Thread: Anyone up on Dodge History

Not sure about the 400 but Chrysler bought Dodge way back in 1928 so definately a Chrysler product but like the early Sigma's it may have been of mitsi origin. My knowledge is of dodges up to about 1930 as my old man has 4 of them - 1927 roadster, 1928 Senior Six and 2 1928 Fast fours.

Originally Posted by graceysdad

My father in law just bought a 76 Dodge 400, got a v8 on gas and a stock body on the back, Its the cab over body, flat nosed thing, were these the predecessor to the Mitsy Canter, Dodge in 76 here shoud still have been under the Chrysler banner, any one know the back ground on these machines.

The motor is either a 318 or 360, Chrysler V8, Regards

The most common engine in these trucks was the 318 fireball. Most say the 318 is the better of the 2 engines due to the fact it costs a lot less to get the thing revving properly and the lack of weight in comparisson to the 360.

Have a look at an aussie mopar forum.

It is a 318, hulking great donk fully loaded with accessories, aircompressor etc, anyone know the difference between the 318 Heavy and the std 318?, what doesFireball mean? electronic igniton?, sorry to be off type just interested.

It should be the Chrysler LA series small block which came in production vehicles at 273, 318, 340, 360 cubic inches. It is the most compact of the Big Three smallblocks and no way could be described as a hulking great donk. Fitted with the right stuff, an LA will rev like a turbine. There is an earlier engine family from the 1950's which was heavier and quite bulkier. Chech out www. moparperformance.com for crate engines and restoration and performance parts. By 318 Heavy do you mean the truck engines? These were the same LA engine family with internal modifications to make them more suitable for truck service. Valve rotators and different bearing metals were two.

G'day Graceysdad

Aah! the 10 series Dodge Truck the Cab Over version of the AT series 114,229,375,475,575,675, the big bonneted petrol powered trucks of the 60's there was also the Cab Over version 10 Series, petrol(380's), and some diesels(4-53GM's??), a few were used as Prime Movers & Pantecks, but were quickly replaced as the US big Diesels became popular and as Finance became more available, this was in the years of Kenworth & White entering the market as well as that "Very Capable" Mercedes 1418-1823 series of bonnetted trucks, and the rise of the big transport companies, MM,TNT,Ansett Road Express,and Kwik-as-Air the Purple Interstate over flyers(5 & 675's) and "Upside Down Transport coy." Brian & other Truckies will know who I'm talking about

cheers

Originally Posted by UncleHo

G'day Graceysdad

"Upside Down Transport coy." :Brian & other Truckies will know who I'm talking about

cheers

Q. What is painted red, white, and blue and goes flip, flip, flip?
A. L+_*&%y Bros. Transport.

Ipec were yellow & black, Hawthorn Express, naturally Poo Brown and BS Yellow, KAA all silver. Interesting to drive the New England and Hume at night listening to the overnighters calling the shots to each other on the CB to overtake or not, " hold back, there is a little wheels (car) in the chute" or " keep coming, the front door's open, I'll mind the back door", " keep coming, the chute is still clear", " an Evil Knievel at Mc Donald River northbound", "mermaids at The Razorback", "two terrorists (caravanners) blocking the chute"

The big petrol engines were still being sold in numbers in the sixties but the improved availability of the North American powertrains from Kenworth's entry in 1963, Mack setting up their own plant in Brisbane, White likewise about 1968. The first Arab oil shock in 1974 pretty well put the big petrol engines out of favour and soon out of service.

Most of those normal control Dodges with diesels had a Cummins 180, and smaller ones had Perkins. I think the Detroit engined ones were private conversions or repowers. We thought 250 horsepower was big gear then, and a Detroit 8V71N at 318 horsepower was something to be envied. MacIntyre Freight Lines pulled doubles to Darwin with White 9564's powered with Detroit 6-71N's, 238 horsepower, & Road Ranger 9513's. Ron Glanfield reckoned butterflies could pass you into a headwind on the Barkly.

Originally Posted by graceysdad

It is a 318, hulking great donk fully loaded with accessories, aircompressor etc, anyone know the difference between the 318 Heavy and the std 318?, what doesFireball mean? electronic igniton?, sorry to be off type just interested.

I always thought the fireball had higher compression,,