My first build - 1950 Dodge Pickup

I haven't done anything with the old truck this weekend. The trip to pick up the engine really wore me out. Between the long drive and a cold I picked up, I haven't been good for much of anything this weekend.

I did make it out to the shop this afternoon to get a few pics of the Hemi. I didn't see any numbers on the block or heads (not that I spent to much time looking). I put a wrench on the crank and the engine spins freely. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the industrial heads didn't have a crossover on the rear. I also read that often the industrial motors were rebuilt using auto parts. The heads on this engine appear to have provisions for crossovers on the rear that are blocked off. If I lucky, these could be auto heads. I just need to locate some casting numbers and do some more research.


The daily driver did pretty good on the trip. Here's a pic of the Hemi in the bed of my old Dodge.


I haven't had a chance to mount the Hemi on my engine stand yet. Fot the moment it resides on the floor.


Here's a pic of the back of the head. This appears to be a plate blocking off where the crossover should be. Are these industrial heads or have they been swapped out?


As mentioned earlier, I was told the engine ran on propane. Here's a pic of the carb.



If anyone's interested, more pics can be found in the link in my signature.

 

make sure you take lots of picture and nots of the install as next summer I will hopefully doing the same thing with my 48. so I will be curious on placement and other tricks you come up with

 

awesome , keep us updated.

 

I'm still not entirely sure of all the details of the Hemi I purchased.

I've spent quite a bit of time reading through the HAMB's Hemi Tech section. I didn't see any number on the front of the block in front of the valley cover.


My next check was on the top of the block on the p***enger side between the heads and the vally cover. I was having difficulty reading the text so I removed the intake.


If I'm reading the numbers correctly (AB 1619629-2), I've got a 331 manufactured in 1955-1956. I'm not sure what the AB or the -2 mean. If someone knows, feel free to post.


There are some additional numbers in the front (E286). I'm not sure what these mean.


I hope to remove the the valve covers to check the head numbers later this week.

 

Oops! Did not notice that this thread went on for several pages and that you had decided to swapin a Hemi. Nice choice! Maybe the below will help someone with a flathead 6:
These engines are notorious for valves sticking when the motors are old and in storage.

You cannot see the piston from the spark plug hole, anyway.

Check that there is oil in the engine, pull the plugs (all of them) and hook up a booster. Do a compression check. You will find that there is no compression in that cylinder.

If you open the valve covers you will be able to shoot the valve stem with Gibbs or some other good penetrant. If you end up pulling the head, be careful if you bang the valve closed. Make sure the cam lobe is down and that you tap the valve dead center with a plastic mallet. Anything esle will hurt your cam or bend the valve stem.

But chances are you can free the valve without pulling the head.

 

looks like you are moving right along. awesome first build. i am very interested in your thread as i just bought a '49 dodge pickup myself. as soon as i get my yard ready, i will start the dis***embly. i will post a thread of my build when it comes around in the next few weeks.
keep us posted.

.fleetwood.

 

Just picked this up for the girlfriend.. it's pretty solid and runs / drives..

 

I'm a bit confused by the casting numbers on my engine. According to the numbers on the block (AB 1619629-2), I've got a 331 manufactured in 1955-1956. I pulled the valve covers earlier today and the casting numbers (p***enger 1619 823-2, driver 1619 823-1) indicate a 354 for 1956. Is this normal OK that the heads have different #'s (-1 vs. -2)? Any issues with the block being a 331 and the heads 354?







The casting numbers were checked in Tex Smith's "The Complete Chrysler Hemi Engine Manual".

 

Where does the time go? Nearly a month and a half have past and I hadn't done much in the shop. I haven't done much with the Hemi since I went and picked it up. Although it spins freely, I haven't opened it up to see what it looks like inside.

First I decided the first thing to do was remove the exhaust manifolds. Both were cracked and missing pieces. I got them both removed and tossed them in the s**** pile.

Next, I pulled the old mounting bracket off the engine. The bracket attached via four bolts on the front of the engine. The bracket needed to be removed prior to removing the water pump.


I them removed the water pump. After removing the water pump I remembered that I hadn't drained the oil yet. I pulled the plug and to my surprise, out came about 5 quarts of relatively clean WATER and a couple quarts of oil.

When I say the water was clean, I mean that it appeared to clear water without antifreeze. I'm hopeful that its just some rainwater that had only recently gotten inside.

I next removed the rockers and push rods. The bolts holding everything were stuck fast so I ended up using the impact to break them loose. 18 of the 20 bolts broke loose with the impact but two gave me problems. I ended up persuading it with a few taps with a hammer on the back of the socket wrench.




The heads seem to be firmly planted and this being the first engine I've dis***embled, I wasn't sure how much force to use to break the "seal" holding them on.

Next I removed the valley cover. Everything looked relatively clean inside. There was some spot rust in the rear of the valley. I'm hoping that I didn't start the rusting process by opening everything up. I sprayed everything down with WD-40. Hopefully that will keep the rust at bay for a while.

 

I'm shooting from the hip here, as I'm no hemi expert. I'm sure someone who is will chime in...

But, I believe the 354 heads are the more desirable heads of all the old hemis. So, that may be a bonus for you.

I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on this truck. I love it so far.

 

HURRAY. the 4 by Mighty Dodge. Refreshing. lovely,,,,.....

 

I got the heads pulled yesterday and finally got a look at the cylinders. I'm pretty happy with what I saw. No visible problems.

Drivers Side


P***enger Side

 

cool old truck and a hemi transplant to boot shweeet

 

I finally pulled the oil pan to check out the bottom end of the Hemi. There was quite a bit of sludge from the water that had found its way into the engine. Surprisingly, I didn't see any rust. Hopefully the job situation will stabilize and I can start planning a rebuild.

 

thanks for the update. I was hoping you would set the motor in place and fab up some mounts before the tear down. I am really curious to see how it fits...

 

Check out HP engines in Norwood, NC for adivce or info on the HEMI.

 

Heres a 50 Dodge I did A couple of years ago.I used a 88 Ram 1500 4x4 frame and drive line.The front cab mounts lined right up.I fabed rear mounts and front fender supports the box worked out real well. This was a 7000 mile exfire truck cab thats why the fender openings are so big,it had 1100 20 tires.It was a great truck with 360 magnum, motor, auto,disk brakes,and power steering.

 

Ya gotta love the propane fired engines. Regarding the 331 vs 354 issue, it is quite common to find that Chrysler kept the bore at 331 even though the block was typical for 354, it simply makes for a more durable ***embly. This is common with truck engines and Industrial (stationary power plants) engines that could be expected to run continuously.
With regards to the -1 or -2 after the casting number, it is simply the mold number.

Gary

 

I still may just clean out the gunk, bolt it back together, and work on fitting it in. After finding all the water in the oil, I wanted to visually make sure everything was OK inside. If the engine was broken, I could still run the factory engine. I'm also trying to avoid spending money on the truck right now. The situation at the office is sorta sketchy and I'm not to sure that my job will still be around later in the year.

I check them out. Thanks for the info.

 

Thanks for sharing that info. I'm still really new to the "hot rod" scene and am trying to learn all I can.

 

They used to use Hemis for those tornado/bad weather sirens back in the day. Maybe those or a fire sprinkler engine would use propane. Sweet build, too!

 

Just came across this thread, and man does this one take me back. In the summer of 1965 I helped a buddy of mine drop a dual-quad 392 and push-****on Torque-Flite into his '50, we also swapped in a Pontiac posi rear, burning the midnight oil, we finished 'er up with a bright metallic blue paint job, a full set of early Imperial chrome wire-wheels, and M&H ww pie-crust slicks.
Woah man! did we have some fun summer cruisin with that beast! ain't nothing quite like the wail of an 8 barrel Hemi at full throttle.
That 'ol truck just totally nailed it, it had the look, the at***ude, and the power to back it up.
What I wouldn't give to have that one now, 'course it wouldn't be half bad to be 16 again, and have my hair back either

 

Try a search for Victory Siren. Some old stats and photos are still out there. Neat stuff.

 

Just found this thread...any updates?

 

Crazy enough but I've also got a 1950 Dodge that's my first build and my names Matt. Small world huh? Ha! good luck with it for sure! I love my truck! Its been such a pain in the *** to work on (just rusted bolts on evvvverryything) but its been an awesome experience and its almost road ready! Later!

 

Might be a long shot but any pics of it?! Sounds like it was a beast!

 

I own a 1953 Dodge flat bed pickup my neighor helps me alot on the truck, so far he's put new shocks on, redone the brakes had the seat redone, new tires new gl*** except the round ones they were ok. I will try to keep up with progress I need all the help I can get on this old truck. I like all of your Ideals.
paddy grunt

 

Hey there, I just picked up a 1950 dodge(my first project) pick up and am gettin to work on it! I was wondering where you got the disc brakes you put in yours and what they where?

 

Yes I wonder about the brakes too. I thought someone said aarj?

I want to find electric wiper motors. Any that will bolt right in? Or do I have to modify one.


My first dodge pickup too. Great grandpa bought new in 1950


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Does anyone know how to get ahold of fisher_man_matt? My father is doing a 1950 dodge build and would love to see some of the photos. He has been working on it for more that 25 years and has forgotten how some stuff goes together. Since the new photobucket update wont let you see the photos without paying $400, I was hoping there was some other way to reach out. Thanks!