Yes you are right.

I'm about to buy new American Classics for my 53 Clipper and someone said to sell the ones on there now. I have no idea what to ask for them. They look really good L78-15 Poly, great tread and 3 1/4 " WW. But! They are 30 years old! I wouldn't drive on them myself, only use to roll a car or store it or show it. I think they are rather dangerous being that old. Any ideas what to ask for them? Someone out there would buy them. I am in Long Beach, CA and can't see gong to the trouble of shipping them.

Also, what is the torque for the spark plugs? 53 Clipper Deluxe Is it really important? I don't think this guy knows it. Never again.

The manual says between .023 -.030. that sounds like quite a lot of room. The old plug was close to .030 when I bought the car. Any ideas?

Also, the mechanic who checked the brakes jacked it up in the center of the car and left it on the jack for 4 1/2 days. WTF! I told him to put the tire back on and lower it, that I thought a 64 yr old car shouldn't be left on a jack. He got stupid. Please tell me your thoughts.

WOW! I went all the way to page 25 of your blog. I am so impressed with your artistry and stick-to-it-ivness. I'm speechless.

The book says it is under the hood but we couldn't find it today. Please tell me where it is. Thanks, Brenda

Thank you for this information. I got a $600 estimate and a $1400 estimate today for the brakes. Gulp! Ouch! I think I'll buy the parts at Kanter and have someone install them. Thanks for the info about the puller.

I just bought my 53 Clipper Delux and was told that I could get Bendix brakes from Pep Boys. Is that true? Can any decent brake place do my brakes? He said the brakes are swollen due to moisture for 7 years. We can't get the gear shift out of park unless we start the car and it won't "rock" back and forth as he has done in the past to release the brakes on it...for some reason. The car shouldn't be started until all the fluids are changed as well as the gas drained and new fuel added. It is still gasoline, no lacquer. Someone said to use a cooling system pressure kit to force air into the radiator to see where the crack is. $100 at Harbor Freight. But need the money for repairs.

The car will be towed in 9 days to a mechanic. It has a cracked head and the seller said I could use "cylinder seal" to seal it, only about 2 inches or less.

I'd rather get it magnefluxed and repaired but this is his fix to save money for now. All the fluids will be changed, brakes done and hopefully it will start. He said he felt the car missing, pulled into his garage and looked and saw water on the head near the radiator hose that shorted out the 2 spark plugs. He turned it off and later got ill...it sat for 7 years in his garage. It just could be the radiator hose, maybe, hopefully.... though he thinks not. Any advise you could give me on waking up a beauty is most welcome. So far I will need the tow truck guy to put the back wheels on 2 dollys and not drag it because the brakes are locked. He can't even release the hand brake. Brenda

I just bought my 53 Clipper Delux and was told that I could get Bendix brakes from Pep Boys. Is that true? Can any decent brake place do my brakes?

The car will be towed in 9 days to a mechanic. It has a cracked head and the seller said I could use "cylinder seal" to seal it, only about 2 inches or less.

I'd rather get it magnefluxed and repaired but this is his fix to save money for now. All the fluids will be changed, brakes done and hopefully it will start. He said he felt the car missing, pulled into his garage and looked and saw water on the head near the radiator hose that shorted out the 2 spark plugs. He turned it off and later got ill...it sat for 7 years in his garage. It just could be the radiator hose, maybe, hopefully.... though he thinks not. Any advise you guy could give me on waking up a beauty is most welcome. Brenda

I have a 1953 Clipper Deluxe and go back and forth between the 760.15 American Classic Radial and the 820.r15 American Classic(L78/15). The 820.r15 asks for a 6" rim. Mine is 5.5. The car has had L78.15 (820.15) on it for the last 30 years with no problem. Any information I need or suggestions will be appreciated. Coker will sell me the 820r15 with no problem. I just want to be safe and accurate.Brenda