New Rad

Well as it turns out the original radiator didn't have any life left. After 65 years things are bound to wear completely out. I was fortunate to bet on the Patriots last super bowl with a good friend of mine. The winner received a $200 gift card from Summit Racing. That came in handy when the rad decided to blow. I bought a "Rat Rod Special", there label not mine. There was some fab work that had to be done to make the new rad fit, but a little cutting and grinding and were go

   I still need to plumb in the tranny cooler lines as I has a external cooler on the old rad. Once that done im down to paint and interior to complete the Coronet build. I also would like to send out a hello to a new friend. I had a ad up for my extra Coronet parts I didn't want going to waist and received a response from a gentlemen in California. After many email and a lot of trust on both parties, money and parts exchanged hands. So a big thanks to Tom and good luck with your build.

Just out for a rip are ya bud!

I finally had a chance to take her out and stretch! Here is a shot video of me driving down the street my son recorded for me. I did a big burn out up the street but he missed recording that part for me.

Its late into January and quite a few moons have passed since I've had a opportunity to catch up on my blog. I friend and I solved a dilemma I've been dealing with since the summer that was causing me a lot of starting issues. Its amazing what one wire installed wrong can do! Not to self, always wire your own car dumb ass! Anyhow with the wiring issues behinds me its time to move forward. Spring is just around the corner and the itch to drive the Coronet get closer and closer to scratch. Im one step away form having it inspected for insurance. Now that BC Air Care is no longer a issue all that left for it to pass is a defrost system. I've ordered a Heat/Defrost system from Summit Racing. Its in route from there Ohio warehouse and I should see it next week..

 I also have had a great offer from a local Ford dealership on a job opportunity. Its a scary time in my life to be changing jobs. Lucky for my I have a great wife and kids right behind me with lots of support. I'm not going to lie, there's been more than once or twice I was ready to give up on the old car. It seemed like this car did not want to come back to life. My wife does a great job at keeping me on track and making sure I don't give up on any of the challenges life throws my way. So that being said here's a couple more resent pics of the 1950 Dodge Coronet. There was a heavy fog one evening and tried to capture a few cool pics but iPhone's don't have much for fog settings.

350 and 305 timing markers

 Well, since my last post I've had the car running. Well for about 30 seconds, but it was still running. After that I didn't start it till the following day. Right after work I rushed home excited to fire it up again. when I began to turn it over it surprised me and all my neighbor's by back firing through the exhaust. Normally the only thing I would worry about is blowing out the baffles in the Flowmasters, but I live in a peaceful town house complex. Needless to say its scared my neighbor's as much as it did me. I guess it wasn't fun enough the first time, "BANG!" there it goes for a second time. With all the neighborhood looking in my garage and relived it wasn't a shot gun going off I decided to call it a night. I've spent the last week watching YouTube videos trying to find out what went wrong. Set backs like this can be so discouraging and make it hard to go back to working on it.

 I have tried 3 times resetting the distributor and was unsuccessful in Lining up the timing mark with the scale. Every time the motor was at TDC the timing mark was at 12' o'clock. Tonight I found some clarity. After searching a few forums I found a heading "Cant line up the timing mark with the scale. This wright up made me feel a lot better for two reasons. 1- I wasn't the only one to not do enough home work on small block Chevys. 2- there wasn't something wrong with  my motor. As it turn out normal timing mark for a 80's SCB is 12 o'clock. and have there timing scale at the top of the cover. the chrome cover I purchased for the motor is for a 350 so the timing marks are to the right of the cover ( when facing the motor). The 305 should in theory be ready to fire now. I'm still a little nervous to try it do to NOT pissing my neighbors off. Tomorrow ill put in the ear plugs and give it another try.

1950 Dodge Coronet Parts For Sale

Ok, as I get closer to the finishing of the Coronet I'm getting more and more parts I wont be using. So here's a few things I'm looking to sell. I have a full set if gauges, a fantastic radio that works. I also have a full 6 volt fuse and bulb package for a 1950 Coronet. All the dash chrome and a few odds and ends. I'm open to offers on these parts and don't want them to go to waist. Send me a email or a message if there's something I have your after.

Almost there!

         Well it all seem to be falling into place. I've finally crossed off most of my to do list to get the car running. Tonight I hooked up the Battery and for the first time in 6 years she opened her eyes. This was a great moment for me. I know starting the car would be the highlight but this was a great moment also. This week I will be doing the last of the wiring from the harness to the dash and it should be running by the weekend. The last month I've thrown a lot of money at her and want to thank the wife for her support. Not only does this put a drain on our account but it also leaves the wife alone for the many hours while I'm lost in the car. When the Coronet is cruising down the road all the lonely days and nights will pay off.
 
          I've been taking a lot of pics and videos as the build progresses. You can find 2 of my videos on you tube @ http://youtu.be/lYYSqS8vEV4 and http://youtu.be/JccKp5tlNiM. I'm going to make a video of the car this weekend with some more progress and hopefully the first start up.

Update on the dash

Well I finally finished the dash. I'm still in need of a 2 gauges and the coronet symbol beside the glove box. The fab work is complete and now time for paint and to start on the rest of the interior. It will be getting racing buckets and roll cage with the stock bench in the rear.