1953 dodge B4-HAJ52 QUESTIONS

[Ray J.]

Thank you to 47 1.5 ton for getting me on the right track.

My front brake drums are on and went on so easy.

Ray J.

[Ray J.]

The bed is back on and all the way forward which gives me access to the last rivets to be removed.

I will put the frame on my table to hold it and drop the rear end and remove those rivets.

Then move the rear end forward, put on the tires and center it in the wheel well and drill the new holes

for the rear ends new home. Setup ignition system and it sparks GREAT.

Ray J.

[Ray J.]

Finished up adding braces to my homemade table and set the rear frame on it. Table was made out of the rear section someone added on and I cut off. It has a 16 foot wheelbase.

I plan to move the rear end forward Monday.

Placed a 4x6 across jack stands in case one of my booger welds lets go.

Ray J.

Edited May 25 by Ray J.

[Ray J.]

Been slacking off due to a hurt right elbow. Have managed to finish welding the oil pan baffle back in, welding the broken retainer clip on the front brake backing plate, finished installing the rear brake retainer springs and determining that the clutch disc and pressure plate need replaced due to molly mouse whizzing inside the pressure plate and rusting it solid.

Now I need some info as to where is a good place to buy a clutch.

Tomorrow is gas tank, radiator and heater core day.

Ray J.

[Ray J.]

Cleaned and painted rear hubs. Cleaned rear axle tubes with a dryer vent cleaning tool on a drill. painted and reinstalled rear diff cover. Checked the radiator and heater core and both passed with no leaks.

Put a gallon of acetone and a gallon of ATF in the gas tank and strapped it in the bucket of my tractor and mowed for about 6 hours over a two day period.Bore scope shows it still has varnish on the bottom but the sides are very clean. I will do the same the next time I mow with a small chain in the tank. That nasty looking table is made out of the rear part of the add on frame. Nice patina.

Ray J.

[47 1.5 ton]

Looks like you’re coming along on progress pretty well. Advice on gas tank is to just buy a new one now while you can access easy. Unless you are really lucky, seems like that tarnish breaks down with the new gas over a long period of time.  Whenever that happens, it will cause you problems in the carb. I even had it gum up in the manifold. I made that mistake and had the carbs apart several times before I opened up my wallet on a new tank(great investment!). 
 Really like your table, looks like you’ll put it to use!

[Ray J.]

I am taking your advice and getting a new tank. I have some pictures of the bed in place but got the cart before the horse. Must lower the bed and center rear tires and mark where spring hanger holes are to be drilled, then move the bed back. Will leave it back until I get the clutch disc, pressure plate and TO bearing replaced.

Ray J.

[Ray J.]

Any advice as to where I might get a clutch disc, pressure plate. sleeve and TO bearing ? Anyone dealt with Len Dawson's deception Pass Motor Parts ?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ray J.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Len is an old man 85+..doesn't really want to talk with customers even if you can get in touch. I have seen his parts bldg. Cleanest most organised MoPar parts building I have even been in.

Find your part# if listed, pay for it and wait for delivery.

He's been in the MoParbusiness for 50+ years and is honest.

I have bought several items from him clear even back when he was in Reno.

[47 1.5 ton]

I bought mine from George Asche (spelling?) a few years ago.  Don’t know if that was his business but you may also want to look at Vintage Power Wagons, have no idea on the quality. I do know that the one I took out and replaced with work really smooth in these trucks.

[Ray J.]

I can get the clutch plate and pressure plate from Len but cannot locate the T.O. bearing and sleeve and have not been able to cross ref them. I located the rear end in the frame and moved the bed back past where I need to drill the new holes.

No work today as we have a broken air conditioner and a heat wave warning. They came and replaced the compressor and it is working hard to bring the temp down from 89 degrees in the house. Boss says no work tomorrow as we are grilling out for company. Happy 4th to all.

Ray J.

[Ray J.]

I need a ring gear. I have s list of 12 mfg's for them but almost everyone list for the automatic. Are they the same for the 5 speed ?

Ordered a NOS Mopar TO brg.

Drilled the 4 holes for the pass side spring perch and the chuck on my 1/2" Dewalt hammer drill layed down on me so that is on order.

My new Drill Hog step bits could not go past the 1/2" step and I need 5/8" holes. Finished them out with a 5/8" Drill Hog bit.

Working on the honey-do list today.

­FLYWHEEL RING GEAR MFG'S

• Anchor 146NC

• Anchor 153F

• Autocraft RG146SR

• Big A XG57

• Chromite FM146SR

• Dorman - OE Solutions 4406

• Ford EAA6384A

• Motormite 4406

• NAPA 6003011

• PTC RG56

• Sealed Power 416120

• Venture Products 146SR                                                                                                                              Has anyone
  used any of these ?

Ray J.

Edited July 6 by Ray J.
left out info

[47 1.5 ton]

  I would just use a good old 1/2” electric drill motor and a few drill bits. Can’t imagine using a hammer drill having an advantage on steel? Wait till you hear back from others on the ring gear, I bought mine from George as well and I believe the starter tooth was important for selection. 

[Ray J.]

Should have been more clear, the Dewalt is a hammer drill / drill. It shows the chuck should be here tomorrow.

Took the weekend off.

If you have any ring gear mfg. preference let me know.

Ray J.

[Ray J.]

The rear spring hangers and spring eye bushings are out and that was a job. Bushings are on order. Started prep work to remove the clutch.

Ring gear is also on order.

Tomorrow is definitely a wiring day.

Ray J.

[Ray J.]

Been busy with honey do list. Firewall is painted, rear end relocated and bolted in place and waiting on some spring eye bolts.

Cut out rust at the bottom of the cab back and made new pieces to be plug welded in and then seam sealed.

Today is shop blow out dust and vacuum floor and truck day.

Ray J.

[48 Dodge 1.5]

On 12/15/2023 at 6:14 PM, Ray J. said:

drovac unit is shot and is so rusted on the end of the brake cylinder that I cannot determine which Midland it is.

Where did you source wheel cylinders?

[Ray J.]

My wheel cylinders were in excellent condition. They were redone before it was parked. The old pistons still had the red anodized coating on them. Bought new pistons off of evilbay plus cups, expanders and end caps. Honed and reassembled.

We are under a heat advisory so no work yesterday or today. Wish I had AC in my shop.

Ray J.

[Ray J.]

All new clutch parts are finally here. Cut out bad section of floor. Lubed up clutch and brake pedal attachment points in preparation to pull tranny back far enough to get clutch and flywheel out.

Plan to fit the pieces I made for the back of the cab tomorrow. Quit today when it  reached 95 in the shop.

Ray J.

[47 1.5 ton]

Good idea to make cover for tranny. I worked around the shifter 100x! 

[Ray J.]

Just a piece of cardboard. Today the plan changed. After three days of luby-duby with PB blaster I removed the clutch and brake pedals and the tranny bolts. Tranny is on a jack and will move it back tomorrow. Cab back and floor will wait until clutch and ring gear are replaced.

Ray J.

[Ray J.]

not much accomplished lately. Removed wiper motor for testing, started wiring, made up front and rear brake lines and removed front driveshaft at the transmission. Wife came home from a visit with her sis in Maine and brought back covid. I did not catch it thank the Lord.

Today I will install the front and rear brake lines and remove the clutch bolts and test the wiper motor on 6 volts.

Ray J.

[JBNeal]

I am in the process of putting together a write-up on refurbishing Pilot-House 6V wiper motors, as these are not too difficult but there are a few details that can be frustrating if overlooked.  Of note is a leather seal on the gearbox that takes some skill and patience to replace, as well as indexing the crank arms, re-soldering the electrical connections, and replacing critical rubber grommets...stay tuned...

[Ray J.]

Mine is electric also but does not look like your picture. I woke it up with a 12volt tickle and then used a 12 to 6v converter to run it for a few minutes. Extremely quiet.

Removed driveshaft from tranny and am waiting for weather to get out of the extreme heat advisory before I remove tranny, clutch and flywheel.

Ray J.

[JBNeal]

here is an example used from '51-'53...the electrical circuit is not exposed like '48-'50 units and has an improved mounting bracket