaned and painted the center section and installed it. Right axle would not go all the way in. Worked my butt off trying to figure it out. Then this morning Rodney came over to help even before I had breakfast or got dressed! We worked at it for awhile until he said we need to pull the pumpkin back out and see what. Set it on the block and took a drift and bumped the center spacer/spider pin. Before that, I could see a distinct color change where the pin was biased to the right. Just a reasonable bump and it moved right over. Turned pumpkin over and it slide back again by itself. No idea why it was stuck but slid the pin back and forth easily. Rodney had pulled it out of the rear end and he got under there and put it back in. Both axles went in fine.
Rodney left and I finished it up after getting a new (wrong) adapter ujoint, then going to NAPA and they got the correct one for me by 1pm today. Put in the driveshaft and took a test drive. What a difference! Drives like a normal car now. I am now able to climb up my driveway in 2nd, instead of stopping to put it in 1st. Success finally! Many thanks to Rodney!

Then spent the rest of the day (at 100 degrees outside) working on the engine for my son's dirt track mini truck. Somewhat cooler in the shop at least. Should be putting that back in the truck tomorrow.

Man am I ready to get out of here and head for Bonneville!

Dave

 

Well, we made it to Bonneville with the '33 Plymouth. No I didn't drive it 640 miles. I'm old and broken and I need a good place to stay so we towed with the motorhome. Ran into Wendover but not many here yet on Wednesday. Here is a pic at the Nugget tonight.

We are camped up the hill just a bit from the bend in the road.

Dave

 

Have fun. We need reports even though I'll be listening to the live stream all week.

 

Thanks for the thread, great job on the 33. looking forward to what's next.

 

Next? Work out the dents and paint satin black. Door panels, etc.

What's really next is new water pumps and fluid damper on my '40 Ford to get it ready for the '40 meet next month in Springfield MO.

Dave

 

Beautiful day on the salt. 33 is doing great. Met some very nice HAMB ers. Here's the 33 and Scott's 31.

Dave

 

So, did I see the world famous DW close to the starting line gawking at the Speed Demon this afternoon?? Green shirt, jeans.

 

Nope!

Closest I get to green is the camo t-shirt I wore yesterday. But then again the wife and I did walk the line starting a bit away from the starting line so who knows? Maybe it was me! That was yesterday. 60 years ago I remember, 6 minutes ago? Not so much!

Packed up to leave today, not sure where we stop tonight.

Dave

 

The guy had a dazed and confused look on his face. I was sure it was you. Drive safe!

 

Who knows? It might of been me.

We are back home this afternoon about 3pm. Later I will post more pics of the Plymouth.

Dave