Gunsmoke

A nice rare license to spend money. Great to hear seller wants it saved, best way to insure that is to have hime give it to a serious MOPAR guy for a nominal fee (like $100) as it will cost at least $30K+ to restore it. While there are lots of potential good parts on it, not sure what demand is like.

thanks for that K31. The dist buddy had on eBay was Delco-Remy, had model #660G, serial #10570. I'm going to have to do some more checking. I may google Delco remy Dist's and see what shows up as a chart. I've done the google search, one of the internet suppliers of small Delco-Remy parts lists the Delco-Remy 660G,and 660U distributors as being for Chrysler 8's 1930-1936. First Straight 8 Chryslers I think were 1931 Models built in second half of 1930, as model CD8's. So the eBay listing was likely from a CD8 motor. The Dodge DG8 was listed in this guys index, but did not show a Dist model#, perhaps #4092 is correct for Dodge DG8. Just what the subtle differences may be, well we need an expert! I understand the Chrysler unit had dual points.

Have been looking for a good distributor for a '31 Dodge DG8 engine I picked up to use in my '31 Chrysler CD8 Roadster project. I understand the '31 DG8 and '31 CD8 blocks were the same except for stamping ID. Does a Distributor for any other engines fit this block properly, such as from a '30 Dodge DC8, or later model straight 8 Dodge, Chrysler, DeSoto etc. Saw one for sale on eBay recently asking $150, it did not sell may try to buy it if it relists, it was from a DG8. I have a later Hollands interchange book (dated 1948) but it does not cover this item. Thanks.

I think it was probably the braces, women can't resist them. Or was she on her way to the Eye Doctor?

I agree, a real ugly duckling only a mother could love. American manufacturers were notorious over the years for carefully designing a car model, taking into consideration its proportions from all angles, using clay or other medium, and once into production using 60% of the same sheet metal on a completely different model, which from a styling point fell flat on its nose! This is just one. The country was strewn with poorly styled station wagons, achieved by chopping the roof at door post and adding a longer roof with a poorly designed rear deck, and many coupes like this one which started as 4 door exercises. I think today with computer aided design, they can take a lot more care in ensuring all models that share the same sheetmetal have at least some level of tasteful design. But there is a buyer/lover for all beauties, and some like the quirky ones!

What a great project for bringing back to life as a survivor. Are these real rare? I haven't ever seen one.

Here are some photos of the candidate '31 Dodge DG8 engine I picked up from one of our members a couple weeks ago to use in my CD8 Roadster. It needs 3"OS pistons (going to be hard to find at affordable price), a head and exhaust manifold, both of which I have lined up. It appears block has been re-bored to about 40-60thou oversize, so will need fine tuning to get all cylinders uniform. Anyone got OS pistons?

On several old car forums I am on, a common problem is members posting threads with nothing in the title to give any hint to what the substance is. I have seen "help please", "what do I do now", "can you help me", and these titles make searching for future help difficult. I encourage all posters to be specific in what the thread is looking for advice on, such as " '29 Dodge Steering Wheel". This will also ensure you are more likely to get a response.

Hi Rich, went out and measured the rear for my '31 CD8 Roadster chassis. Measures about 41.5" clear, and based on where the filler neck etc comes through rear cross member, I figure these tanks would have been about 40" long, with outlets about 33" apart. Appears your outlets on the 36" long tank are about 29" apart (by my estimation). So likely yours is for a pre '31 Chrysler, or perhaps a different series. Thanks for your interest, guess I'll keep looking.

Can you get a price please shipped to Waverley, Nova Scotia, Canada, postal code B2R 1B5. Thanks

I've heard in my Vintage Chev site that many restorers use this method (as set out by 49Plymouth). A recent post indicated one of the members made a suitable container and soaked the entire wheel in the mixture for couple of days to ensure wood was fully saturated. If I recall, his plan was then to leave them natural, a great look on these old cars. If they start to show signs of dryiong ot after 5-10 years, simply dip them again. Wagon wheels makers 100 years ago followed similar types of process and their spokes and felloes would last 50 years. On the contrary, if sealed (with paint or varnish) and exposed to moisture, the trapped moisture can cause spokes to rot in 10 years or so.

I may be interested in the gas tank if not too expensive to ship to a location I could pick up (perhaps Bangor Maine. Where are you located? Would it fit a '31 CD8 Roadster?

I spoke to Egge and they can make a set of 60 thou oversize aluminum pistons for the engine, and complete with rings and wrist pins, cost is circa $US1500. With Canadian exchange rate currently at about 20% and 15% for local taxes, I figure cost would run to about $2200 incl shipping, or about Can$275 per piston. Any better offers out there!! For restoration of an ordinary car this would be a walk away price, but a CD8Roadster is hard to pass up doing it right.

Thanks for that lead. Had an engine rebuilder by yesterday, figures circa $5,000-$7,000 to redo this one (inlcuding redoing crank and a line bore etc). Indicated oversized pistons and rings would cost about $1000-$1500. I am going to take a pause on this engine, am waiting for a second quote/opinion from another guy. Meanwhile, restoration of body & chassis continues.

I have an original cast aluminum rumble seat rear fender step plate part #88123-1 which I understand is for '28 model 52. do you need one?

I checked the Egge catalogue couple days ago, and they don't list what I am looking for, but do list almost all the other Chrysler/Dodge pistons from that period. I understand the 3" dia straight 8 cylinder mopar blocks were produced in small numbers, suspect Egge does not see a big demand for them. They make the 3.125 and 3.250 pistons. Anyway, I sent them an email about it yesterday, waiting to hear back. I may call them tomorrow and see what they have to offer or suggest.

I purchased a '31 DG8 engine, missing it's pistons (has rods/caps etc). I looked at cylinders, very good order, smooth, no defects. However, they roughly measure 3.05"-3.06". I understand 3" bores were spec for these engines so what I have may have been rebored over-size. Can anyone advise on what I may have? What is normal expected clearance on these engines? Has anyone re-bored these blocks sucessfully to 3.125" bore to take the REPO pistons available from Egge for that bore? I plan to use engine in a '31 Chrysler CD8 Roadster, and those similar blocks had 3", 3.125" and 3.250" bores over the 1.5 years of production.

Thanks for responding. I have access to a couple of DC8 engines, one of which is not seized, they taske smaller dia pistons I understand (2&7/8"?). I suppose there are piston makers in North America as well, but for now I'll seek out some good originals unless nothing shows up. Nice Roadster, that your's in the green Avatar?

I'm posting this in all 3 forums. Need a set of 8 pistons for a '31 DG8 block, similar to early CD8 block. I am restoring a '31 CD8 Roadster and have bought an otherwise good DG engine, missing pistons/pins/locks/rings. Let me know please if you have some or know someone who does. even a partial set might be useful, sometimes 1 or 2 of a set have been damaged.

Purchased a '31 DG8 Engine planning to use in my '31 Chrysler CD8 Roadster project. I understand piston s were same size as early CD8's about 3". Cylinders are very clean and true, measure under 3&1/16" which I assume is normal. Anyone have a decent used set of 8 pistons with wristpins/locks, perhaps decent rings? Or know where I might get some?

I have a 1931 Dodge DG8 engine and need a set of pistons and wrist pins c/w locks (had been removed when I got engine). I plan using it in my Chrysler CD8 Roadster, early versions of the CD8 also used the 3" pistons. Anyone have any spares? Cylinders are clean and free of defects, measure just under 3&1/16" dia, I assume that is original spec.

You are probably right. My Dad knew this "big black Chrysler roadster" back in the 50's, and although it had by that time been modified heavily and over-painted black, I was never sure that was original color. When I stripped the over-coats off hood, original color is black, and I now see Black with Cat's Eye green fenders and trim and Packard Ivory striping was one of 5 options. Since this car was assembled in Windsor, but bodies were pre-painted in USA (Detroit?), ordering a custom paint color would likely have meant a delay. Having said that, since '31 Roadster sales were so few in Canada, likely everyone of those few sold (a number I cannot get, but perhaps 1/2 dozen or so) was ordered to suit the clients preference, since it is unlikely any were displayed in dealership windows down East here. I'm contemplating painting car all black, in memory of my Dad's fondness for this specific car, and sort of like Jay Leno's marvellous "Walker" Duesenberg.

When I found my '31 Chrysler CD8 Roadster recently, the complete drive train was missing. I have a '31 Dodge DG8 Engine and Bellhousing and 3 speed transmission I plan to utilize for now, while I seek out longer term a good CD8 drivetrain (wish me good luck with that). A main difference DG8 vs CD8 is the front engine mounting points. Those familiar know the DG8 mounts to frame differently, and that the mounting points on the front plate are 2-3" below the bottom line of generator. For the CD8, the mounting points are at about the center of the generator (perhaps a 5-6" difference). See pictures of both engines below. Having said all that, I am assuming that a mounting plate for a CD8 will bolt up to the DG8 block and give me the alignment I need? If the answer is yes, my second question is does anyone have a spare CD8 front mounting plate? If not, can anyone send me a picture of just what they look like and dimensions so if need be I can get the DG8 plate modified to suit. Thanks in advance to all who can help me figure this out. Also, I am assuming the rear mounting brackets, chassis to bellhousing are same in DG8 vs CD8? Anyone know for sure?

Thanks for this great reference. Yes they list the '31 Chrysler 8 Roadster, only available in 5 color combinations, one of which was BLACK. In fact, the Roadster was the only '31 Chrysler CD8 model available in BLACK. Black was not a color option for '31 CD8 Sedans, Coupes or Convertibles.

I am looking for a list of color combinations that may have been used on 1931 Chrysler CD8 Roadsters (or '31 Chrysler CD8's). I found a "barnfind" Roadster recently (ser#9820125) which I plan to restore, and initial stripping back seems to suggest car may have been black. I checked this site's Dupont/Duco color library and it does not list Black as a '31 Chrysler Color option, but lists 90 different colors for '31 Chryslers, including 24 shades of Gray, 21 shades of green, 15 shades of Blue, 13 shades of Brown, 9 shades of Beige/Tan, 4 of Maroon and 2 Yellow and 2 Drab. It does not indicate which were body, trim/stripe or fender colors etc. Anyone have a combination list? Also, although my car was assembled in Canada, body #CD1475R, I am advised bodies were pre-painted in USA before sending to Windsor, Canada for assembly. Anyone know if this is correct?