I had posted a couple threads asking about info on 56 Dodge trucks and straight six Chevy engines. Well, my coworker asked me to get his project road worthy. It runs and drives but does not stop so first order of business is brakes and brake lines. It'll need a carb rebuild, new radiator, and whatever else he wants.
So far I have hit it with a pressure washer and cleaned out the carb. The power valve rod was disconnected and missing the little bitty clip. I stole one off another carb, it runs better but still falls on its face on tip in.
Dang, at 17 years old, I thought they were ugly as sin (Chevy guy) but now realize what a great looking truck they are.
cool truck for sure. My shop truck is a 56... Been a great lil truck for sure. God to see another one someone is doing something with.
They are only on the driver's side. When you get to the spring shackles you will really be impressed.
Note the bolt with lock washer securely fastened. This I just couldn't believe. Owner found a new "shoe anchor" along with all new brake parts. He brought them over yesterday so itll go back together as time allows.
From how the pass brakes were anchored and left hand studs, the brakes came apart and ruined the drum,as wanderlust stated typical farmers enginuity. Tom
I gotta ask... was a Chev inline-6 in a Dodge p/u of that era a somewhat common swap, or it's just what you've been presented with? looks like a fun project
First thing I did to my 56 was drill the hubs front and rear for studs. All RH thread too. I've always hated having to hang the wheel on the hub while starting bolts. Especially if the hubs had the starter pin removed so the PO could used some other 5x4.5 wheel. Yours had LH bolts on the LH side only when it left the factory. Of course parts changes are almost inevitable on 65YO truck. Every older vehicle I've owned had some 'creative' previous owners.
I drilled mine on my ‘57 as well, I needed to be able to use shank lug nuts for the cragar wheels Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
first thing i noticed is where is the lower back plate bolt? do they just have the two top ones stock?
FYI those are the early style brakes, similar to the pre 48 Mopar vehicles. With the concentric adjusting bolts at the bottom. There is special tool that sets the contact area distance for both the shoes and the drum. If you dont get it right, the brakes never feel like the pedal is high or fully bled There is photos of a home made version of the tool also, you just need to do some searching. https://p15-d24.com/topic/12410-ammco-brake-tool/ https://p15-d24.com/topic/50093-brake-adjustment-tool/ https://p15-d24.com/topic/52713-brake-centering-tool/ you can bleed the brakes for days.
Yes and the minor adjusters are about halfway up the backing plate Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
You’re a good man to help a buddy and put aside your own projects! Let’s hope for serious cruising this spring! Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Love those old Dodge trucks....my family had a few back in the day...they make me smile for sure...glad you got one to tinker with... thanks for sharing on here... MikeC
Got some time to work on the truck this week. Plumbed new brake lines and hoses, put new shoes, greased front hubs, etc. While I was under there I noticed a chunk of frame broken off. It was part of a shock support that is missing. I'll need to fab up another support. The floor was/is layers of roof flashing secured by nails and roofing cement over bolted together thin plate, yikes!
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