Dad's Dodge

[mongocanfly]

it brings back memories of one dad owned long ago...

[makman1297]

Thank you Palf70 and Mango. My son is looking forward to being the third gen to drive this old beast. However it will be considerably different with a 318 instead of that old 225.

So we had to evac for the hurricane, hopefully our area stays out of its path. I decided to put the intake on and bolt the engine into the frame.

If anyone wonders, a small block and slant 6 use the same mount holes in the frame. The B eng is for a big block, even though they no longer sold them in 81. I think I have to swap the engine brackets to the other side of the holes for the passenger side as well.

[makman1297]

So the hurriation went well. We only had some small tress blown down. I pulled the engine back out and put in the new thermostat. I had to replumb the oil pressure senders since they were interfering with the distributor. I also got my dip stick, but it was 6.5 inches too short, I guess it must be for a front sump pan.

I purchased a GM 6.0 one and modified it to fit. I had to narrow down where the handle goes into the tube and then I cut it to length. I also fot some minor stuff cleaned up, temp senders in, vacuum passage plugged, and water return installed.

I also cleaned up the front of the frame and got it in primer. I finished stripping the upper and lower control arm and shot them with primer.

[makman1297]

And some more.

[makman1297]

Well some good work in today. Frame and control arms painted. I pulled the hub/spindle apart for the dr side and cleaned it and painted. I was able to get the dr suspension together.

I had one issue with the new upper control arm bushings, the pressed in washers on the end were slightly to small for the camber/caster bolts. I had to drill them out so the bolt would fit... They do say hecto en Mexico on them.

It seems kind of strange that some of the replacement parts are AC delco. The adjusting bolts, fuel filter, coil springs, rod bushing...

[dug224]

Nice rescue!! Keep up the good work.

[makman1297]

Thanks dug.

Well we have been busy with other things then dads dodge, however my itch to get back in the garage is always strong.

My sister-in-law had her wedding down on Parris Island so that took up several days of planning and setting up plus the weekend with family. I also had to leave to Utah for a couple of weeks as well.

We also found this poor car all alone at a Toyota dealer so it had to come home with us, lol.

[makman1297]

Front suspension is back together. I had a snag with the rotors, they make more than one size and I keep getting the one with the small inner bearing. I guess I have the HD spindles, doesn't make too much sense when it came with a slant six, lol.

I ordered the 3300lb rotors so I should know on Wednesday if they are correct.
I am also speeding up the time line on this project, as it looks like I may be moving out of housing in March, so here is to hoping I can get her painted and back together by then.

[makman1297]

Well so much has been going on the truck always goes on the back burner. The charger had a leaking water pump so I swapped that out. It is going to my sister in law later this year. I finally got around to replacing the seat bottom on my suburban.

My alternator bracket came in today, however, it did not have the spacers so I had to make some to align it to the other pulleys. I really don't like the old v-belts too much. I also installed the water pump pulley and fan from the old slant 6.

[makman1297]

A couple more, the difference in the inner wheel bearing. Seat bottom and water pump for a 5.7 hemi.

[makman1297]

Well I managed to squeeze in a few hours on the truck after work. The rotors came in today and yes they were the correct size. With 3300lb axle means bigger inner bearing. I was able to get the rotors on, calipers on, front brake lines in, and front tires back on.

I also received the power steering pump bracket, however, the return hose was brazed to the pump in front of where the bracket goes, in my attempt the separate the hose from the reservoir I managed to put a small hole in each one

I was able to solder them both and got the bracket on the engine to find the spacers were longer than what I needed. It came with 1.25 and I measure 5/8 to the pulley. Oh how I hate V-belts.

[makman1297]

Well I got a few days off of work so I started working the cab rot. I found a shrinker is an amazing tool!

[makman1297]

Working the rot one piece at a time. Replaced hinge bushings and keeping the door aligned. The metal on these is thinner than the 70's chevys I have worked before.

[makman1297]

The biggest difference is that you have to make many Dodge parts!

[makman1297]

Its been a few months since I have posted an update. I am still working on the truck I just haven't had much time to put it on here. Here is what I have been doing since thanksgiving.

[makman1297]

Driver side and passenger sides are done. Dr door bottom replaced.

[makman1297]

I am not sure why this keeps loading pictures upside down :[

[Palf70Step]

I am glad I can't find a decent old Dodge shortbed truck, as I would be ripping alll the guts out of my 98 and putting into the older truck. Like your build alot!

[makman1297]

More work...

[makman1297]

Exhaust installed. I see now what everyone was saying about Dodge and headers, the DR frame top rail needed a little clearance.

[makman1297]

Transmission rebuilt.

[makman1297]

Going from the 727/ 6 to a 904/318 also required a new drive shaft. Tulsa driveshaft was decent priced and was built and shipped in a couple of days. It fit perfect.

Pass side needed less work, I had to make a couple of patches for the rear section of floor.

[makman1297]

More cab/body work.

[makman1297]

And more body work...

[makman1297]

Some interior work.