Jeff Balazs

Hi Guy's; Am digging into my "new" 52 B-3-C and have a couple of questions regarding the Fluid drive. I want to get the truck running in the condition it is in and have drained and flushed the engine oil/sump, the gearbox (4 speed) and the rear axle. I think that it is probably a good idea if I do this with the fluid drive as well. If all goes well I will run it for a short period with fresh fluids and then change them all again. My question is should I flush the fluid drive out with kerosene once the old oil has been drained? And is the tractor oil that Napa carries a suitable/adequate oil to refill it with? Again I am not planning on going any distances with the truck for quite a while.....I just want to get it to a state that it can be moved under it's own power. Thanks, Jeff

Hi Guys; I know this is rehashing a subject that has been discussed at length but.... As I go through things on the Deluxe oil filter I have I wonder if very many of these are working the way they were meant to? As I was cleaning things up I noticed the telltale signs of a hidden check/ pressure valve inside the "wing" nut assembly that holds the lid on. Sure enough there is one. Very clever! But so easily overlooked...... If you look closely there is a spring loaded valve up inside the stem of this with two outlet holes which would flow over the top of the semi sphere filter retainer. Mine was clogged up but with a few minutes cleaning now works. I am not certain how important this is but I figure if they made it that way it should work. Jeff

Thank you Dave and Kevin; I knew it had to be here somewhere........ Jeff 52 B-3-C

Tod; So does this look like one of these on the list you posted? I have read through numerous threads and I just have not seen anything about the spherical top replacement elements.......but it could be that I have overlooked something in the posts. Thank you for your help. Jeff

Hi Guy's; I am trying to figure out what filter cartridge fits in the canister I have. It has a domed top with a large winged fastener on top. When I opened it up there is a half sphere metal strainer that lifts out and then what looks like a cartridge element that is also domed on top and has a fabric sock sewn over it. The lid reads "The Deluxe Prod. Corp., Laporte Ind." & Model JC Filter- Use JC Cartridge- JCUS- S-30 Gasket" My question is what cartridge fits these today? The one Napa has is flat on both ends. Thanks, Jeff

Hi Guy's I suspect my reasoning on this choice is probably different from most on this forum. For me it was simply the most bang for the buck. I had been looking for a old truck for a while but I will be honest I was thinking C---Y ....... One thing I noticed early on is that they were either fairly trashed and hence affordable or built and expensive......same for F--D's and they don't do it for me anyway. I was trying to keep an open mind on this subject and even looked at Willys and a few Studes and Internationals. They seem to not be that rare in SoCal. Then I came across an ad for a Dodge. Now I have never owned anything by Mopar and I am not even sure I had seen one of these trucks before about a month ago.....but I starting looking closer. It wasn't that I had anything against them....I just never had one. But I found this group and did some reading. At first I will admit that the parts availability issues had me a bit concerned but as I read on it seemed doable. The first couple of trucks I looked at were OK..interesting at the least.....but a few too many issues and a little too rough. Then I found this one and it all made sense. Especially when I considered that it was a lot less money than the ratty old C----Y's I had looked at. The body condition alone was really all it took. I made my mind up thinking "who cares if it might need a whole drive train". And that has already changed. As I delve into it it appears to be in remarkably good condition......and I really like the overall build quality. It has all the charm of the other trucks from this Era and then some. Can't wait to get it running. Jeff

ggdad 1951; I will take some pictures of this but I am out of the shop until Monday. I know...... it really helps to see a photo. One of the things I am going to ask about is a photo of the return spring on the throttle......mine is missing and a photo will answer this quicker than words. You have a great Holiday. Have really enjoyed reading about your project.....nothing is better than when you pay homage to your family. Jeff

Hi Guy's; I know what you mean about Champions......never my first choice.... by a long shot. Had numerous issues that could be directly traced to those awful things. NGK has always been my go to brand. I have solved all kinds of problems with these in Autos, Bikes and Boats......I think it is that they seem to produce a plug that actually runs within the heat range they say it will. They also seem to offer more ranges, plug designs and tech support than a lot of the others. A few years back I built a 60 year old Brit trials bike that used a magneto. I chose to equip it with a non stock carb as I absolutely despise the original Amal carbs. It took a while to find the right plug for this application....but the tech support that was most helpful came from NGK. I am having a blast working on the Pilothouse. What a great old truck. I am so glad I chose to go in this direction instead of a C or an F. They really did a nice job with these trucks. I especially like the removable floorboards. Took those up for the first time today.....and low and behold found where the ground strap goes to. Was also able to look at the fluid drive filler plug and get a better view of the master cylinder. I have never owned a truck with this feature....Wow is that nice! I haven't even come across a buggered up bolt yet. Double Wow! I found a "new" friend behind the counter at Napa today. He has a 50 Chevy and understood exactly what I was after....first words out of his mouth was "cool a Dodge huh...you don't see many of them". We spent a bit of time going through the parts books and it seems I will be able to get quite a few of the basic items I need directly from them. He told me they are actually in the process of expanding the items they carry for older vehicles. This is huge as far as I am concerned..... In this day and age who would have thought? Thanks again for your help and advice and have a great Holiday! Jeff

Hello All; I am going to make a run to Napa later this morning to try and see if they have a rebuild kit for my carb. I should probably see if they have plugs and a condenser as well. My question is do I just replace the Champion J-8 plugs with same or is there a better suited plug for these motors? It appears that the engine I have is slightly newer than the truck itself being a 54 -56 series 230. Thanks, Jeff

Thanks Guy's I did post a few photos in the album section. I will post more when time permits. It is going to be "cool" when it is all sorted out. A buddy told me about some product by Jasco that makes short work of surface rust. He has used it to good effect on a few cars he has restored and says that it works great. Turns rust to a black powder which brushes right off? Anybody tried it? I do plan on sanding the old primer off but he says metal once treated with this doesn't seem to grow new rust. I guess I would believe that when I see it. Jeff

Thanks guys this is really helpful. I know it is early days on this project but I have a very good feeling about it. This old truck seems to have excellent bones......and there are only a few missing. As I get familiar with it, it appears to be in remarkably decent shape mechanically and in particular body wise. I have not found a bit of cancer anywhere! Hank came for a visit the other day and was quite encouraging as well. He confirmed what I had thought and that I did better than OK on this purchase. He was extremely helpful and a genuinely nice guy. I have a lot of decisions to make about how far I want (or need) to take things. One thing I do know is this will be a short distance daily driver and will be used to haul lumber and make deliveries occasionally. So "too nice to use" is not even an option. I am thinking now that I will do an "oily rag" restoration under the hood if the engine turns out to be functional and just put serious money into the cooling system to begin with. Then the brakes are by far the most pressing mechanical issue. I am inclined to think that perhaps a disc conversion on the front, a full rebuild on the rear along with a new master cylinder and lines might make the most sense. after that some new shocks, tires and some elbow grease and she should be good to go. Body wise I am in very good shape. It is all straight and there is maybe an ounce of bondo on the whole thing. I am not rubbing this in....believe me I know how lucky I got with this. When I went and looked at the truck it took me about a second to make up my mind that I wanted it. The previous owner had stripped the 95% plus of the old paint off so it is old primer with a little bit of surface rust here and there. The only original paint left on it is on the engine side of the firewall. There is literally maybe a weeks work prepping it for paint. Again thanks for all of your help and I wish all of you a healthy and happy New Year. Jeff

Thanks Greg; I will look a little closer for evidence of where the original ground attached. I did look but most of the old wiring that is still there is pretty nasty! It is almost more than my old eyes can take,,,,if you know what I mean. And I was thinking that it might have grounded directly to the engine block. I don't have a battery yet but when I buy this and the cables I want this to all work correctly when I get around to a new harness. I am making progress. Got the emergency brake working.....although I am certain it will need to be relined before it gets much use. Pulled the generator, coil and distributor and got them cleaned up. They look fine. Next I will go at the carb. It has a Carter Ball and Ball. Linkage looks to be original and intact with only a return spring needed. I got the choke cable freed up, but the hand throttle cable needs to be fixed....no big deal there. Can you get the correct rebuild kits for these Carbs? Where would you source these? Are there any tips for these I should know about? Thanks much, Jeff

The wiring in the truck (52 B-3-C) I bought is a mess and incomplete. I want to put a battery, cables and a temporary starting circuit in it to get it running. I can't find any evidence of how it is (or was) grounded. Where should the ground cable from a battery attach on these trucks? Are there other ground points as well? Thanks for your help. Jeff

Thank you guy's; I will proceed along these lines. Your advice is great. Jeff

Hello All; The engine in my "new" 52 B-3-C spins freely! I put a rubber strap wrench on it and it turned as nice as can be. I am very happy about that. So now I guess I can start looking in to all the systems.....radiator repair, new water pump, an exhaust system, carb and fuel pump rebuild, etc... I have read here in the old threads that it is a good idea to drop the oil pan. What about the oil pump ? Don't these need to be primed? What other things should I examine before actually trying to start the beast? It seems that the engine is actually a 230 from 54-56. It appears to have been painted battleship grey. Not absolutely certain but I think this may have been a Govt. owned truck at one time......there are some signs of fleet type maintenance in the distant past. Other signs too like never having a radio or an antenna installed. Signs of Navy blue brushed-on paint jobs...and an unusual step bumper that looks like it might of had Jerry cans mounted on it. It would be fun to know the whole story. Thanks, Jeff

Well....... I have not got as far as a budget. Just trying to figure out what I have bought and what it is going to need. My goal is to make it into a daily driver to use in my business. So with that said ... I would like to keep it as original looking as possible...... but it doesn't have to be perfect. I don't think I would use it the way I would like to if it had a real ex[pensive paint job as an example. Mechanically It needs to be relatively reliable and of course roadworthy. I don't have a clue what it costs to have one of these engines gone though correctly......so maybe some general numbers there would be helpful. Thanks, Jeff

Thanks Guy's; Wow this is great ....I already have answers. And they make perfect sense. So what would you do first? I am thinking of trying to see if this engine will turn over by hand. I don't want to do any serious damage but it would be nice to know. Any thoughts on this? Is it wishful thinking ? I just don't want to waste a bunch of money on stuff only to find out (soon) that this particular engine is not worth rebuilding. Thanks, Jeff

Tim; Thanks. I got the tag cleaned off and it is red....so 6v. Well that is one question answered. Honestly the wiring is so nasty in this truck it is hard to make out much. One further question. I've noticed that there is no provision for a key lock anywhere on outside of the drivers door.....would this have been integrated into the door handle ? the handle that is on it now does not have it but I am certain it has been replaced. Strangely (to me) the passenger door has a separate key lock below the handle that looks original. Thanks, Jeff

Hi; Meant to say that I checked on the engine # ;-) This truck is no way near running....I am still trying to figure out what I have. Jeff

Hello all; I ran my engine (# T342 I9455) and found that it is a 230 from 54 -56 so I have a few more cubes than I thought. I guess that is a good thing. The VIN puts the truck at 52 Now for a question,,,, Since my wiring is such a mess what is the easiest way to tell if the truck is still set up as a 6v or if it has had some mods made? I was thinking of pulling the generator and cleaning it up to see the data plate. Thanks, Jeff

Hello All; Well I spent a few hours crawling around on it.....I am pretty happy with what I found....or didn't find. No cancer at all. Looks really solid and I didn't see any evidence of it ever being seriously damaged either. I think I found some clues about it's previous life. Just a guess at the moment but it seems to have been painted blue a few times.....the kind of paint work you would see in a "fleet" maint. yard......maybe a old Navy truck? All the tags are off of it and the DMV has no record of it ever being here and yet it must have been here all along because there is almost zero rust on it. I wonder if there is a way to track down info on this? The drive train appears to be all there and it looks like it was well maintained the first half of it's life. Oil is clean like it was just changed and when I pulled the plugs they appeared to all have been running at a nice tan color....just many years ago. Of course this may not be the case now but it is certainly encouraging. Even stuff that you would expect to be a mess like the battery box and the floorboards all seem to be intact. So all in all I feel pretty good. I did take some photos and have posted the first group into an album. Merle, It does seem to be a 4 speed with reverse to the right and back. At least that's what it feels like. It even came with a radio....... but I don't suppose it is "the one" ;-) Thanks again for being here. Jeff