First Car part 1

kenmdale · Feb 24, 2016

I actually started this as a reply to another post, but ran out of room.
I am not a mechanic ,and have never owned an older car before. So when I got this car it was about 60 per cent finished with bins full of parts. It had been sitting in storage for 10-12 years.
Every item I came across had to be researched to find out what it was and where it should go and how it should work. As someone else on this forum said "when the Mopar gods giveth, they also take away" I have found that to be accurate.

Most of the original problems I had centered around a paint job before it was stored .and poor grounding. Most of those were fixed with the washers with cutting edges on the edges

Some of the other problems seem to be sequential . By that I mean, I would repair one item, then the next item downstream would need work :eg :replace master cylinder ( 3 new ones because the first 2 leaked), brake booster, then wheel cylinders, then found scored brake drum that could not be machined, so had to buy new ones. I just found a new set of 11x 3 REAR brake drums for my 66 Sport Fury on Ebay. Other suppliers claim they have them ,but they are actually front drums when contacted , then took it for a quick drive and found axle seal leaks

I have several service manuals and parts manuals for 65.66.67 Plymouth and brake service manuals for a 1972 Plymouth ( that is the year of the front disc conversion ). In the correct 66 service manual it had no information about my 440 motor,so I needed a 67 FSM.

Several items ordered were the wrong fit or size and had to be returned because photos were incorrect . The infamous ( WILL FIT 1966 PLYMOUTH FURY) found on Ebay is a load of crap.

Weather and an unheated garage limit the work to be done and the driving season is shortened

Shipping to Canada can be very difficult and expensive , to offset that I had to have a shipping account opened in Ogdensburg NY, where I can go to pick up my items. All returns usually mean another trip across the border.

To sum this up I wouldn't have it any other way. Every successful part find is a victory
Every successful repair is a victory to be savoured for a few minutes before moving on to the next item
Cheers
Ken

detmatt · Feb 24, 2016

That's what it's all about! If it were easy everyone would be doing it and this would be like a Chevy forum...

1978 NYB · Feb 24, 2016

Do they have a community college near you?

Check and see if they have automotive courses. A couple of basic courses including one for an internal combustion engine will get you to point where a lot of the this stuff will make sense and you'll understand basic automotive systems and how they work. A basic electrical course that will teach you how electricity works and how to use a multimeter will help you immensely.

commando1 · Feb 24, 2016

We are all more than happy to answer all your questions and help you spend your money.

Spend it wisely, that is.

kenmdale · Feb 24, 2016

1978 NYB said:
Do they have a community college near you?

Check and see if they have automotive courses. A couple of basic courses including one for an internal combustion engine will get you to point where a lot of the this stuff will make sense and you'll understand basic automotive systems and how they work. A basic electrical course that will teach you how electricity works and how to use a multimeter will help you immensely.

I have a good working knowledge of automotive basics and electrical , schematics and use of a multimeter is no problem,my problems seem to stem from suppliers sending incorrect parts or incorrect photos
Other issues were getting approx. 6 bins full of parts ,then trying to find where a single spring fits, only to find its the spring for the jack in the trunk, or a rubber pieces that turns out to be the door pillar post seal for a 2 door or a small barrel shaped plastic part that turned out to be a standoff for the headlight trim. Just because they were in the bin didn't mean that they were working. 4 light switches in one bin and only 1 worked. A lot of these parts may not be immediately recognized as to where it belongs
. Some of the parts turned out to be for a Chev pickup
As of today the only items I had to have outsourced was a steam clean of the gas tank ,and taking out the rear winshield so I could replace the trim clips.

Waiting for spring to get the car and finally safetied and on the road after approx 20 years

Cheers

Ken

Fury440 · Feb 24, 2016

Wow Ken, great story! Brings back memories of my part chasing days. My car was disassembled by others, nothing was labeled, some parts were stored in milk crates open to grease, dirt and over spray. Many parts simply disappeared, you know little stuff like the rear bumper and gas tank. At one point the whole car went missing to be found under a tarp in a farmers field. Towards the end, little stuff was found missing, engine done, but no air cleaner. One of the first parts I purchased back in 1996 was a spiffy new windshield washer bottle. It sat installed on the fender waiting 18 years it's first use, only to discover the plastic had become brittle and the bottom fell out. Still chasing that part. Finally after 36 years the car was completed in 2014 and it was back on the road as essentially a brand new car! Hallelujah!!! Not so quick, the washer bottle still sits all nice and pretty with a hole in the bottom. No matter, just won't drive in the rain! Looking at the bottle one soon notices no rubber hose connected to the wash pump, but not a problem since for some reason there are no spray nozzles either. During the maiden voyage I also discovered NOS parts are not always what they seem. I paid a small fortune for a NOS passenger side mirror only to discover the internal non-adjustable ball is too loose to hold a setting. Of course this means tearing the whole door apart.
To make a long story short, owning one of these cars is a life shaping experience which requires infinite patience and a sense of humor. Welcome to the party!

kenmdale · Feb 24, 2016

These photos were found in the bins of parts that I have. They were done before I got the car

Thought someone might like to see them. Some are them were shot up through the missing floor