53 Dodge pickup questions from a novice.

[Brent B3B]

On 8/17/2020 at 4:28 AM, 1949 Wraith said:

There should be a tag riveted to the distributor body it will have the model type and serial number. It could be on the lower half of the distributor.

visual aid 

the numbers IAT 4103 is what I found Napa looks for

[ggdad1951]

I have a cardboard one I fabricated for FEF,  I've also run across metal versions as well.

[53dodgegirl]

So we looked up my engine number and unfortunately it is not original. It starts with a D, so what I read tells me it is from a dodge car and it is a 230ci. Bummer. Now I guess we are looking to put a 318 in it to go the resto-mod route. With all the talk about heaters and air, I figured I would put a pic of what is in this one. 

[JBNeal]

just my 2¢, but if that 230 is still good, it has a certain WOW factor of its own...I've been stewing for years on what to do with my '48 as the engine isn't original nor is the Fluid Drive hood, and I'm leaning towards mildly hopping up its Plymouth 230 just because I haven't done one of those yet.  I've got 4 other trucks that are verified original, so I'm gonna get a little creative with the '48 as it was already deviated from original years before I existed...I drove it for over 10 years and got lots of thumbs up (and a few "super #1s" from impatient commuters), so I figured why not kick things up a notch...several guys have shoehorned a V8 into their Pilot-House engine compartments, so it is possible but has its own challenges, primarily motor mounts and steering gearbox clearance issues, transmission mounts, driveshaft, etc...

[Los_Control]

1 hour ago, JBNeal said:

several guys have shoehorned a V8 into their Pilot-House engine compartments,

 

You ever consider installing  8ba FLATHEAD FORD V8?

Thinking can gain 3 horse power

[JBNeal]

11 minutes ago, Los_Control said:

 

You ever consider installing  8ba FLATHEAD FORD V8?...

 

BLASPHEMY ! ! !  ⚡⚠️?

[billrigsby]

28 minutes ago, JBNeal said:

 

BLASPHEMY ! ! !  ⚡⚠️?

 

Could be worse.... 

Edited August 19, 2020 by billrigsby

[Brent B3B]

2 hours ago, JBNeal said:

just my 2¢, but if that 230 is still good, it has a certain WOW factor of its own...

Amen,  x $.02 ?

my b3b has a car engine (Plymouth 218)

i am confident nobody but a hand full of folks on this forum will ever know it isn’t original

 

[billrigsby]

 

Mine is not original, but as I have 3 blocks to choose from, I will save the Dodge Car block

and go with the T306 and bump it from 218 to 230.

 

I have been told these old trucks are not "matching number" type restores.

Do wish I remember why the "what was original" block got tossed.

 

Could always 'redo' the block serial numbers, but that would be cheating and hard!  ?

 

and

 

Yes who will really know, it will 'look' right.

[53dodgegirl]

Thanks again JB. Your $0.02 is always appreciated. So maybe we fix the 230 up to save time and $?. More to discuss. 

[ggdad1951]

yah the 230 is a good choice to leave in.  MANY of our trucks don't have the original engine anymore.  Just part of life!