Finished the '49 Dodge , but can't road test it.

[goingbush]

After 6 months in Self Isolation I finally finished the Dodge restoration.

First time its moved under its own power in 30 years, out of the shed for a hose down and back in again.

Runs like a bloody swiss watch , but not good starting up and idling a new engine without being able take it for a drive and heat cycle it and to re torque down the head.

Bloody Lockdown means I can't drive to Castlemaine to get a VASS (for the disc brakes), can get a UPV but no valid reason to drive on a UVP matches a valid reason to leave home.

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/93407185_2860781457336959_4601278934712057856_o.jp g?_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=07e735&_nc_ohc=YdPfI3nz8gkAX9gAqAi&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=1f9ff78cd341b714abf5fb84c6434f83&oe=5EB760E8


https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/93375650_2860781357336969_8649012279473340416_o.jp g?_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=07e735&_nc_ohc=ht7yyUvpy0EAX_ocdcC&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=a88a7e82ebb7071972435e12df5939fb&oe=5EB89F03


https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92933672_2860784850669953_1437483897083396096_o.jp g?_nc_cat=107&_nc_sid=07e735&_nc_ohc=BnY527KQQfQAX-vI6Jq&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=e5b4ac103d0260ec24629b0b57526c39&oe=5EB7556E

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/93059678_2864339323647839_360373422858960896_o.jpg ?_nc_cat=101&_nc_sid=1480c5&_nc_ohc=6k5hR6hxGd4AX-BodYD&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=94138254ece04ee7dc2165a80b87abfb&oe=5EBA6AC6


https://youtu.be/8AJ8tgga3D8

[pop058]

Bloody beautiful [thumbsupbig]

where did you hide the batteries ? [biggrin]

[goingbush]

Bloody beautiful [thumbsupbig]

where did you hide the batteries ? [biggrin]

Thanks, ... Too funny . I did consider converting to EV but when I saw it still had the flathead I knew that was staying in it.

[rick130]

Bloody beautiful [thumbsupbig]

where did you hide the batteries ? [biggrin]

Ditto!

[101RRS]

That is very nice - when I was a kid my uncle had the model with the quad front lights and he took us every where in it - went every where a 4wd did at the time.

They are a great vehicle.

Thanks

Garry

[V8Ian]

Gwonn, head to Castlemaine, if you get pulled up tell 'em the computer's just started a burn. You can't stop. [bigwhistle]

[pop058]

Thanks, ... Too funny . I did consider converting to EV but when I saw it still had the flathead I knew that was staying in it.

Good call.

[JDNSW]

Looks wonderful. I hope to see it some time - A visit here would make a wonderful running in trip!

[vnx205]

What is the reason for the interesting spacing of the spark plugs?

[JDNSW]

What is the reason for the interesting spacing of the spark plugs?

I think you will find the spark plugs are positioned relative to the intake/exhaust valves, probably over the intake valves for cooling with incoming mixture, I'm guessing, and these are in turn grouped in pairs with three branches to the intake manifold, each serving two cylinders.

I think this sort of layout was pretty common on flathead engines, especially those with more than four cylinders in a bank.

[trout1105]

WOW[thumbsupbig][thumbsupbig][thumbsupbig][thumbsupbig][biggrin]
Stunning work Mate[thumbsupbig][bigrolf]

[crash]

I have a 51, 52 and 56 Fargo with step side boxes sitting on the farm. Would love to get them all going again some day.

Flat towed one home (about 15kms) accidentally in 3rd gear - dad was wondering why it was so heavy to tow. We had it running that afternoon after sitting in a field unused for over 10 years.

As a side note the same straight 6 engines were used in self propelled harvesters of the time.

[aussearcher]

Ripper job! As your next project, would you prefer my S3 SWB or the 1973 Inter van?
Alan

[Bigbjorn]

I have a 51, 52 and 56 Fargo with step side boxes sitting on the farm. Would love to get them all going again some day.

Flat towed one home (about 15kms) accidentally in 3rd gear - dad was wondering why it was so heavy to tow. We had it running that afternoon after sitting in a field unused for over 10 years.

As a side note the same straight 6 engines were used in self propelled harvesters of the time.

Also popular in small craft before outboards became affordable. The Dodge Kew engine was the nominated engine for a 16' skiff racing boat class with restricted modifications like Formula Ford. I acquired one about 1962 from the remains of a boat that had missed a turn and ran full tilt into a sandbank. It had a Frank Kleinig aluminium head and Kleinig inlet manifold with twin Stromberg 97's and cast iron split headers like those used later by GM-H.

[Pickles2]

goingbush, whilst I prefer a Ford of the same vintage because of their V8 engine, mate that looks absolutely MINT,...an absolute credit to you.
What is the history of the vehicle, and what sort of shape was it in prior to your work?
Congratulations & well done, Pickles.

[Bigbjorn]

goingbush, whilst I prefer a Ford of the same vintage because of their V8 engine, mate that looks absolutely MINT,...an absolute credit to you.
What is the history of the vehicle, and what sort of shape was it in prior to your work?
Congratulations & well done, Pickles.

The Ford side valve V8 may have been OK in cool climates but in Western & North Qld they were not popular because of the designed in overheating problems. Exhaust ports running from one side of the block to the other made them into tea kettles in the tropics and semi-tropics.

[Pickles2]

The Ford side valve V8 may have been OK in cool climates but in Western & North Qld they were not popular because of the designed in overheating problems. Exhaust ports running from one side of the block to the other made them into tea kettles in the tropics and semi-tropics.
Well I never owned one, but growing up in Toowoomba, a few friends of mine out Roma way, owned a few, & I never heard of any issues.
Actually one friend of mine had one in a Bren Gun Carrier which He restored.
Having said that, I do accept that those Dodge engines of that vintage were virtually indestructible, and would keep going when they really should've expired.
Pickles.

[goingbush]

What is the reason for the interesting spacing of the spark plugs?

yes, as JD said, the spark plugs are over the inlet valves. The cylinders pairs are also siamese like early Series one.


Here is a 'before' photo of the engine after I pulled the head for a look . The inlet manifold and ports and the 2 cylinders that had open inlet valves were absolutely caked with rust. I traced a previous owner who said it was running fine when he sold it due to hard times. I have to think the next owner must have left the bonnet open & air cleaner off during the wet season or ran a garden hose into the carby ?? note a single inlet port splits into a Y and feeds 2 cylinders .

3 cylinders were so rusted it needed liners pressed in, these engines were originally bored straight into the block and were not sleeved, it was an expensive repair but I wanted to save it.,

http://goingbush.com/Fargo/engbefore.jpg

[JDNSW]

Well I never owned one, but growing up in Toowoomba, a few friends of mine out Roma way, owned a few, & I never heard of any issues.
Actually one friend of mine had one in a Bren Gun Carrier which He restored.
Having said that, I do accept that those Dodge engines of that vintage were virtually indestructible, and would keep going when they really should've expired.
Pickles.

The same could be said for the better of the side valve engines designed in the late twenties and thirties. A combination of relatively low compression, low maximum rpm enforced by poor breathing, and by then the manufacturers had sorted out the major issues to do with lubrication and cooling, and understood more about combustion than earlier designers.

Having said that, compared to most modern engines, they had a low power/weight ratio, poor fuel economy, high oil consumption, and a short life, despite their reputation for being indestructible. But properly maintained, they were very unlikely to stop working for any reason that was not a simple roadside fix. And in the event of electrical problems, most could be crank started as long as there was a bit of power left to run the ignition. And would continue running even if badly worn.

[goingbush]

goingbush, whilst I prefer a Ford of the same vintage because of their V8 engine, mate that looks absolutely MINT,...an absolute credit to you.
What is the history of the vehicle, and what sort of shape was it in prior to your work?
Congratulations & well done, Pickles.

Thanks, It was originally owned by a fuel Merchant around Dubbo , (I still have to put a reproduction of the 'Shell' decal back on the rear window) . Then a copper from Coonabarabran bought it in the 80's , He rebuilt the engine & repaired the tailgate which copped a pummelling from having 44galon drums dropped on it from railway siding.

Photo below is after he bought it. I have a few of the rego papers with this rego & a few of the prev rego from original owner.

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/93230329_563736130931337_6788078185058664448_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=b96e70&_nc_ohc=WT46Akg140gAX-NeAFa&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=e702479f9c59b490aaa838f8cab8f652&oe=5EBB2376

Below is a photo of how it was when I bought it , It had been painted dark grey when he fixed the panel damage, the aftermarket indicators and damaged grille are the same & you can see the Shell decal on rear glass.

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/93373482_2925239877570286_3217279780034445312_o.jp g?_nc_cat=102&_nc_sid=110474&_nc_ohc=t0mjee7_oR0AX8NjTLv&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=431c6ae0a368265e01b40524bcf30fa6&oe=5EB9FD37

The story was the grille damage was from the old bloke after a session in the pub who mowed down some emus he was ****ed off with eating his wheat crop .

It cost me a bloody fortune to restore the grille, don't ask , if your on facebook look at The mangled front grille trims before i... - Carl Mills Stainless Steel Repairs | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/560180357409595/photos/pcb.2925240644236876/2925239957570278/'type=3&theater)

My wife and I have boon looking for a 'Fargo' for about 20 years as a tribute to her Pops ute, which she learned to drive in and was devastated to find it sold when she returned home from a few years away in the Army. Here she is with the original '49 Dodge , Luckily both were the same colour . So Im sort of preserving the history of both vehicles. co-incidently her Dad uses to also own and operate a Service Station , but Caltex rather than Shell.

http://goingbush.com/Fargo/pops.jpg

[Bigbjorn]

There were a few varieties of that basic Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-De Soto-Fargo flathead six of the period late thirties to late fifties. Bore, stroke, comp. ratio all varied from year to year and model to model. There were two lengths of cylinder head on engines sold here, 25" & 27" from memory. One of these is uncommon in the USA and restorers have told me to be careful if buying parts o'seas and to make sure you and the vendors are on the same wave length. Engines were produced in USA, Canada, & London, England (the Dodge Kew made in the Kew plant). They were well made and quite durable given the standard of filtration, lubricating oil, wearing parts of the time.

[goingbush]

There were a few varieties of that basic Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-De Soto-Fargo flathead six of the period late thirties to late fifties. Bore, stroke, comp. ratio all varied from year to year and model to model. There were two lengths of cylinder head on engines sold here, 25" & 27" from memory. One of these is uncommon in the USA and restorers have told me to be careful if buying parts o'seas and to make sure you and the vendors are on the same wave length. Engines were produced in USA, Canada, & London, England (the Dodge Kew made in the Kew plant). They were well made and quite durable given the standard of filtration, lubricating oil, wearing parts of the time.

Tell me about it. They are 23" & 25" heads , mine is a 218 cu in 25" Canadian , there is also a USA built 23" 218cu" . I ordered a 25" head gasket and a 23" one arrived . different stroke, different bore sizes too . It was almost impossible finding a set of .020 rings which I found in California, Main Bearings from Idaho and Con-rod bearings from Taiwan of all places , Waterpump from Chicago , Oil pump / cam bearings & cam chain from Clunes, Victoria . AustPost & DHL have been busy for me. Also got some locking door handles & fuel pump on the way from Ontario Canada , where it was originally made ( assembled in Adelaide) Bits & pierces from all over, just like a Landy I suppose , Oh I also got rid of the useless single wiper & put a Defender 2 speed & park set up in it with the moving cable.

Whilst I'm at it I put Disc brakes on it , Mazda rotors & Rodeo calipers up front and a Ford BA diff with AU1 rotors/calipers and a non boosted under floor Toyota Celica master cylinder. Original tailshaft & UJ fits falcon diff . 3.23 instead of 4.1 , The torque can handle it .

but in essence it still looks and drives as original .

[Rextheute]

It’s a cracker !
Credit to you, CV19 will finish and then a road trip is in order , the Darling is flowing , more rain on the way .
Follow the Mighty Murray , swags in the back , ‘ on the Wallaby ‘

[goingbush]

I called up VicRoads and they said I could actually road test & do anything else I needed to facilitate Rego, As VicRoads / Rego is an essential service so I can leave home to get it done.

So I got a 28 day Unreg permit.

The Dodge drives so straight & smooth , much better than expected. But the 2nd gear synchro , ouch . It looked new when I took the top of the box so left it alone. Im running straight 90 GL1 so will add some Nulon Smooth Shift and see if it improves.


https://youtu.be/_42YUvKZsFM

[rick130]

Try Castrol Multitrax in the g/box.

Its a full mineral oil but a multigrade and a dedicated manual trans oil.
Years ago we used to use it in gearboxes designed for 80w-90 and SAE90

[V8Ian]

Try Castrol Multitrax in the g/box.

Its a full mineral oil but a multigrade and a dedicated manual trans oil.
Years ago we used to use it in gearboxes designed for 80w-90 and SAE90
Politely, I wasn't going to mention that. [bighmmm]

[Bigbjorn]

Castrol Syntrans if it is still available. Does wonders in dickie gearboxes.

[crash]

I called up VicRoads and they said I could actually road test & do anything else I needed to facilitate Rego, As VicRoads / Rego is an essential service so I can leave home to get it done.

So I got a 28 day Unreg permit.

The Dodge drives so straight & smooth , much better than expected. But the 2nd gear synchro , ouch . It looked new when I took the top of the box so left it alone. Im running straight 90 GL1 so will add some Nulon Smooth Shift and see if it improves.


https://youtu.be/_42YUvKZsFM

That video makes me want to get my butt in gear and start on my Fargos. Have a couple of projects I need to finish first though.

My dads 48 Mercury Ute does not have a synchro on 1st gear - I can not seem to be able to master the double clutch needed where dad can do it so smoothly.

[goingbush]

Castrol Syntrans if it is still available. Does wonders in dickie gearboxes.

Have syntrans and syntrax here, I use it in the Iveco but its too thin for the Dodge and leaks out, I tried some Transgear 75w90 in there and it leaked just sitting in the shed. there is no front seal one the gearbox, not even a spiral like in a Landy.

[goingbush]

Try Castrol Multitrax in the g/box.

Its a full mineral oil but a multigrade and a dedicated manual trans oil.
Years ago we used to use it in gearboxes designed for 80w-90 and SAE90

OK , will try it, correction, its got Penrite "Mild EP" SAE110 at the moment.

The gearbox almost feels like someone has added 'teflon friction modifier' too slippery for the synchro to spin up the cone.

[Arapiles]

I called up VicRoads and they said I could actually road test & do anything else I needed to facilitate Rego, As VicRoads / Rego is an essential service so I can leave home to get it done.

So I got a 28 day Unreg permit.

The Dodge drives so straight & smooth , much better than expected. But the 2nd gear synchro , ouch . It looked new when I took the top of the box so left it alone. Im running straight 90 GL1 so will add some Nulon Smooth Shift and see if it improves.


https://youtu.be/_42YUvKZsFM

Very cool.

And I think that it might be quieter than a Defender.

[JDNSW]

Very cool.

And I think that it might be quieter than a Defender.

It probably is - side valve petrol as opposed to diesel, although first gear is just as noisy as first on a Series. I think in fact that, not having a transfer case, it is actually quiete that goingbush's lightweight, which is electric.