Mike Rimu

Young Ed I'm confused as hell!! I have a 1939 sedan that has a Chrysler badge but is a Plymouth P8 with a 25 inch block that has T38 stamped on it LOL!!! I, F en don't know if there could be a more mixed up car out there, and it drives down the wrong side of the road!! Sadly I don't know the history as there is no paperwork with it. But there were imported from Canada into New Zealand and depending on the car yard/ representative /importer who got what to promote and sell either a Plymouth or Chrysler Mike

Hey JJ 1941 I have a 1939 Chrysler that is actually a Plymouth, long story but it's a right hand drive that was imported from Canada to New Zealand. I have the same numbers on the block 666029 that you have. I have T38 xxxxx stamped on the the flat space where the serial number is. Looking it up it says its from a 37 Dodge 1/2 ton truck. Definitely not as its a 25 inch block as well. Its in the shop for a rebuild and I am having fun finding parts for it as nothing makes sense with the engine number etc. If you find anything else out about you engine I would like to know. Cheers Mike

Thanks Rich for the offer the engine is in New Zealand. I will get the numbers off the shop then I will get a kit and take it back with me. I do have shop manuals for the rebuild. Mike

Cheers Andy I have heard back from the shop and it's a 4 1/2 inch stoke, so like you said its a 251 motor. Now I know that I will order parts. I will get the pistons from Egge as they have them in stock instead of the ones you have there in Aussie, but thanks for the info. What do you think about this?? Both places I rung about parts when I said that I needed .40 under bearings they suggested that the crankshaft should be welded and put back to spec as it's been flogged out over the years. Also you mentioned awhile ago about a HEI dizzy and weber 32/26 carb. One place I talked to said that the Carter carb that is on there already is good and that swapping them out causes problems. The shop wants a rebuild kit for the dizzy and carb. Are they worth rebuilding or just swapping out?? Cheers as always Mike

Thanks guys The confusing part of the engine is the T38. When looked up it says that its from a 1937 Dodge truck, so that said I have no clue what actual engine it is. That's why I'm asking to see if anyone has an idea of what it is. I will wait until I hear back from the shop with the length of the stoke, maybe that will solve the puzzle

Members 1 10 posts My Project Cars:1939 Chrysler Report post #1 Hi there I just posted this on the truck forum, but in case there is anyone here the can help out as well. I have my engine in the shop getting re built its a 25 inch block engine # T3834402 cylinder block #666029-1 which I understand is from a 37 MC dodge truck . The engine is in a 1939 Canadian Plymouth P8 sedan and I have no idea of the history of the engine or car. I am looking for parts for it but the thing I have problem is the bore size. From the research I have done the bore size in meant to be 3 3/8 but the bore in the engine is 3 7/16 which means that I would need Desoto or Chrysler pistons not Dodge pistons. I am not sure on the length of the stoke but I'm trying to find that out from the shop. Piston pin is 7/8 and the compression height of the piston is 2 inch (center of the piston to top of the crown) with 2 compression rings and 2 oil. The engine is in New Zealand so it's taken a bit of back and forth with the shop for details. I'm here in the States and wanting to get the right parts before I head home for Christmas. I am just a little confused as a couple of places I rang thought that I would need 3 3/8 size pistons when they looked up the T38 engine number. Anyone come across this engine with a 3 7/16 bore? I have no idea what cc it would be I thought that they were 218. Thanks for all you help out there in mopar land Mike

Hi there I have my engine in the shop getting re built its a 25 inch block engine # T3834402 cylinder block #666029-1 which I understand is from a 37 MC dodge truck . The engine is in a 1939 Canadian Plymouth P8 sedan and I have no idea of the history of the engine or car. I am looking for parts for it but the thing I have problem is the bore size. From the research I have done the bore size in meant to be 3 3/8 but the bore in the engine is 3 7/16 which means that I would need Desoto or Chrysler pistons not Dodge pistons. I am not sure on the length of the stoke but I'm trying to find that out from the shop. Piston pin is 7/8 and the compression height of the piston is 2 inch (center of the piston to top of the crown) with 2 compression rings and 2 oil. The engine is in New Zealand so it's taken a bit of back and forth with the shop for details. I'm here in the States and wanting to get the right parts before I head home for Christmas. I am just a little confused as a couple of places I rang thought that I would need 3 3/8 size pistons when they looked up the T38 engine number. Anyone come across this engine with a 3 7/16 bore? I have no idea what cc it would be I thought that they were 218. Thanks for all you help out there in mopar land Mike

Try www.oldmoparts.com it looks like they have them for your 37 under the R section or springs. They are really helpfully so call them to find out if they are the right ones. Cheers Mike

Thanks Andy & Tony Useful information. I did find on the net that T Richards was the builder in Aussie. I haven't seen any stamp or badges with his initials on the car. Its located in NZ and I'm in the States at the moment so I cannot have another look at the moment. It could have well just been directly imported to NZ like you said Tony. I have no way of finding out the history, because the ownership papers don't go back that far as it has been re-registered at some point. The first parts that I ordered from the States I got wrong as I ordered the Chrysler part and it cost a lot to send them back and re order. The engine has a T as the first letter and from what I have been told here and calling oldmoparts.com its a 1937 Dodge truck engine. I am also not sure if it is stock or its been replaced at some point. The thing is that top speed is only 40 miles an hour which is frustrating for people behind me so I am looking at ways to get the speed up a bit. I brought it off a friend and the gearbox was rebuilt when he sold it to me (he now regrets selling it!!) so $2000 was spent on it. I'm not sure whether I will drop a more modern motor in or re build the one that's in there. I don't care to much it its not original as I just want it to perform better. I cant measure the block at the moment either but my friend who sold it to me said that he will swing by my place at some stage and measure it up. I'm also looking for the chrome strip that runs along the hood above the handle if anyone has on to sell. That is on the first photo I posted. I do have an original parts book for it though. Thank you everyone for all of you helpful information. Its my first classic car that I have owned and its been a dream for many years to own one. I have no real technical knowledge of how to replace anything on it so you guys are great!!! Cheers Mike

Thanks everyone for the reply's !! I have no technical knowledge what so ever so I really appreciate you advice and input. I would like to drop the wheels down from the skinny 16 inch to some wide 15's as it doesn't handle that well on the road so changing the rear axle would be a good idea. I don't need to go really fast but 40 miles an hour is to slow for other road users following me. I thought that it being a truck motor that is wasn't suited for the car, but from so research on the web it seems that it is ok. When I go back for a holiday next year I will get someone to take the head off and check out the motor to see what needs to be done. Thanks Mike

Thanks for the info and ideas. The car is staying in NZ as that is where I live. I'm working in the States for a bit and wanted to get parts here to save on shipping and tax. Apparently I will need to change the gearing in the gearbox to a higher ratio to get some more speed out of the car. Anyone know where I might be able to purchase them? Or is it just better to drop a different engine and gearbox in? Thanks

Talking with oldmoparts.com it seems that you are right and it a 37 Dodge truck motor. I might have to look into replacing it with something newer that will preform better.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the car is in New Zealand and I am in the States so I dont know how long the head is. I will try and get a friend to measure it. I was wondering why the car would only do 40 miles an hour!!

I have a 1939 Chrysler that is a right hand drive Australian built car that I am planning to do some restoration work on. Does anyone have any information on these cars?? In the USA it is a Plymouth and some parts I have order I have ordered the Plymouth parts instead of Chrysler parts. I want to rebuild the engine the # is T3834402. Would I need a Plymouth kit or Chrysler kit? Any information on the car would be great Thanks Mike