pigheaded Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Hello, I finally took the plunge and bought a pilothouse. It is a 1950 B-2-C 116. The serial number 85507556 tells me it was a California truck. Now, comes the questions. The engine does not appear to be original to the truck. The serial number is D46*I23574. This makes it a 1953 230ci engine for a dodge car. The head has a 1951 date stamp. Would this have been a possible dealer replacement? How could I find out? Is there anyway other than getting the build cards to know if the original engine was a 230ci or the smaller 216ci? There are many parts missing and the fun of collecting them is just starting. I plan to post my restoration progress on here as I go along. So a question for anyone reading this, should I hunt down a 1950 motor or work with the one I have? If I wanted to take the truck to a show how much of hit would it be? Thank you, Jerry P.S. Here is a picture of the truck after I bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Welcome Jerry. Why are you so pigheaded ? Your truck would have left the factory with a 218. 230's weren't used in the trucks except for the 1 tons. Your truck looks pretty straight in the photos. I look forward to seeing your progress. Oh yeah.......Screw the judges....the 230 has more power. Where are you located ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48Dodger Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 If I wanted to take the truck to a show how much of hit would it be? Welcome to the forum......where EVERY Pilothouse is a big hit! 48D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Shepard Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 If you took it to a show you'd be the only one there in a Dodge. And then someone would want ot know if it was a Studebaker or an International... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds truck Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 welcome to a great forum and a greater bunch of guys. Look forward to seeing progress on your truck. Looks like You have a good solid truck for a start. good luck, Bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigheaded Posted April 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Thanks for the replies. The frame is in great shape. Under the hood is a mess. It has a few cancer spots, but not too many. I am in sunny Alamogordo, New Mexico, so rust is not as damaging for most vehicles here. I have a lot to do before it can be shown, but it is something that interests me. I know that a dodge is not a common sight at shows, but should I be trying to stay as close to stock as possible, like keeping it 6 volts and finding an original 1950 truck block and head? I can't wait to get started and really start picking the brains of fellow pilothouse owners. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey beard Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Jerry, That long box says you have either a 1/2 ton express or a 3/4 ton. Either way it looks like a nice truck to start on. Don't know where you live, but here in the East, units like this with good sheet metal - floors, front and rear fenders, etc. - are quite hard to find. Those flathead motors were used up through 56 and only a very seasoned MoPar nut will ever spot that engine code. Even the internal parts interchange to an amazing degree. You've come to a fine forum with lots of willing helpers. Good luck and keep us up to date on your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Engine swaps were basic maintainence back in the day. 50K was a lot of miles back when oil was nondetergent, oilfilters were optional and roads were dirt. And with the interchangability of these engines, finding a low milege wreck from the junkyard, made exchanging easier, cheaper. and faster than a rebuild. The head casting date is likely a casting date and not necessarily a build date, so the head could be from a 51 or later engine, again finding a good one was easier then machining one that may have been warped or cracked. Welcome aboard and enjoy your project. I have a 230 from a 56 in my 46 Plymouth coupe, they are a big improvement over the 218. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBF Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Welcome PH! Nice truck to start with-really nice. You'll find the truck guys are a lot less judgemental than some of the car guys are. My 52 is actually a '49 with a conglomeration of parts that it accumulated before I got it over a dozen yrs ago. She's all MoPar and all PH with the exception of the 13speed shift knob! Starting to see more and more MoPars at cruises and shows. Good luck w your project. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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