Desotodav

Brisbane to Newcastle Doug.I think it's about 12hrs Brisbane to Sydney these days. There are too many point to point (average) speed cameras on the highway now to do the speeds of old days! It's pretty much 4 lane highway from Port Macquarie to Sydney now. I had shoes on, but I reckon that Lloydie was wearing work non-protective footwear - we get them in steel capped now (see attached). We are in the Spring season now and still experiencing maximum temps in the high 30°C - some up to 14° above normal for this time of year (38°C = 100°F). Not looking forward to the heat of Summer at this rate.

Well, this forum has again allowed me the unique opportunity to meet yet another MOPAR truck enthusiast. I had the pleasure of finally meeting up with forum member Lloydie during the week. I made the 9 hour trek south to his place to collect a number of parts which which will play a large role in the upcoming restoration of my 53 Dodge coupe truck. Lloydie has almost finished a major upgrade of his old 49 Dodge truck which included the installation of a 6 liter V8 GM motor with a 6 speed manual gearbox, power steering and 4-wheel disc brakes. He told me that I wasn't allowed to leave his place before I 'test drove' his old truck. I have to say that it was an unusual feeling to put one's foot down on the gas pedal in one of these old trucks and have it take off like a rocket! I was most pleased to finally meet up with Lloydie and his lovely wife, and am most grateful for the numerous parts that he provided me for my next project.

I have followed the transformation of your old truck 'Ramble On' from start to present day Jeff and have to say that I have enjoyed every stage of that journey. Your positive attitude and quality workmanship is no doubt the envy of many. I still struggle to find those 'minor imperfections' that you intended to leave on your daily driver. I am proud to have been able to assist you where I could along the way. I have seen a number of quality builds of these old trucks since joining this forum a little over two years ago and have to say that your work is certainly among them. I am of the opinion that work is never really finished on these old vehicles as there is always some small thing to do/fix or something to tweak with a view of making it 'better'. Now is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Enjoy the driving and also the fond memories that your truck will bring to not only yourself but also to many other people. Your work in preserving a piece of history is inspirational to many a person. A job very well done sir.

What an amazing story. Designed by an Engineer way ahead of his time!

I must live a sheltered life as I'd never even heard of a thread file until I sought advice from an engineering friend after finding a stripped axle thread a few years back when my diff returned from a rebuild. I went out and bought both metric and imperial ones and now don't know how I survived without them. Sure made easy work of fixing the thread on my rear axle way back then.

T306 shows as 23 inch 218ci motor from Dodge truck B3B/B4B 1951-1953. Block casting 1326229-36 spanned many years - at least from 1935 to 1959

I went with vinyl sticker for mine. It took many hours of messing around and scanning (problem is in the curve in the hubcap) and then trial fitting to an old spare hubcap. I think that they came out alright though...

I was chatting to a few knowledgeable fellas at a car show today about my minor oil leak at the end of the transmission counter-shaft and they asked whether I had a blocked breather or vent in the transmission casing. I have heard this suggested before on an Oz truck forum that I monitor, but it related to an International truck. I did a forum search here (and also checked on some manuals that I have) but I could not locate any information in relation to a breather or vent fitted to our truck gearboxes. Is it possible that our gearboxes may build up pressure causing oil to weep between the counter-shaft and the transmission casing? If so, would the installation of some sort of vent or breather rectify this issue?

I've removed many doors from Oz trucks by unbolting the hinges and leaving the pins in - there were 9 in the last batch. It does become problematic when you snap off the bolts when trying to undo them in the hinges!

Is there any other kind!!!..LOL.. What's with the extra grille bar? Cool shirt Merle.

I have to ask Chris - you have backed the brakes off with the adjuster behind the backing plate? I found that some of the truck hubs that I have removed have had the shoes bound to them. Something that was raised recently: don't pound on them too hard as you might get them out of shape. Best to put the axle nut back on slightly for the removal so that the drum doesn't fly off as you can get a fair bit of pressure with a puller.

Looks good Paul - sort of like an old car with a new twist!

I put 1500 miles on my motor after it supposedly had a 'full-rebuild'. Then (as the result of a rear main oil leak) I pulled it down and it turned out that the crankshaft did not get a grind as part of the rebuild. I guess that it all boils down to the integrity of the Mechanic one uses as the whether the job is done right or not! There are many more mechanically-minded people than me on this site. In my opinion though, I was always taught to drain the oil while it was hot as this allows for better drainage. I wouldn't feel comfortable running an engine that had sat for 20 years+ without checking the sump for wasp mud, metal flakes from the rebuild etc.

I agree with Gene: It would only cost you an oil pan gasket set to drop the sump, and a plastigauge check would indicate any bearing/crankshaft wear. A cleanup and a compression check would be a must, as well as a good flush of the engine block and radiator.

How'd ya get 'em off Justin - use a puller? Looks like they're in pretty good condition. I was going to suggest that you don't pound on them too hard as you might knock them out of shape, but you work quicker than that by the looks of it! I hope that the rest of the project goes so well. Might need to drop the size of your photos down just a bit.

Keep up the good work Paul. Should always chock the wheel though... or wear a hard hat!...

This NSW '51' number plate is for sale for $200k-$240k... http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/lot/WWY4MW10A3G66WF0/?cmpid=SHN:GI:PI:NPS:EDM:20120531:131&2473PSEM . A fella would really have to want his own 'tag' to want to put that on his car/truck!

Welcome aboard Justin. The panel truck looks like a great find - only wish I could find one the same here in Oz !

Found the attached pics in a quick Google search... Quite an interesting looking car!

Are you talking about this one AndyD? ... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Other-Standard-Beautiful-Well-Cared-For-Dodge-Sedan-With-A-NO-RESERVE-LUXERY-LINER-/111175064831?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19e28cdcff&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1182 . I've only seen old MOPAR 6 flatheads silver here in Oz as well, but then I have only played with them for the past 10 years! I'm guessing that things were a little different across the pond.

Well done Paul. I'm wondering though, how do you find the time and energy to work on all of these projects of yours?

I'll have to have a chat to Janie for you John as I believe that she's found a fella here in Oz that can re-produce the original truck fuel tanks. I'll catch up with her (and you) at Chrysler Expo 6th October 2013 at Rothwell (Redcliffe).

Well done Richard - on both picture attaching and also Bunn Bible wise!

A search around on the internet for the book that we commonly refer to as the 'Bunn Bible' should locate one suitably priced for you. Here's one presently listed on Ebay... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-B-Series-Trucks-Restorers-Collectors-Reference-Guide-History-Don-Bunn-/251334582796?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item3a84b5620c&vxp=mtr . Adding photos to posts was discussed a while back ... http://p15-d24.com/topic/32515-struggling-with-new-stuff/?hl=%20attach%20%20picture . I generally find it easier to attach thumbnails when I post pictures. There's some more info in the top-right of the forum screen toolbar - use the 'help' drop down then 'site help topics' then 'posting' and scroll down to the 'attachments' heading. Thumbnail attached is from last weekends car show - features my mate Keith's 29 delivery van and my blue 52 truck

You've got the MOPAR bug bad haven't you PP. Wasn't it decided a while back that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?