Canadian Dodge, 3 ton 4x2

[motto]

I once bought a WC51 that had been restored by a hot rod builder and he had used strips of teflon sheet between all the spring leaves to give a softer ride. The outcome was not what he imagined, haemorrhaged shockers leading to violent bucking on a railway level crossing that nearly threw me off the road on my way home from purchasing the vehicle. I promptly dismantled the springs to remove the teflon and found that one of the centre bolts had sheared off and another was on the way. No doubt due to the teflon.
As regards greasing leaf springs I recall reading a warning in one of the TMs that stated it was not to be done as it would lead to, 'Too lively a spring action', which is exactly what I had with the teflon in the WC51
The mystery to me is that the Dodge ambulances were fitted with greased springs wrapped in sheet metal and they were not the only vehicles to have this feature. Maybe the little difference between laden and unladen weights meant the springs could be more precisely matched to the task.
In the final analysis I would recommend you do what the TM says and nothing more.

David

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by motto

I once bought a WC51 that had been restored by a hot rod builder
David

Yes , was a club member for a while . No names no pack drill

[Kevin Goodwin]

Bit of an update, I have sourced another engine from the states, it has the 25" block, engine number T118 117041. The truck resto has stalled at the moment whilst we await certain parts, probably won't have much progress now until the new year.
Lang the link you posted regarding these engines does not show the power output for this engine, do you know what it should be?
Kevin

[Lang]

The T118 was used 41-47.

As with many Chrysler engines it is a muddle and they changed capacity halfway through without altering the engine number. Went from 228 cu in to 236 cu in.

If you are rebuilding measure the bore and stroke to ensure you have the right parts.

It will not be less than 90hp or more than 110hp

Lang

[Bob Carriere]

Have you considered looking in the UK or EU for a Dodge M37.... the US model usually had the small block and the Canadian model the long block and since Massey Ferguson was so popular at one time in the UK have you check old MF combines that were powered by the long block but a very desirable 265 cu in. industrial flat head that would bolt in your truck.

Cheers

[Kevin Goodwin]

Hi Bob,
Thanks for your input, I have sourced a 1946 long block motor which is complete and includes another transmission, plus all the ancillaries.
I dint know about the other engine options from the M37 or a combine power plant, I would have thought an engine out of a combine would have clocked up a lot of hours during its life on a farm.

[Bob Carriere]

Combines are seasonal machines....... only used when the crops are ready. But even with high hours on the clock they tend to be run on a governor at a set speed similar to a tractor....... none of the street stop and go and flooring it a a green light. The industrial flat head was also used in air compressor, irrigation pumps, welders, etc.

The long block, typically referred to as the Canadian block around here is the 237, 251, 265 c.i. and its strength is torque at low RPM its weakness the long connecting rod that will let go at high rpm and come out the side of the block. The shorter block 207 and 230, the American block, has shorter connecting rod and more suitable for street driving with sustained higher rpm.

With your truck gearing the low revving long block is ideal.


Cheers and good luck.