9 foot box Posted August 11, 2020 Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 The block on the 49 Chrysler Spitfire 251 in my truck, is tapped 1/4”npt on the oil ports flowing into the canister. I looped a braided line, that I had, into those fittings and put a foot operated starter in place of the solenoid starter. You can get a remote full flow spin-on filter and run flexible lines as you progress. I would also suggest you add a tach and keep the RPM’s higher when pulling heavy loads. It’s just my opinion, but I think low rpm and torque broke that rod. You should be able to run the engine to 3000 or higher before splitting the rear gears and see where the rpm’s are, I would want it 2400 or more with a load on. These are just guesstimates, but I think you get my point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 6 hours ago, 9 foot box said: The block on the 49 Chrysler Spitfire 251 in my truck, is tapped 1/4”npt on the oil ports flowing into the canister. I looped a braided line, that I had, into those fittings and put a foot operated starter in place of the solenoid starter. You can get a remote full flow spin-on filter and run flexible lines as you progress. I would also suggest you add a tach and keep the RPM’s higher when pulling heavy loads. It’s just my opinion, but I think low rpm and torque broke that rod. You should be able to run the engine to 3000 or higher before splitting the rear gears and see where the rpm’s are, I would want it 2400 or more with a load on. These are just guesstimates, but I think you get my point. the truck has its original foot op starter. i have a tach mounted on the steering column. i typically ran that engine at 2800 to 3200 when hauling, so low lugging didn’t do it. the #2 rod bearing got oil starved right at the rebuild - might have been a piece of metal or gunk lodged in the gallery/port - who knows? but it squealed like a pig from early on. i replaced the bearing two times, but got caught on a longer trip with the heavy load when it really let go. i am going to look at remote spin-on filters as a solution, just disappointed that the 251 full-flow won’t fit (starter is too long). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 got the transmission, pto shaft, and driveshaft installed today. truck moved around my driveway and yard under its own power! need to bleed the brakes, but they work with two or three pumps, so just a bit of air. still need to repair the hard fuel line, and monitor coolant hoses, which seem to have stopped leaking. it will be on the road by friday, possibly tomorrow if i can get the parts. fired up! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 You are so close! Finish line is approaching! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 replaced almost the entire hard fuel line, from the tank to under the left side of the radiator. had four pinholes in a two-foot section, and other sections were corroded enough that i just replaced them. also fixed the leak at the pump, both the inlet and outlet fittings were weeping. just needed a “complete revolution” to halt that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 back on the road! took it for a quick spin around town. ran excellent, and i mostly remembered how to split shift the 2-speed. noticeable power increase from the original 237; this 251 is pretty smooth. i'd like to see how it runs with the vacuum advance distributor, so i might work on getting that operable to find out. same battery (kept it on a tender), all the running and brake lights work, dash lights too. finally! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 Congratulations! This is great to hear. I have really enjoyed your story of the detonated engine from start to finish. I knew you would like that 251. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2020 joined up with some friends yesterday who own more than a dozen 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s trucks. we did a mini-parade around the lake: a ‘48 ford 1.5 ton COE, a ‘50 ford 1 ton flatbed, and my ‘48 b1f. both fords sport the flathead v-8, and i’m happy to say that my 251 runs smoother and better than the v-8s. the coe overheated a bit by boiling off some coolant, and the 1 ton idles pretty roughly. fortunately, i had a gallon of 50/50 coolant behind my seat for the coe. and a chain, because the boilover got the distributor and coil all wet. so i towed it, and after a short pull, it was able to start. we finished the parade with all trucks running fine. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent B3B Posted August 16, 2020 Report Share Posted August 16, 2020 Congrats on getting him back on the road Wally. besides power, is there a noticeable difference in shifting Or stopping From a touch More vacuum? No photos around the lake with your buddies? we really need to work on your photo taking skills ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2020 no difference that i can perceive in stopping or shifts; as quick shifting as ever, and i’ve got excellent brakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) noticed on thursday that the master cylinder was leaking a tiny bit, so i placed an order that afternoon with roberts motor parts. the new big-bore (1-1/2”) master cylinder arrived on saturday afternoon, so i installed it this morning. took the truck out on a 30 mile ride today, and the brakes are even better than before. also did two more mini-parades around the lake. same trucks as yesterday for the first trip plus a ‘41 ford COE. then an f-6 fifth-wheel cab and a 70s diamond reo with a detroit joined my dodge and the 1-ton ford on the second trip. all good. the diamond was toting a single axle equipment hauling trailer of appropriate vintage. i do have some pics from the second trip, and i’ll add them to this post soon. here's some photos: Edited September 17, 2020 by wallytoo add photos 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) adding a pic that shows the knockouts used for a mopar heater (model 61) and fresh air package: if you look closely, you can see one heater mounting stud nut washer, and the attachment that connects the fresh air tube to the firewall. i assure you, the large circle is cut out, not just covered by this fitting. a better pic: and another: the fresh air inlet from the grille view of the fresh air duct and flapper model 61 heater defroster ducts, plenum, and heater flappers defroster plenum workings Edited August 18, 2020 by wallytoo 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 more photos from the "parades": 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent B3B Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 On 8/16/2020 at 6:13 PM, wallytoo said: Great Photo's Wally, that Diamond sure dwarfs the FA...... ( and I respect the "social distancing" the trucks are at, LOL) what a kick to have so many big trucks near you to do a parade. this thread makes me smile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Brent B3B said: Great Photo's Wally, that Diamond sure dwarfs the FA...... ( and I respect the "social distancing" the trucks are at, LOL) what a kick to have so many big trucks near you to do a parade. this thread makes me smile it does dwarf mine. but, my cab is wider!!! it was fun, when we hit pavement after the gravel section, he really got into the throttle on the diamond and the smoke screen from that detroit was awesome. absolutely obliterated my view of anything beyond the cab of the diamond. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 I can almost hear that "Jimmy" winding up and running through the gears... A very unique sound. He must have it tuned up pretty rich if it was laying down that kind of smoke screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 2 hours ago, Merle Coggins said: I can almost hear that "Jimmy" winding up and running through the gears... A very unique sound. He must have it tuned up pretty rich if it was laying down that kind of smoke screen. probably. hasn’t been on the road for at least 5 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBNeal Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 On 8/16/2020 at 8:13 PM, wallytoo said: It would be kinda interesting to see a brand new Power Wagon parked next to these two old "big" trucks...had a new 3500 MegaCab parked next to my '01 QuadCab awhile back, and the top of that truck looked a whole head higher than my ride, kinda like these two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted September 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 since my three other vehicles were out of commission (head gasket, transmission, rear cam plug), i had to drive the dodge for work today. i adjusted the timing a bit to 2* atdc, and it ran much better; cooler, with more power. put around 60 miles on it with no issues. glad i got it back on the road, or i would have had to drive the 4runner with the bad transmission... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted September 16, 2020 Report Share Posted September 16, 2020 DODGE = Dem Old Dudes Go Everywhere 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted September 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 another 100 miles in the last two days (61 today). running excellent. got my volvo 240 repaired by replacing the cam plug, will be nice to be back getting 22 to 25 mpg instead of 4 to 6 mpg... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted November 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 yesterday, hauled the first load since the engine replacement. same lading as was being hauled when the rod went through the block - manure. success, dumped it in the spot at my house. today, hauled a load of mostly oak cordwood. got it delivered, and about to head back for a second load. used my 2n to load it. i’ll get pics for the next load. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted November 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 (edited) got the second load of cordwood on. used the 2n (older than the dodge by 6 years) to get the wood into the dump body. just over 48 miles today. Edited November 17, 2020 by wallytoo 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted November 19, 2020 Report Share Posted November 19, 2020 Very cool Wally! I love to see these old trucks getting used like they were meant to be. Jeff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted November 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2020 4 hours ago, Jeff Balazs said: Very cool Wally! I love to see these old trucks getting used like they were meant to be. Jeff and i love using it that way. and i know you are using yours, too! keep it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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