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'55 Plaza Suburban arrives today
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-17 2:59 PM (#531584 - in reply to #531198)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I finally had to give up on the idea of keeping the original one-piece plastic headliner and yanked it out today to make rewiring the back of the car easier. There was another, smaller mouse nest at the top of the windshield and a third in the passenger quarter panel. After I got the headliner out, I had a lot of gross crap to vacuum up.



(phpmMXQWNPM.jpg)



(phpFeenC0PM.jpg)



(php8LFBgbPM.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments phpmMXQWNPM.jpg (145KB - 421 downloads)
Attachments phpFeenC0PM.jpg (131KB - 432 downloads)
Attachments php8LFBgbPM.jpg (97KB - 423 downloads)
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SavoyPlaza
Posted 2017-01-18 6:26 AM (#531641 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1172
10001002525
Location: Georgia
Eeechhh! Glad you got the mice out! Nasty stuff. She's getting better all the time!
Pete
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-18 1:23 PM (#531666 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Smelling better, that's for sure. I'm thinking of going with the 8-bow headliner that Newstalgia sells. Gets expensive when you have to also buy bows.

Edited by 71charger_fan 2017-01-18 1:24 PM
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-21 8:33 PM (#531969 - in reply to #531666)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Took forever to wire in the right front park lamp/turn signal today as my supervisor felt the need to closely inspect everything.




(phpBFtv5FPM.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments phpBFtv5FPM.jpg (71KB - 433 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-23 8:58 AM (#532099 - in reply to #531969)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I went with Sylvania Xtra Vision headlights. I needed a 12V horn, so I pulled an extra '71 horn off the shelf and mated it to a bracket from an '87 Lancer which I drilled and tapped. I'm still trying to decide which disc brake conversion to go with so I wired the brake light circuit with extra wire so the switch can be moved around if necessary. My graveyard of old wiring is still growing, but, at this point, almost all of the old wiring is out now. The "boss" continues to oversee progress.



(Plaza Headlight.jpg)



(Plaza Horn.jpg)



(Plaza Wiring Graveyard.jpg)



(Plaza MC.jpg)



(Bear the Overseer.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza Headlight.jpg (115KB - 428 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Horn.jpg (124KB - 436 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Wiring Graveyard.jpg (126KB - 453 downloads)
Attachments Plaza MC.jpg (132KB - 423 downloads)
Attachments Bear the Overseer.jpg (103KB - 446 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-25 8:35 PM (#532343 - in reply to #532099)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Pulled the upper metal dash which was badly peeling to give it a coat of satin black. Having that out of the way made it easier to mount a couple of resistors for the 6V wiper and blower motors.



(phpuRwwoNPM.jpg)



(phpSnNycQPM.jpg)



(phpN9ko5OPM.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments phpuRwwoNPM.jpg (157KB - 416 downloads)
Attachments phpSnNycQPM.jpg (79KB - 424 downloads)
Attachments phpN9ko5OPM.jpg (97KB - 411 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-01-31 8:09 PM (#532842 - in reply to #532343)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I stripped all the gauges out of the dash panel for painting and installed the electronic voltage reducers on the temp and gas gauges.



(Plaza dash frame.jpg)



(Plaza gauges.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza dash frame.jpg (120KB - 413 downloads)
Attachments Plaza gauges.jpg (134KB - 426 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-07 4:14 PM (#533456 - in reply to #532842)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Had a nice warm day today. I couldn't let that go to waste. Got the dash panel painted, the steering wheel painted, headlight bezels and some of the dash trim painted. Also swapping the painted tail light bezels for stainless ones I got from CTC Auto Ranch.



(Plaza HL Bezel.jpg)



(Plaza Dash Trim.jpg)



(Plaza Repainted Dash.jpg)



(Plaza Steering Wheel.jpg)



(Plaza TL Bezel.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza HL Bezel.jpg (281KB - 420 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Dash Trim.jpg (180KB - 412 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Repainted Dash.jpg (127KB - 400 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Steering Wheel.jpg (98KB - 423 downloads)
Attachments Plaza TL Bezel.jpg (124KB - 412 downloads)
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SavoyPlaza
Posted 2017-02-08 6:18 AM (#533506 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1172
10001002525
Location: Georgia
You are attacking this car! Love the updates--looking good!!
Pete
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-15 2:25 PM (#534090 - in reply to #533506)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I adapted a RetroSound 6 3/4" speaker with dual voice coils onto my original speaker bracket. Had to cut away some of the punched grill that was between the dash grill and the speaker to clear the tweeter bridge.



(Plaza factory speaker.jpg)



(Plaza factory speaker removed.jpg)



(Plaza Speaker mount modified.jpg)



(Plaza RetroSound mounted.jpg)



(Plaza speaker installed in dash.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza factory speaker.jpg (136KB - 410 downloads)
Attachments Plaza factory speaker removed.jpg (123KB - 411 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Speaker mount modified.jpg (127KB - 407 downloads)
Attachments Plaza RetroSound mounted.jpg (108KB - 422 downloads)
Attachments Plaza speaker installed in dash.jpg (115KB - 412 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-17 8:57 AM (#534209 - in reply to #534090)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I installed a bus bar on the passenger side of the steering column bracket. I'll run a fused accessory lead to that so I'll have a more convenient access point for powering any accessories I may add. Working around the "inspector" sticking his nose into everything added a level of difficulty.



(Plaza bus bar.jpg)



(Bear the inspector.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza bus bar.jpg (103KB - 409 downloads)
Attachments Bear the inspector.jpg (90KB - 421 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-18 8:40 PM (#534309 - in reply to #534209)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
After several failed attempts, I finally got the glovebox door and ashtray front to take paint. Whatever textured finish they put on these parts in '55 did not react well with Rustoleum.



(Plaza glove box painted.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza glove box painted.jpg (242KB - 393 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-20 7:27 PM (#534415 - in reply to #534309)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Got the dash mostly reassembled. Still have to make up a single DIN radio faceplate for the Pioneer I'm putting in.



(Plaza dash repainted.jpg)



(Plaza dash left section.jpg)



(Plaza dash center section.jpg)



(Plaza right dash section.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza dash repainted.jpg (90KB - 423 downloads)
Attachments Plaza dash left section.jpg (90KB - 397 downloads)
Attachments Plaza dash center section.jpg (88KB - 404 downloads)
Attachments Plaza right dash section.jpg (103KB - 415 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-20 7:30 PM (#534417 - in reply to #534415)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I went added a second horn since I had a set from my '71 Charger parts stash.



(Plaza dual horns.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza dual horns.jpg (129KB - 393 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-21 9:29 AM (#534445 - in reply to #534417)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
The original dome light fixture was a mess, so I'm using an LED fixture.




(Plaza LED dome light.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza LED dome light.jpg (112KB - 404 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-21 4:01 PM (#534461 - in reply to #534445)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I used the terminal block from the core support originally used for headlight wiring to make a ground distribution block. I've run a 10 ga. wire from the battery negative terminal to the block. Now I know I have a good ground. I ran a wire from this ground distribution block over to the passenger side kick panel area and installed a ground distribution block I grabbed off of Ebay. It's nice to have a location to where I know there's a good ground.




(Plaza ground distribution block.jpg)



(Plaza Ebay ground distribution block.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza ground distribution block.jpg (145KB - 368 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Ebay ground distribution block.jpg (158KB - 398 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-22 9:26 AM (#534502 - in reply to #534461)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Fortunately for me, the glovebox liner is being reproduced.




(Plaza new and old glovebox.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza new and old glovebox.jpg (124KB - 388 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-22 8:19 PM (#534539 - in reply to #534502)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I spent the day sanding and painting the interior trim. Some of it's pretty beat up from over 60 years in the back of a station wagon.



(Plaza repainted trim.jpg)



(Plaza repainted trim (2).jpg)



(Plaza repainted trim (3).jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza repainted trim.jpg (84KB - 383 downloads)
Attachments Plaza repainted trim (2).jpg (129KB - 404 downloads)
Attachments Plaza repainted trim (3).jpg (81KB - 396 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-23 4:30 PM (#534585 - in reply to #534539)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I prepared a steel plate with a single DIN opening to mount over a spare radio faceplate so I can use a modern Pioneer radio with Bluetooth.




(Plaza single DIN radio mount.jpg)



(Plaza radio faceplate.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza single DIN radio mount.jpg (139KB - 383 downloads)
Attachments Plaza radio faceplate.jpg (79KB - 368 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-24 4:35 PM (#534645 - in reply to #534585)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I installed the new Pioneer into the modified radio plate today.




(Plaza radio faceplate front.jpg)



(Plaza radio faceplate back.jpg)



(Plaza Pioneer installed.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza radio faceplate front.jpg (108KB - 380 downloads)
Attachments Plaza radio faceplate back.jpg (116KB - 398 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Pioneer installed.jpg (84KB - 393 downloads)
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Old Ray
Posted 2017-02-24 5:08 PM (#534647 - in reply to #534645)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 507
500
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains
Thank you for posting.

Radio looks great.

I see that Gary S. did a double din in that same place and I would also like to do that for a back up camera (old bad neck) but it sure looks tight for space?

Reply is optional, thanks, Ray.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-24 9:13 PM (#534659 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I think I double DIN would probably fit fine. the original radio was huge.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-02-27 8:20 PM (#534847 - in reply to #534659)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
The oil pressure gauge hard line had a rubber section in it which was cracked and leaking like a sieve. I replaced that with a braided 3AN line. The worst part was having to pull the starter to get to the pressure port on the block.



(Plaza Starter Out.jpg)



(Plaza adapters.jpg)



(Plaza 3AN Line.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza Starter Out.jpg (137KB - 396 downloads)
Attachments Plaza adapters.jpg (155KB - 382 downloads)
Attachments Plaza 3AN Line.jpg (134KB - 388 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-01 9:07 AM (#534934 - in reply to #534847)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I disassembled the grill to replace a severely dented piece with an NOS piece I was lucky enough to turn up and put in another NOS piece I didn't really need but was cheap. Whoever repainted this car didn't take anything apart, so I repainted the grill brackets to eliminate the blue overspray.




(Plaza dented grill piece.jpg)



(Plaza grill pieces.jpg)



(Plaza grill brackets.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza dented grill piece.jpg (110KB - 380 downloads)
Attachments Plaza grill pieces.jpg (140KB - 374 downloads)
Attachments Plaza grill brackets.jpg (83KB - 377 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-01 2:33 PM (#534963 - in reply to #534934)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I taped off the ridges on the grill center to reshoot the grooves black.



(Plaza grill center.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza grill center.jpg (139KB - 391 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-03 3:34 PM (#535088 - in reply to #534963)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I did relocate the fuse block to the driver's side kick panel. Much easier once I got the whole dash out.



(Plaza fuse block.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza fuse block.jpg (183KB - 399 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-03 3:36 PM (#535089 - in reply to #535088)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I've also spent a lot of time putting convolute tubing around the wires to avoid chaffing and cutting.



(Plaza wiring protection.jpg)



(php6xEsgaPM.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza wiring protection.jpg (187KB - 380 downloads)
Attachments php6xEsgaPM.jpg (120KB - 366 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-05 2:24 PM (#535210 - in reply to #535089)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Too cold in the garage this weekend, so I brought the grill pieces into the family room and assembled it inside where it's warm.



(Plaza Grill.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza Grill.jpg (68KB - 385 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-03-05 6:19 PM (#535218 - in reply to #534415)
Subject: RE: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9855
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
I wonder if you will like the Volt meter better than the AMP meter.

That speedo brings back memories. Like me being a 16 or 17 year old and getting my old 55 Dodge Regent (Canadian Plodge) flat head 6, 3 on the tree, up to 85 mph. At night. With at least three passengers. All of us could have died. What an idiot. At least it was Saskatchewan and the road was straight.



Edited by 56D500boy 2017-03-05 6:21 PM




(PhotoFlip2.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments PhotoFlip2.jpg (50KB - 382 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-05 8:07 PM (#535226 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I thought about putting a higher capacity amp meter in, as I felt sure the original ammeter couldn't handle the output of the new Delco alternator. However, from what I read, the voltmeter is much safer.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-06 4:10 PM (#535290 - in reply to #535226)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I installed the grill on the car today as well as the headlight bezels and NOS turn signal lens.




(Plaza grill TS lens installed.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza grill TS lens installed.jpg (115KB - 381 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-03-06 7:33 PM (#535305 - in reply to #535290)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9855
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Location: Lower Mainland BC
Looking good. I just installed a cleaner/clearer park light lens in my 56 Dodge and it looks much better. Carry on the good work.

I like the fuse panel that you installed but I am a bit afraid of the work to install it.

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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-06 8:26 PM (#535308 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
It's not difficult, just tedious. Would have been easier if I'd just yanked out the entire dashboard to start with. The American Autowire kit came with more than enough wire for everything but the right rear tail light and that's only because I have a wagon and had to route the wiring up and over the tailgate. The only circuit I needed that wasn't provided for was back up lights. I took power from a fused accessory port and ran it to the back up lamp switch, then ran power from the switch to the back up lamps which ground through their sockets. I did buy some extra wire for some of my own customization. I added two LED spot beams back by the tailgate wired to the dome lights as well as the added ground blocks. Plus extra wire to make up for the extra wire run distance in a wagon. While everything is torn apart, I'll run a few extra wires from behind the dash to different parts of the car but not hook them up to anything. Just have them available if I, or a future owner, decide to add accessories such as lights or amplifiers in the future.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-07 1:56 PM (#535362 - in reply to #535308)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I forgot that, since I have a wagon with the two wire fuel sender, I also had to run an extra wire to the rear of the car for that second wire.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-07 2:56 PM (#535364 - in reply to #535362)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I've got the dash back in but now need to figure out why the wipers don't work.




(Plaza dash in.jpg)



(Plaza radio check.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza dash in.jpg (100KB - 371 downloads)
Attachments Plaza radio check.jpg (124KB - 387 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-15 12:59 PM (#535996 - in reply to #535364)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Just ordered a 12V starter for a '56. I saw it on Ebay for $323, but found it on that sellers retail website for $209 with free shipping. Although the 6V starter should work just fine on 12V, I have no way of knowing how old it is.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-03-17 8:12 PM (#536138 - in reply to #535996)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
The starter showed up today. I found this with an internet search for Prestolite 3410 and Prestolite MDG6001.



(Plaza 12V starter.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza 12V starter.jpg (95KB - 360 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-04-01 9:39 PM (#537180 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Unfortunately, the new starter's nose is shaped just differently enough that I can't get it to slip into the bellhousing. The dipstick tube is in the way. Today, I pulled the nose off of the 6V starter, cleaned it, and painted it. Tomorrow, after the paint has cured, I'll swap it onto the 12V starter.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-04-03 4:09 PM (#537288 - in reply to #537180)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Switched the old starter nose onto the new starter today. It was just different enough to get the new starter to pop in. I was thrilled when I turned the key and the engine turned over.



(Plaza starter nose switchover.jpg)



(Plaza starter noses.jpg)



(Plaza starter nose switched.jpg)



(Plaza new starter.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza starter nose switchover.jpg (97KB - 363 downloads)
Attachments Plaza starter noses.jpg (95KB - 379 downloads)
Attachments Plaza starter nose switched.jpg (90KB - 363 downloads)
Attachments Plaza new starter.jpg (91KB - 369 downloads)
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Powerflite
Posted 2017-04-03 5:31 PM (#537291 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9605
500020002000500100
Location: So. Cal
Nice job. I wouldn't have expected those to be different. Was it a difference in the heights or bolt pattern? It is very possible that they changed it just to guarantee that they wouldn't interchange because of the difference in voltage & potentials.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-04-03 8:12 PM (#537309 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
It was only a difference in the shape of the nose. The nose on the left is off the '55 six volt starter. The one on the right, off the twelve volt replacement, has more of a squared off shoulder. The original is more sloped. The difference in shape kept the replacement from being able to slip into the bellhousing without hard interference from the dipstick tube.

The housing is clocked differently too. With the '55 nose on it, the new starter's power lug is on the bottom instead of on the side. My solenoid to starter cable just barely stretches.

Edited by 71charger_fan 2017-04-03 8:22 PM
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Powerflite
Posted 2017-04-04 1:26 AM (#537325 - in reply to #537309)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9605
500020002000500100
Location: So. Cal
I can plainly see the difference now that you point it out. I guess blindness comes in many forms
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-04-07 8:58 PM (#537590 - in reply to #537325)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Started on the disc brake conversion today.



(Plaza Drum.jpg)



(Plaza drum brakes.jpg)



(Plaza Spindle cleaned.jpg)



(Plaza Scarebird disc adapter.jpg)



(Plaza Scarebird Hub.jpg)



(Plaza disc installed.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Plaza Drum.jpg (110KB - 382 downloads)
Attachments Plaza drum brakes.jpg (143KB - 357 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Spindle cleaned.jpg (124KB - 351 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Scarebird disc adapter.jpg (97KB - 356 downloads)
Attachments Plaza Scarebird Hub.jpg (106KB - 378 downloads)
Attachments Plaza disc installed.jpg (110KB - 351 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-04-07 9:42 PM (#537593 - in reply to #537590)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9855
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Location: Lower Mainland BC
What kit are you using (you probably said but I missed it)?

I like the idea of separate hubs and rotors instead of rotors and hubs combined in one unit.

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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-04-07 9:48 PM (#537595 - in reply to #526294)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I went with Scarebird because that kit required no spindle modifications. Chevy S10 4WD calipers and Ford Probe rotors.
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-04-08 3:48 PM (#537638 - in reply to #537595)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
One side done. This is the easy part. Installing the master cylinder/proportioning valve/new lines is still to come.




(Plaza Caliper installed.jpg)



(Plaza caliper install.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza Caliper installed.jpg (116KB - 356 downloads)
Attachments Plaza caliper install.jpg (110KB - 354 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-04-10 8:21 PM (#537819 - in reply to #537638)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Prying the unneeded brackets off the Cadillac brake hoses.



(Plaza brake hose1.jpg)



(Plaza brake hose2.jpg)



(Plaza brake hose3.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza brake hose1.jpg (97KB - 348 downloads)
Attachments Plaza brake hose2.jpg (93KB - 346 downloads)
Attachments Plaza brake hose3.jpg (107KB - 354 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-04-11 8:29 AM (#537840 - in reply to #537819)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
Time for new shocks. I bought some Gabriels for a '75 Corvette. I had to open up the slots in the mounting tabs on the shocks for the 3/8 bolts and had to remove about 1/32" on the control arm to pass the shock through. When I pulled the old shock out, it had undercoating on it and was stamped ORIFLOW, which made me think I had the original factory shocks on the front.




(Plaza shock.jpg)



(Plaza shocks.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza shock.jpg (79KB - 355 downloads)
Attachments Plaza shocks.jpg (80KB - 347 downloads)
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71charger_fan
Posted 2017-04-11 9:18 AM (#537841 - in reply to #537840)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
One problem with the disc conversion was that, with the new hub, the outer washer stands outboard just a little farther. This negated being able to slip the cotter pin through. I wasn't having any luck finding a low profile 3/4-16 castle nut, so I set up the bearings and marked which slot on the nut needed to be deeper. Then, I just filed that slot down until I could slip the cotter pin through.



(Plaza cotter pin.jpg)



(Plaza castle nut.jpg)



(Plaza castle nut filed.jpg)



(Plaza castle nut modified.jpg)



(Plaza cotter pin2.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments Plaza cotter pin.jpg (79KB - 361 downloads)
Attachments Plaza castle nut.jpg (124KB - 366 downloads)
Attachments Plaza castle nut filed.jpg (164KB - 371 downloads)
Attachments Plaza castle nut modified.jpg (72KB - 383 downloads)
Attachments Plaza cotter pin2.jpg (89KB - 368 downloads)
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Powerflite
Posted 2017-04-11 10:26 AM (#537850 - in reply to #537840)
Subject: Re: '55 Plaza Suburban arrives today



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9605
500020002000500100
Location: So. Cal
I didn't have to do anything with the control arm to install the Corvette shocks. Is the Gabriel a larger diameter than most or is the 6cyl control arm smaller than the V8 version?

Nice job on the castle nut. The Scarebird conversion for '57-'61 has a similar problem, but not as severe.
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