Happy,Happy,Happy!

Richard Dryman · June 10, 2009, 03:11:51 PM

have it soaked at a radiator shop
you will be surprised what will come out
better than slinging around for a day

Bender · June 10, 2009, 01:52:53 PM

Bad news. Started working to get the car running and driving today,and it's not original. It's a older restoration. I know this because my 33 has a steel floor with wood inserts,and this 31 has a floor made from solid steel plate that's 3/16 thick. I found this out when I pulled the floor mat to get at the battery.

I suspected it anyhow from the way some of the paint had peeled off down to the bare metal. I have only seen that with cars that were chemically stripped and then not properly prepped before painting.

Not a super bummer given the price I paid for the car,but still a little disappointing.

Still,this gives me the excuse I need to go ahead and redo all the chrome and paint it this coming winter. A cosmetic restoration to preserve it,not a show car restoration.

Bender · June 10, 2009, 01:45:21 PM

Quote from: chetbrz on June 10, 2009, 01:24:44 PM
Quote
I plan on using a 1-gallon gas "can" to just get it started so I can drive it in the shop today,but since it has been sitting for 8 years I know I am going to have to take the tank off,fill it with vinegar to get rid of the rust,and then coat it inside before it will be reliable to drive.

Quote

For cleaning gas tanks I use some clean gravel to sand out the inside of the tank before you paint it.? Some guys use window chain.

See link below.? I did this tank on my 48 in 2005.? No problems since.

http://www.chetscoins.com/1948p15/20045/09182005.htm

Chet...

I used to use bolts and nuts,but the vinegar is better because it eats ALL the rust and prepares the surface for coating inside.

chetbrz · June 10, 2009, 01:24:44 PM

Quote

I plan on using a 1-gallon gas "can" to just get it started so I can drive it in the shop today,but since it has been sitting for 8 years I know I am going to have to take the tank off,fill it with vinegar to get rid of the rust,and then coat it inside before it will be reliable to drive.

Quote

For cleaning gas tanks I use some clean gravel to sand out the inside of the tank before you paint it.? Some guys use window chain.

See link below.? I did this tank on my 48 in 2005.? No problems since.

http://www.chetscoins.com/1948p15/20045/09182005.htm

Chet...

Bender · June 10, 2009, 08:11:46 AM

Quote from: chetbrz on June 10, 2009, 08:05:46 AM
Nice,

And looks like it is in great shape.? I had a lot of trouble with my 29 until I cleaned and painted the inside of the gas tank.?

Good Luck,? Chet...

I plan on using a 1-gallon gas "can" to just get it started so I can drive it in the shop today,but since it has been sitting for 8 years I know I am going to have to take the tank off,fill it with vinegar to get rid of the rust,and then coat it inside before it will be reliable to drive.

Bender · June 10, 2009, 08:07:22 AM

BTW,if any of you guys are restoring? a 31 PA coupe and need measurements or photos,don't hesitate to ask.?

chetbrz · June 10, 2009, 08:05:46 AM

Nice,

And looks like it is in great shape. I had a lot of trouble with my 29 until I cleaned and painted the inside of the gas tank.

Good Luck, Chet...

Bender · June 10, 2009, 08:02:37 AM

Quote from: Go Fleiter on June 10, 2009, 04:04:09 AM
very beautiful catch, Bender!!

Thanks. It's a catch that almost got away. I had to call the guy last month to cancel the sale because of a financial emergency that came up,,and he said "Ok,so buy the car next month".

Then I called him this month to tell him I? had the money and would be there to bring the car? home in a week,and got hit with over $700 in emergency veterinary bills.I almost didn't have enough money to buy it and get there and back home. If I had a cut tire or even something like a water pump go out I wouldn't have had enough money to get back home. I'm just hoping some of the stuff I have for sale sells this month or I'm going to be in trouble. There was no way I could have told this guy to wait another month,though. I figured it was a case of either buy it this month or lose it.

Go Fleiter · June 10, 2009, 04:04:09 AM

very beautiful catch, Bender!!

Bender · June 09, 2009, 08:13:47 PM

Ok,guys,I brought my "new" 31 Plymouth PA coupe home last night.? Haven't got it running yet because the plug wires are rotted and I was too busy playing catch up with other stuff today to fool with it. The engine isn't stuck,so I don't think there is going to be a problem once I replace the plug wires and clean out the gas tank and add fresh gas.

Hope these photos come through ok.

Bender · May 27, 2009, 12:36:00 PM

This is a test to see if I finally have my avatar done right.

Eddie M · May 27, 2009, 12:24:01 PM

Good luck with it Bender. June 8th is a stone's throw from today.

Bender · May 26, 2009, 09:24:07 PM

Guys,I had some financial emergencies last month and wasn't able to buy the car.

The good news is that I am buying it the 8th of June. I have the money set aside now and talked to the owner today.

I will take and post some photos when I get back home with it.

If any of you are restoring a PA and need me to take some photos or measurements for you,don't hesitate to ask.

Bender · April 02, 2009, 01:39:50 AM

Quote from: Plymouth-guy on April 02, 2009, 12:33:29 AM
I am just happy someone who isnt going to destroy it (restorod, hot rod, whatever) is going to get it! ANY make of pre-war car is worth saving from the crusher OR the welding torch!

? You might not say that about my 33 coupe if you saw it. Most restorers would run from it. I've even had hot rodders tell me I'd be better off to sell it for parts because the fenders are pretty good. Actually,the fenders are the only good parts. The whole bottom of the body is rusted away,and even the whole weatherstripping lip in side the rumble seat lid area is rusted away there isn't even enough there for a pattern. Even the chassis is rusted out in several places from rat nests.

Nonetheless,I'm going to give fixing it a shot. Bought a sheet metal brake,bead rollers,a slip roller,and a English Wheel. Never used any of that stuff before other than a sheet metal brake,but I guess I am going to learn. That's how I learned how to weld with a gas torch. I just kept welding up rust holes until I had it figured out.

This one has no motor or trans,and it's getting a 6 carb DeSoto hemi with a push-button 727 and a 8-3/4 Dart rear. Body is staying stock except for 41 Plymouth taillights.

Plymouth-guy · April 02, 2009, 12:33:29 AM

I am just happy someone who isnt going to destroy it (restorod, hot rod, whatever) is going to get it! ANY make of pre-war car is worth saving from the crusher OR the welding torch!

GWR · April 02, 2009, 12:15:24 AM

Just goes to show that they ARE still out there. Congratulations and can't wait for the pictures. Enjoy the ride. We have a fellow in our club (Cascade Pacific) that has an original 28 Roadster and he to just drives it, no restoration, no rodding. We love it.

Bender · April 01, 2009, 05:41:31 AM

Quote from: Plymouth-guy on April 01, 2009, 01:36:36 AM
WOW!!! Congrats!

We need PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES!!!

(Did I mention that we need pictures?)

It will be at least a month before I get photos of it. It's buried behind a bunch of other stuff in a heated garage and I won't get to take photos of it before I go to get it. The owner is going to try to take a photo or two of it between now and then to email me,but no promises. Nobody has seen the car in years. The owner parked it back there when he quit driving it and filled the cylinders with oil,put the car up on blocks,and then covered it with a car cover. I found it because his brother in law is a friend of mine and he knows I am a Mopar freak. When he remembered his brother in law had it he asked him if he wanted to sell it,and then told me about it.

And no,I'm not worried about getting scammed. The owner doesn't need the money. He just wanted to find a good home for it with somebody who wouldn't cut it up to hot rod it. Don't get me wrong. He is getting a reasonable price for it. I'm not getting the buy of the century when it comes to price. What I am getting is exactly what I want and like the best. A original unrestored car to drive just like it is. He just? wants to wait for warmer and better weather before he moves all that stuff out to get the car out.. When he gets the car out I will go get it and bring it home.

I'll post photos here when I get them.

Plymouth-guy · April 01, 2009, 01:36:36 AM

WOW!!! Congrats!

We need PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES!!!

(Did I mention that we need pictures?)

Bender · March 31, 2009, 11:39:46 PM

Just agreed to buy a original,unmolested,unrestored 31 PA coupe tonight with no rust and original paint that runs and drives!?

Not going to change a darn thing on it. Not going to hot rod it and not going to restore it. I'm just going to do whatever I have to do to preserve it,and enjoy driving it around just like it is.

Life is good!