New build thread; 48 Plymouth

[34_40]

It's great to see someone making progress! LOL..

Looks great from my side..

[40FordDeluxe]

Keep up the great work. It's looking nice.

[moparjack44]

Getting ready to start on the wiring and was looking at the gauges. The factory oil psi and water temp are mechanical so they should be OK. I found this fuel gauge on an Astrovan and it is the right resistance for the sending unit in the fuel cell. I'm going to try and mount the 48 gauge face on it, paint the needle white, and make a bracket to mount it in the gauge cluster. They are both about the same size so i think it'll work.

You may have done earlier, and I missed the post. I would like to convert my manual temp gauge to electric? Did you do that? I have 48 DeSoto and has exact same gauges. I want to keep original face.

[moparjack44]

You may have done earlier, and I missed the post. I would like to convert my manual temp gauge to electric? Did you do that? I have 48 DeSoto and has exact same gauges. I want to keep original face.

Ahhh crap!!!! I just reread your post, see you are keeping factory manual temp gauge. Sorry.
How about anyone else? Converting manual temp gauge to electric?

[falconvan]

Ahhh crap!!!! I just reread your post, see you are keeping factory manual temp gauge. Sorry.
How about anyone else? Converting manual temp gauge to electric?

Actually, I've been thinking about doing the same with the temp gauge as the sensing bulb tube on the original gauge is too short. Those Astrovan gauges seem to be just about the right size, I'm going to get one on my next trip to the boneyard.

[moparjack44]

Actually, I've been thinking about doing the same with the temp gauge as the sensing bulb tube on the original gauge is too short. Those Astrovan gauges seem to be just about the right size, I'm going to get one on my next trip to the boneyard.

If you do, will you keep us posted? Thanks!!

[falconvan]

Sure, here you go. I got these out of a full size GM van yesterday, the sensor is for the temp gauge. Cost was $10. I'll do the same as I did with the fuel gauge, remove the face and transplant the face of the old gauge onto it. I may do the volt gauge also to change from an amp gauge but then Id have to change the lettering, too. we'll see on that one. I'm leaving the stock oil PSI gauge.

[moparjack44]

Sure, here you go. I got these out of a full size GM van yesterday, the sensor is for the temp gauge. Cost was $10. I'll do the same as I did with the fuel gauge, remove the face and transplant the face of the old gauge onto it. I may do the volt gauge also to change from an amp gauge but then Id have to change the lettering, too. we'll see on that one. I'm leaving the stock oil PSI gauge.

Thanks. Sounds great. I am running all my stock gauges, except an after market volt gauge. I have heard so many horror stories about amp gauges, but my buddy has been using the original amp gauge on his 49 Merc since 1955 when his Dad bought the car. Has had no problems. I would love to convert original amp gauge with volt interred's. I'm gonna try the temp conversion, biggest problem for me is getting the cluster out of the car. I spent about 4 hours on it last week, but with not any luck.
Jack

[falconvan]

The old parking lights were pretty rough but I managed to get them apart without destroying them and after running the metal parts through a buddy's blast cabinet, they were still solid enough to use. I cut a hole in the back so a regular GM socket would fit, painted them and cut some gaskets. They came out really good. I also have all of the brakes plumbed except for one small line from the MC to the proportioning valve; should finish that tomorrow and get everything bled. Booster, MC, proportioning valve, and all the front solid brake lines came off of a late 90's Firebird and made for an easy swap.
I also bought this heater from Southern Rods & Parts; nice and compact. I've been chipping away at a lot of small items on this and hope for a run down the street within the next few months.

[40FordDeluxe]

Great work and nice progress. It's coming together nicely.

[stovens]

Great work...Ditto! And thank you for giving me and idea on how to put new light sockets in the old front grill turn signal indicators! I bought new sockets that are to small for the existing holes. Sometimes my brain tries to make a square fit a circle. But while reading your post my light bulb lit up! All I have to do is cut a small patch panel and drill the right size hole and weld that in, instead of trying to weld too lose of a joint with thin metal!

[falconvan]

Made a trip to the bone yard today and picked up a Jeep Cherokee sway bar; these work really good on these cars. I'll be putting this on this week.

[falconvan]

Lots done today; brakes are bled and pedal feels good, Lokar shifter installed and adjusted, heater installed, and leads exhaust pipes from the headers installed. Just got a new job and will be doing some traveling so I'll be gone to Sacramento for the next two weeks. I saw there is a car museum and a train museum out there; I hope to hit them both.

[34_40]

OOOOOOOooo so close now! LOL

Good Luck with the new job too.

[40FordDeluxe]

Nice work, and good luck with the new job!!