Leaderboard

Hello everyone! I feel very fortunate to have a 1937 Dodge Pickup that my great, great grandfather purchased brand new. It's been in the family since day one and it's all original. My grandpa's best recollection is that it was last truly "driven" in the 90's. It's been parked at a property of ours since and started periodically. It honestly fires right up and will certainly drive but has no brakes so when I move it I just use the parking brake. Clearly brakes are most important but beyond that I'm trying to give it a little "life". No clue the last time the oil was changed, probably 25 years ago, so I'll do that but I can't for the life of me figure out where or even IF there is an oil filter. I've tried to look at images and forums but from what I see, I simply don't have one? Next up would be it smoking, when it's first fired up or really anytime you give it a fair amount of gas it smokes like hell, part of me says this is a combination of very old gas which almost surely doesn't have any lead in it, likely 25-40 year old plugs, an oil bath air filter (had no idea those existed!), super old oil that's likely worthless and more. What I hope is it's not terrible valve stem seals, oil rings etc. So, I'm planning to order all new wheel cylinders, a master cylinder (I figure it's cheap insurance vs one that's been bone dry for who knows how long), all new hoses, oil, considering water pump but not sure it needs one, oil pan gasket, spark plugs, rear axle seals (leaked on the passenger side when drums were removed). Any other ideas, suggestions etc? It seems the transmission leaks as well, I'll address all that once I get a better understanding on where things sit. Simply trying to see how close to road worthy she is for now, not that I'll be putting many miles on it, just don't want to break it if I don't have to. None of the tires match and all are bias ply and I must assume with a tube. What's the best route there? My guess is the wheels aren't really designed for a modern tubeless/radial tire? Shocks will be done amongst other things. I guess I'm mostly just looking to see if I end up needing to tear out the motor/trans and rebuild before I spend much time on the other parts. But, I'd love all of your input! Currently the plan is to order all of the parts from dcmclassics.com - Good or bad idea? I'm 100% open to suggestions Here's a couple videos of her running. Many months between starts (shame on me I know)

Okay I got the exhaust leak fixed. Thanks Andy Douglas, that indeed was the right size bolt for the manifold. Also, thanks YoungEd for the advice. Taking it out for a cruise in 20 minutes

That engine is totally shot, too expensive to fix. I will be by with cash for truck at scrap price +$50 and take it off your hands, no use throwing good money at it. Actually just envious...keep it in the family for sure.

I worked with a guy in Sacramento that was from Cedarville. His last name is Hackney. I've even been to the Modoc District fair and watched a race at the speedway. I used to live in Susanville and Lakeview also. Small world.

That 1928 Chrysler is a Model 52 as far as I know, we had a car show this past weekend here in Grafton put on by the Vintage car Club and there was a similar car there, a Model 52 with an Australian built Roadster body by T J Richards who were bought out by Chrysler in the 1930's and became Chrysler Australia, my 1940 Dodge was also built by them........unfortunately I didn't take any pics, but that curved radiator surround is a distinctive Chrysler shape and it seems like it has the Chrysler badge still attached.............your Dodge looked quite at home with the other Mopars on display.............hope the exhaust manifold bolt issue is o/k.........if you haven't pulled an exhaust/intake manifold off one of these make sure to note where every nut/stud comes from in the specific order as some go into the water jacket and MUST have the threads coated with a sealer like Permatex otherwise the will leak..........also get some copper based thread goo to use on the 4 bolts that hold the intake/exhaust together if you think that you may have to do this job again.........lol...............I think they are 5/16 UNC with 1/2" heads and 3-3.5 inches long.............I have enjoyed your sojourns, many thanks........Andy Douglas

Nice work! It looks more functional now.

They are a good vender. Also look at Roberts robertsmotorparts.com and Bernbaum oldmoparts.com. There's also Fetchup oldpickupparts.com Haven't got anything from them, but it looks like they have several items. Also, don't forget your local Napa, or other parts stores for many mechanical parts. Or Rock Auto, if you want to shop online.

Thanks to both of you! You're describing exactly what I thought it was, and it certainly doesn't have one. No worries, I'll keep an eye out but honestly if it's made it 80 years without one, I'm sure it'll be just fine for the VERY occasional driving it'll see. My true goal here is just to get it in a condition that my grandpa can take my grandma out on a date in it, it was the first vehicle he ever drove and now that he's into his 70's this isn't the project he wants to take on. I might take it to Hot August Nights here in Reno next year if all goes well, but I just want it to be in running condition. The interior is in what I'd consider to be great shape. The truck has no major rust, just a nice patina to it, lots of history as it was the truck that plowed the roads of Cedarville, CA for many years while my great grandpa owned the service center there. I'm excited to get it back on the road! A couple short videos were added as well. She purrs like a kitten in my eyes!

Here is an article by Allpar about the 54 Plymouths.......don't know if it contains any helpful info, but here it is: https://www.allpar.com/history/plymouth/1946-1959/54-plymouth-cars.html

Hey Frankie, not a problem, Tell Emsey that I am dry today except for perspiration from working on the house. We are now again in need of rain. The ground soaked Erma up like a sponge....I had my feet wet many times during the storm going out to clear this or that..one time I took the chain saw down the street to cut huge oaks that had blown down across the road blocking both lanes. Lady told me as I walked back to the house that she had called the county, they came out, looked at the mess, the limbs still swaying in the breeze and got in their truck and left...I could never sleep at night knowing that was there and the possibility that an elderly neighbor may need emergency ambulance service and they had to find an alternate route to their house.

You're an amazing friend Mark. I hope I can help somehow, make a difference for you like you've done for me. Just remember to keep your friends involved, its hard for some of us to pick the right moment,.... you know, to seriously reach out and make a difference. Tim aka 48Dodger

Here are a couple of pics of pinhole images cast by gaps in the tree canopy just before total eclipse.

we were in the 90% range for the event..just figured out that it means you will miss 90%...I've blocked the sun from the area more with dust cloud when prepping my new lot couple years back....