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).

Night Drive

A few glamour shots from a drive up the hill.

The view from the hill.

Interior work

Progress continues on the interior.  I'm using strips of 1/8" fibre board layered together to form the structure for the headliner.  These replace the original metal bows and have the added features that they can be easily glued and screwed. Additional fibre board strips can be used to hold the cloth in place whilst it's measured, cut and worked.

Poster Patterns

We've been painting it black lately.  The floor, ceiling and running boards  have had a good coat of paint. 

Sunday drive.

In the park.

Under the bridge.

Alternate timeline.

1941 "The Film"

Here is a bit of inspiration for our up and coming full features film...

Although not a '41 this video demonstrates the 1937 Plymouth.  Many of the same features!

 More Chrysler footage...  "From caveman to Chrysler".   The last few seconds feature the 1941 Plymouth!

Some internet resources on the Plymouth in the 1940s.

...and on the L-Head 6.

Your new life as an Auto-Serviceman.

1940s Auto-lite vintage footage.

Road trials of a 1936 Plymouth.

"The Cool Hot Rod" (1953)

Door panels

Upholstered the passenger door panel today.   This western floral patterned vinyl will be cared throughout the interior.

Parts

Here's the running list of suppliers that I'm starting to compile.

Chrysler Club   Meta-list of parts suppliers.

Vintage Autoglass   Custom Auto Glass (Thanks Kathy!)

Rite-Way Electric  Starter and Generator Rewinding and Rebuilding (Thanks JB!)

Andy Bernbaum Auto Parts    Loads of Chrysler parts.

Steel Rubber  Rubber bits.

SMS Auto Fabrics Fabrics, vinyl, and leather.

Robert's Motor Parts Motor bits.

Kanter Auto  Brake parts.

Auto Parts Obsolete.com Various bits.

Here is an inventory of some the parts included in the boot.

Original tube radio and old tire, presumptively from before the front end was redone.

Look at the worn outside!  All the way down to the belts.  The front end appears to be quite fine now, and steers like a dream.  We'll include a front picture soon to show it's current perky stance...

Door handles and chrome.

Some miscellaneous booty; chrome, door handles, fog lamp, switches, and archeological artifacts.

Comfy backseat armrests made from formed wood fibre.

Not much is missing that is obvious; a rear window, window crank, and a single fog lamp.

Heart of Nora

Here is an old project picture of 6 volt starter from Nora.  The starter was rebuild like new and refitted.  This is what gets her motor running.

Spur gear and switch makes a sweet starter...
 

Current Status

The back seat is fully functional now.   Photos soon...

Artist's rendition of two tone colour scheme.

The engine is in beautiful shape.  Since we've had her, we've been on numerous road trip and put near 3000 miles on the odometer and driven to the top of mountains.  Every grease zirt has been fill, the transmission and rear axle gear oil replaced, the front wheel bearing grease, brakes inspected all around, starter rebuild, rear seat upholstered, horn switch replaced, rear driver's side window regular fabricated, and both rear windows replaced.  We are now moving towards more aesthetics items such as exterior/interior painting, floor mats, plus headliner and side upholstery.

Upholstrey Project

Started measuring the interior for upholstery, today.  I have no idea what I'm doing but I'm sure we'll get it sorted.  I'm going to do this in two stages the first will be a throwaway interior made from nylon.  This will be to sort out the pattern.  After that we'll get serious with vinyl.

The "Young Guns" have some great videos on upholstery.  How hard can it be? ;-)

Sewing welting.

VW Bus Seats

...

The Time Machine

This machine is a true marvel...

Period Adverts

Advertisements featuring the 1941 Plymouth Sedan.

That's what she said...

Apparently so, because that's exactly what happened to me.

Actually she was on board from the beginning.

This advert is from the 1940 model, but has a great interior view.

Puppy Love

It was love at first sight...

1941 Plymouth P12 Super Deluxe 2 Door Sedan 
201 cubic inch L6 Flat-head Six cylinder
80 Horse Power with a 3 speed manual on the column, "three on the tree".