Frantz Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 So I had a '37 Chevy cab online for sale and it's shot... like even my dreamer mind said "maybe you should scrap it". Anyway I found a rodder who was interested in buying it and then I spoke up and asked if he had any motors he was going to scrap. Well he just got a '47 Dodge truck and hes going to give me the engine and transmission out of that in exchange for my rusty cab and a good floorpan I have. He's not really sure what it is and I really don't know what it is either... so what did I get? I'm assuming they were flathead 6 motors... were they used in anything else, or are they likely truck only items? Why I like to collect motors for vehicles I don't own is a great question! Don't tell my wife... she'll just be glad the cab is gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Check this site out. You should be able to determine what you have. http://p15-d24.com/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 (edited) 47 Dodge truck should have a flathead six cylinder, 230 cu in approximately 102HP. Basically, the same flathead six was used in different versions in Dodge and Plymouth cars and trucks from 1938 to 1959. They were also sold as industrial and marine engines. They were a very good, well made engine of typical flathead six type which was the most popular type of engine at the time. Millions were made and hundreds of thousands are still in service. They are simple, well made, easy to repair and rebuild. Parts are available cheap. Depending on the truck it could be a 3 speed or 4 speed. There is a good chance the engine will run or can be put back in commission with minimal repairs. If you have some kind of project in mind like a speedster, autotrac or the like. Edited June 19, 2017 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 Thanks! No project in mind yet.... but I'll have to come up with something. Part of me has always thought about collecting motors and restoring them.... they take up less space, and I have a pretty good collection started. They also tell an automotive story. I'm just glad to keep one out of the junk yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 (edited) If you want an engine to power an air compressor, generator etc they are first rate. Many thousands were sold as industrial power plants. I have one that originally drove a large water pump. That is, if you want it for something besides an ornament. Edited June 19, 2017 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 (edited) Oh yeah, thousands were used in tractors and farm machinery. If you want to see something really radical, here is an army tank powerplant made by Chrysler in WW2 using 5 of them joined together. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_A57_multibank Edited June 19, 2017 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 I had read about that tank motor before, but I'll have to chalk that up under thing I forgot I knew! Cool stuff. I have the Chrysler engine history book so I'll have to freshen up on my history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 2 hours ago, Rusty_OToole said: Oh yeah, thousands were used in tractors and farm machinery. If you want to see something really radical, here is an army tank powerplant made by Chrysler in WW2 using 5 of them joined together. Another tank unit at the Chrysler museum.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike36 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I don't know about '47, but later year Dodge trucks could have the 25 inch engine. Pickups had the 23 inch engine. They will bolt to the same trans. What size truck is your new toy out of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hchris Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 31 minutes ago, keiser31 said: Another tank unit at the Chrysler museum.... And hey Keiser, just going off topic I can date your photo because there I am in the blue shirt. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz Posted June 20, 2017 Author Share Posted June 20, 2017 Here is the truck... it's in much better shape than my '37 is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Every time I am reminded of that tank engine assembly I wonder if I will ever have the pleasure of seeing one actually run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 (edited) Looks like a half ton pickup. It would have the 230 motor and 3 speed transmission, probably floor shift. They did offer bigger engines but only in 1 1/2 ton and up. Edited June 20, 2017 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz Posted June 20, 2017 Author Share Posted June 20, 2017 They never put the fluid drive in the pick ups did they? That'd be kinda cool to get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Ugh, truck made it 70 years, too bad he didn't sell you the whole thing which looked like a good original unit for restoration. Back to tripping over undone hot rod projects while looking for decent restoration projects... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 (edited) I think they did offer Fluid Drive in trucks. I would think it would have been a handy feature for a city delivery truck or van. Edited June 20, 2017 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz Posted June 20, 2017 Author Share Posted June 20, 2017 2 hours ago, Steve_Mack_CT said: Ugh, truck made it 70 years, too bad he didn't sell you the whole thing which looked like a good original unit for restoration. Back to tripping over undone hot rod projects while looking for decent restoration projects... Yeah I know. Can't save em all, and a hot rod is better than a toaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike36 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 That truck is 47 or older and I think a 218. I have a 51 one ton pickup (express) with fluid drive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 No argument Frantz, truck looked like a good candidate for resto though. Ironically, I have an affinity for Mopars from around 48 back, and have seen a few units where the idea was obviously to hot rod, but they did not get further than removing and discarding the original drivetrain. Assuming nothing is cut, you could conceivably use your engine on something like that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Steve_Mack_CT said: No argument Frantz, truck looked like a good candidate for resto though. Ironically, I have an affinity for Mopars from around 48 back, and have seen a few units where the idea was obviously to hot rod, but they did not get further than removing and discarding the original drivetrain. Assuming nothing is cut, you could conceivably use your engine on something like that Sorta my thoughts. When he started talking hot rods I figured I'd focus on saving something from the scrap yard. As you can see here... my '37 cab really is rat rod material.... at best.... so even if I never use the dodge motor I'm keeping it from a probably fate with the crusher. (and you can't even see the "sunroof" rust hole in the roof of the cab here) Edited June 21, 2017 by Frantz (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 There are a couple of Plymouth or Dodge cars sans-engine in the northeast on Craigslist as we spesk, at least one is a coupe. Those were stout engines Frantz! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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