Merle Coggins Posted January 30, 2015 Report Posted January 30, 2015 I'm still using the stock master cylinder with my Rusty Hope disc brake conversion. Quote
clarkj Posted January 30, 2015 Author Report Posted January 30, 2015 Glad to know I have some options, guys. It is really exciting to have this project back on track after seeing it sit for a few months. Quote
William Davey Posted January 30, 2015 Report Posted January 30, 2015 I'm also using the stock (new from NAPA) master cylinder with the Rustyhope kit on my '55 C-3-B8. Works great with no residual valves or proportioning valves. It helps that the truck has 4.10 gears and slows really quickly just by letting off the gas. Quote
Floydflathead Posted February 1, 2015 Report Posted February 1, 2015 Interesting comparison. Here's the C3B truck I have, 1/2T short box. It was a six originally but has a V8 in it. I thought this one was also originally a 6 because of the round hood ornament. Quote
clarkj Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Posted February 1, 2015 Cool truck, Floyd! Looks to be in better shape than what I am working with. I like the look of that low bed as opposed to my high sides. Quote
clarkj Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Posted February 1, 2015 I went and picked up the 218/4spd combo yesterday and have it home now. I know you can't tell much from the outward opinion of an engine, but she does look pretty clean for something of that age. It has what appears to be some type of block repair on the driver's side, but nothing appears to be leaking from there. Working with it as a combo like that I can sure tell you it's a heavy old pig! Quote
ggdad1951 Posted February 2, 2015 Report Posted February 2, 2015 I hope its not resting on just the oil pan up front! Quote
clarkj Posted February 2, 2015 Author Report Posted February 2, 2015 It is resting on the pan. I guess I have never had a problem doing that. Have you seen some issues from that? Quote
Don Coatney Posted February 2, 2015 Report Posted February 2, 2015 When I first built my engine I had it resting on the pan with no issues. Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted February 2, 2015 Report Posted February 2, 2015 At one point I had the engine, bell housing, and tranny as one unit out of my truck and resting on the oil pan. No problems here either. Jeff Quote
ggdad1951 Posted February 2, 2015 Report Posted February 2, 2015 you guys are WAY more trusting of sheet metal than I am! Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted February 2, 2015 Report Posted February 2, 2015 you guys are WAY more trusting of sheet metal than I am! I don't know about all oil pans.......but these truck pans are hell for stout. As long as you let the weight down easy and even it should be just fine. They definitely didn't skimp on the metal back when these were made. Jeff Quote
clarkj Posted February 2, 2015 Author Report Posted February 2, 2015 I agree they are stout, and I have found the newer stuff to be plenty strong as well. I can't count how many times I have lifted an engine by using a floor jack with a piece of 2x4 or the like between the jack plate and the pan while changing headers, motor mounts, etc. and never had any issues. I have no problem with being cautious or being told I am doing something stupid, though! Please don't hesitate to say something if you see it. I think every one of us can still learn something from each others' experiences. Quote
clarkj Posted April 2, 2015 Author Report Posted April 2, 2015 So I think I am getting the engine pulled out of my 55 here pretty soon. Just when I think I have it all figured out and ready to drop my newly purchased 218 in her, I find a guy selling a 270 Poly and transmission right here locally. Anybody have one in their trucks? Some digging tells me that you could get this from the factory in late 55 and later, so I am hoping finding motor/tranny mounts isn't going to be too bad. I don't know if i will go this route or not, but I am going to take a look at it pretty soon and see what it has for compression, etc. He wants 600 bucks for the pair, but unless it checks out amazingly on compression and surprises me at how clean it is, I won't give that for it. Quote
Young Ed Posted April 2, 2015 Report Posted April 2, 2015 What did the 270 come out of? It its a car I would think you'd need a truck bellhousing and transmission. If you can find a truck with one for parts I agree it would be good swap. Quote
clarkj Posted April 3, 2015 Author Report Posted April 3, 2015 It is in a 56 Dodge Custom Royal Coronet right now. I don't have a clue on the old powerflite transmissions, so I don't know if that can be saved, etc. I think I will go look at it, pump it for compression and see if I can essentially steal it. If I can't get it cheap I will most likely pass and keep going forward with my 218. Quote
wayfarer Posted April 4, 2015 Report Posted April 4, 2015 ...that is not a bad price for the 270, even better if you think it will run or hear it running. The PF is not a 'terrible' trans but the shift cable/assembly is slightly different between car and truck. First indication of trans condition is the fluid. If you want to stay with a manual trans, remember that you cannot use the 218 flywheel due to a difference in crank flange offsets. A '54-'55 241-260-270 waterpump housing will get you back to the front 'FloatingPower' mount if you use the manual. Quote
clarkj Posted April 7, 2015 Author Report Posted April 7, 2015 I would prefer to use my 4 speed if I do end up with this 270. Do you think the 270 flywheel and bellhousing will be an absolute bear to find? Quote
wayfarer Posted April 7, 2015 Report Posted April 7, 2015 I would prefer to use my 4 speed if I do end up with this 270. Do you think the 270 flywheel and bellhousing will be an absolute bear to find? Truck bellhousings and a compatible flywheel for the v-8 should not be difficult to source. Keep in mind that the flywheel tooth count changed for 1957 and that the bell and flywheel vintage must match. The post 56 wheel, at 172 teeth, is physically larger than the pre-57 count of 146. What I cannot tell you is whether or not your existing trans bolt pattern is the same as later models. Last item: truck type bells with both the I6 and V8 block bolt patterns exist for the 57-59 models. Quote
clarkj Posted April 8, 2015 Author Report Posted April 8, 2015 I went and looked at the engine today...didn't have a good opportunity to compression test or anything. I haven't totally made up my mind, but I think I am going to pass on this one and keep moving forward with my 218. Maybe take on something else down the road if I deem it necessary. Quote
clarkj Posted May 18, 2015 Author Report Posted May 18, 2015 I am going to stop posting in this thread and start a new one soon...as I have sold my '55 to start working on another project. I found a very solid '57 that i was able to trade a motorcycle for. I have always liked the '57 style a little better and this one is in better shape than my '55 was. All of the glass is there, too! I will have pics up in the new thread I start. I hope to have my 218/4 speed bolted in place in the next couple of weeks, and have have some brake parts on order. I was able to sell my '55 to a guy in the same town who started messing with it that same weekend. Hopefully there will be 2 50s Dodge trucks running around Laramie in the not so distant future. Quote
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