Need some Flathead help and advice Down Under

[TrevHedge]

I have a 1959 Dodge Truck (Built in South Australia).

It has a long flathead, apparently from an army amphibious vehicle in it (still also have the original engine block etc.).

I can't locate any type of oil filter at all on the engine! Help, where can I find it? Or could it just not have one?

I include some photos below, since those photos I have added a Stovebolt single carb conversion and electronic ignition conversion. The engine has good compression and runs reasonably well, although the water pump seems to make a horrible rattling noise and needs replacement (where can I get one?)

Also interested to know if the front end styling etc. is unique to this built in Australia model or has things in common with a generic US produced version. It has 233 on the hood and that's about all I know about it. I think the number corresponds to the chassis layout rather than engine from what I have been able to ascertain, it has dual wheels at the back and is rear wheel drive. Also has a four-speed gearbox with a very short first. The truck has been used for many years by the previous owner to cart wood etc. from up the hills but now is unregistered and I also use it to cart wood and other things around my property.

Cheers

Trev

Edited May 7, 2010 by TrevHedge

[Reg Evans]

Hi Trev,

Welcome to the forum. Your truck looks most like our US Built 1954 1 ton flat bed although some of the details on the grill and dash board are different than any US models. I say 1954 because the windshield looks like our 54 model did here for one year only. In 55 and later the windshield wrapped around the cab a little more and the three back windows were not available any more.

An oil filter was optional on these engines so it's not uncommon to find an engine without one. I do see something on the firewall in your air cleaner photo that might be an oil filter. That would be where an oil filter would be located on US models from 55 on.

Here's a photo of my late 55/early 56 Dodge 1 ton flat bed for comparison.

[Merle Coggins]

It's quite possible that your engine never had an oil filter. Apparently they were optional on trucks back then, at least here in the US. I found one on ebay for my truck, but I don't know how common they would be down in OZ.

I would recommend that you repost this over on the Pilot-House side of this forum. You might get more hits from truck guys. I would also recommend contacting Tony WestOZ. You can look him up in the Members List and send him a private message or email. He knows OZ trucks better than anyone I know on this forum.

Welcome to our little world.

Merle

[TrevHedge]

Thanks guys. Will a moderator pick this thread up and move it to the recommended part of the forum you mention? I will also aim to get some clearer photos of it in the near future to give you guys a better idea. I suspect the engine may be one of the biggest flatheads as it does have quite a bit of grunt.

As to the items on the firewall you mention, I believe they are the brake and clutch master cylinders.

[55 Fargo]

Hi, let us know what the engine number is (topfront left side), and will ID this engine.

I am sure you can plumb in a by-pass oil filter for this engine..........Fred

[boxer_inv]

Hi Trevor - welcome to another Aussie!

You'll find good info on this forum, though as others have suggested, the Pilot House side might have some more pertinent information for you.

As it happens, I'm also in the 'market' for a new water pump for my '47 Dodge and have been pointed to www.dodgeparts.com.au for a local supplier of all things dodge.

I actually posted a price list from Dodgeparts that I got just in the last couple of days by email - click here for the thread.

There's a few Aussies on here - TonyWestOz and Andydodge are certainly the most active and knowledgeable, but most everyone here can add things of value to your questions.

Again - welcome.

Rob - Cairns.

[TrevHedge]

I believe there are two types and mine is mounted externally somewhat, is yours the same as mine? If so it might work well for us to band together in the purchase from US to save on shipping and then one of us forward the item on via local post after it arrives.

Some other pics of the truck, will take some more in the next few days. Since these images I have added a Stovebolt single Weber conversion and electronic ignition. I will get the number off the engine at some stage this weekend.

Edited May 7, 2010 by TrevHedge

[boxer_inv]

Trevor

My water pump appears slightly different - see below.

Some more experienced guys will chime in with what the differences are between the two - truck/car etc.

Regards getting a pump, I'm certainly up for a sharing arrangement if it comes to it, but at this stage I'm probably going to get one through Jim.

[Tony WestOZ]

Hi Trevor,

Good to see anoher Australian truck on the site.

Your`s is a 1958-59, 233C.(series 2, 133" wheel base)

Original engine would have been a 251cu". (25" long block). Engine number would be T1-#####.

Going be the water pump on the one that is in there, it`s a pre 1950 (I think) with the external water by-pass. Probable a smaller 218cu" or 228cu" motor. Maybe even be a 201.

With the motor out of something else who know`s weather it had on oil filter fitted. Pilothouse truck here all came fitted with oil filters. Most of the 40`s trucks I have seen had them fitted as well.

Is it possable to get the Body tag, paint code, chassis number and engine numbers off you. I`d like to put them in my files.

Cheer`s

Tony

[Andydodge]

Tony, I think you've misinterpreted the water pump pics , the truck one shows a small bump on the front of the head between the head and back plate on the water pump.....which indicates an internal bypass to me........Trevor, as for the actual water pumps, as far as I anm aware ALL mopar 6's used the same basic water pump, so the car ones are fine........I have the electronic dissy from Tom Langdom on the stock engine in my 41 Plymouth Coupe and its the best thing I have ever done, instant starts, seems to run fine.......as for your lack of oil filter, yep some mopars still don't have them.......when I got my 41 Coupe 3 yrs ago, it was an older restoration without a filter, I got the beehive filter shown in the pic and had the braided stainless lines made up.......you can use the type of external filter that early Holdens used, the metal canister that may or may not have a replaceable element and bolt it on the side of the block or firewall.......down where the dissy fits into the block there are a number of small "bolts" that screw into a length ways oil passage any of these can be used to draw oil and there is another screwed in plug near the dipstick that is the return line........anyway welcome to the best bunch of guys on the web, friendly and helpful.......regards, andyd

[Tony WestOZ]

Glad you picked me up on that Andy.

I was looking a the wrong picture, trying to read through to quickly.

Andy how did your trip over here work out. Sorry I did not get back to you. Llife has got a bit hecktic.

[TrevHedge]

Hi, let us know what the engine number is (topfront left side), and will ID this engine.

I am sure you can plumb in a by-pass oil filter for this engine..........Fred

Unfortunately it doesn't look to have an engine number! Doesn't look as though it has been ground off either, the raised pad is there but it is just rough cast. Will take some pics when I have some good light on it.

[TrevHedge]

Hi Trevor,

Good to see anoher Australian truck on the site.

Your`s is a 1958-59, 233C.(series 2, 133" wheel base)

Original engine would have been a 251cu". (25" long block). Engine number would be T1-#####.

Going be the water pump on the one that is in there, it`s a pre 1950 (I think) with the external water by-pass. Probable a smaller 218cu" or 228cu" motor. Maybe even be a 201.

With the motor out of something else who know`s weather it had on oil filter fitted. Pilothouse truck here all came fitted with oil filters. Most of the 40`s trucks I have seen had them fitted as well.

Is it possable to get the Body tag, paint code, chassis number and engine numbers off you. I`d like to put them in my files.

Cheer`s

Tony

Thanks for that Tony. The current motor in the car is a long type, as in 25". And I have been told it came from an Army Aphibious vehicle. Also have the original engine in the shed, but no doubt it is in pretty bad shape and would have to be complete overhaul. I was of the understanding that the current engine would be better and perhaps bigger due to its Army role.

[greg g]

The plug on the top of the pump is for the return line from the heater if installed. If you check the picks your engine has the small sheet metal thermostat housing not the larger cast iron one of the external bypass. I do not thing you can assign an age to the use of internal vs. internal style. My 56 engine hhas the same internal setup as my early 46 engine. There is a number on the side of the engine just below the head, just above the welsh plug over the genny/ alt. Post that number for a positive ID.

An amphib military vehicle would have had a pcv system sealed oil tube and a waterproof ignition system. Yours looks not to be equiped that way.