1937 Dodge D5 Sedan

Dad,

Back brakes done, everything is new.

First wheel and tire is on and looking sharp. Plenty of clearance to the frame and inner fender well. Bulge of the tire sits just inside the lip of the fender and plenty of clearance for the axle to move up and down over the deep NC pot holes and off road when running through streams and over logs when we go hunting in the old gal.

Additional wheels arrive next week, we'll get the remaining tires and the spare then.

Tank straps and supplies are ordered, so I can get the tank in place.

So, gotta do the dirty job cleaning , sealing and painting the floor pan underside....I'll slow boat that so maybe when you get here you can get your eyes and hair fulla rusty crap too.

Barring any issues, we'll pull the sheet metal and perhaps pull the engine and transmission while you are here this month!

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Dad,
Front end is off. Picking up a loaner hoist today. Its tight in there, oddly, you see how tight better with the metal off.
I don't know.....small block or big straight six. Much to think about.

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Anything but a v8 in that car would be improper. Simple. ZZ4 crate. Holley EFi and a th350. Cruise all day long trouble free and with warranty.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
We will see. Key is to fit an adequate motor in a 24 by 28 inch space and have enough room for exhaust, brakes and steering without anymore cutting on the body and frame.

A 6 typically makes 30% more useable torque than a comparable 8 but challenges length and suspension crossmember.

An 8 makes more horses but challenges width for steering, exhaust and brakes.

Both elicit compromise. Either will be fine.

No fuel injection though. Only nod to the 21st C under this hood will be an electronic distributor. Prolly use dual carbs regardless of engine choice.
 
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probably go with a generation 1 small block or a 292. After I get some measurements and templates made up....but first to yank the way too big ls engine and humongously oversized 4l60E. The problem with BOP power packs is they are orphins and mostly everything that bolts to them is too requiring you to search out the specific BOP trans, BOP flywheel, BOP starter, BOP fart ingester, etc......
 
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Dad,
I was thinking about running a compact spare to save trunk space. But since they are still pretty big.......and I had a solid 14" rim that fits the axles......
I went with a 225/75R14 full size tire. Its about 1.5" smaller in diameter than the tires on the axles now. So we use it like a compact and even though full size, still saves a bit of space and fits under the shelf, which the full size tires wouldn't do.
So, if we get a flat on the back, we have two choices.....under 50 mph and 50 miles with the compact spare to keep from overheating the rear axle or if its not raining, just mount it on the front and put the front tire on the back then just keep running. Neat.
So, now to find a good scissors jack and tire iron and get the brackets bent up to secure it all to the trunk deck.

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Its wonderful. I have 3 bottles for me and Dad to nip! We are currently sipping Angel's cut bourbon and polishing a bottle of glenmorangie signet.
(The once a year bottling of 40 year old with the toasted malt)
 
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Before the evening hunt, we decided to clean up the garage by installing some of the many parts that keep arriving daily.

For this mornings work we pressed on a Professional Product harmonic balancer and retention bolt. Just gotta get a three pulley set before we start setting the motor.

Dad also installed the mechanical fuel pump. From there he took the centerline measurements of the engine and frame openings....seems we'll have plenty of width for the fuel pump and likely the power steering pump too.

Its looking like classic Rams Horn iron exhaust may fit between the frame rails and....hopefully, leave room for steering connections. But, initially it seems we can set the motor on the center line and still have up to a couple inches to the Passenger side if we need to offset the motor.

Heading out hunting but, its looking like motor mounts will go on the motor today for some more measuring and we'll be ordering a TCI transmission package next week.

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Dad,
Ger outta bed, you got work to do! While we were out hunting last night a nice Fedex driver delivered the motor mounts and a pretty dual plane manifold. This morning I ordered the dual carb set up, 2 pretty Rochester two barrel carbs with louvered air cleaners. Time to get wrenching.

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Getting close to the first test fit on the small block and trans. Trans arrives Monday, complete kit less flex plate. I'll get that local when I'm sure on the TC bolt diameter. Also coming are Alan Grove pulleys and brackets so I can have the length and side measurements (PS Pump bracket) for the trial fitting. Picked up the Saganaw PS Pump and a Delco 12si Alternator.....I think the alternator will have to go vertical but we'll see. Other tidbits include new Delco water pump, thermostat and housing, pump pulleys, etc. Should be enough once bolted on to really have a good feel for where to set the motor/trans between the rails.
 
Dad,
Transmission arrived! Its a TCI Street Rodder, TH350 automatic.
Long ago, when i was stronger I put one of these in a 62 Chevy Impala behind a mildly built 327 engine. I remember laying under the car, transmission on my chest, guide studs in the block and lifting the trans straight up and sliding it home over the studs. I was a bit stronger then......
This time I'll use a hoist and slide it home from the top!

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Yep! We are pretty proud of Ol Bessy. Gotta order flexplate and starter/shims and get this heavy stuff set up and in place!

Getting to the exciting part.....hope to fire that motor this month......I wonder how loud those carbs will be.....prolly suck a chihuahua dog through the louvers when the second carb opens up.
 
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Dad hunted hard this year and got a doe before he went home. Its being made into summer sausage and snack sticks. He still wanted burger and I promised I would see and shoot at another deer this year, so......half in burger just for Dad.....Merry Christmas.

Richmond County/Ellerby : 40 yards shot, No tracking. 3006 Caliber K3 Merkel Stutzen Rifle with Swarovski Glass. (165g Parvi Boat Tail Soft Point Handload)

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Dad,



Starting pump and pulley assembly. Water neck is good, bolts a bit long for the aluminum manifold, so some tweaking to do. I scrapped the o-ring and put in a real felpro gasket with the Stant 180 degree thermostat.



Started placing the Alan Grove pulleys and brackets, for now, crank set is assembled and the power steering pump and bracket assembly is roughed in. Brackets will need paint but it all looks like it'll clear.



Back of block to front of crank pulley is 26.75", add a half inch for clearance at the firewall and the nose of the pulley set will be well back from the radiator. Power steering pully at mid point of its adjustment is 12" from center of crank to outer edge of power steering pump....as the inner fender wells flare out as they rise, should be plenty of clearance both to the side and between the power steering pump and power steering shafts.....i think!.....we will know soon. Hope to be setting the package in the frame for first test fit in about a week.

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Dad,

Quick video update. Trans is together. Motor and accessories test fitted. A flexplate and starter/shim kit is on the way.....once thats tweaked, it'll be time to bolt the power pack to the slush box and stick it between the rails. Looking good. Alternator to set, pulleys to shim, exhaust and steering yet but almost far enough along to get it off the stand. Perhaps mid week.

 
Dog split, I love it.
Great following you and your dad thru this build.
 
Dad,
Baring any issues, we set the engine and transmission in the frame Tuesday.
Starter is in place, a gear drive mini to save room and its clockable to allow for exhaust clearance. Starter is also rough shimmed for clearances on the gears. Final shimming after the flex plate is torqued into place. Flex plate is bolted to the back of the motor, just needs final torque.
Much learning going on here. I recall all the flat head motors we assembled over the years with calibrated arm torques, no assembly lube, no pre oiling and not a drop of sealant or lube on fasteners. Was probably a minor miracle that they all ran so well....or perhaps Dodge Flatheads are so sloppy that any old work is good enough to run them. I don't know, but I'm following instructions on this one as its the last motor you and I will ever install in Ol Bessy. I'm sure it'll move her down the road well past her 100th Birthday.

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