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Terry is correct. All the early Chevies had restrictor plates in the water tubes and over time the plates rust out and the water flows through the system too freely. They will not cool as a result. If memory serves the plate should have a 3/8s hole in it. I couldn't tell you where to look but from what you describe, I can almost guaruntee that is your problem. Any round plate with a 3/8s hole drilled through the center will work. Just cut one the size of your inlet or outlet and place it up against it and put your radiator hose back on and you'll be good to go. I might suggest making it out of stainless so it won't rust out again.

Greg, Again I would like to offer a word of caution. The truck is yours to do with what you want but to try to convert it into a speedster? Why not focus on getting the running gear going again first. I'd put a set of car wheels on it. I have most of a set of 26" Pearleman wheels that would convert the truck to pneumatic tires. If your hubs could be set into pneumatic tire wheels, I think you would be way ahead. And if you could find something you just had to bolt on, even better. You might check the bolt pattern. These old trucks were kept in service by using later parts. You might find some later steel wheels that will match up to your hub bolt pattern. Keep the wheel parts you have now in case someone wants to restore the truck later. You have a decent C cab. The truck is not going to go fast without some major investment so why not put the truck back together as is. I have seen way too many people start a project like this and never finish it. Take small bites. I'd start with the motor. The radiator could be repaired or a better AA radiator sourced. You have lots to do without ditching the radiator and cowl, raking the column, etc, etc. and then trying to find parts that will adapt and work. There is a reason it took a team of engineers to design and build these vehicles originally. Just my two cents.

Sometimes in the past, I have tried to illustrate absurdity with absurdity but I have learned, honesty really is the best policy. When I answer an absurd to me question with an absurd answer, 9 out of 10 times the answer is received as truth and I end up having to eat my words and sometimes much more. When the guy asked, "Can I drive this every day," you should have yes, but I wouldn't want to. Or, a simple no. For those of us who have common sense, the answer is obvious and therefore the question is absurd and beyond reason, but to those who are not so gifted, the question is real. In your business, you can't afford to be flippant or just assume every one has some modicum of common sense. Try having a little more grace and mercy for those less fortunate. If the guy actually tried to drive the car everyday through the winter, he obviously was working with one brick less than a full load, which was understandably difficult for him. It sounds like he genuinely did not know better. As absurd as it may seem, there are more of them than there are of us. I hope you don't have to learn this lesson again. Sadly, it took several tries for me.

Yes, it is still for sale. I sent you a private message.

Walt, I don't know about the picture but the car is most likely pre 15. It is right hand drive and the shifter and brake are outside the frame. By 1915, almost all cars were center controlled and left hand drive. We'll have to see if some research can turn up any further details. Actually, a quick search produced the Stoewer Sewing Machine company in Germany and they went into the automobile manufacturing business early in the last century. A few examples exist.

Bob, I think, as you already know, without provenance, there is no way to prove or disprove anything about this seat. It certainly looks old and certainly resembles the seats on some of the Ford racers. You could contact The Henry Ford and maybe talk to someone there who could shed some light on this purchase but even then, all you have is here say. If you believe it is an original from one of the early Ford racers, that's really what matters; no one can prove you wrong, and I doubt its for sale. It is a great piece and I for one, am grateful you shared it.

I don't believe it is marine. I have seen that quadrant or one similar recently, just can't remember on what. It would be very early, 04/05. It would be a real shame to build a speedster around such a rare item when something period correct is so easily made.

Electric sidelights and gas headlights suggest 13/14. Notice the bustle on the back. I thought to start with it was a Palmer Singer but I believe the hood is too short. Below is a Palmer Singer.

Al, I noticed the spare tire hardware is painted steel.

What is it?

I found this car interesting. It was posted by Twin Six in Period Images. It has very many similarities to a Mercer but it is also very different. The radiator neck is very much shorter, the headlights taller, and the hood looks longer and dies into a flat dash.

Not sure what this one is. From period pictures to relieve some stress. Posted by twin six.

I am now restoring my parts car, came full circle.

Al, did Locomobile not give preferential treatment to one brand of instrument company? While many lesser makes did not provide instruments with the purchase, they did give preferential treatment. Early Buicks used Corcoran primarily for their lights but owners could purchase anything they wanted. Since you have instruments with the Locomobile logo, why not go with that brand? You can pick up needed parts along the way, you have time. My point is though, there is probably one brand of instrument that is considered correct for Locomobiles. Anything else will be considered incorrect. I agree, its good to restore each component and set it aside till assembly time, but at this point, you are still a little ways away from assembly.

To my knowledge, you do not have a car as of yet to mount these instruments on so I don't see a dilemma. People are constantly posting stuff for sale on a myriad of sights. By the time you get the car put together, you will have an opportunity to purchase any number of instruments. I prefer the look of the Jones but I also like Stewart Instruments.

Thankyou Grimy, I had picked up a flyer at one of the shows and know nothing about the company. That said, George is faced with the possibility of needing some manifolds cast. Can you make a recommendation?

George, I was just going through some papers and ran across a note that Empire Motors in Texas casts manifolds, if they haven't gone out of business. Contact information is: phone 915 856 9607 www.empiremotorsinc.com info@empiremotorsinc.com They also do heads, etc.

Wow! That's amazing rob. Great job! Looks like tons of fun.

Rob, Can you identify which racer the above pictures depict. It appears not to be the 401 ci race car depicted in the post immediately above this post.

This picture was posted by Twin Six over on the period photos. I'm guessing this is one of the special racers but which one? I love that hood ornament!

Rob, Any chance we could get a picture of the unfinished racer? I'm thinking you've probably posted some on other sites. I'd love to hear the history of that motor. I find it very interesting how some cars or parts survived while others were cast aside as so much rubbish. Is the 410 ci car is in The Henry Ford?

Posted by Hook in Period Images Thread. The girl is his aunt.

All kidding aside, isn't this vehicle from an amusement park ride. In my foggy memory, I seem to remember visiting an amusement park with lots of the cute little cars running around in circles.

That, my friends, is a very rare and highly desirable Flintstoneobile from the pliestocene era. The exact year is hard to pin down because styling changed very little over the 600 million years they were in production. Where in the world did you find it?