New Here - 1946 WD15 Build - and engine conundrum!

[mevertsen]

I was gifted this 1946 WD15 this year for my birthday from my in-laws.  The truck has been in the family for at least 40 to 60 years.  2 years ago, my father-in-law was able to find a registration from I think the 80's, after his elder brother died.  The truck was still titled in their mother's name, and he was able to get the title.  I had been oogling over it for some time, and they gifted it to me this year.  

 

I have started what is likely to be a complete tear-down.   I busted a bolt in the block while taking the head off in May, and just last week was able to get the cab off and with the help of a friend, we were able to get it out and the hole cleaned up!

 

While looking at the truck today, I decided to check the engine number for some reason (maybe history with other vehicles and mis-matched engines I have had in the past).

 

The information I have says it should be a 3 speed, but it has a 4 speed.  

 

Secondly, the engine casting number puts this as a flathead 6 form a 1937 D5 or a 1954 Dodge Coronet!   

 

I did measure the head and it is 23 inches, which leads me to believe this came from a 1937 and is still a 218.    

 

The engine code is D5I-8539.  I am not sure if the digit after the 5 is an "I" or a "one"

 

ETA. It also looks like the 54 Coronet would have had a 230, which also has the same 23 inch head,so I presume it would have been a direct bolt in to the truck for either motor?

 

 

Edited October 21, 2023 by mevertsen

[mevertsen]

One photo.  The forum won't let me add more.  I'll have to edit some to reduce them more.  

 

I plan to update this thread as I go.  First forum I have found dedicated to this generation of vehicles. 

[mevertsen]

[9 foot box]

   A D51 is a 54 Dodge car engine. The original engine was probably a T114. Google t137 other engines. Rick D.

[mevertsen]

1 minute ago, 9 foot box said:

   A D51 is a 54 Dodge car engine. The original engine was probably a T114. Google t137 other engines. Rick D.

Ok. That makes sense.  That t137 site is where I got some of the information so far.  

 

Thank you.  

[Merle Coggins]

Nice project. Look for a casting date on the block, down on the skirt area. That’ll confirm it for you. If it has a ‘50’s casting date it couldn’t be from a ‘37, or vice verse. 

[greg g]

Measure the stroke.  There is a pipe plug screwed into the head above #6 cylinder.  Remove the plug,insert a piece of stiff wire about 7 inches long into the hole through the head .  You might need to dislodge some carbon, but once it's in it will contact the piston.  Remove the spark plugs, turn the engine over by hand. The movement  of the wire will yield the stroke length.  4 3/8 = 218, 4 5/8 = 230

[lostviking]

The original engine would have been a T112, or 218 CU engine. I have a 1946 WD15. That engine is a 110HP 230. Nice engine, I'd keep it if you are staying with a flathead.

Edited October 22, 2023 by lostviking