| Enhancements Old car projects usually follow one of three paths. One path is the total showroom restoration to new (or better) condition. These projects result in high point show cars, very often becoming trailer queens. The owners have invested so much money they can’t afford to risk them out on the open road. At the other end of the spectrum is the custom rod approach, where the entire car is rebuild and updated with modern components, and the result resembles the stock version in silhouette only. Both of these endeavors are usually big buck projects. In the middle is the restorer who is going back to stock, but is willing to take advantage of current technology which results in improved safety, economy and reliability. Also, these enhancements are non-destructive, that is, they can be easily reversed back to stock condition. You wouldn’t thing of using a 1940’s vintage oil product in a rebuild flathead for the sake of being "authentic". Instead we use a modern multi-weight detergent or synthetic oil to protect the engine. Suggestions in this section meet this criteria with the goal of getting more P15s and D24s on the road. Optima Battery Many of the electrical problems seen by owners can be traced back to having too small a battery. Group 2 six volt batteries are generally not available from suppliers, and usually are special order items. In addition, wet cell batteries are not the best solution for cars driven on an occasional basis. A solution you can purchase at you local auto parts store is the dry cell Optima battery. Using 1990’s battery technology, they deliver 650 amps of cranking power. The only problem with the Optima is the physical case, which is substantially smaller than a Group 1 or 2 wet cell. This meant you would not be able to use you standard battery holddown and quite frankly, they look pretty strange. However , Quail Services (909-737-1766) now provides a standard Group 2 tar top case designed to mount Optima battery inside ! Now you can have a low maintenance 650 amp battery hidden inside a stock looking case that works with you stock battery tray and holddown. 6/12 Volt Battery Relay Another battery option is the split 12 volt wet cell. Currently being sold by Kanter and other battery suppliers, the idea is very simple. A relay is placed between the two 6 volt cells that make up a standard 12 battery. Normally they provide 6 volts. When you hit the starter, the relay closes and the two cells are now in series, providing 12 volts to the starter. This makes for easy starting, even in cold weather. The relay has taps for 6 volts so you don’t need to change any bulbs or accessories. Cosmetically, well, they are just ugly. However I had one in my P15 for years when I lived in the Midwest and they work as advertised. If you are going to a show you could always carry a spare 6 volt battery and switch it out for judging. Steel Belted Radial Tires In the last 50 years tire technology has seen as many technology advances as the lubrication marketplace. Compared to what was available in 1946, today’s tires are modern marvels. If you are building a daily driver, radial tires are the way to go. Several companies, including Corker Tire, are still providing bias ply cord tires for collectors and if you are building a showroom restoration you have a solution. However, for my daily driver on the freeway at 65 MPH, I will take radials. Radials ride smother and quieter, handle better and stop quicker. No annoying flat spot to run out if you park the car for a week. The chart below provides information as to what size radial tires you should consider. Corker representatives are very helpful providing information about your choices, and once you know what you want you can shop around. Always check tire diameter and make sure it is close to the original stock diameter. Variations of 5% in diameter size should not impact speedometer reading any noticeable amount. Lastly, as the chart points out, both Plymouth and Dodge make changes to the specified tire size during the production run. Both went from 16 inch to 15 inch tires. However, the factory parts book indicates the same speedometer pinion gear was used before and after the change. This means while the tire profile changed, overall diameter was nearly the same between the 15 inch and 16 inch tires.
Silicone Brake Fluid If you have a P15 or D24, you have had brake problems. Leaking wheel cylinders are most common, but master cylinders can fail with little warning. Silicone fluid is the easiest way to improve the reliability of your brake system. I have been using it in my P15 for over 8 years without a single failure. Just a couple guidelines: replace all rubber parts including flex hoses when you switch. The two brake fluids are suppose to be compatible but this will minimize any contamination problems. Completely flush all steel lines. If they are rusty on the outside, this is a good time to replace them. Many Usenet posts mention problems such as stoplight switches not working or "soft pedal" even after pressure bleeding when using silicone fluid. My personal opinion, after 8 years of on the road use, is these problems fall in the category of urban myths. Remember, because you have a single reservoir master cylinder, you want to improve system reliability however possible. Silicone brake fluid does this and don’t forget to keep your parking brake properly adjusted, just in case…. Optical Distributor Points (Updated 8/02) Tired of replacing and adjusting points ? Are your distributor bushings worn and points won’t stay adjusted ? One option is to install a Crane Cams/Allison optical ignition system. It works with your stock ignition and doesn’t require any modifications which can not be reversed. The kit consists of a plastic shutter which sits under the rotor. After unscrewing the points, capacitor and lead wires, a "C" shaped bracket is mounted on the distributor plate. It contains a light emitter and collector, which functionally replaces the mechanical points. A controller is mounted on the firewall or hidden under the dash. After adjusting, you will never have to set your points or timing again. Because it provides more accurate spark timing your car will start easier and run better. I have had the same unit in my P15 since 1981 with zero problems. Crane provides a unit which works with 6 volt positive ground systems, and it is an easy Saturday afternoon project. While you are setting it up, make sure you mechanical and vacuum advances are working correctly. Update: Early in 2002 Crane stopped offering the 6 volt positive ground version of this kit. However the units may still available in retail inventory at many suppliers. Don't limit your search to only mopar suppliers. Apparently the kits were also very popular with the Ford owners working on 1930's models. The model number of the 6 volt positive ground kit is 700-6231. If you have converted to 12 volt a kit is still available form Crane. Check their web site for current model numbers. FM Radio Conversion One of the common reasons given for converting the 6 volt system to 12 volt is to be able to install a FM radio. Instead of rewiring the car, just have FM added to your existing Mopar 802 radio. Hemmings Motor News list several suppliers who perform the conversions. I had one of my radios converted by Bob's Radio & TV Service, Pismo Beach, CA (www.netceptions.com/bobs/). The unit looks 100% percent stock. When you turn it on the AM works normally, including the pushbutton presets. Turn the unit off and on and it receives FM. Options include stereo and high power amps. Quartz Clock Conversion One nice accessory, especially on the D24, is the electric clock. Only problem is the one you have probably doesn’t run or won’t keep correct time. The solution is simple, update the clock mechanism to a modern quartz movement. Hemming Motor News lists numerous suppliers for this service. I had my P15 clock updated by Instrument Services (800-558-2674) about seven years ago and still keeps perfect time. They also offer a do-it-yourself conversion kit for wannabe watchmakers. I guess for authenticity you could set the clock a little slow so it still runs like the original… Air Shocks If your rear leaf springs are tired and sagging a less expensive option to replacing them is add a set of adjustable air shocks. You can adjust the body height back to stock and they help reduce body sway around the corners. If you take a road trip and load up the trunk they work great for leveling the load and keeping you headlights pointed in the right direction ! Installation is straight forward and you can easily conceal the small air filler hoses. I have had a set of NAPA branded shocks on my P15 for years without any problems. It is likely I will continue to use them after I replace the leaf spring just for the firmer handling ride. Flathead 6 Performance Enhancements Want more horsepower and torque without the headache of an engine swap and conversion ? Phillips Performance offers a complete set of flathead 6 performance accessories. Parts include ductile cast iron headers, dual carb intake manifold and a high performance camshaft for a wider torque band. They also have a dress accessories like polished finned valve covers and air cleaners. All of the parts with the exception of the cam are bolt ons, so it's a good weekend project. Also, remember the headers will require changes to exhaust system to correctly bolt up. Phillips claims more horsepower and torque, with better gas mileage due to the improved breathing of the engine. If any readers have tried these products we would love to hear about your results. Also, the P15-D24.com support vehicle, Big Red, will be getting an engine rebuild this winter and maybe some of these enhancements... |
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Copyright 1999 G. Koldjeski |