Projects 52 Dodge B3B Hemi Project

I think the cable and buttons are worth more than the trans. Should be able to get something out of it. The trans and convertor are extremely heavy, so I dont see shipping it anywhere.

 

thanks, I will look around there. I am actually looking for some tips on how to cover it up but perhaps looking at the stock stuff will give me some ideas.

 

So far it I haven't found the site I seen, But here is one I did come across:

http://www.pilothouseinteriors.com/Home.html

 

Nice interiors, a little more fancy than I am thinking.

 

I believe www.robertsmotorparts.com still offers an original style replacement kit for your truck.
Another option I would check into would be www.automotiveinteriors.com for something more modern looking.
On my 50, I just glued the reflective covered, box store bubble wrap, garage insulation. You can buy a 4' x 20' roll for around $40 and get a can of super duty spray glue from your local John Deere dealer (it works much better that anything bought through stores for about the same money). Gene

 

cool old dodge,




Later

 

thanks. I have found that the thin internal paneling makes great back board or templates. I am using it on the doors currently, I will eventually put some thin foam on them and cover them in something; leaning towards cloth at the moment. I am thinking of using the same thing for the roof and sides. it bends well (to a degree), but more importantly it is easy to work with and if you use very short staples, you can staple material to it.

 

hey 70Chal440 love where your going with this truck i had a 54 all stock at the time i had it i couldnt find much out there for it now theres lots.. theres even companies selling mustang 2 front ends for it.. i have a 331 hemi im looking to put into a 53 plymouth cranbrook.. look forward to updates from ya im just up the road from you in Elk Plain.

 

Great to see a Dodge with a Hemi. Looking forward to the progress!

 

oh yeah, I want to see it

 

Sorry I havent updated for awhile, life and work gettnig in the way. Therefore I will try and catch everyone up; basically I have been concentrating on getting the engine/drive train sorted. The egine is at the machinist and almost done. it was a bit of a long haul as obtaining parts and guidance on these motors can be trying. There are some significant decisions that have to be made along the way and unless you have some experience with them, it can be an issue. Id like to thank Gary at Quality for all of his advice, gudance and parts. You wont find a nicer guy with the experience he has.

Here is where I went (and am going) with the motor, fortunately I was lucky because I only had to go 30 over on the bore and 10 on the mains and rods. I went with cast pistons over forged due primarily to cost. I went with a modified 340 oil pump, hot heads timing cover with a SBC water pump, SBM electronic distributor, stock rods, stock crank, a little hotter cam (reground by gary), and adjustable push rods. I am going to run a 4BBL carb which is my current problem to solve (intake wise). I am going to run a 340 timing set with a tensioner; however I have to modify the block for the SBM thrust plate/tensioner. I am going to make my own headers from some flanges I got off ebay and some shorty SBM headers I have.

As far as the truck itself is concerned, I havent done anything as of yet becaise I am waiting until I have the drive train ready to install. I do have the doner Dakota sitting beside the shop waiting deconstruction. Once I begin disassembly and the build I will take and post pictures as I go.

If anyone knows someone looking for a good flat 6, I have one... I am looking for some 15" 5x4.5 by 6 or 7" wide aluminum slots for the front (I have 2 rear 8" wide already). I looking to do a budget build (as buget as possible while staying safe and building a solid truck).

 

I forgot to mention that I bought a trans adapter from Gary and I am using a SBM 727 that I have. The adapter looks great, however those of you thinking about doing this should know that you will have to do some wok on te flex plate. Gary does not provide one in his kit, however you can use the one you have or pick up a B&M Hemi plate. This isnt a big deal and can save you some $$. I also bought one of Gary's oil filter adapter, it is awedome and swivels to position the oil filter wherever you want it.

 

Sounds like you have a nice project on your hands. Since you are somewhat local perhaps we will run into one another some time. If there is anything I can help you with let me know. Not sure if you have a good machineist but we have a great one in Tumwater, Johnson's Machine. younger guys but they do awesome work and really care about what they do. I think my Hemi makes #3 or 4 for them. The also did my stroker 340 and my 426 Hemi; I highly recommend them.

 

Here are some pictures of my heads.

 

Sorry, the file was too big the first time around.

 

Here is a comparason of a SBM thrust plate and the original Desoto Hemi plate. We are going to drill 2 new holes (top 2) and plug off the two oil galleys (you can see them to the left and right of the SBM plate, they are originally blocked by the Desoto plate.

 

Latest update (Engine): got the engine back from the machine shop, it is looking good. Gary (Quality engineered components) did an awesome job with the cam and is a great source of information and parts. I trial fitted my HH timing cover, the dowel pins were quite snug but after some polishing and a little clearancing it fits very well. I agonized over the intake and finally decided to buy a HH aluminum dual plane and I will be running a 600 CFM holley on it. I have the header flanges and intend on building my own headers once I get the engine bolted into the truck. I bought the distributor shaft "extender" from HH; DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY (all $16 of it) for this part, it is just a tube and 2 small roll pins. I beleive it would be difficult to get the shaft straight if you cut it. Ended up buying the correct part from Gary which fits right in. I alos purchased the adjustable oil filter adapter, this thing is awesome. I also bought the trans adapter from him. His does not come with the flex plate as does some of the others, however his is cheaper and very well made. He can give you the needed advice as to where to get the FP for your application. I will post some pictures soon.

 

Latest update (Truck): I got the 88 Dakota completely disassembled this last weekend but left the suspension on the frame (as well as the box). I got the 52 up on the lift to take some measurements before I begin disassembling it. For those who care; here are some measurements which I tried to find online but couldnt, they are for a 52 B3B and based on my eyesight, so any variance is unintentional;

rear end width (face to face) = 62.25"
leaf spring center to center = 44.25"
front end width (face to face) = 58.75"
frame width at the front (inside to inside)= 26.5"
frame width over front axle (outside to outside) = 31"
frame width over front axle (inside to inside) = 27"
frame width at rear of the engine (outside to outside) = 35"
frame width at rear of the engine (insdie to inside) = 29.5"

88 Dakota frame
rear end width (face to face) = 63"
leaf spring center to center = 56.75"
front end width (face to face) = 58.75"
frame width at the front (inside to inside)= 30.75"
frame width over front axle (outside to outside) = 35"
frame width over front axle (inside to inside) = 27 1/8"
frame width at rear of the engine (outside to outside) = 37.5"
frame width at rear of the engine (insdie to inside) = 29.75"

I will start disassembling the 52 soon so I can get the L head out and start mocking up the 330. I will post pictures soon.

 

Cool project I'll be watching!! I have a 53 Dodge that I want to put on a 93 Dakota frame. I want to Stretch mine for more leg room. Maybe add 6" behind door. Not sure yet.

 

that sounds like a cool project. I do love these old Dodge trucks, just a pain at times finding parts.

 

I dont know how I missed this thread in the past, but I found it now! Sweat Mopar truck and a HEMI.....I hate you right now, Glad to see this build is in the right direction no sbc or s10 frame Thank god! " and on the 7th day God created the HEMI..."

 

I will get some pics up soon as I begin to disassemble and mock up the truck. Hopefully there will be something someone can use as well.

 

Here is the donor vehicle, 88 Dakota 4 banger and the 330 DeSoto Hemi. I will get some more pics this week of the work underway.

 

Here are some more pictures, got the rear end out tonight. I am going to use a Challenger 8.75 which is 61.5" verses the original 62.5". I am also planning on using my old Cuda *E body) leaf springs which should be ok. they are significantly longer than the originals in the rear.

 

Excellent spring choice! Easy to tailor the long-ish pieces to suit ride and hp requirements. MotherMopar definately knew how to build leaf systems.


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building the mounts in now the challenge as I want to mount the springs on the outside of the frame similar to the originals.

 

I really like this build! I'm subscribed!

 

glad to have you aboard. I will try and post as many pictures as I can as frequently as i can. Unfortunately, work is going to take a toll here soon as I have to travel to the east coast for a week, then back for a week, then overases for a week and a half then back for 5 days, then back to the east coast for a week, then back for 3 days and then overseas again for a week...

somewhere in all of that I will continue to work...

 

I didnt get much time to work on it today, however i didnt manage to get the fuel tank out, bed disconnected and leaf springs off. Some of you may lok at the pictures and wonder why the box is blocked up or why I didnt just remove it; I wish I could say it was due to a plan or for this or that, te reality is that it was a result more of poor planning. Once I have the rear end off I couldnt move it off the lift and then I decided I wanted the box out of the way (I initially thought I would have to cut the sides of the bed due to the new leafs being wider, however after looking at them I realized they would clear the bed. the way my shiop is, I cannot go out the back side (which is where the back of the truck faces), therefore up it went. I am clear of the frame so I should be able to do my fabrication without too much issue. I do have to remove the stock leaf spring mounting plates which are riveted to the frame, I have decided to remove one at a time and then plug weld it before moving on to the next as they are connected to cross members that just so happen to be holding up the bed... its all a process....

 

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