New build thread; 48 Plymouth

[Dave Severson]

I've found similar damage on a number of builds. No big deal, it'll come out just fine Falcon!

[falconvan]

Man, I hope so. It's looking positive, though. We got the upper part of the A pillar moved to where it's the same as the drivers side with a port-a-power. Now to put it all back together this week.

[Dave Severson]

Should work, Falcon! Looks good, should go back together nice!

[Jack F]

Falcon,
Do you have any pics showing the bad fit of the door before the repair? What size portapower did you use? When I was building my 34 for the first time 46+ years ago I suspected it had been in a role over. The drip flare on the drivers side wasn't as defined as it was on the pass. side, the hinges had to be forced to get the hinge pins to fit and the door never fit right. In this present rebuild I discovered that the rocker panel on the drivers side had been replaced and was done poorly as well. This time around I am cleaning up the original repair by cleaning up the welds on the rocker panel and using the portapower to force the lower body to better fit the door. Sorry to ramble on but we seem to have similar problems. It looks like you are doing a good job on your repair and it looks like my body will be off and on several more times before this is over. Keep up the good work. Jack.

[falconvan]

Hi Jack; I wish i had taken a before picture but I didnt. It was most pronounced at the top of the door right before it turned to go down by the vent window. The port-a-power he used was about the size of a standard cherry picker hydraulic cylinder. It sounds like we're in the same boat; hopefully yours comes out straight, too.

[falconvan]

Looks like it's going to turn out OK. This is just tack welded in place but the door gap is way better than it was before.

[bluestang67]

Falcon as always some great work nice to have some good ole hands getting involved huh!!

Your wife is going to love this car for sure , But I bet you have some play time behind the wheel of it also .

[falconvan]

Thanks, Bobby; we're planning on doing some traveling in this baby. We've been looking at magazine pictures of the Hot Rod Power Tour long enough; we're ready to go on one of those long multi state cruises.

I figure if you build a car for your wife, you have to turn around and build yourself something afterwards, right?

[falconvan]

It sure is nice to see some open space in the garage again. I started putting the shocks on, running brake lines, and going through several boxes of parts to see what I'm going to need. I had all the boxes from the 47 I took apart plus several from this car that had already been mostly apart when I got it. I spent a while tonight cleaning up different body mount brackets and painting them. Also ordered a body mount kit, power window kit, and a kit to eliminate the vent windows. Should be test fitting the body to the frame on Memorial Day.

[stovens]

I'm right there with you Roger. More space is needed in my garage too!

[falconvan]

I definitely want A/C in this but I wanted to save a few $$ and find something other than an aftermarket unit. I went scouring the boneyard today and found this; a rear air unit from a full size conversion van. It has an evaporator with the expansion valve, a heating coil, a three speed fan, and two air outlets. I think it'll work; seems to fit under the dash pretty well. I just need to find or make a grill for the front.

[Dave Severson]

Looks a lot better, should work out fine for you Falcon!

[falconvan]

I think it will, Dave. Hopefully we'll see some primer on this thing before too long. Once we have the main body primered it's time to get the chassis lined out. I'd really love to hear the motor start by the end of summer.

[falconvan]

After a week off we're back on it; we've got the A pillar welded in and i gathered up the doors, fenders, trunk lid, and inner fender wells to take to the blaster tomorrow. Should have all that back in a week. I also found a company called Champion that makes an aluminum radiator specifically for the 46-48 Plymouths. This is really a slick piece.

[Dave Severson]

A bolt in radiator for a Plymouth???? Be right back, gotta check the rule book, I think that's cheating!!!!