My 1929 U Restoration Thread

[twpoulter]

Great story Chet with the icing on the cake A Mini Cruise, I've as yet to drive a crash box other than a time when I was to young to drive. Your be looking for some trophies when things get back to normal. Well done and Thank you.  Tom

[Gary Vickery]

Way to go Chet!  It has been following your build.  Fantastic work!

[chetbrz]

Many thanks to all for the comments and support throughout the process of getting this car back on the road.

Thanks again, Chet...

[28 Ply.cpe]

It is a great feeling driving a project of years work . You did the best keeping us up to date on your timeline book. Have a long happy motoring future with that Plymouth.

[chetbrz]

Thanks Go,

You're right Tod.  I try to avoid downshifting as much as possible especially downshifting into first gear.  Getting better, double clutching and not rushing the shift change is key.  That turn was as close to a.180 as you can find.  Big change going from a synchronous transmission to straight cut gears.  Need to keep your thinking cap on.

Cheers Chet 😊

[Go Fleiter]

very nice film!
Car + You seem to be very happy!
Congratulations!
Go

[TodFitch]

Sounds like it is running very sweetly!

If I recall correctly, you are in the mid-Atlantic area. Lots of really nice back roads for antique car touring in that area, or at least there were back in the 1970s and from the looks of your video there still are.

Non-synchro transmission.  :)

My '33 has sliding dog clutches for second and third so it is probably a bit easier to shift than yours. But downshifting can still take a bit of finesse and needs double clutching and a feel for how much to blip the throttle.

[chetbrz]

Hi Tod and all,

You wanted a link to a drive so here it is.  The king pins are done as well as new bearings and races for the front wheels.

A link to the drive below, 30 miles around the neighborhood.  Enjoy, I did...

Link to the Drive click here to download and run.

[twpoulter]

Hi Chetbrz, that turned out really good, very impressed with the end result, thank you for all the detailed explanations of each major step. Looking forward to getting to the roof insert stage of my PD, I will go the same route as yourself sourcing the materials and give it a go. Good to know you visited my website which met with your approval, just added my Faux Woodgraining section which Tod added to his database some time back. Will keep an eye for your next project once you've finished the Honey List.                                                                       

Tom

[chetbrz]

Thanks Go, for all the good wishes. 

Car event activity hasn't happened around here either.  Although, a drive is always a good thing to do.

Cheers, Chet...

[Go Fleiter]

it is amazing to see Your work is resulting in a better-as-new car!
  I wish You nice weather to make the first trips!!
Here, this summer was not very good for us oldie-fans.
And no meetings and fairs were possibel.
Good luck!
Go

[TodFitch]

Wonderful to hear you are legally road worthy.

It took a while for me to work out a number of mechanical issues when I got my '33 back together. Just take is slow and close to home for your first few trips while you work out things that are not just quite right.

Worst one for me was missing cotter pin and improperly tightened bolt. My guess, in retrospect, was that I hadn't finished things up in that area because I thought I would be coming back to it for final adjustments. Then forgot over time about needing to go back to double check things and finish it up.

I look forward to some photos and descriptions of nice trips and tours in it. My recollection is that you are in the Mid-Atlantic area. Decades ago I lived in Maryland and recall that there were a good number of nice antique car touring roads, especially when you get into the hills and mountains in the western areas of those states.

[chetbrz]

We loaded up the 29 and set out for the DMV inspection station in Georgetown.



We off loaded the car and drove over to the inspection line.  I was frantic about the paint color change, should have brought the painting receipt.  I worried about pretty much everything you can think of until we pulled into the inspection bay.  First stop on the brake machine and passed.  Then all the inspectors had to come by to check her out.  Mostly concerned with three basic things.  Lights, windshield wiper, and vin number.   We passed with flying colors, no problems.



After we got home we started out on a test drive but had to turn around because of a scraping sound coming from the front passenger side wheel.  Quick check found a loose wheel bearing probably needs replacement over the winter but I tightened it up and we will try again tomorrow.

I guess we are back into maintenance mode.   Chet...

[chetbrz]

Hallo!
Again, I´m impressed by the work You show us!
The idea of looking for the next car to do seems perfect!
Consider the space You have to store them all-
can´t believe You will part off one of Your jewels!
Greetings! Go

Don't worry Go, the wife has a 4 year old honey-do list that should keep me busy.  You are right.., dry space is always a consideration but you never know what might follow you home.

Chet.

[28 Ply.cpe]

That roof came out great Chet. Thanks for the pictures.

[Go Fleiter]

Hallo!
Again, I´m impressed by the work You show us!
The idea of looking for the next car to do seems perfect!
Consider the space You have to store them all-
can´t believe You will part off one of Your jewels!
Greetings! Go

[chetbrz]

Hi Tod,

Can't wait to get back on the road. I have to bring the car in for a one time state inspection.  I hope to get this done over the next week or two.

Now what is going to occupy my time.  Might have to find another car that needs some TLC.

Will send a video of a first drive since the restore.

BTW Thanks for all your input. I value your opinion and also thanks for you wonderful website it's been a major source of information for me.

Chet.

[TodFitch]

Looks great! I hope you are having a good time out driving it now!

On the '33 the roof insert is covered separately then pressed into the top of the car body. And then the headliner is installed. When I was getting things together it was quite some time between when I got the roof on and when I started work on the interior. You are correct that at speed the roofing material moves around a bit. On mine, especially with the windows open, the top material bulges up when you are at speed. Now that I've got the interior in you don't have any indication that is happening.

[chetbrz]

The Final Project - The Roof Part I & II

I guess I'm Finished !!  There are always some little things to do but for the most part I think I'm done.  Time to switch to maintenance mode.   8) 



Click the link below for the blow by blow.

Link: Exterior - The Roof part I

Link: Exterior - The Roof part II

Chet...

PS... Thanks for all the support over the past 4 years.  :)

[chetbrz]

Thanks Tod &  Go,  All I have left to do is get the roof covered.

BTW...

Anyone have a picture of what the rear roof trim looks like or how it was handled on a 28,29,or 1930 sedan ?

I am aware that the side trim was a rain channel.

Tks,  Chet...

[Go Fleiter]

isn´t it a goood feeling, short of the completition!!
I´m sharing the happyness with You!
Greetings from The Netherlands!
Go, in holidays

[TodFitch]

Wow! Looking great and you are definitely on the home stretch. Looking forward to your first drive video!

[chetbrz]

Interior / Front Seat & Doors.

We are one project away from completion. Ya !!   :)



Click the link below for the blow by blow.

Link: Interior - Front Seat and Doors

Link: To 2020 reports if you wish to catch up


Chet...

[chetbrz]

Check your email.

[28 Ply.cpe]

Hi Chet, been watching you right along.  I have a 28 coupe. Would you have somewhere in your files the picture of the front window frame and regulator. I did not take a picture of mine. I do not want to take mine apart just to get the dimensions of the frame and the rectangular pieces on top that the regulator rises the window. I am working on another project . I have to make the frame. Thanks Bill
[Please enable JavaScript to see this content]

[twpoulter]

Hi Tom,
I checked out your site.  Very impressive amount of projects.
Chet...

Thanks Chet for your kind words, in the past I had posted on several forums but they have their drawbacks, infact it was looking at your site and also Tod's I bit the bullet. When the time comes that I can't enjoy them anymore at least the family will have a record of what they have before them.
Take care

Tom

[twpoulter]

Don't know why I hadn't noticed your link before Chet mentioned it. Nice site! And I've added it to the links page on my website at https://www.ply33.com/links

Thanks for your kind comments Tod and also for adding the link on your site.

[TodFitch]

. . .
Have a look here when you have some free time. https://ctrestorations.com/

Don't know why I hadn't noticed your link before Chet mentioned it. Nice site! And I've added it to the links page on my website at https://www.ply33.com/links

[chetbrz]

Hi Tom,

I checked out your site.  Very impressive amount of projects.  Myself I can't do two at the same time.  The amount of time need to locate parts and get the right information to get things done as close to correct as possible is daunting.  I have a 48-P15 that I did some years back and I need to get the car repainted.  The guy that did the paint is out of business and the paint job blistered.  It will have to wait until this 29 is complete.  Maybe next spring to strip the body banding and get her back into the paint shop then finish up on some minor details.  After that I don't know what I am going to do?  When one door closes another one opens !  We'll see.

Chet...

[twpoulter]

Hi Tom,

I haven't posted in awhile.  I have come a lot further along.  Currently working on the interior re-upholstery.
Chet...

Hi Chet, think your last comment on your website sums it up "I'm very happy with how this all turned out."  Upholstery is very satisfying but boy doesn't it knock hell out of your fingers, my pet hate is making up spring boxes and I'm sure glad when they are finished. Over our covid19 lockdown I made the cushions for my 1934 PE Pickup ( this was away from my workshop from sketches I had made ) what I finished up with was totally wrong, the cab is narrower at the front, what I made was the correct height at the front[ but also wider. added to that the bach cushion is too narrow. Can all be put right but it all extra man hours. Your back seat looks great. Keep up the good work/size]
Have a look here when you have some free time. https://ctrestorations.com/

[chetbrz]

Hi Tom,

I haven't posted in awhile.  I have come a lot further along.  Currently working on the interior re-upholstery.

You can catch up with the link below:

http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/current/default.html#2020



Chet...
   

[twpoulter]

Hi Chet, what along way you've come since my last visit, love your attention to detail. Will be good for another 90 yrs by the time your finished, perhaps by then gas as we know it won't be available. Keep the good work coming.

Tom

[Go Fleiter]

Your gas gauge is so charming!!
Greetings from Düsseldorf!
Go

[chetbrz]

Starting to look like a car again.

Making slow but steady progress  :)

Click the link below for the blow by blow.

http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/Work_files/2020/02222020.htm



Details, details & Gas Gauge do-over.

http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/Work_files/2020/02142020.htm



Chet...

[chetbrz]

I love following your progress.

Two comments/questions:

1. Have you applied vacuum to your rebuilt vacuum fuel pump? If it does not shut off the valves properly you could have an oil pressure issue on your engine (assuming I recall correctly that Plymouth used the oil pump to provide vacuum for the fuel pump).

2. With all that nice paint and new rubber gaskets, don't be surprised if you have some electrical issues. I had to scrape off paint here and there on my car to get all the lights to work.

Hi Tod, Many thanks for the questions and concerns.  I hope the info below is helpful.

In answer to question 1:

The Kingston Vacuum pump contains no check valves.  The only float in the assembly works the trap door between the upper tank and the lower tank.  You are correct that the vacuum comes from the oil pump and here is where the key point is.  The vacuum from the oil pump is relatively consistent or predictable across the rpm spectrum.  The Universal Stewart pump works on manifold vacuum which isn't consistent.  You know this from your vacuum wipers that stop working when you accelerate.  The oil pump provides predictable vacuum.  Simply put the pump is in equilibrium with the engine throughout the rpm range.  Where issues arise is when there are leaks in the system that reduce the effectiveness of the vacuum or create problems with the delivery of fuel.  In most of these cases, fuel falls short.   Problems with vacuum leaks can affect oil delivery but would need to be serious to reduce oil pressure.  Knowing this, a good eye on oil pressure is essential.  I have installed a second modern oil pressure gauge to insure accuracy.  No holes or parts were altered to install this gauge which is clamped to the steering column.

In answer to question 2:

Thanks for the heads up on ground continuity.  I have taken particular care to insure that there is excellent electrical path to ground where needed.  I check with an ohm meter and install additional ground straps where needed.  In the case of the rear tail light I have a wire going from frame ground directly to the lamp base (hidden of course).  The 29 Plymouth had one main ground strap from passenger frame to the engine.   I added a second one on the driver's side frame.  This eliminates possible issues because of the rubber motor mounts and also ensures positive ground to both main frame supports.  As far as the cowl is concern a Dermel tool can clean the painted contact points to ensure positive continuity at electrical connection points.

BTW, I have about 5 hours of runtime on the engine with the vacuum fuel pump connected and no problems to report.  I will monitor this closely and report any issues.  So far so good, fingers crossed.

Many thanks for the inquiries they are all very help to the reassembly process.   Chet...

[Go Fleiter]

Very nice resultsl

[TodFitch]

I love following your progress.

Two comments/questions:

1. Have you applied vacuum to your rebuilt vacuum fuel pump? If it does not shut off the valves properly you could have an oil pressure issue on your engine (assuming I recall correctly that Plymouth used the oil pump to provide vacuum for the fuel pump).

2. With all that nice paint and new rubber gaskets, don't be surprised if you have some electrical issues. I had to scrape off paint here and there on my car to get all the lights to work.

[chetbrz]

Reassembly  :)

Much has happened since I last posted so here are the links to the blow by blow descriptions:



Due to the length of this task and the number of pictures I posted a link to the blow by blow description below:

Vacuum Fuel Tank:

http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/Work_files/2019/12162019.htm

http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/Work_files/2019/12292019.htm

Fenders, Windshield, & Vacuum wiper motor:

http://www.1948plymouth.info/1929/Work_files/2020/Jan-2020.htm


Chet...

[chetbrz]

It is only held in by the three bolts.  You might just need to play with it especially if the dash was painted. If so breaking it free might chip the paint but it should pop out. 

[DWhited]

I does appear to be bound and not turning. I'm not sure how the get it out of the dash. I removed the 3 nuts, but its still as solid in place as it was with the nuts on. any suggestions, I don't want to force anything?