Desotodav

I had my truck engine block hot dipped when the motor was being rebuilt. The problems that I had with rust flakes after that stemmed from letting the motor sit for 2½ years while the body of the truck was being completely restored. I was advised that the flakes will break away from the inside of the motor with the warming of the motor and the flow of water. I now have the engine/radiator flushed annually and have found the level of flakiness to have decreased to almost nothing at all now. The guys at the radiator shop use coolant which is made for aluminium motors in my motor - I have no idea why, but they seem to think that there are different chemicals in that type of coolant that stop (or minimize) the build up of rust flakes. Perhaps someone here with more expertise in that area can offer further advise?

I pulled the front mounting bracket off my 52 truck when I removed the engine a few weeks back. I did it much the same the way that AndyD mentioned. I assume that your earlier model car has a similar setup as my 52 truck as they design didn't change too much over the years. I found that the bolts at the bottom of the engine mount were pretty much impossible to get at. I was able to get enough of a gap to remove the front mounting brace by lifting the engine up slightly. There's not a lot of gap between the engine mounting brace and the top of the timing chain cover so don't lift your engine too much. I hope it all goes well for you DB!

Do a quick topic search from the 'search' button to the top right of screen as we have discussed this topic many times before. Be sure not to trim the flat pieces of cork gasket at the front or rear of the sump or you will most likely end up with an oil leak.

I found that the pyramid pattern was the closest look-alike to the original mat that Mark has from FEF. I saw this in a recent email about snow: Since the snow came all the wife has done is look through the window. If it gets any worse, I'll have to let her in.

x 2 what Mark said on the door adjustment. I had to bend my hinges slightly to make the door/cab gap just right. The 'dogbox' has slotted holes at most of the mounting points to allow you to get a more consistent gap between the door and the fender (see circles in attached pics). Judging by the work that I've seen you accomplish so far, I'm sure that this will not present a challenge for you Jeff!

Good advice Mark. I had to pull the front of my truck off recently and those bolts that mount in between the front of the doors and the rear of the front guards are a PITA to get at !!!

I wondered myself whether both rear seals could be used, but the fella that I bought the Felpro outer seal kit from told me that it was not possible and not required. I guess that if one seal is working fine then you don't need the other. The downside is that you're probably not going to know if the seal is working well or not until the whole lot is back together with your oil pressure up while you're driving down the road!

I just happen to have my rear main bearing cap (from my 52 truck - 218 cu.i) still sitting on the bench at present whilst my crankshaft is off being machined. In answer to your question - no the bolt holes for the external seal don't go all the way through. The bearing cap has been cast in a way that none of the holes for the cap go right through. The bottom/center hole even has a separate block cast so that it does not go through. I hope the attached pictures work for you - I tried to capture most angles for you...

I'd take Mark up on that template offer Jeff. It sure made things easier for me (thanks again Mark!). I'd be happy to provide the same template service for any Aussie member who might require the same - with the pedals on the right side (pun intended),

Congratulations Jeff - looking good, and going as well!!! I look forward to following the rest of your build.

Yep goes on the outside, and I agree with others about the job being a 'pita' - easy enough job but best with 2 people involved.

Your story sounds familiar Mario. I bought my 52 truck about 7 years ago with all intentions of working on it with my son and that eventually handing the keys over to him. He's 19 now and still doesn't care much for anything that doesn't involve video games. He's half way through his second year of a Science Degree, and I think he's a little annoyed at Uni getting in the way of his gaming. He has never really worked on the truck with me, but I am sure that he will enjoy it in years to come. I have the 55 truck to complete for my daughter one day (she's 14 at present) who is a lot keener than my son about the project. Cool video getting that old truck of yours out of the shed dajudge. Sounds like it's missing an exhaust as well! Be sure to keep us updated on your process. Enjoy!!!

Thanks for the photobucket link through your photo Paul. You haven't changed too much mate as there is still some fuzzy ones in there - are you still using that same camera? I love the look of that old grey dual cab (attached). I suppose that it's more like an 'extra-cab' as it has fixed panels in the back rather than doors? I look forward to following the progress on your convertible project. Stay vertical my old friend!

Good job Paul. You're quite the wizz with a camera now. You've certainly come a long way since those old blurry shots that you use to take! (yep we know - it was a faulty camera .. LOL..) Good lookin old truck as well!

Well done DD. Can you post some pictures when you get it all back together with the wires back in as it might be a good reference to others going down that path. I too can relate to getting 'happy' once a small truck project item is completed. I hope things go as well for you with the crank and engine project. I removed my crank yesterday and sent it off for either a polish or machine. I asked the mechanic about metal spraying and he explained the process for me. He said that my crank wouldn't need it and wondered why I asked. I told him that I had been studying up on the forum and learning as I go,

I was rather surprised last night to see the twin to my 52 truck shown in a TV series called 'A Place to Call Home'. I'll have to keep an eye out every Sunday night for further cars/truck sightings throughout the 13 part series. The shows first episode can be viewed here for those that are interested... http://au.tv.yahoo.com/plus7/a-place-to-call-home/-/watch/16883688/a-place-to-call-home-sun-28-apr-series-1-episode-1/ . It is set in Australia in 1953 so I guess that Mopar sightings will be common. I've attached a few shots of the vehicles that I saw. I reckon that the show has to be a hit when it starts out with the viewer looking across the ram's head on a car bonnet with a Dodge (or Desoto?) truck right in the centre background (see first picture)..

Quite a good looking truck, and probably not bad for the money. Like the accessories: dual carb, heater. internal rear-vision mirror, lighter/ashtray, horn ring, chrome whiskers/grille - not sure about the red seat, fuse box and the modern stereo though. I'm sure that the new owner is very proud of their purchase and I hope he/she ends up here amongst friends.

You're welcome John. Glad that we could help you out. I may have other sets here Chris, but postage has become ridiculously expensive to send heavier stuff to you guys now. PM me if you run out of options over there.

Couple more pictures for you Gizz...

Nah it wasn't yours Hank, but I have to admit that you are a man of good taste! Is that a Bruce Horkey Kit? - now I'm just messin with ya!

I like that color 'cream' Jeff. Looking forward to the rest of the journey mate!

Gizz, not sure if it will help but I've included picture of how I initially found my front guard with fender filler attached. I can take pictures of how I installed the new rubber for you tomorrow as the front is off the truck at present. Have also attached picture from truck manual. Try the search function in the top right of your screen as you should find details from previous discussions.

The old FEF looks real sharp Mark! I saw a truck bed recently where the bed strips were painted the same color as the truck. I haven't installed bed strips in mine yet (and am not sure that I will) but I did like the look of the strips the same color as the vehicle. From memory (and the Bunn Bible), the original combination for the truck beds was black timber and black bed strips wasn't it?

Great job on the mat Mark. Looks very similar to mine - but your holes for the pedals and steering column are on the wrong side (LOL)!!!

I am presently having issues in the same areas that you are working on DD, so I am following your post closely at present. The terms and parts that you describe make a lot more sense to me know as I continue to learn my way through the issues. I have the 81 year old fella who rebuilt my motor 1500 miles ago dropping down to measure the crank on Monday. We may end up machining the crank and finding bearings to suit yet. I am probably fortunate that I have a few spare motors. I too hope to never have to rebuild my engine again, so I'd rather get it right this time. I was of the same thoughts as you when rebuilding my 52 truck - I tried to keep as many things original as I can (just added some factory accessories). Keep taking forward steps my friend, and I wish you every success.