MikeC5

The only thing I can think of trying to rule out a poor connection somewhere is to get a set of heavy duty jumper cables and hook them up directly to the starter (make sure you know the polarity of your vehicle). If it then cranks at least you will know it's not the starter. The other option, just to try and start it, is a push start (hold clutch in while others push the car, then when you're moving at 5 - 10 mph dump the clutch).

That you for posting. Great footage and soundtrack!

That is quite an eye catcher. Seeing that in your rear view mirror would be just the thing to get you to pull over and then go 'what the %&$*# was that?' Looks to be in very decent shape too. I'll take one.

Some good advice there! Make your mistakes on someone else's car...

I thought this might be appropriate reading for the subject assuming you decide against the 57 Chevy. http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/12/05/the-5000-challenge-round-two-what-would-you-buy/

As has been mentioned, if you are really interested in learning how to fix up (mechanical and body) cars, this may be a good place to start since it is far simpler than cars of the last 20 - 30 years. However, if it needs a lot of fixing it may take quite a while to make it a reliable daily driver. If you do want to learn, great! Do you know anyone who has experience working on cars willing to help you learn? If not, you may be getting in over your head with the result becoming frustrated and losing interest. On the other hand, you could spend far less money on a less collectible car and learn these things too.

Built like a tank....

I think I have a spare. Unfortunately I'm out of town next week and won't be able to check until Friday evening.

I'm very sorry about your loss Shannon. My Dad passed away earlier this year (also cancer) and he was always interested in progress on my Dodge. Here is one of my favorite photos of him and me on an early test drive.

That Formula V race hauler is great!

It does sound like a dream job Ray. When were these homes at their peak numbers? Was it the industrial revolution and growth of middle class/demand for middle class homes that precipitated their decline? I suppose at the root of it the landed families either run out of funds to keep up the places and/or heirs are not interested in doing so. On the subject of old cars, were there ever any interesting old 'carriage house' finds when you were doing this work?

I hear you Pete... Amazing... I guess a hidden battery shut off switch might be a good idea. As for the flat bed with winch, even in gear it won't slow things down much.

No problems with mine so far.

Works for me too!

Glad to help. Let us know how it goes.

That is remarkable Ray. It looks like it has been going on regularly for the last 100 years and more... In more recent years has there not been more effort to re-purpose some of these historic buildings? Some of the more architecturally interesting buildings would make for charming hotels, etc. I realize it likely costs more to refurbish, add utilities, etc. compared to new construction but one would think the history of these places would have some value as tourist attractions and the like.

:eek: Say no more; we understand....

Ha ha! Yea maybe it would be better to leave the specs.. From your photo icon there Dwight it looks like you might have some experience with a similar project?

It has been a while since I did this so I'm a bit hazy but here are the basics: remove front floorboards and then remove cross member (see arrow in 2nd photo). Disconnect speedo cable and move any other items obstructing top cover of transmission. Note that right next to the lock cylinder is a round pin that engages a scalloped area on lock cylinder (see photos). Remove all of the bolts that hold on the top of the transmission. Carefully lift the cover straight up to disengage the shift forks from the gears below the cover. Turn the cover assembly over so the shift forks are pointing up. Look in the area where the lock sits and see the flat blade that rotates with lock. Next to the blade is a small hole directly in line with the pin observed from above before. Use an appropriate sized drift to tap the pin out (i.e. from bottom towards top) You should now be able to remove the lock cylinder assembly from to top side of trans cover. Re-install in reverse order and lightly tap the tapered pin back in place (don't over do it or you'll damage the key cylinder) Reinstall cover on transmission being careful to line up shift forks with the gears.

http://www.modelthaven.com/20d.html The engine looks DB, not much else... Plenty of 'patina' The ad says: "108" Wheel base Dodge frame, engine, and transmission. Ford rear end. Needs a matched set of wheels." Um.. yea.

Well funded special interests and short term profits will do it... It always amazed me that as late as 1963, a beautiful building, Penn Station, was demolished to make way for Madison Square Garden.

Interesting stuff Ray. Considering that it closed in 1939, I'm surprised how much of the layout is still recognizable. Those banked turns must have really been something when it opened in 1907. I also didn't realize it became a hub of areoplane and aerospace activity.

That is a nice looking speedster.

Interesting.. When I had my '25 DB steering box apart I checked to see if a modern seal could be adapted to the sector shaft. The long brass bushing (also used for gear mesh adjustment) has a spiral lubricant groove running end to end which provides a very nice leak path...

http://www.nailhed.com/2014/05/steering-world.html