MikeC5 Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Hi, I just purchased my first ever antique auto; a 1925 Dodge touring car . I've always been interested in the early history of the automobile and finally took the plunge. The car is complete with the exception of top irons/bows but it will need a lot of work to get it in good running condition. I will post some pics as soon as I get some decent ones. In the meantime, I have a question about the seat pedestals. The engine serial number indicates a 1925 manufacture (I haven't checked any other locations). Unlike some of the photos I've come across in this forum, the seat pedestals are not made of wood. They are integral sheet metal structures of the car. Does anyone know about when this change occurred? Also, the running boards and running board aprons are in pretty rough shape. Any ideas where I might look for good used pieces? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cozza Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Welcome and congrads. on your new car. I have a 23 touring and I also live in CTI would suggest you join the Dodge Brothers Club. Our tech advisors are great.Many post answers on this Forum. We also have a National meet every year. In 2012 it's in Southbury CT.If you want to talk send me a PM and I'll send you my Phone # Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Backyardmechanic Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 (edited) Welcome to the Dodge Brothers wold.Call us at 888-827-7601 for a free catalog.We are the oldest Dodge Brothers parts supplier in the USA and possibly the world Our Co. was started in 1954.As for running boards we have reproduction in stock They are as close as orginial as possible, and can supply you with the correct cover.VernROMAR 888-827-7601 (toll free).email: sales@romardb.com Our web sit www.romardb.com Edited March 8, 2011 by Backyardmechanic (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted March 8, 2011 Author Share Posted March 8, 2011 Thanks Vern. I see you have a pretty good selection of parts. I'll have to save up for the running boards but eventually I'll need them. As for the splash aprons, it say 114" wheelbase in the on-line catalog. Am I correct that this should read 116"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Backyardmechanic Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Mike No 114 inch wheel base is correct these fit 1921-1923.These are the concave splash aprons.From 1924 on the splash aprons were squire over the frame we are looking into makeing these too.Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted March 8, 2011 Author Share Posted March 8, 2011 O.K. Vern. I'll keep an eye out for them since mine are quite rough.Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobs1916 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Hi MikeI am also in CT I have a 16 17 and 18 DB.The splash aprons are often beat up rusted out and replacements are NOT available . I have fabricated my own but I have access to a metal roller. I might have a restorable one around from an 18 that should fit. bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Backyardmechanic Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Bob The '18 splash aprons are all togeather different from the '25, smaller wheel base and the splash apron is not rolled but bent over the frame the problems is the ends thet meets the front finders.Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobs1916 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Hi VernWill that settles that. I guess I can't be of any help here!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted March 12, 2011 Author Share Posted March 12, 2011 O.K. here are a few photos of the beast. I've got my work cut out for me... Anyone have a lead on a decent lower windshield frame? This one is crumbling... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 Thats a great looking car you have a better start than alot of other people have had Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DBAcadia Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 You've got a great start. Straight frame and super looking wheels & tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted March 13, 2011 Author Share Posted March 13, 2011 Thanks! I'm sure people have brought them back from far worse. My wife thinks I'm crazy.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Thanks! I'm sure people have brought them back from far worse. My wife thinks I'm crazy....We're ALL crazy...that's why we hang out together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Backyardmechanic Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 We may have a lower winsheild frame let me look mondayVern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted March 13, 2011 Author Share Posted March 13, 2011 Great! Thanks Vern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share Posted March 16, 2011 Any luck on that lower windshield frame Vern? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 A milestone today; I got the engine started. I was just running it off the battery and hand cranked it but it fired up pretty easy. The only thing is, I had to keep the fuel enrichment on or it would stall (even after warming up a few minutes). Maybe I didn't put the rack & pinion back together properly in the carb? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 Also, the number one plug showed some water so a head gasket is in order. I hope it's not a cracked block... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 I cleaned things up and see no obvious cracks. The head was a little bowed (about 10 thou at the middle) so I'm having it magnafluxed and planed. I also discovered where a lot of the upholstery went- in the water jackets of the block! Good thing I didn't run it long. I also found the valve clearances were huge (like 1/16" or more). I'm amazed it still ran like that. After adjustment I measured valve lift and they all came in within .30 - .305. It also appears to have aluminum pistons. Were the orignals cast iron on a 1925? (car no. 323967)? A few measurements on the bores were within spec., no ridge observed at top of cylinder. The walls look pretty smooth but no cross hatching can be seen. Does this sound normal for an original engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwollam Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 The rings come all the way to the top of the bore so no ring ridge ever on these. Aluminum pistons would be correct for a 25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 Thanks Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Backyardmechanic Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 What do you consider "with in spec."? How about cylinder tapper?WOW 1/16 =.0625 seems a lot wonder how it ran with out a lot of valve tappit noice.What did you set the valves cold at?Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 I was going by the bore tolerance listed in the Mechanic's Instruction Manual. I just took a few measurement and have not yet checked for taper. It did make a lot of tappet clatter when running. I set them to 0.008/0.010 cold just to be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 A little progress on the body. If anyone has pics of the interior of a 24-27 touring (without seat upholstery/seat springs), could you post them here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 That last photo shows the pinstripe I uncovered after stripping a few layers of brushed on paint. I believe this dates to the original paint job (I felt like an archaeologist unearthing some long buried artifact)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Looks like you have made alot of progress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 Thanks! A little more strengthening and then the body comes off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 Body off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 That frame looks alot nicer than I thought it might be, I hope you have your book back by the way, thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 Yes I did receive it Jason. There are a couple of spots on the top flange of the frame on the driver's side that can possibly use a doubler but overall it does look pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Canadian1925touring Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Hey, I also just got a 25 touring...but mine was restored in the 60's and sat in storage. You've got your hands full LOL. Let me know if there's pics of anything you need as mine is 98% complete...What are the chances you have the large "Irons" or c-clamp things that bolt into the rear fenders to hold the top when it's down. If you have these and could take detailed pics and measurements I'd appreciate it Or if you know a shop that could duplicate them..even better, there are several guys looking for these. Cheers from Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 I'm the same one who's been asking you for the top iron measurements. I don't have the top rests either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Canadian1925touring Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Sorry, work melts the brain...If I find any up here in canada I'll let you know LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 Any chance you can try and get to those measurements soon? I'm hoping to have them before Hershey (October 5-8). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest germ1971 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I'm the same one who's been asking you for the top iron measurements. I don't have the top rests either.Before I even offer this, please realize I have absolutely NO idea what I'm looking for or how to measure it, BUT if you would tell me exactly what you are after, I would be happy to look and see if my car has it and measure it for you if it's there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hello G, with the top up, this diagram shows the measurements I'm looking for. An 8 foot tape measure (even a 6 foot) is all you need to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 A little more progress... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 A couple more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickBrinker Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Don't get it looking to nice you'll make my 25 look bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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