1938 v/s 1948

[Frank Gooz]

I have found a 1938 Plymouth i am interested in and the engine is locked up.

I have a 1948 Dodge out of a 1/2 ton pickup that ran very well. Would this engine bolt in to the Plymouth?

The things i would like to know is about the Flywheel, bell-housing starter even the front engine mount.

Any help i would be very great full.

 

Thank you

Frank

[greg g]

If they are both 23 inch long, should be close to a bolt in.  You may need to swap oil pans and pick up plumbing, and the crankshaft flange on the Dodge may be thicker than the Plymouth which might effect starter to ring gear line up.  You will need to use the car bell housing as the truck units bolt to the frame not a crossmember and the brake pedal and clutch linkage are different on the trucks.  There is probably fiddly stuff also, like starter activation and wireing, I am not real familiar with trucks, but I have seen "T" engines in lots of 40 and newer cars.

 

My advice is free, so don't depend on it...

[FarmerJon]

Look at if both are 23" engines, then look at if your dodge truck engine is a 217 or a 230. 

If 217, it should be a direct fit, once you swap over the tin and bellhousing.  

The 230 will aslo fit, but as @greg g mentioned, the flange and flywheel are slightly different so you will need to do some homework to get your ring gear to line up with your starter gear. I think guys have delt with it in several different ways, but nothing crazy is required. 

 

As long as the '38 is intact, you will have the original engine to rob off any part that is different. 

 

[Ivan_B]

Small note: I believe that the transmission and bell-housing (or bell-housing and the block) and paired parts. Unless you have access to the machine shop, etc., you should aim to keep the matching OEM combination, otherwise the gear box and the engine might not sit straight.

[DJ194950]

I had a 37 PLy. back in about 1968  and put a 53 Ply. car engine in it.  The 37 and 38 used the same bell and trans I am sure now though.

 

Exactly what parts I used I can't say now but I did Not buy any parts to combine the two, just parts from both to make it work and not spend any as a Senior in HS I really did not have it to spend! 

 

I do remember that it was some of both with the 53 engine and car parts  and 37 bell and trans. and other parts from  that car. The other details are Long lost in the cosmos.

 

It is do able but if you have all the pieces I do not know.

 

Worth trying I believe for sure.  😉

 

DJ

[Frank Gooz]

Good evening to all,

 

I want to thank all of you after reading i think this will be a fun project if it all comes together.

 

Frank