Faulkner gets a Redo



Works in progress. Or, whose progress has been completed!
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Matthew Keij
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Matthew Keij »

Don’t put in the rear seat, arm rests or door panels yet! Might make it a bit easier with the trim.
I’m pretty sure we can put it all back together in a couple days even if we have to work through the nights :mrgreen:
July 14th 2019 “the soul crusher”
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Faulkner
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Faulkner »

Ah, the long, long saga of my P/S pump! Here's a little refresher:
Faulkner wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:22 pm In other news - the "guy" who was going to work on my power steering pump took it apart, and decided that the valve needed to be replaced, that he likely would destroy it in removing it. Huh?! I've not had one apart, so I won't know what he's talking about until I go to get it back - which, awaits the repair of the generator and starter.
Faulkner wrote: Sun Mar 11, 2018 7:06 pm Dick pointed out to me that Lares will rebuild my PS unit through Rock Auto for 135 bucks. And, that's what I'm gonna do.
Faulkner wrote: Fri Mar 16, 2018 9:15 pm I picked my P/S back up today - they weren't able to fix it, but they did clean it up real nice, no charge. I've purchased the rebuild from Lares, and I've got the form and FedEx label all filled out. I'll drop it off at FedEx tomorrow...
I can't find the thread - but, Lares couldn't rebuild it either!! They sent it back to me; I bought a used one from Jim Rawa to have rebuilt instead (which came to me by way of Forward Look Frank, visiting Jim when Matthew was in the states and dropped off his TorqueFlite for Jim to rebuild.) I made the mistake of sending to my local "guy" again. He rebuilt it, and I put it on Faulkner. Then...
Faulkner wrote: Sat Nov 17, 2018 1:53 pm Faulkner was out of the garage for the first time in three years today! Under his own power, brakes working fine, transmission shifting fine...

But oh man, he STEERED... LIKE... A... YACHT!! I popped the hood when I got back in, and the pump reservoir was bone dry. It pumped all of the fluid into new empty hoses, and to replace whatever sprayed out when I turned the wheels while undercoating. I filled it back up, hopefully I'll have some power assist on Monday evening when the flatbed comes [for Faulkner's brake job]...
Faulkner wrote: Fri Dec 14, 2018 8:01 pm Faulkner comes home tomorrow! They did a lot of work - brakes all around, including master/wheel cylinders, exhaust, wheel bearings, U-joint and idler arm bushing. At surprisingly less than what I expected to pay. I'll be taking pix.

They also flushed the power steering, to no avail. It still steers like a truck. Apparently, the rebuilt pump is defective. I hope to be able to pull it tomorrow and return it to the shop for repair.
Faulkner wrote: Sat Jan 26, 2019 8:38 pm The power steering pump is done, and back on the car - but, I haven't had a chance to test it out yet. It's just too damn cold in the garage! And it's going down to 8 F this week...
And that was the last I posted about the P/S pump. Until now.

The frickin' P/S was still not working!!! I don't think my "guy" did a thing with it when I returned for repair. In frustration - and, desperation - I called Doc '59, and asked his advice. He offered to send a pump he had rebuilt himself, which was sitting on the shelf. It came yesterday, but secretly I worried - was my steering unit shot, and would it need to be rebuilt? What else could it be, if this Hail Mary didn't work?

I needn't have worried. This morning, I put Dick's rebuilt unit on, filled it up, and when Faulkner fired up, I turned the wheel with my pinkie.

I must remember the maxim: If you want something done right, get Dick (or, Matthew) to do it. Once again, Dick has saved my sorry *ss.

Thanks Dick!
"If it's new, Plymouth's got it!"
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Faulkner
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Faulkner »

You win, Matthew and Dick!

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Faulkner
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Faulkner »

I backed Faulkner out of the garage today - no fighting the steering! - and gave him a damp wipe-down to get all the paint shop dust off. The car will go back next weekend for some buffing and fixups.

This allowed me to get the bumpers, valence and splash pan down from the upper garage shelf. Oh yeah! I have to treat and paint the inside of the front bumper where there's a little rust. And, I have to paint the valence. Do you recall the brand name of the paint you used on the splash pan, Dick? Not that a slightly different shade would be all that visible... I'll be needing a run to the hardware store, methinks, for some bolts. I bagged and labeled everything, but I did snap a couple.
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The hole alignment of this rear gravel shield from Gary Goers was perfect.
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Came with push clips, too, although I resorted to using stainless hardware in the corners because the clips wouldn't stay, given the steep curve. (*sniff*...) I miss Gary!
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Dick Koch
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Dick Koch »

You are welcome Dan, just dont forget my hamburger and frosty. I always use Eastwood silver argent on my valence, splashpan and wheels. I also recommend thier silver epoxy encapsulator for the inside of the bumpers but the black is good too.
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Matthew Keij
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

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Great! So it’ll be ready to assemble soon.

I’ll be there July 5th! Expected ETA between 2pm and 3pm. I’m thinking pizza so we can eat and work at the same time :mrgreen:
July 14th 2019 “the soul crusher”
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Dick Koch
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Dick Koch »

Think steak Matthew, you can eat while giving Dan instructions and watch him work.
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Matthew Keij
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

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We both need to work!
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Faulkner
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Faulkner »

Don't forget I'm getting old Matthew! Hell, I'm catching up to Dick :roll:

Some more nibbling away at the elephant...

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The wheel argent I bought is pretty close to the paint Dick used on the splash pan, and I can't wait on an Eastwood order...
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...so on it goes
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The front bumper, before I started. Because I always do everything Dick tells me to do, I brushed it...
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...ospho'd it, and put rust encapsulator on it. I had to go with black, can't wait for Eastwood
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...but a coat of hi-temp silver covered it nicely
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The splash pan is on, and I've got two bolts in the valance - but I had to mow the lawn before the storm hits. And now, the old man is ready for his power nap
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Faulkner
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Faulkner »

About reanodizing, I said:
Faulkner wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:58 pm Sometimes, you just gotta find a guy who knows what he's doing. Here's the same piece of headlight trim - after the company in Pottstown PA treated it, and McNichols in Michigan treated it. It's a miracle! I'll be sending the piece I got from Ed Ober next.
Well, the grille piece I got from Ed came back. It's not perfect; but then, neither is Faulkner :? So this will have to do.

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Matthew Keij
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

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Still looking good! Can’t wait to see it all back together.

I expect we will get to work ASAP when I arrive :mrgreen:
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Faulkner
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

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Matthew Keij wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:10 am I expect we will get to work ASAP when I arrive :mrgreen:
You'll be needing some "Zzzzz's" first, Matthew. Don't overdo it!

I took the day off, and got Faulkner roadworthy:

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Nice work on the valance, Mr. Koch!
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The front bumper, never replaced, is showing its age - but, still holding up. Notice the outer bolts are left off for the soon-to-be-mounted bumper wings


The headlights are still not working, but I wanted to get the car to the paint shop for some minor fixups today, so I can paint the interior tomorrow. I'll get the headlights sorted out on the flip side.

This was the first time I've driven Faulkner any significant distance (6 miles) in almost four years. He handled beautifully - the transmission shifted fine, the motor ran strong, and the steering was like a dream (thanks again Dick! Two burgers and frosties for you). The 318 did run a little warm for a 90-ish degree day, though, as usual - or, at least the gauge said so. Even so, in bumper to bumper traffic it never got off the "M" in "TEMP".

And the gas gauge worked fine as well! I've only had a couple of gallons in the tank since I installed it, which budged the needle to tell me it was working. Before I set out, I put exactly 10 gallons in the tank, and the needle parked at half full. Accurate enough for me! Funny, though, this replacement float must be more responsive to tank sloshing - the needle jumps around quite a bit, unlike the factory one. I can live with it!
"If it's new, Plymouth's got it!"
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Matthew Keij
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Matthew Keij »

I don’t need zzzzzz’s at 3pm :o hopefully.

It’s looking really good so far. You are almost done. Don’t finish it, wait for me
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Faulkner
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Faulkner »

Matthew Keij wrote: Sat Jun 08, 2019 1:41 am You are almost done. Don’t finish it, wait for me
Far from done, Matthew! I'll be leaving the trim to you. Gotta focus on the interior now... Can we move Carlisle to August? :shock: :?
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Faulkner
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Re: Faulkner gets a Redo

Post by Faulkner »

I love this vinyl/fabric spray paint from Dupli-Color. It dries super-fast and colors the vinyl perfectly; but wow, the tufted fabric really soaked it up. I went through 6 cans painting the package shelf, the console armrest, and the two pieces of the back seat. Time to order a bunch more cans.
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Just getting started
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This is the paint
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lower rear seat came out nice - but still could use another coat
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The upholsterer had saved the seat buckles when he redid Faulkner's upholstery, but never put a belt between them. I taped the buckles and turned them so I could paint underneath them
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"Faulkner, meet Martha. Martha, Faulkner..."
Last edited by Faulkner on Sat Jun 08, 2019 3:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"If it's new, Plymouth's got it!"
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