Hi all,
My name is Ian Moore, and live in Melbourne Australia, I am 21yo and have an interest in anything mechanical.
My dad and I have been involved in restoring vintage stationary engines ever since i can remember. We have a nice little collection of engine/ machinery that get bigger every year. We travel around victoria with the engines to events, and show how things were done back in the day.
At the start of this year i decided to challenge my self in restoring an old car. I knew of an old wreck that was basically a complete drive line except the chassis was in may pieces. The vehicle was identified as a 1929 Plymouth U. I went and had a look at the car and decided that it was to far out of my league.
What i liked about the plymouth was the fact that not many are around in australia.
I eventually found a half restored 1928 Q tourer. That i purchased and am finishing the resto.
The Plymouth is Holden bodied and based on the Chrysler 55 series. Unfortunately the Fedco Badge was removed.
I have made a list of all thing required and should have her on the road at the end of the year.
The biggest item is getting a new roof made including the bows. But for now i am just getting drivable.
Mechanically wise shes ok except the oil pressure is slowly dropping. when i first got it, about 40pounds of pressure was on the gauge and now about 15. i have cleaned the sump and replace oil to no improvement. These figures slightly improve when she get hot. Any ideas? Im thinking oil pump slightly worn.
Will keep you up to date as i'm going along and require help
Regards Ian
Nice find Ian !
What part of Victoria are you in ? I am in Keilor Downs Vic.
I also have a 30 U Plymouth sedan on the road unrestored .
Like to keep hearing from you and keep up the good work ! It's good to see younger people interested in vintage cars.
Quote from: Tinkeys on May 22, 2012, 07:13:43 AM
Nice find Ian !
What part of Victoria are you in ? I am in Keilor Downs Vic.
I also have a 30 U Plymouth sedan on the road unrestored .
Like to keep hearing from you and keep up the good work ! It's good to see younger people interested in vintage cars.
Hi tinkeys
Thanks I can't wait to get her on the road.
I live in carrum downs
Ian
Ian,
Just as a check.., it would be good to hook up a modern oil gauge just to get a benchmark on how accurate the original is. Also I would clean out the oil line to the gauge but you have probably done that.
Nice car and yes they are relatively rare in the US also.
Chet...
Nothing is better for summer cruising than a open car. These cars are fun, just have a few quirks. Is that a down draft carb? What thickness oil are you running?
Is there a vacuum leak on the oil pump to the fuel canister causing a loss of suction and hence lower oil pressure? just a thought. May need a rebuild on the oil pump?
Did you plastic gauge the bearing when cleaning out the oil pan? Worn bearing?
COOl car
rusty
Hi Ian,
Glad to see you've joined the forum. Between all of the users there is a wealth of information. From the photo's it looks like it won't be long before we see it on the road.
Regards
Gary
Quote from: Rusty on May 22, 2012, 07:58:19 PM
Nothing is better for summer cruising than a open car. These cars are fun, just have a few quirks. Is that a down draft carb? What thickness oil are you running?
Is there a vacuum leak on the oil pump to the fuel canister causing a loss of suction and hence lower oil pressure? just a thought. May need a rebuild on the oil pump?
Did you plastic gauge the bearing when cleaning out the oil pan? Worn bearing?
COOl car
rusty
Hi rusty, It has been converted to a down draft carb. i have the original carter drt-08 but it needs rebuilding (mainly new accelerator pump). I am running SAE30 oil in it.
I know the bearing will eventually need doing as there is very slight Big end noise when cold but this has not got any worse.
I have just pulled the oil pump apart and found that this is not a fault. All i have found is the supply line from pump to centre bearing may be loose. Going to pull sump off again and inspect further.
Thanks gary, I'm estimating about november she would be on the road.
Thanks Ian
Well this is kinda going to make me look stupid but i have found part of this oil pressure issue. i had the vac tank disconnected. Not knowing this would reflect oil pressure (thanks rusty for the idea) So i blocked the fitting and i have good amount of pressure, to much actually. i think someone has played with pressure relief valve. I have not yet pulled sump off still believe i have a leak cold in one of the pipes. Figures are:
20 cold idle
after 5-10mins of running 30 and then slowly rises to 45 But when u rev it drops to 30.
I also think i need to re inspect oil pump as i have induced a strange noise. What thickness gasket should i use between pump cover and pump?
But for now this weekend involves making new running boards. Going to make them out of 150mm decking joined together with dowels. cut to size covered with non slip rubber. just like originals were (except being hardwood). If i have time i may figure out how to remove windscreen.
Ian
Ian,
This is what I did. I am still looking for the original steel ones.
http://www.chetscoins.com/1929/Work_Files/Running%20Board%20Redo.htm
Chet...
They look awesome. How have they aged since making them.
They still look great but of course the car is seldom out in the rain and it gets wiped off when back in the garage.
The aluminum moldings are not painted they are just polished. Everything from Lowe's.
Chet...
Chet: You may want the one of two running boards that I have when I am finished. (Need to keep it for the template) I have the one from the right side in reasonably good shape. The one from the driver side (left) is missing. I intend on making new ones of Ironwood and installing with countersunk brass bolts.
Here is a quick photo of the finished running board.
Quote from: Wrench29 on June 01, 2012, 10:40:17 PM
Chet: You may want the one of two running boards that I have when I am finished. (Need to keep it for the template) I have the one from the right side in reasonably good shape. The one from the driver side (left) is missing. I intend on making new ones of Ironwood and installing with countersunk brass bolts.
Sounds good. If I can get my hands on an original I could probably fabricate something similar. I know someone on the POC board that sells new moldings but they are in the $300 dollar range. Oh well we will see. The 29 will be my retirement project. Lots of time but probably not much money???
Chet...
Quote from: imoore on June 04, 2012, 06:18:43 AM
Here is a quick photo of the finished running board.
Isn't it nice to have something to step on. :)
Chet...
Chet, you and the forum guys have been so GOOD to me that I will give you anything I have left when the project is over. The info you all share has been invaluable. Also, you all keep me excited about this!!
I LOVE this car!
i have just finished my wiring loom. every works. Just need to select the right indicators that match the car and its complete. I also figured out how the windsceen comes apart, made a template to get a new one cut.
Have to remove the fuel tank again as it has desided to leak :(.
The car is getting very close to being on the road... just finished fitting the indicators and also the shackles. All that left is windscreen, tyres and some wood work for the back. What sort of material should i use to make framework for the rear.
Cant wait to take her out for the first trip.
well my car has now passed for club permit, just gotta pay registration.
I can't believe how good these headlights are considering they are original and only 6v. But i did fit 35/35w halogens.
Cant wait for the first drive, which will hopefully be to work if it stops raining. So looking forward to it.....
Hi Ian,
Congratulations on getting the Tourer road ready. Have you paid the registration yet? Looking forward to seeing it on the road.
Happy motoring!
Gary
Hey Gary,
Yeh the car is officialy on the road. Took her for a drive today. All went well apart from her stalling as i was merging on to frankston dandy road. Tomorrow i am going to take her to doveton to see a mate.
She drives very well.
Look farward to takin on a club run soon.
Ian
Hi Ian !
Congrats with getting on road !
Now you know the fun I am having now ! We will all have to meet somtime in Melboune with our cars and have a get together .
Cheers Tony.
Thanks tony,
Sounds like a great idea for a catchup.
Tried to take her to doveton today, but failed. We were traveling along nicely, but just we increased my speed to 70kmh things started going wrong. She started to loose power and back fire through carby, Pulled over engine died. A club member saw use and came to our help and gave me a few ideas, also offered to follow me home incase. we did a u-turn and traveled a few meters and she did it again. A few more tweeking, also noticed that the gasket between carby and exhaust manifold has blown. We managed to tug it home, but just as we were round the corner she stoped, dead. Out we hoped and pushed her home.
We increased the float level and made a new gasket. Out we went for take 2. All drove well untill we increase the speed to 70kmh, and it did it all again. back home we went atleast she ran all the way home.
It seems that when we do 50-60kmh everythings fine. only untill we do 70 that she playes up.
2 things come to mind: Lean mixture or ign timing.
Any ideas?
How to you check ignition timing as there is no markings on crank?
I have a week to fix the issue as i would like to take her on a club run to mornington.
Ok well i just went out and started fresh. found the ignition timing to be retarded.
Have taken her for a drive. A completely different car. Going to take her to work tomorrow.
Ian
Hi Ian !
Also check distributor shaft for side play ! I had a similar problem with 30u miss firing and back fire as shaft was to far worn .
I do believe the distributer shaft is worn as at idle she has a random misfire. Did you get yours fixed. if so where.
I drove the ply to work today. no problems at all. Was actually a smooth drive, even no traffic. Starting to get used to double clutching down to 2nd. Engine was running cool, oil pressure was steady. Just gotta get used to it following little tracks in the road.
Come on Sunday. But first a quick test on sat.
Ian
Took the ply for a drive today. Took her half hour down the road. Sat on 60Kmp most the way. Everything went well. Excpet i think the oil that i have used in gearbox maybe too thin. As on the way home it was hard to select gears. Didnt matter how slow i changed.
Tomorrow going to take her to mornington on her first club outing.
Today drove the ply for its first club vehicle run..
She ran beautifully. Had another issue this time. The electric wiper motor formed a dead short and was pulling 25amp discharge. This caused melting wires and smoke. A quick disconnect of the wiper fixed the problem and back on the road again. We sat steadily on 35mph the whole way. I have worked out the speedo is about 10mph fast.
Engine sounded strong except for piston rattle under load. I am surprised how little of oil she used. According to the dipstick she only used about 2mm of oil for a 40mile return drive.
I had a similar issue with wires burning up, an although not original, I installed a small modern fuse block. Works will to protect the wires you have.
Nice being on the road.
Chet...
That is a great car. Like Chet says. Use fuses, A lot of my repair work on customers stuff if from electrical stuff being wire with no fuse or the fuse not being installed properly.
It most certainly is nice being on the road. makes me love this car even more.
I have installed fuses on the headlight and horn circuit. But i installed the wiper at the last minute for registration. And i wired it before the main fuse under oil gauge. Well will teach me not to run un-fused electricals.
The only things i have permanently wired un-fused, are the ignition and fuel pump. That way if i have a problem i can still drive the car home. But i think i might change it so every electrical item is individually fused.
Ian