Hey everyone thought it was about time i started a thread I purchased this old Dodge from a co-worker here at the speed shop, last Round up 2011. as the months past i would work on it in my spare time after hours. motor was locked up ,transmission was stuck, and the rear end had a Chevy rear bolted in just enough for it to roll around here are pictures to catch you up i have gotten a lot done the past couple months so if you have any questions feel free to ask first start was reattaching all the body panels that were taken off hood,hood sides, grill, bumpers,
so i wanted to see if i could get the motor running soaked the cylinders with marvel for about a week or 2 i was able to get the pistons freed up in the cylinders but had no compression. i pulled the head and all the valves were froze up Bob Bleed was telling me you could soak the valves with oil and slowly taping them down with a small hammer a little bit at a time would eventually free them up. for about 2 weeks during my lunch break id go out there and soak the valves with which ever penetrating oil i could find. Finally go them all working i cleaned the head and top of the block really well replaced the head gasket and found a cheap swap meet carb i replaced the points, plugs, wires, coil , cap, rotor, hoses etc.. after a few attempts it fired right up and smoked filled the shop!! i couldn't believe how well it ran!!! sounds awesome ill post a video later changed over to the Artillery wheels next was brakes i found it very hard to find brake parts for these early dodges without spending a bunch of money a local guy in my neighborhood was parting out this old 36 dodge on craigslist so i was able to buy the rear end / drive shaft, the complete front end with fairly new brake parts, also scored another Flathead 6 and 3 speed floor shift trans, also gas tank as mine was Swiss cheese THANKS MARTY!!! this was a big help i could tell there was a few differences in the brakes but i was able to use the brake hoses and wheel cylinders springs /clips i had my brake shoes relined and the drums turned the bearings and races looked great so i cleaned them up really good and repacked them and reassembled. the rear end was a bit narrower so i moved the perches over to fit in the stock location of a 39 rear 36 rear i believe was about 1 3/4 narrower as for the trans i removed the column shift transmission and swapped in the floor shift and it was a direct swap minus the emergency brake connections the drive shaft fit perfect and was now back together with the correct parts
Looks like a great start! As always, I put my vote in for a traditional mild 40s- early 50s custom. I love pre-war coupes!!!!
as for the floors they were completely rotted out so Bob Bleed convinced me to channel 5 inches it as i was starting over on the floors anyways so it begins! starting out with what looks like a 4x4
Good start on a RARE rod. Keep up the thread with progress updates. These are truly awesome machines...and are not "common" so they're much cooler when finished. "RARE" IS GOOD !! Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
Good job ! Keep up the good work . Glad to see someone building some prewar Mopar tin . And keeping it all Mopar too ! Also good to hear you got them stuck vavles to come loose . They can take alot of patience sometimes . Good luck with your project . Later , Scotty
i like the stock rear taillights! as for the front im having a really hard time finding a pair of stock bezels/lenses and yes im keeping the flathead 6 in it
Hey man good work so far! I'm working on a 39 dodge coupe to and it's IMPOSSIBLE to find parts. I need tail lights and the only one I see is on Egay for around 300. Also the PO removed all the freakin side trim so I'm looking for those pieces to. I'm keeping my suspension stock but decided to run a 318 and a rack for steering. Change your front shock mounts for obvious reasons...it will make a world of difference. I plan on channeling mine to as my floor is completely gone. Keep us posted.
went to Pate swap meet at the speedway in Dallas couple of weeks ago, i scored original bezels and lenses for the dodge !!!! i couldn't believe it only paid 5 bucks each for the lenses also 39 ford headlights and bezels which i plan on using as well
what a great feeling to have it start after soaking it for weeks. nothing better, see how it begins? just something to work on, play with. soon it will take over. have fun.
My MoPar freak flag is flying!! Man did Chrysler know how to styelize their rides with great body reveals and swoopy lines. The front bumper with those sweet overriders is smooth. The wheel change up is perfect and Bleeds guidence on the body drop is super cool. Very cool the old flatty is running some twice straight pipes should make that ol girl humm. Always great to see machines from the worlds coolest shop get back on the road! ~sololobo~
Nice looking car. Very different to the 39 Coupe Ozzie version I have got. Keep up the good work as it will look awesome when completed. Thanks for posting photos of it as a work in progress. Inspiring stuff. Unfortunately mine is missing a fair bit of the trim and bumpers which you have got but I agree that dash is going to be a bit of a challenge.