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Thursday, October 30, 2014

10-30-14

Fabricated and painted brackets for fuel tank.

Installed rebuilt 11" x 2-1/2" brakes and new finned drums. Decided to wait with wheel bearings and seals until car is running so I can also check condition of gears and pinion seal and bearings. Axle bearings are quite worn, but seals weren't leaking.


Next I'll permanently install fuel tank and finish a few things on the body so I can apply a coat of epoxy primer and then join the body and frame before the weather gets bad.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Fuel Tank Install-Rear Brake Buildup

Last parts for fuel tank and rear brakes received. 1964 B-body tank is perfect for my custom installation. Took two days to temporarily install for fit and measure for permanent mounting brackets. All parts are very high quality. Hinged license plate bracket ordered 10-27.
 




Rear brakes are assembled onto backplates and ready to install. Double flaring kit and copper/nickel brake line are very easy to work with, and well worth the few dollars extra over steel line. Had to order different center-flex line as B-body banjo style was too short. Used '73 Dodge truck part that was five inches longer, and barely long enough.


Sunday, October 19, 2014

10-19-14

Ordered a roll of copper nickel brake line and fittings, double flare tool, fuel tank neck, insulator pad, grommet, straps and sending unit.

Finished cleaning the remaining salvaged brake parts.

Friday, October 17, 2014

10-17-14

1964 B-body gas tank arrived and looks to be perfect fit with relocated filler neck! Made in Canada and looks very high quality. Not sure about which straps will work best, but will order '64 straps and make them fit.

Fabricated cover for vent opening and welded in place. Rear brake parts starting to arrive. Still need shoes, axle bearings and axle gasket.



 

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Brakes Arrived and New Parts Shipped

Only two days to get 11" brake back plates from Spokane. They were cruddier than they looked in pictures, so disassembled and started cleaning and de-rusting. Ordered gas tank and brake drums and cylinders 10-13. Notified all were shipped 10-14.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Pitted Area Repair


Moved outside to glaze and sand localized pitted areas and tail panel.

Control arm bumpers arrived from Gary Goers ten days after I sent in the order. Parts look very nice.

Bought 11” X 2-1/2”rear brake backing plates and guts from Spokane individual on e-bay. Need to order drums, cylinders and brake lines. Will also replace wheel bearings, seals and gaskets as long as the axles are being pulled.


Friday, October 10, 2014

10-9-14

Repaired small pitted areas around windshield with metal, filled, sanded and primed.

Removed and cleaned rear brake backing plates and drums from Fury. Unable to identify original donor model as drums don't match any dimensions found in Rock Auto catalog. Looking for Internet help.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Changes

In the past I've tried to make regular entries, provide pictures and text to explain my progress, and sometimes to simply share my thoughts. Since that didn't work very well, I've decided to turn these pages into nothing more than a journal for my personal use. However, it will remain public and if anyone chooses to drop in, they are welcome, but shouldn't expect anything more than a few pictures and notes to myself.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Facing Reality


I began this ’56 Plymouth rebuild blog four years ago with the idea of sharing my frustrations, successes, and learning experiences with others contemplating, or already immersed in a restoration project. Because my car is an oddball make and model there wasn’t a lot in the way of body parts that could be ordered from a catalog, and the people who knew and had experience restoring these cars were few and far between, so the task was intimidating. Boy, was that an underestimation!

What I was unwilling to accept was that we truly live in a belly button world and for every person interested in a ’56 Plymouth there are a hundred thousand sheep enamored with ’57 Chevys. I had hoped to attract readers who wanted to see what else is out there from the glorious fifties besides Tri-five bowties, but apparently there is even a smaller handful of people who fit that description than I thought.

In those four years, despite blog links in my signature on a dozen car and motorsports forums, I’ve managed to attract a grand total of one follower, and while I’m grateful for his interest and loyalty, it’s rather foolish to continue writing for a nearly empty house. I know that some of you drop in periodically, and others stumble in with a web search, but for the most part, there is no interest in either the car or my narrative. Even my letters seeking information and guidance from “recognized Mopar authorities” go unanswered, so I’m pretty much on my own when it comes to research. I can’t even discuss the project on the Forward Look forum, as there is so much ingrained opposition to modifying any part of the original factory design and I’ve discovered that it’s counterproductive to ruffle the feathers of purists. Although it sometimes takes a while, I eventually get the hint.

I think the time has arrived to back out gracefully, with heartfelt thanks to the few who took the time to read my posts, offer suggestions and encouragement, but more importantly just for being an Internet friend with similar interests.

At my age, there is a real possibility that my project may never see the street. However I intend to keep chipping away, and maybe someday I’ll be able to post photos of the old Plymouth under power. If so, it will probably be similar to what a friend used to tell me when he had accomplished something he was proud of, but had been dismissed or ignored by others…”It’s like wetting your pants in a dark suit, you get a warm feeling, but nobody notices”.