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1939 dodge Coupe

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Peterson32, Apr 23, 2012.

  1. Peterson32
    Joined: Jul 14, 2011
    Posts: 104

    Peterson32
    Member

    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,



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  2. Peterson32
    Joined: Jul 14, 2011
    Posts: 104

    Peterson32
    Member

    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

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    changed over to the Artillery wheels

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    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

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  3. 1951Streamliner
    Joined: May 15, 2011
    Posts: 1,875

    1951Streamliner
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    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!!!!
     
  4. Peterson32
    Joined: Jul 14, 2011
    Posts: 104

    Peterson32
    Member

    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

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  5. Jonnie King
    Joined: Aug 12, 2007
    Posts: 2,078

    Jonnie King
    Member
    from St. Louis

    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
     
  6. Peterson32
    Joined: Jul 14, 2011
    Posts: 104

    Peterson32
    Member

    still sat up high in the rear so i put some 3inch blocks

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  7. Nice start, great looking car!
     
  8. hfracing53
    Joined: Dec 16, 2009
    Posts: 74

    hfracing53
    Member

    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
     
  9. Damn love 39-41 Dodge/Plym coupes....what's gonna power her? Pls say the Dodge FH 6 !!
     
    farmer12 likes this.
  10. 1951Streamliner
    Joined: May 15, 2011
    Posts: 1,875

    1951Streamliner
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    Looking great!!!!!!!
    That car has a perfect profile
     
  11. MR. FORD
    Joined: Aug 29, 2005
    Posts: 1,636

    MR. FORD
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    Looking good Jeff! I always thought that car could be awesome.
     
  12. Weasel
    Joined: Dec 30, 2007
    Posts: 6,698

    Weasel
    Member

    Love the Deco Dodge - would like to see stock lights both front and rear....
     
  13. Peterson32
    Joined: Jul 14, 2011
    Posts: 104

    Peterson32
    Member

    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
     
  14. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,525

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    That's one hell of a good looking coupe!
     
  15. RAF
    Joined: Sep 13, 2008
    Posts: 438

    RAF
    Member
    from MA.

    Great work!! Really like the look.
     
  16. ntxcustoms
    Joined: Nov 10, 2005
    Posts: 908

    ntxcustoms
    Member
    from dfw

    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.
     
  17. striper
    Joined: Mar 22, 2005
    Posts: 4,498

    striper
    Member

    What a great looking car. Love the already chopped roofline.
     
  18. Stevie Nash
    Joined: Oct 24, 2007
    Posts: 2,999

    Stevie Nash
    Member

    Parts are going to be hard to find! Especially that speedo...
     
  19. tjmercury
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 589

    tjmercury
    Member

    I love it! Another old MoPaR getting saved! Good luck
     
    farmer12 likes this.
  20. rrbrucea
    Joined: Mar 2, 2010
    Posts: 646

    rrbrucea
    Member

    Love what you're doing on this, nice work!
     
    farmer12 likes this.
  21. skooch
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 245

    skooch
    Member

    Great Save! Looks really good. Great looking 55 stude in the first picks too.
     
  22. duke7427
    Joined: Dec 18, 2007
    Posts: 32

    duke7427
    Member
    from Colorado

    subscribed. awesome
     
  23. 70kid
    Joined: Oct 3, 2011
    Posts: 215

    70kid
    Member
    from Denver

    very very sweet!
     
  24. Peterson32
    Joined: Jul 14, 2011
    Posts: 104

    Peterson32
    Member

    Post a picture of yours id like to see it!
     
  25. Mopar Jack
    Joined: Jan 24, 2010
    Posts: 1,363

    Mopar Jack
    Member

    Sweet....MOPAR are no car...
     
  26. Peterson32
    Joined: Jul 14, 2011
    Posts: 104

    Peterson32
    Member

    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

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    farmer12 likes this.
  27. Cool project!
     
  28. go-twichy
    Joined: Jul 22, 2010
    Posts: 1,648

    go-twichy
    BANNED

    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.
     
  29. sololobo
    Joined: Aug 23, 2006
    Posts: 8,378

    sololobo
    Member

    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~
     
  30. Dodgy39Coupe
    Joined: May 11, 2012
    Posts: 13

    Dodgy39Coupe
    Member

    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.
     

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