Ian_Greenlaw

Well that escalated quickly...removed everything.....bonnet sides and top.....Found the water pump was leaking out the main seal. Took the water pump off to the repairer and took the radiator to another repairer. In the mean time, lined the engine bay with polythene sheets and flushed the engine out into a large tub under the engine......looking like surgery....but nothing got wet which was a bonus. Smoothed out the bypass pipe to try and get the best fit as possible. Got a call and the water pump was ready already.....very quick service. Now to start putting things back and now waiting for the radiator to turn up.

Very true....love my kids and now the little one. Well....took the car our for a test and it was dripping water. Made the decision to remove the radiator. Reached up and undid the plug we tapped in by hand so it would not have lasted. Removed the Generator, Belt, Hoses and water pump and bypass. Levelled the base of the bypass to get it ready. Next is the bonnet and radiator I'd appreciate the thoughts of the group here......Do I just use a gasket, or a high temp silicone gasket sealer or both. I've read a lot and seems to be a mixed train of thought. I used a paper gasket and a smear of the high temp stuff on the bypass and only the high temp stuff on the water pump and never had a leak but that was while I was restoring the car. Bear in mind there are probably a few pits in the metal here and there.

Thanks Matt, Not sure if it is a fix. There was bugger all metal to tap a thread in....I'm terrified that it will pop while driving so the bottom line I think the radiator will need to come out. I shouldn't have taken so long doing my resto !

Yep, A Class Metal Finishers in South Australia....wasn't cheap but what is these days !...the quality was amazing compared to what they were. So if your in OZ and looking for someone to do Zinc Die Cast Repair and Chroming then you can't go past these guys. Believe me, I went to 6 different people and no one would touch the horns. Even the guy I take with me couldn't believe how many people you have to go through to get someone really good.

So everything was returning to normal and my wife had to have the Trapezoid bone removed in her hand and tendons strung up and down to replace it. Out of action for a month or so, which means not a lot of time to work on the car. Also my daughter had a baby so first time a grandfather ! I was getting it ready to take down for a Roadworthy and notice a bit of water on the drive popped it up on the hoist and a pin hole leak appeared. To do a temp fix thought I'd drill and tap just to get me though the Roadworthy. Went to drill a pilot hole and the drill bit went straight through.....bugger. Drilled a wider hole and tapped and inserted a plug. I had to bend the little handles up otherwise it hits the chassis. I fill with water this Thursday and see how it goes. If no go, then the radiator will have to come out. Not sure if I can remove it without moving the cowl ? On a lighter note, I have ironed out the engine issues and its about 90% now and we took it for a few test drives ( illegally ) up the road. Also mounted one of the redone horns in place....a lot better than the first attempt.

Thanks for Posting Matt and to Ron taking the photos. Boat Tail is special and amazed at the talent.

Its been a while since I posted anything. Back and forth to Hospitals with my wife and she is now sorted I'm glad to say. Just got her sorted and my daughter said she's having a baby so been making things for her. I have still been working on the Dodge. I was never really happy with the horns ( Zinc Die Cast ) which had been Chrome Painted initially and have tried five different people to try and get them rechromed. No one wanted to touch them as they said they are very difficult and if not done properly then you'll be back to square one. One guy stripped them back and you can see all the pitting. He said if you don't get rid off all that you have to start over again. I came across a place in South Australia and they said they would do them after I sent detailed photos over. Totally amazed at the difference. I don't know their process they use but very happy with the result ( now all I have to do is put them back together again ) One question I do have......how on earth do you get the hubcaps off a 34 without buggering up the paint work. I have tried everything. Still got a few oil leaks and tuning issues. I've sorted the trim problem out and am happy with the result. Hoping to drive her on the road soon. ( I've been around the court where I live but not down the street as it won't make it back up yet ) Cheers Ian

If anyone can do it you can Matt !!

Thanks Kevin, Not sure if its accessable but I'll definitely suss it out tomorrow. Cheers Ian

Well done with the film Richard.....looking forward to having a look.

Hi Guys, Sorry to hear about Spinneyhill.........its hard when someone you've communicated with is no longer here. Thankyou for your kind thoughts about me wife. My wife had her operation.....I told her it sounded like me working on my car.....google flow diverter to repair a brain aneurysm....... Weird thing was if we went Private it would have costed $20,000, if she went to the Alfred it would have costed nothing. Anyhow shes doing well and will experience headaches for the next 3 months......she had a Angiogram the other day to check and everything is where it should be. I did mention to her that after the op she did say I could buy another car..........but she doesn't remember that :( I do have a car question though : The fuel gauge isn't working and we traced it back to an earth issue. When I installed the tank I put in rubber supports to absorb vibration. Now I believe that the tank, mounting straps and frame would have created the earth. If I connect a small clamp to the fuel line and a coiled wire and earthed it to the body the fuel gauge works fine. My question is, is this a safe method to earth this ?..... Apart from a friend of mine who suggested a self tapper in the fuel tank ( yeah, he was joking ) there's not a lot of options. Any thoughts ? Cheers Ian

Haven't had a lot of time to work on the car and haven't kept up to date with much. My wife started getting headaches and double vision a number of weeks ago. 3 Hospitals and 2 Neurosurgeons later they found an Aneurysm in the brain which will need to be repaired so we are just waiting on Tuesday when we have an appointment with the Neuro guy and he will book her in for the op. As soon as I'm back on the car I'll update some more on the progress. Cheers ian

We did suss it out so only very sparingly we used it on the initial start up. Engine idles really well now but when you accelerate it dies so I'll rebuild the carby as I feel that the plunger seal may have dried up. I have a rebuild kit coming so that should do the trick....I hope. Bought a custom car cover for it so I'll take a shot when that arrives. I can then tuck the ole girl up at night.

He may not have said it but I bet he was thinking it sometimes.....probably with a lawn mower....lol

Just in case no one believes it, heres a pic of the can