New build thread; 48 Plymouth

[falconvan]

Got all the cooling piped today and the carb back on. Ran it for about half an hour with some makeshift wiring but she sounds great and all the vitals look good!
http://youtu.be/yt1jhwJGUPg

[rspears]

Sounds really good! Congrats on the milestone.

[falconvan]

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.

[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!!

[NTFDAY]

Sure looks doable to me

[40FordDeluxe]

It sure does sound good! That gauge looks like pretty close.

[bluestang67]

Look at this ,, Falcon this has made such a transformation since you rolled it in ..

[falconvan]

Got my power steering hoses hooked up today; I took a chance and just bought the factory Cavalier hoses and were able to make them fit with a minor amount of bending. The pressure hose fittings were the right size for the LS pump which was also a nice plus.

[falconvan]

I bought these seats a while back out of a 90's era Buick. I like the shape and they don't have a bunch of plastic trim around the sides. After removing the headrest and mounting them on some Astrovan pedestals, I think they will work great once they are recovered and the frames painted. I started to work on wiring but I figured I better get the wipers figured out before I start wiring under the dash. I bought this wiper assembly from a late 50's Desoto several years ago. The part that arms bolt to on the cowl was the same bolt pattern plus they are 12 volt rather than the old vacuum. I just had to come up with a different mount for the motor and make shorter actuator arms as this was 5" wider that the spread on the Plymouth. Got the mounts made today and everything trial fit; looks like its going to work.

[rspears]

Cool old wiper motor!

[40FordDeluxe]

Nice work on the seats and wiper motor!

[falconvan]

I've been off work all week and have been able to get a lot done. Wiring is pretty much all installed with the relay/fuse box I snagged from the boneyard. I need to neaten everything up but I can actually put the key in the ignition switch, start it, and have power to everywhere it needs to go. I still have tail and parking lights, gauges, heater, A/C, and a lot of other devices to install but the wiring is there and working. Also got some more done on the brakes, S-10 gas pedal modified and installed, plus some other misc. I'm off till Monday so I'll see how far I get.