Turning signals might be nice

Indeed...
Tail light socket fitted with brass lamp fixture.

Drilled out the bottom to get some clearance.

 Yeah it works! Yet barely.

Philco C4608 Radio Bench-test

Philco Auto Radio Model C4608 (Mopar Model 802)

We did a bench test of the original 1941 Philco Auto Radio.  The unit draws 9.2 amps at 6.3 volts, so it was no suprise that it maxed out my 5amp variable power supply.  The radio slowly came to life with clips and chirps, tiny snippets of voices.

Dial Face

Chassis View

Tube Location Label

Chassis Stamp and Antenna Plug

Thanks to the folks at NostalgiaAir.org, it was easy to find the manual for Nora's dash mounted Philco Auto radio. 

Complete Schematic

Scan of the dial face.  The plan is to cut a new glass plate, then mask, paint and laser etch the text.

Dial face

Dial Face from owner's manual

Vectors for mask and laser etching.

Enhanced model with original font and graduation squares.

The black areas will be masked out with machine cut vinyl and the silver area painted first. Mask for the black lines when then be removed and painted.  The mask for the transparent area will then be removed.  A laser will be used to cut a jig for the glass plate and etch out text and graduations.

Distributor and tuning

The weekend Nora got a timing tuneup.  Although Nora is a '41 she has the engine from a later model Plymouth.  The engine number begins with a P22 so it either a '51 or '52.  Many of the parts are still interchangeable nonetheless.

Tuning parameters for 1949 to 1952 U.S.-built Plymouths (P-17, P-18, P-19, P-20, P-22, P-23)

• Spark plug gap - .035"
• Breaker gap - .020"
• Initial ignition timing - T.D.C.
• Dwell setting - 34.5 deg. to 38 deg.
• Firing Order - 1-5-3-6-2-4

Once I had an idea of the engine model I was able to order the proper points, condenser, distributor cap and rotor. Although initially I set the points to exacting precision, ended up adjusting the dwell but guess and ear.  Same goes for the timing, I started off at TDC (top dead centre) then had to adjust the timing slightly after the engine was warm. 

Internals of a IAT-4003 Autolite Distributor.

I suppose there was supposed to be a conical gasket between the engine and distributor so I fashioned one  from a couple layers of fibre gasket material and gasket goo.   I seems to work as well and didn't leak any oil after a 30min drive.

An artist rendering of a Distributor for a P22 engine.

After about a year driving on the old points and condenser set-up.  I swapped them out for an electronic ignition from Pertronix.  The model for my distributor and 6 volt positive ground was the 1362P.

Drilling out the rivets on the advance plate.  Won't be needing that any more.

The after removing the post, the pick-up screwed into place on the advance plate.  A magnetic ring slips on under the wiper.

Pick-up and magnetic ring.

This points replacement is a huge improvement.  The engine starts better, runs smoother, and has way more power.  Hundred bucks well spent.

Parts Reference

The engine in my Nora is from later model, '52 Plymouth Concord.  The engine has completely interchangeable parts so it is relatively easy to still find the required parts today.

Lately, I've been having some fuel leak around the gaskets in the carb and fuel pump, so it's time to replace them.  The carb is a Ball and Balls design manufactured by Carter (model D6H1).

More on the fuel pump once I find my paper scrapes with the model number.

Cross references...
http://www.rreid.net/1941Plymouth/1941xref.html

Colours

Top of the list are:

John Dee Green
Safety Orange
Red Oxide

Rear End Research

1941 Rear-end Compatibility Notes:


Wheelbase 117in
Front Tread 57in
Rear Tread 60.125in
Ratio 3.9:1

Possible replacements:
1939-48 Plymouth, DeSoto, Dodge?, Chrysler
1987-90 Dodge Dakota Track Width: 60.8″/ Ratio: 3.55:1 (1250rwd) / Ratio: 3.9:1 (1800rwd)

Other references:
http://www.carnut.com/specs/rear.html

Favourite resources

http://www.ply33.com

"Plymouth: The First Decade" Plymouth 1928 to 1948 parts cross-referencing and great history .

http://www.allpar.com/history/plymouth/1940.html

"Allpar" Nice history section.  The ads make the website look trashy but the articles almost make it worth it.

 http://www.plymouthbulletin.com/rearbrakes.htm 

"Plymouth Bulletin" Practical articles and mopar history.

 http://www.plymouthbulletin.com/adventure01.htm 

"Plymouth Bulletin" Adventure travel.

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/432.cfm 

Engine specification for the 217 engine (from 1952 Plymouth Concord).