1954 Dodge w/dumping bed

[JACK M]

Not sure why I ever bought this, but I will discount some to members here.

I hauled it about 30 miles home on my car hauler on back roads, but not sure that I would want to do that again.

 

1954 Dodge COE - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (craigslist.org)

[kar3516]

I looked at your Craigslist ad; it appears the head casting says “Spitfire”.  I believe this is a 25.5” long head which would likely make the engine displacement 251 or 265 cubic inches.  The Dodge 413 engine has a 30” long block and is much larger than the engine that the Spitfire head fits.  The first step is to measure the length of the head/block.  Second step is to find the engine serial number so the original displacement can be verified.  The Spitfire head could have been installed on another engine but it won’t be a 413 as far as I know...

 

[kar3516]

Also it’s odd that the truck is lettered as 22,000 (GVWR?) on the door; I would have to check but a 22,000# GVWR Dodge truck would normally have 10 lug wheels and a 30” block engine

Edited April 14, 2022 by kar3516 (see edit history)

[JACK M]

I will count the lugs and measure the block tomorrow. Now that I look at the pics I do see only 5 lugs on the front.

I cant figure how to actually get my hands on the engine to try and work on it.

I am thinking that I may have to pull a wheel and an inner fender to get my hands on the distributor and/or carburator.

It has a side draft carburator if I remember correctly.

Thanks for the help.

Edited April 15, 2022 by JACK M (see edit history)

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I've been puzzling over how one would replace points. It's a neat looking rig, though.

[JACK M]

I've been to busy to even measure the block.

Was hoping someone would want this.

Pretty sure the next step would be to jack up the front and  pull the inner fenders.

Cranks fine, Have not tried to start.