The most confusing part...?

[Normspeed]

OK, here's a thread that might help some less experienced flathead-heads when they tear into their motors. Question: What was/is the most confusing (for you) part of your old Mopar to replace or work on? Such as things they seemed to change just for the sake of change on an otherwise long-used design.

I have maybe 3 or 4 but I'll just give one: Head gasket/water pump design. My rebuild gasket set came with at least four different water pump gaskets. I understand that there were two designs, internal and external bypass, but why so many backplate configurations? It ties in with the head gasket that might or might not have a "bump" and an extra hole at the front. Confusing. What's your favorite or least favorite quirk?

[norrism1]

I quess the one that always struck me as weird was having a crank sprocket on the end of the crank shaft. I cannot think of anyone who could turn the engine over by hand. Especially since there was never a hole for the crank in the grill anyway. Go figure??

[Young Ed]

The trucks still had a crank hole up to 47. Perhaps it was them not bothering to produce 2 different nuts? Or using up leftovers?

[Guest flathead6]

My 48 b-1-b has a crank hole.

Only time I've used it was to turn the engine with the head off to adjust the valves.

Steve

[randroid]

Gents,

My brother's Land Rover had a crank nut and a hole to put the supplied crank, but he could never crank it fast enough to get the engine going (and he's a big boy). Then one day we were looking at it in amazement when his then-fifteen year old son walked past, put his foot on the crank and kicked it like a motorcycle. Started the first time.

-Randy

[Merle Coggins]

My 48 b-1-b has a crank hole.

Only time I've used it was to turn the engine with the head off to adjust the valves.

Steve

Yes, it carried through to at lease 1950, as mine has the access hole too. but I don't have a crank for it to try.

Merle