1oldtruck

Thanks. I don't want to send away for them. Does anyone know if there's more modern year that would work?

Hello All, I need to replace my front brakes in my 1948 B1 but nobody's catalogs go back far enough. I've checked the usual places such as O-Reilly and Napa and they cant figure out what would match. I want to buy new drums and a whole rebuild kit. Any suggestions on what to ask for that would match? Thanks, Matthew

I seem to have leak from my oil pump at the side of the block. Is there a gasket to replace? I've called around and cant seem to find one...as in "we have nothing like that listed" Should I be asking for something else? Or is it better to replace the whole oil pump?

Hey Pals, I have a 48 Dodge and need to clean the oil breather cap. Any suggestions on what to use? Thanks, Matthew

I forgot to mention that this was a farm truck used near Fontana, CA

Does anyone know what this is? It's mounted on the bed of the truck between the cab and the rear fender. I've been told that it use to hold road flares and also that it held twine and the sharp object sparked the road flare or cut the twine. Any help would be appreciated.

OK, so I have to replace my radiator or at least get a new core. I have a 1948 B-1. Any suggestions in Southern California? Thanks!

Hey Y'all, I have a new question for you. I need to replace a front seal on my motor that sits behind the front timing cover. Is this is a rope seal or a mechanical seal? I was told that it is a rope seal but the auto parts store tells me that it's a mechanical seal. I have a 48 B-1, 218 if that helps. Thanks, Matthew

Thanks. I plan on working on it tonight if possible. I'll let you know how I do. Matthew

Ok, here's my dilemma. I've had an oil leak for the last few weeks and I traced it to the oil filler pipe. The oil leaks from where the pipe fits into the crankcase. Now, I know that I don't have too much oil so I'm thinking that the oil splashes around while driving and leaks out and runs along the crankcase and drips to the ground. Was there a gasket or extra sleeve that held the pipe firmly in place? I don't want to make something that would deteriorate and melt and fall into the crankcase. My filler pipe is a little loose. Any suggestions?

IT.....IS.......ALIIIIIIVE!!!! No leaks either! Dang I've missed that straight pipe exhaust! Sounds sweet! Thank you everyone for your help!

LOL, Yes, I drained the oil!!! You would never know it, cuz anytime I wrench, I get it all over the place.

I had to buy larger jack stands and that did the trick. I didn't have to take the wheels off. I jacked it up, slid under the jack stands and let the jack down. Because the jacks weren't supporting the suspension anymore, the oil pan actually fell out. Now remember, I took all the bolts out a few days back. Well, I didn't remember and it scared the crap out of me when it slammed on the concrete. LOL Thanks for all your help everyone. Now, I get to do some cleanup and bolt up the replacement.

Here's mine. 1948. Got it in rough shape and did a urethane primer job. Left the little dings here and there and had a friend hand paint an old motorcycle shop logo on the side. He faded out the logo and left the brush strokes in to complete the original shop truck look I was going for. Matthew

OK, so I lowered the truck down and attempted to prop it up on the frame but my jack stands were too low to gain any type of clearance and I couldn't get it high enough. So, I took off to Harbor Freight and bought the taller ones. Back to the drawing board tomorrow. STAY TUNED!!!

The economy went sour about 10 years ago and I was into Volkswagens. 1962 and 1966 Busses and a 62 Beetle. Luckily, I sold them for a profit and kept my head above water. I used the money for bills, kids and food since I was out of work. I have always wanted an old pickup so I was scouring Craigslist and found a 48 Dodge pickup about 60 miles from L.A. in October in 2010. It used to be farm country out there and the truck was used hauling around farm gear for years. This truck was purchased for the sole purpose of getting dirt under it's fingernails. Hey, it needed work and wasnt a show car. Of course, I asked a million questions. The owner wanted $2,500 but I had to pass. The truck wasn't a priority since I still wasnt working. I kept checking back and the price was then $2,000. I called a few times and the price kept getting lower. I had to tell the owner that I'm just not ready even though the price was a good deal. Then, just before Christmas, the owner called me and said that he needed money to finish his 36 Chevy so he would let go of the Dodge for $800. Well, I couldn't pass that up and headed out there. Since I couldnt take it on the LA freeways since it was geared so low, I had it towed back to L.A. and stood outside trying to get a mental image on what I needed to do. It had the OG motor and was pretty barebone stock. I needed new bed wood and hardware, the rear fenders needed new hardware and were just hanging off the bed. The running boards were almost bent down to the ground and needed new hardware to connect to the fender. Plus, it was painted primer gray and even that was sloppy. I stared at the truck not knowing where to start. Well, the running boards looked like a good spot. I had the bright idea to but some 2 x 4's on my floor jack and bend them back up into place by force. It worked perfectly. Everything came along and then I had it painted. I wanted the suede primer paintjob since it looked like a shop truck. I replaced the bed wood and the rails along with some minor adjustments. It drove like a charm. Then, a friend handpainted the logos on the side and it looked straight out of the late 40's. I learned alot about the truck and did most of the tinkering myself to save money and learn a little something. Since it was a farm truck, it has double leaf springs, a 3 speed transmission and a kick start on the floor. It's rough! I've replaced the intake and exhaust manifolds, welded a straight pipe all the way out the back with no muffler, rebuilt the carb, replaced the back window, replaced the usual plugs, points, belts etc and have so much fun wrenching and showing it off. The local saturday morning classic car hangout has every car you can imagine. The 48 gets alot of attention because it looks original without all the Billet crap, 20 inch rims and electronic dashes. We all appreciate good, American made quality. What's left? I'm replacing the oil pan and next will be an emergency brake and door rubber so the windows dont rattle. The interior will have to wait as will the powder coated wheels.

Thanks. I'll try jacking it up on the frame first then the drag link. I'll keep you posted.

I have a 48 Dodge B1 truck and am trying to replace the oil pan. I've taken out all the bolts and the oil pan drops down, but I cant wedge it out from under the truck. It seems to catch up on the stem that dipstick inserts into. I've tried every angle with no luck. Any ideas?