1949 Mopar More-door build

[falconvan]

It's alive!! I finally got it started and it sounds really good. Distributor was 180 degrees out and I had to run it out of a gas can. Even with an electric pump it's not getting gas; I think the fitting coming off the tank is clogged. Now to get the fuel situation squared away and start on wiring the dash.

 

[bob w]

Way to go FV. Those flathead sixes sound really good with a split manifold and glasspacks. (hint, hint).

 

[falconvan]

Thanks, Bob. I like those split exhaust, too. Maybe somewhere down the road; just trying to keep it in ultra budget mode for now. I think I am going to do something like this with the green paint, though.

 

[falconvan]

I got a few days off for Thanksgiving so I put in about 12 hours in the garage today. I got the wheels cleaned up and painted and I'm taking them to get some rubber tomorrow. I'm just using a set of 235/75/15s I had for now. Most of the day i spent on the wiring. I got the ignition, starter, fuel gauge, and some of the lighting done and so far it's all working out good. Got a few other small things done but I was getting pretty tired and losing concentration so I called it a night.

 

[falconvan]

Got some rubber on it today and decided against the 59 Poncho taillights. Just way too big. I picked these up at O'Riely's in the trailer lighting section. $9.99; can't beat it.

 

[ronnysplymouth]

You oughtta be done by the time you go back to work at the rate ur going......lights look suprisingly nice

 

[falconvan]

Thanks; I'm itchin' for a cruise down the street!

I kicked some butt the past few days; all the wiring is done and everything works, e-brake back together, drive shaft in, and she's sitting on all four feet. I got the brakes all bled but I need to do some more adjusting on the front ones: one is dragging. I found a vintage carb parts supplier online and he seems to think my accelerator pump problems are in the NAPA kit I used to rebuild it. So I've got a kit that's more specific for this carb coming. Once I get the carb and the front brakes right, it's ready for a trip down the street. I also started looking at how to fix the hood; it's got some pretty bad rot damage where the hinges mount and in the front on the bottom edge. I'll start on this soon.

I really like the simplicity of this build; just buy a cheap beater and make it roadworthy using whatever leftovers I had, some free stuff, and a few boneyard parts. I know it's ugly as hell and has too many doors but I think it'll be around for a good while.

 

[falconvan]

We took our first road trip; just down the street and back a few times. It runs good and drives solid, just need to bleed the brakes some more and I'm still having carb issues. I'm thinking of going to a Holley 350 or 500 two barrel. I saw another old Mopar flathead with a Holley 500 and the guy was really happy with it.
I started patching the hood; big rust holes on both sides by the hinges and in the front. I got all the patches welded in yesterday; should be able to finish it and put it on today.

 

[falconvan]

I still need to sand my filler on the back side of the hood but it's back on the car and it's solid so that's good. Other than that I need to mount the bumpers, put the door panels back on, get my carb issue straights, put the heater box back in and I guess that's pretty much it. Maybe put in some tunes, too. Not bad for four months and about $1800 including the price of the car. I'm going to drive the wheels off this dog.

 

[falconvan]

I ditched the Carter and put on a Holley 350 with an adapter plate. Runs like a champ now.

 

[bob w]

Sounds like you are getting it dialed in and running well. They are nice riding cars. Another fine build by falconvan.[cl

This thread makes me want to buy the chopped '49 Plymmie 4 door from my son and get it back on the road.

 

[Johnson]

Sweet. I like it. Really makes me wish my Rambler had four wheels....

Also, I don`t know why, but I love older cars with the skinny, aggressive tires like that military one had. Probably the 4x4 side of me showing again...

-Jake

 

[falconvan]

Thanks, Guys. Bob, lets see some pics of that chopped 49!

 

[falconvan]

Im going back and doing some fine tuning and fixing some of the little things; it's getting better each trip down the road. I had a couple of small water leaks and re-bled the brakes. I think my brake pushrod is a bit short; I'll whip up another one this weekend. The cable for the hood release was sticking bad so i just cut a slot by the hood latch and welded a short rod on it so I can open it from the outside. The air cleaner and accelerator pedal came from an S-10 at the boneyard. I think my front shocks are too long; they're bottoming out. I'll order some new ones today. I'm also fabbing up a mount to put a late 80's Ranger blower motor in the stock heater blower housing so I can have a 12v blower; and I put on an old spotlight I had on the shelf. Getting a little closer each day.

 

[bob w]

falconvan, Here's the chopped '49 Plymmie that my son now owns. It was chopped when it had 17,000 miles on it. Now has 49,000. Was totally disassembled when we got it. Pic is from before we got it. A friend GAVE it to me. We finished the install of a 350/700r4/9".
Dropped uprights, disc brakes, R & P steering. I'd like to buy it back.

 

[falconvan]

That's very cool, Bob. I like the subtle chop; it came out perfect! who says a four-door cant look good?

I'll bet the guy who gave it to you wishes he still had it, too!

 

[falconvan]

OK, Im calling it done. I think all the mechanical bugs are about worked out; it's running and driving really nice. I got the bumpers on plus I ditched the rear gravel pan, tucked the bumper up close, and patched the holes where the old tail lights went. I made some cheap door panels and a rear seat cover and got the interior put back together. The heater is in and I added blinkers. I probably will add an AM radio before baseball season so I can cruise and listen to the Cardinals. Thanks all for watching and your comments; it's time to put on some miles.

 

[46FORD$PU]

looks great and it should be a blast to drive around

 

[Sam_Fear]

I'm not sure I'm sold on the tail lights, but the others were too big. It's on the road, so who cares! [cl

 

[riverrat44]

Really like your build, a lot of work involved there, thought ya might like to look at this mo-par
http://springfield.craigslist.org/pts/2748655056.html