Jump to content

1948 dodge custom with pick up engine


Ed McDermott

Recommended Posts

Trying to check dwell and timing on my 48 Dodge Custom Fluid Drive and recently discovered that I have a 51-53 truck engine installed .  Engine # T306*I7I384*

I was able to set the dwell according to the manual 38 degrees not sure if this is correct for the engine?

On timing, I could not find a reference point (tab) for the timing.  See image.

I subsequently just checked the timing with a light and the 0 degree marked appeared at approximately 12 o'clock.  The car runs reasonably well at this point.

So any suggestions as to a timing mark reference tab.  I don't see a place to mount one if I had one or could fabricate one.

Another question.  Is there any significant difference in the 51  truck engine and the 48 original custom engine regarding timing and dwell settings or other things I might not  be aware of?

thanks Ed

 

timing.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Ed McDermott said:

Trying to check dwell and timing on my 48 Dodge Custom Fluid Drive and recently discovered that I have a 51-53 truck engine installed .  Engine # T306*I7I384*

I was able to set the dwell according to the manual 38 degrees not sure if this is correct for the engine?

On timing, I could not find a reference point (tab) for the timing.  See image.

I subsequently just checked the timing with a light and the 0 degree marked appeared at approximately 12 o'clock.  The car runs reasonably well at this point.

So any suggestions as to a timing mark reference tab.  I don't see a place to mount one if I had one or could fabricate one.

Another question.  Is there any significant difference in the 51  truck engine and the 48 original custom engine regarding timing and dwell settings or other things I might not  be aware of?

thanks Ed

 

timing.jpg

 

Edited by YukonJack
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/25/2021 at 9:14 AM, Ed McDermott said:

...Is there any significant difference in the 51  truck engine and the 48 original custom engine regarding timing and dwell settings or other things I might not  be aware of?...

That rear main seal changed design and the head gasket changed to accommodate the thermostat internal bypass configuration...when ordering engine parts, specify for the '51.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 hours ago, Sniper said:

There is a procedure for find TDC in the manual that involves taking the pipe plug above #6 cylinder.  Might want to follow that to find TDC and see where the pointer needs to be, then fab one if you don't have one.

Perhaps you could help me a little more.  By pipe plug do you mean the spark plug lead wire  and attaching the timing light to that #6 wire or something else? Or is this a mechanical procedure to get top dead center.

My Chrysler Dodge shop manual shows the timing reference pointer to be on the passenger side as best I can make out from page 93 fig 16.

Also a little confused should timing be set using #1 spark plug wire for the timing light?  Perhaps there is more to this than I understand and appreciate any help.

I have included two photos taken from the driver side looking down at the crank. It is hard to  see any timing reference or place that it might have been there.  Also towards the top of the picture there is a small jagged piece sticking out which I thought might be remnants of a broken indicator but I believe that is too far above the crank reference marks.

 

manual 116.jpg

tim 2.jpg

time 1.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's the page out of my FSM.  It is a mechanical procedure to find TDC.  Before timing lights you would set the timing by positioning the #6 piston at a specified distance before/after or at TDC and use a test light (not a timing light) to set the timing.   You can also see where the timing tab should be.

 

 

timing.JPG

Edited by Sniper
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Pipe Plug":  There is an actual pipe plug at the No. 6 cylinder, over the piston, for measuring the stroke and finding Top Dead Center. .  (The spark plug is over the valves, so it won't help finding the piston stroke.)  No. 1 and No. 6 cylinders are at top dead center at the same time, but two cycles apart.   There's a fine art to having a probe through  the pipe plug hole, and finding top dead center.  There's little vertical movement when the piston is approaching TDC.

    

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the information which I followed and also found a short you tube video showing the technique.  Set out to find the pipe plug and found only a threaded hole (see image).  Pushed a rod in and it would only go down 1/2 - 3/4 inches so I guessed it may have been snapped off by previous owners.  Ran the engine and did not notice and positive or negative pressure coming from the threaded opening.

So I guess that my only option would be to for reference to get back to (1) mark the distributor current  position, (2) connect the timing light to  cylinder #1 spark wire  and mark a chalk line referencing the TDC indicated by 0 degrees on the crank,  then(3) slowly turn the distributor ccw until you hear a ping and back off a few degree.  perhaps this is how it got to its current setting?

pipe plug.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Carbon can build up in the small diameter hole beneath the plug.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Dodgeb4ya said:

Carbon can build up in the small diameter hole beneath the plug.

Thanks but are you saying even though the pipe plug has been missing since I have had the car (1 yr)  that the carbon deposit was so strong that the engine does not leak on the compression stroke when running and one would need to dissolve or break out the carbon deposit?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Terms of Use