New Guy From Ontario

[58Regent]

Hi all,

I live in SW Ontario Canada and recently purchased a 1958 Dodge Regent. The Regent was built in Windsor Ontario and as you may know, was sometimes referred to as a "Plodge" since it was a Plymouth from the cowl back but had a Dodge front clip. The reason I'm on here is it is powered by a 251 C.I flathead - unique to these Canadian cars as the U.S Dodge six in cars was the 230. What I am trying to find out is if my 251 is the same flathead you guys have in your early Mopars (and also used in Power Wagons and Dodge trucks). I have a few leaking frost plugs and need to know if my engine uses the same frost plugs are the other 251's. BTW, your tech articles are great - especially the threads on frost plug replacement. I'm not as worried about doing the job now!

Here's a couple of photos of my new toy:

Thanks

Todd

[randroid]

Todd,

Welcome to the forum. Nice looking drive, by the way.

I don't positively know but my understanding is that there were two blocks made, a 23" and a 25", as measured from end-to-end on the head, and the displacements differed only in bore and stroke.

Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong.

-Randy

[58Regent]

My block has the 25" head.

Thanks

Todd

[PatS....]

Welcome.

Other than being 12 volt, it's the same as any other Canadian or US 25 inch block.

On the block, just behind the generator and below the head is the engine number. Frequently these engines are not the original, so if you post the engine number it can be ID'd for you.

Nice car, not many left...they were very prone to early and extensive rust.

If you find a good parts store with a good parts man who still knows and has paper catalogs, many parts are still available locally.

You don't need to send away for everything and there are a few good Canadian sites for parts to avoid the border expense and hassle when you do have to send away.

Edited June 14, 2010 by PatS....

[B-Watson]

Yes, the 251 engine in your 1958 Dodge is bascially the same as all other 251 engines, be they car, truck, tractor, combine, etc.

Judging by the firewall, the car has been repainted. There should be a tag on the firewall with -

Model No. : LE1-M 41

Body No.

Trim Code

Paint Code

Fill in the blanks and I'll see what I can do.

Also, is that a "Penner's, Steinbach, Manitoba" dealer tag on the trunk lid? Penner's started out as a Dodge-DeSoto in 1938, becoming a Dodge-Chrysler dealer for 1961 when Chrysler of Canada dropped the DeSoto and Polara.

In 1980 the firm was owned by the son of the founder, and given the shakey condition of the Chrysler at the time, became a Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealer. However, the bulk of the sales, service and parts employees felt Chrysler had been betrayed, got together, and formed Steinbach Dodge Chrysler.

Penner's opened new facilities in 1958 at 145 Main Street. They are still there. Steinbach Dodge acquired on old GM dealer's facilities at 208 Main Street, and they, too, are still in business.

The son of the founder, Charles, by the way, cut his teeth as a Mazda dealer in Winnipeg when Mazda first started in Canada. Penner's then opened a dealership in Winnipeg on Pembina Highway, which Charles ran until taking over the whole concern. Penner's Winnipeg operation was sold and became Pembina Dodge Chrysler.

My father bought his first new car, a 1965 Dodge 330, from Penner's as did I in 1978. Penner's Winnipeg operation had a great body shop. Treated their repeat customers very well.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[boxer_inv]

Bill - you never cease to amaze with the variety of information you bestow on this forum - thanks!

[BobT-47P15]

In looking at the air filter, I'd say it uses a paper element.

Looks as if it clamps onto top of the carb like the older oil

bath models of the 40s and 50s. So, for those wanting to

change to a paper element, maybe you should try to acquire

the Canadian housing.

Nice car....welcome to the forum.

[P-12 Tommy]

Hi Todd, Welcome to the best forum on the Web. Thanks for the pics.

Tom

[Plymouthy Adams]

Not trying to run you off by any means but there is a very active forum that covers the Forward Look years of Mopar that is your car...makes me wish I still had my 59 Suburban 9 passenger...

http://www.forwardlook.net/

[carls 49]

hi todd and welcome. good to have you here. new here also.

[58Regent]

Thanks for all the info guys. I think what saved this car was the salt free climate it was in for most of it's life. The car came to Ontario with 55000 orig miles. It has 62000 on it now (all summer miles). The car is the original colour - Sandrift Beige and Sandalwood Brown. The colour you see in the engine compartment is primer. This is correct for these cars (they never even bothered to paint the inside of the trunk lid in 58 either!). I am also a regular on Forwardlook.net however there are very few on there with a Canadian "Plodge". I'll get the engine ID and post it on here. Is there a Canadian source or common part number for an oil filter?

Todd

Edited June 14, 2010 by 58Regent

[58Regent]

I got the engine number:

L12501C

Thanks

Todd

[55 Fargo]

Hey welcome fellow Canadian, nice car BTW, hope to read more of your posts in the future.......

[B-Watson]

I got the engine number:

L12501C

Thanks

Todd

Todd,

The engine number decodes as -

L - 1958

12501 - 11,501st engine built

C - Built in Canada

1958 was the first year Chrysler of Canada no longer put the make in the engine number. The 251-cid six had prefix "L" for both Plymouth and Dodge, while the 313 V8 was "LV". That system continued right through to and including 1965 - M, P, R, S, T, V, and A. In 1966 the US system was adopted.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[58Regent]

Thanks Bill. So it's a pretty good bet this is the original engine to the car?

Todd

[40phil41]

Hi Todd. Welcome. I live in Burlington so if you are ever over this way drop in. We have a great cruise here on Wednesday nights.

Phil

[58Regent]

Thanks for the invite! We often go to the cruise night in London on Saturday nights at Canadian Tire. It's about 30 minutes from my home and is usually packed.

[58Regent]

I'm going to replace the first frost plug (if you look at the photo, you'll see it just "behind" the generator covered in silicone sealant!). Do I need to drain any coolant prior to removing this plug or does the level drop below it once the engine cools down?

Thanks

Todd

[Niel Hoback]

Drain the block at the petcock on the side below the distribtor. Or, just punch the freeze plug and the block it will drain itself very rapidly.

Kidding aside, the block should remain full of coolant at all times.

[58Regent]

Well, I got one freeze plug replaced tonight. Only hitch was I was unable to get that draincock loose on the block so we did it the quick and easy way- let it run out when I pulled the plug. I followed the advice I found on here and it went well. I'm letting the sealant sit for 24 hours before I add coolant and start the car. It seemed to fit nice and tight after using the ball peen hammer method. Fingers crossed it doesn't leak!

Todd