Bob_Koch

New second printings won't be ready till the middle of October. The books that are considered seconds or returns will be shipped immediately as long as they last.

The word "rare" is even better. It usually means they doubled the price.

Pictures from all 3 days are now posted on the DPETCA site: http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/gallery/v/Bonneville/ Hope you enjoy these

I think we've all taken a few vacations from our trucks at times, for a variety of reasons. Good to hear you're back at it. And nothing like a little push from the wife.

Tim got his 5 runs in today. Broke 100MPH. He was delighted with those results. A few pics here of Tim getting checked for his harness, helmet and last minute instructions. Then at the starting line waiting for the signal to go. The guy with his hat on the ground is Ed who delivers to you your timing at the end of each run. A terrific guy and fun to talk to. He was happy that Tim broke the 100 mark. Asked us to pop the hood for a look at the engine. Some real interest in the truck here. Lots of people asking about the Dodge truck and what's in it. When Tim left the first run starting line the starting line member turned to another track member and said, "That's a real hot rod. It's got a Chrysler motor and a Volarie front end." Everyone here has been real positive and always interested in hearing our story. And they all understand what it takes just to get here. I guess there's even been some discussion of it on the land speed forum. Almost everyone here has been great to talk with. I got to run this afternoon and did 91 MPH. Even though I pushed the truck hard sometimes it went even slower. Ed our timing official thought it was the tires breaking traction on the salt. Next year a lot of different changes including better tires. Zak will put in his 5 runs tomorrow and my brother Earl will drive the truck for the experience. Then it's time to pack up and go home. P.S. Yes, the picture of the Delorian is from Back to the Future. They were on the way to San Francisco and decided to stop by Bonneville. A team of photographers were photographing it and then came over and asked to photograph us with the truck.

metal caps were part of the requirement. Plastic was not good enough. Not sure why and the inspector didn't have a good answer.

Tim finally made it about 7:30 am to Bonneville after driving all night with a few brief naps in between. Just in time to get in line for Tech Inspection, hopefully. I and my brother attended the Rookie driving session and got a feel for the 130MPH course. Oops, we don't have fire extinguishers on our truck. We run to Wendover to see what we might find while Tim, and son Zak, finish up a few things on the truck. No reason to go to inspection till we get a these things done. "No, I don't think we need the 10 pound extinguisher for $165. We'll try another place" Thanks Carquest. Off we go and found two 3 lbs ones for at a truck stop. Inspection said we could use two smaller ones if we didn't have one 5 lb extinguisher. Got to inspection. "You need a strap around your driveline" Everything else is good. Off to Carquest again. No, nothing. To the hardware store. OK, found a metal strap and long threadall. We'll fabricate this yet. 5:30pm Run the car over to inspection. We're good to go, just need metal air stem caps. But, registration closed at 5PM. In the morning we can finish registration and then it's time to "Put Pedal To The Metal" As a note about Bonneville, lots of speed records being broken today. The salt is very hard this year and seems to be helping the runs. It must be pure adrenaline to run a open roadster at 250 MPH! I thinks it' time for a shower and get some dinner. We never did eat lunch and Tim hasn't slept since who knows. P.S. The pic of the engine is a pair of Detroit diesels machined together with two turbo's added. He's hoping for 200MPH. Like I said, you find everything here at Speed Week.

Left Lodi at 2:30am and made it to Bonneville about 1:00pm. Setup up our pit area and explored as to what we need to do regarding registration, check-in and vehicle inspection. Left Tim and his son, Zak, behind so they could finish up a few things on the truck, get some other tires and then leave a few hours later...... There is every kind of vehicle here on the Salt. The really exotic vehicles seem to all boost two engines. Two motocycle engines, two diesel engines, two V8 Buick engines. Some wonderful old hot rods here to. More on that to come tomorrow. But I've called throughout the day and can't get hold of Tim Where are you Tim? Finally got hold of Tim at 5PM tonight. He's finally leaving Lodi. Will drive all night and be here maybe 4 or 5 in the morning. We have a rookie drivers meeting at 8:30am Wed that he and I need to attend. Everything doesn't just take twice as long to fix, it takes three times as long. Well, don't worry about it Tim, sleep is over rated! P.S. Wanted to add a comment about the red City of Salt Lake racer that I've posted. This car ran the Bonneville 50 years ago. While trying for 400MPH it flew apart apart somewhere over 300 MPH and killed it's driver. The man in the picture is the son and as a tribute to his father has restored the outside to it's original condition. The frame and shell are all aluminum. It ran a 12 cylinder allison engine. It was terrific talking with him and I shared my appreciation of how he had honored his father.

The publishers of Don Bunn's book: Dodge B-Series Trucks: Restorer's and Collector's Reference Guide & History just sent this message: We have scheduled an ultra short run printing of Don Bunn's Dodge B-Series Trucks book. Due to the increased printing costs for short run printing the price has increased to $49.95. The files are being prepared to sent off and we expect to have copies in stock between October 1 and October 15. The book can be ordered here: http://www.enthusiastbooks.com/si/10182.html Now, also in this message was this note: We also have discovered 2 boxes (about 68 books) of shop worn returns that we could sell from the original printing. I have not looked at every book but the books I looked at ranged from a slight discoloration of the cover to creased covers. We could sell these for $25 each. The shopworn books will have an Item # D10182 - and will not be available on the website but can be ordered by phone 1-800-289-3504 or by mail only for as long as supplies last. Price as noted below is $25 plus $3.99 shipping & handling and will be shipped as is - non-returnable. These are available now. . There ya go guys. Order up a new copy from the second printing, which will be ready mid-October or, buy a returned book, knowing it may have a slight defect, but at a great price. Order up!

We have scheduled an ultra short run printing of Don Bunn's Dodge B-Series Trucks book. Due to the increased printing costs for short run printing the price has increased to $49.95. The files are being prepared to sent off and we expect to have copies in stock between October 1 and October 15. The book can be ordered here: http://www.enthusiastbooks.com/si/10182.html

Engines look so pretty right after they come from the machine shop

I Worked with Tim yesterday and found out how he gets things done on this 130MPH truck. First he calls in the Calvary: Then when discovers that none of them can come help he throws everything else aside and gets his son and me to help: I learned how he uses a plasma cutter: If it needs cutting, use a plasma cutter. If you drilled the hole off center, fix it with the plasma cutter. If the inner fender is in the way, cut a hole in it with the plasma cutter. Way to go Tim. To quote Star Wars: "What a piece of junk!" "She'll make point five past lightspeed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself." Next week we find out everything!

Larry Lyles did a nice write up about bolts in the Sept issue of Auto Restorer. Before the 60's almost all bolts were at least grade 5, except some fender bolts. Grade 8 were used when the application specifically called for it. No reason mentioned why you can't use a grade 8 instead of a 5 except the expense. Be sure to match it with the same grade nut and washer.

Dale Graham has a spare engine for his 50 B2B. Came with the truck, but it's all apart in boxes. Everything is labelled and boxed. Contact him if you're interested. cardag@cass.net He's in Blissfield, MI.

Anyone know of a way to add power steering to a '50 B2B without a whole front suspension replacement? Dale Graham, who is 80 years old and was asking on the chat last night. I think I understand why.

And we see the Australian Pilot-house trucks and wish we could get hold of them. We've got to find a way to trade trucks across the pond.

Just a reminder - We have our Dodge Truck Club chat session this Sunday evening - August 29th Time: 5PM-PDT That's: 6PM-MDT That's: 7PM-CDT That's 8PM-EDT Where: DPETCA Website We will again be using the chat page on the DPETCA website. There's lots of good questions and information so hope you'll join us. Here's the link: http://www.dodgepilothouseclub.org/chat/

Glad you found us. Lots of helpful people here. All of them proud to own a Pilot-house.

articles says three coats of matte clearcoat for the finish.

The issue is October, 2010 of Hot Rod. The owner kept the truck very much original on the outside, dents and all. It has been passed down through the family. The marvel is it hosts a 440 engine that is supercharged. The supercharger is in the bed. The engineering to accomplish having the radiator and supercharger in the rear makes for one interesting truck. Here's a few more photos from a forum about it:

If someone doesn't come up with it, you can get them from Vintage Power Wagons. Page 83 in their catalog: http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/pdf/parts/18body.pdf

Thought this would be a nice setup for a fire chief. Seems to need a siren though. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Other-Pickups-Sweet-1952-Dodge-Pickup-Streetrod-Fire-Truck-Trade-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45f45bd2f0QQitemZ300452401904QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks#v4-37

Nice going David. Looks the the 10 years was worth the wait.

David Erb wrote a nice article about the exhaust valve. It's on the DPETCA site: http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/riser/riser.htm

Yea, I ended up with a double entry. Tried to delete the "first" one and can't seem to do it. sorry.