51 Plymouth engine ... screaming L-head 6 !!!

[Foxer]

Eventually I'll convert the resin '50 Plymouth I have (now changed to a '51 Promo I found!) to the 51 I had for a first car, but not yet until I finish something else off!! In the meantime, rather than fabricate a full engine compartment for the curbside resin, I figured I'd display the engine as just pulled alongside the car. Since Chrysler used their L-head 6 from 1933 to 1959, I used the L-6 from the 41 Plymouth as a starting point. First photo shows where I am at this point...

I've since received great photos of the correct carb from a gentleman at oldplymouths.com with a 51 in the garage and has been supplying photos and dimensions to me!! The carb I first guessed at and built wasn't far off, so time will tell if it survives.

The coil and mounting plate I'm happy with and will be adding the mounting tabs to the head from photos I just received.

Now I'm in big trouble after committing to this and will have to just work to keep the rust off it!!!

Edited August 13, 2017 by Foxer

[oldcars]

Going to enjoy watching this build. When I was 14 my dad decided it was time to teach me to drive. You guessed it. It was a 1951 Plymouth. Good ole 6 with three on the column. Scared my dad to death. Finally traded it for a 1956 Plymouth. Still scared him. Scared our neighbors too. I think your build has brought back a few memories. Richard

[Foxer]

Going to enjoy watching this build. When I was 14 my dad decided it was time to teach me to drive. You guessed it. It was a 1951 Plymouth. Good ole 6 with three on the column. Scared my dad to death. Finally traded it for a 1956 Plymouth. Still scared him. Scared our neighbors too. I think your build has brought back a few memories. Richard

ehhe .. I was close to learning on the 51 .. learned to drive on my Dad's 56 VW Kombi ... but the Plymouth column shift still made me avoid hill stop lights for a bit.

[James W]

That motor takes alot of work just to make it presentable.

It will be fun to see you make it right.

[CB]

Nice work Mike. Love that stand!

Edited April 1, 2009 by CB

[Spike]

very nice, ill be watching this.

heres my 41 plymouth 6, not done yet, and not nearly as detailed as yours

[Foxer]

very nice, ill be watching this.

heres my 41 plymouth 6, not done yet, and not nearly as detailed as yours

So THAT'S what it looks like assembled!! I appreciate that shot... answers a few questions I had seeing it in glue and paint.

This won't be mounted in the car but displayed alongside of it as to the reason for doing so much detail.

[Spike]

yup and i used teh chrome intake and exhaust manifold from the deora slant 6

and the paint is the testors 1 coat rootbeer brown

Edited April 2, 2009 by Spike

[Foxer]

Got a small update, but this is coming along quickly now. I took advice from another post asking how to bend the generator "fan" blades and bought Tamiya PE pliers .. these worked fantastic!! .. MCM forum members to the rescue, again!

The carpet monster ate the oil filler cap I fabricated over a three day period from tubes and .01 sheet. This required a 4 day evacuation of my basement body shop for a cool down period. On reopening the shop I went to the spare kit storage and a 59 Chevy with smiling eyes and eyebrows donated it's oil filler cap, generator, fuel pump and starter!! I had forgot how detailed the 59 was and these were very similar to the Plymouth units. The generator does seem a bit large but I think it will work ok. Started me wondering about the differences between 6 and 12 volt generators.. are 12 volt units larger by nature (and windings)?

All the cast in items on the block have been removed and new items found or fabricated to replace them. Holes in cylinder walls have been welded up and machined back to spec (OMG!) I have a textured paint that looks good to replace the cast texture molded in the engine block.

The already fabricated carburetor is still destined for a rebuild I think, but my carb specialist went on a family vacation to Cuba with the new rules .. very possible he could run into a 51 Plymouth or two on the road and "buy" a new carb!!

Radiator hoses have been fabricated from some wire insulation with a bent paper clip inside for shaping, installation pinning and open hose at the radiator end. They didn't make this photo.

Also added the gear housing for the starter. This is something I've never seen cast into a kit engine. It's a pretty significant bump on most engines!

I'm beginning to think I could build a complete kit in the time just this engine is taking .. ehhe

Edited August 13, 2017 by Foxer

[Helipilot16]

If I remember correctly, the 6 volt generator was slightly larger and had more windings. Of course my memory could be incorrect . It's really looking good so far.

Edited April 14, 2009 by Helipilot16

[James W]

Good to see you back working on this thing.

6 volt stuff uses bigger wire to carry more current. To get the same power output a 6 volt system needs twice the current of a 12 volt system and bigger components to handle the heat.

I might need to build one of these engines.

[Raul_Perez]

Mike,

The engine details you've added look really good!!

Thanks for sharing,

[Foxer]

If I remember correctly, the 6 volt generator was slightly larger and had more windings. Of course my memory could be incorrect . It's really looking good so far.

and James w:W

6 volt stuff uses bigger wire to carry more current. To get the same power output a 6 volt system needs twice the current of a 12 volt system and bigger components to handle the heat.

Thanks guys! Looks like the slightly large generator in my eyes will be justified!!

Edited April 14, 2009 by Foxer

[Foxer]

A little more progress, the accessories are coming together. Almost did some black gloss on them, but these huge blownup photos showed some defects.. bah.. so back to the shop a bit.

Plugs got painted at least and plug boots cut from wire insulation. Slipped them back on wire to use as a cheap installation tool to slip over the distributor

The bracket that the coil attaches to and the plug wires feed through is bolted to the head side with small brackets. A 51 Plymouth owner kindly sent photos of these brackets for me.. thank you and brackets fabricated.

This is how I've been making all the tubular shaped accessories. I just cut the main part off the closest plastic tube and then pieces of smaller tubes that fit tightly to fill the insides solid.

All glued and the aluminum tube will fit inside from bottom and act as an arm to chuck in the Dremel. I'll then use the Dremel as a cheap lathe to shape the part.

Edited August 13, 2017 by Foxer

[Foxer]

The shop has been open overtime and the Carter BB single barrel is about done. My eyes need a vacation! It doesn't look bad in bare plastic but the metalizer really brings out the scratches and defects and makes it look pretty bad! I'm going to have to flatten the head of a pin and glue a 1000 grit sandpaper dot to sand it!! It scales out perfect according to dimensions sent by a 51 Plymouth owner who just bought 3 of them.

Maybe I'll put up a fence so no one can get within 1 inch of it and they'll never SEE the roughness!! ehhe

 

I should NEVER get this close with the camera!!!!!

 

This is the 2nd carb done for this engine but I think this one will be usable with a bit more work.

Edited August 13, 2017 by Foxer

[Foxer]

Things haven't been completely stagnant. Started some base paint and still planning to rust it out in the end. The 6 plug distributor decided to re-distribute itself and waiting for it to reappear.

Had to just stick things in their holes for a few shots .....

Edited August 13, 2017 by Foxer

[James W]

Good to see you back on this.

It will look great next to your finished model.

[southpier]

Foxer, on 26 Apr 2009 - 09:23 AM, said:

....... one can get within 1 inch of it and they'll never SEE the roughness!! ehhe

... NEVER get this close with the camera!!!!! .......

true that things show up in pictures we can't see bare-eyed.

when assemblies get to this stage (pre-painted & fuzzy), I've had good luck giving them a few swipes with a brass brush (like we used to get with our Hush Puppies). removes most of the goop.

[Foxer]

true that things show up in pictures we can't see bare-eyed.

when assemblies get to this stage (pre-painted & fuzzy), I've had good luck giving them a few swipes with a brass brush (like we used to get with our Hush Puppies). removes most of the goop.

oh yes .. Hush Puppies .. I lost my brass brush and been using a tooth brush to clean. Will have to stop at the shoe store. Been trying to figure out where to find one .. eheh thanks Joe!

[mustang1989]

Man this is cool! I have totally been missing this one in the line up!!

[David G.]

Wow, that's a lot of work.

Did you get it finished?

David G.

[rv1963]

Well done those engine details look really good, and this little motor really needs it.