dpcdfan Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) Getting ready to pull out a 31 Plymouth PA convertible coupe which has been stored in a container the past 25 years. Dual side mount car with luggage rack and rumble seat. Some of the convertible top irons are missing, but overall a super solid car with great "bones." This came from the same place as the 31 Plymouth roadster and others I pulled from long time storage in a shed. Edited June 4, 2020 by dpcdfan (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 Well I'm starting to get a big smile on my face --can't wait to see car out side and good pictures --- i have a boy that lives about a hundred miles from you and have started thinking about the trip out after it -- just need to get together and chat about it. will be setting up time to call you -----Allan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpcdfan Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share Posted June 4, 2020 14 hours ago, 32plywood said: Well I'm starting to get a big smile on my face --can't wait to see car out side and good pictures --- i have a boy that lives about a hundred miles from you and have started thinking about the trip out after it -- just need to get together and chat about it. will be setting up time to call you -----Allan Allan... Should have it out in a couple of days. I'll keep you posted. Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFeeney Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Hello, I have some 28 Q engines if you need parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 do you still have nay 31 parts for sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 what are you needing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 I just purchased the 31 convertible from San Bernadino. It looks like I need seat parts for the rumble seat right off and the main seat. Will have to figure it out as I go through it. Of course things will be missing I am going to start by overhauling the engine. Is there a spec book available on this 196 engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 did you get the one Gary had --- it is the car in this thread ----- I have a 31PA convertible and I drove out to look at Gary's car---Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 It was for sale on Craigs list I have had suspicion it is same car but mine is more complete so I don't know . Just seems odd two of these for sale in same County. Anyway it is somewhat disassembled so I may need some idea where some of these parts go. I am going to go through the engine first. Where are you located? I am in Oceanside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 From reading the original post, there were more cars than the one pictured. I have the roadster almost certain now. I wonder what happened to the parts car in the pic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 I live in Iowa near Des Moines --- I took lots of pictures and will be glad to help -- I could use top wood made and or patterns from someone's old set to do new wood for mine. I may have springs for upper rumble seat --- may be able to help id parts as I have been working on the PA cars for a long time ---- could you put up a picture of the car --AK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 so do you has a convertible or the roadster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 Sorry --- do you have the roadster or convertible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 It is a convertible, But what is the difference in the cars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 Great car to restore. This would be a real beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 Now I know why there are no side windows. Ok for California! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 yes this is a roadster --- this car was part of the group pulled from storage after 25 years. it was all apart and Gary put the cars together to sell. I went out to look at the convertible coupe he had and also looked at this roadster before he sold it . I think he still has the convertible last I talked to him. Both cars need to be restored. Allan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Thanks Allan . I had figured it was probably from that group. It is very obvious that it has been assembled back together. Do you have contact information I could ask him about some of the missing seat parts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 I will see what I can find--Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Does anyone know where I can get a mechanics shop manual for the inline 4 engine? I didn't have much luck on line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Interesting. Thanks E-1116-YH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 I am looking for clearance tollerance for bearings and rod torque and mains if anyone know this engine build 196 CUI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 that motor has poured bearings and will need a good machine shop to do the work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 43 minutes ago, 32plywood said: that motor has poured bearings and will need a good machine shop to do the work. Only depending on the work needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32plywood Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 But what plasti-guage to use to check tolerance and wear? I can't find any specs yet as a guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Great discussion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 I found main clearance data. This why most people replace the engine. No longer practical and then of course there always is the carburetor problem. I hate to rod this car. it is in way too good of condition. It is an engine decision. I can get a Toyota 22R motor but then with more power comes rear axle replacement and suspension problems. I am also wondering what replacement wood to use inside Maybe redwood wood be best? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpcdfan Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 19 hours ago, 31Jalopy said: Thanks Allan . I had figured it was probably from that group. It is very obvious that it has been assembled back together. Do you have contact information I could ask him about some of the missing seat parts? I'm right here on the forum. That's definitely the 31 Plymouth roadster I sold. Feel free to contact me! 951 662-2868. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 Hello YH, Jap motors are hardly crap. I agree with the wood species you suggested. They originally used it for strength. Ash and oak are very similar. I mentioned redwood because some places get wet but you are correct the ash or oak is the best bet and obviously marine plywood. As for the engine I would rather keep it original if I can. I have to go through it first. I have never worked on anything past the forties so give me some room here . Newbie at this one and yes I agree about keeping it original . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 SO ...what about Model A seats in the Plymouth ?. There are plenty of options for Ford cars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesLay Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 31 jalopy, model a seats will not work, your car is wider . the top and top irons , bows are wider also i just finished a 10 year frame off restoration of the same car almost nothing from a model a will fit your car, my car was not nearly as nice as yours when we got. i built my seats from scratch. all my wood is re placed with oak. you have to use some kind of hard wood. because there is a lot of hole drilling for screws hard wood holds screw threads much better than pine and of corse a lot stronger . car builders of the day used ash because it was largely available and cheaper than oak.i think ash may be more flexable than oak.i got a good deal on a bunch of oak from a locale saw mill. thats mostly why i used oak. your car has a lot of wood. just the cost of wood and all the milling, cutting, and joining is quite the task to say the least. hopefully most of your wood is good. try to save all you can.i had to replace every peice. took a couple of years at least. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 fantastic pictures . Much of my car is disassembled. someone started a frame off restoration. Much of the wood is good. Your work sure paid off in the end. Can you somehow show me how you built the seats? Also. where did you get the replacement convertible bent wood supports . mine are rotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930 Kram66 Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 These may help..... at least give you some ideas. from a 1930 Chrysler 66 roadster I restored 15 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 great ! that is the seat back. I have a wood shop and can build this for the seat. do you have dimensions for these parts looks like 2X material strong construction is nice. It looks like you had someone make the iron brackets. How did you know all of this? Did you have the original pieces? The bottom must be just the springs and cushioning over that wood platform. I have the springs. How did you get the bends in the seat back? Thanks for everything . It makes working on this less stressful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31plymouth Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Hard to imagine that a roadster with all that woodwork sold new for $535 and the all steel (very little wood) 4door was $635' Was the cost of steel fabrication that much more than wood? The wood looks a lot more labor intensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesLay Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 31 jalopy, i do not have any seat pic's i made wood base and 3/16'' rod welded together for the back rests. front and rumble.the top bows i found on ebay 10 years ago .the body wood is not bent .cut ,shaped and glued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 Yes I see it when looking more closely. Fine job you did with the wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930 Kram66 Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 14 hours ago, 31Jalopy said: great ! that is the seat back. I have a wood shop and can build this for the seat. do you have dimensions for these parts looks like 2X material strong construction is nice. It looks like you had someone make the iron brackets. How did you know all of this? Did you have the original pieces? The bottom must be just the springs and cushioning over that wood platform. I have the springs. How did you get the bends in the seat back? Thanks for everything . It makes working on this less stressful. Sorry do not have any measurements of the seat frames. You will have to make them suit your car. Luckily I had the metal pieces for the seat, the hinges are from the hardware shop. I did not have any wood to make patterns from for ANYTHING on my car. All the wood was rotted away [read eaten by termites] I did a lot of research and found other guys that had the same car as me. They graciously let me measure things and take lots of pictures and video of their cars. Also I made my own patterns/ templates from plywood or any rubbish wood I could find and mocked up each part of the wooden frame when I was happy I then used my templates to cut out the pieces from Oak. I spent about 12months on just the wood work. First 2 pictures are original wood that I copied my seat frames from. Look closely in second picture you will see a small 6" ruler. Next 2 are my nearly finished frame and the last is what I started with. Good luck with your project. BTW my car had a locally built body [Holden] here in Australia. These pictures are just to give you a idea of what wooden framed cars look like without the metal panels, yours will likely be different. Cheers Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Jalopy Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 Your work and replies have been extremely kind . Thank you! I will be looking at other cars as well but I have a good idea how to build this seat framing now. The rest of the wood on the car is fairly decent. Keep in touch. Are you using the original four cylinder engine? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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