Thread: 37 Dodge pickup update

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With the 76 Dodge truck done and no other projects to do until I get my new shop built I finally got the little things done and the HEMI for the 37 Dodge PU done and on the engine stand this weekend.

For those that don’t know I bought the 37 several years ago, did the mockup to put the HEMI in and then life threw me a couple of curves. I sold the truck, then bought it back and it went on the back burner while a couple of other projects got done. It’s now still on a holding pattern until I get the new garage done but when that’s up it will be the first major project to be done.

This afternoon I was finally ready to make the engine run…..pumped it twice hit the starter it cranked twice at lit. Does it sound healthy. The cam break in went off with a hitch and the carbs seem to be very close. One of the big things I wanted to see if I could do was to make the race only 6 deuce intake streetable and I think I succeeded. At least on the stand the engine is very responsive running on just the 2 center carbs (it’s progressive linkage), and when I tweek the end carbs they seem to respond well.

It runs right one the thermostat temperature (180 degrees) and carries 20 PSI on a hot idle. The cam selection seems good too with a nice lope and good response.

Specs on the engine are:

1955 Chrysler New Yorker 331.
.060 NOSR JAHNs pistons (341 CI final displacement)
PAW Cam
Adjustable pushrods
Triple 5 heads
Weiand Drag Star Intake
6 Rochester 2GC carbs
Stock dual point distributor converted to Chrysler Electronic
Stainless steel shorty headers
BBC water pump conversion
6 Pac air cleaner (12 pac now I guess)

For now it’s got my spare 833 four speed stuff on it, but I’ll eventually be running a 727 automatic in the 37.

I’ll be getting some more run time in on it over the next few and do a little fine tuning on the carbs but I am very pleased with its first run.

The last picture is the Dodge in mockup a couple of years ago.

Looks like fun Mike! Why not keep the 4 speed though??? These days a 4 speed is dang near an anti-theft device!!!!!!!

Wow, makes me wish I would have kept the ones I had last winter.
I am also a 3 pedal fan, unless you are disabled.

I thought about it Dave, but I'm already pretty comitted to an automatic. The steering column and brake peddle have already been built.

The "linkage" is already done too. It uses a B&M cable (like from a rachet shifter) that connects to some brackets I built onto the column and attaches to the transmission with stock B&M brackets. I really like all the spare pieces that are included in the shifter kits . It also saved a lot of grief getting mechanical linkage around the old Hemi.

".......I am also a 3 pedal fan, unless you are disabled......."

Let's see my 57 Plymtouh, 68 El Camino and 77 Mustang are all 4 speeds, someimes I just want to put it in Drive

Yeah, gotta admit I have had a couple 2 pedal cars myself............

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

Wow, makes me wish I would have kept the ones I had last winter.
I am also a 3 pedal fan, unless you are disabled.

Heck, don't let that stop ya!!!! I'm disabled, physically and mentally!!!

Mike, What can I say but I drool when I look at that engine. Love to put a hemi in my 37 chevy truck but don't think it would fit without some cutting. Any problems with your 37?

As Dave says

"....Anybody can restore a classic, takes a man to cut one up!!!....."

Yes there was a bit of triming to get it in (the fenders, not the firewall that was already butchered before I got the truck).

PLEASE don't take offence......but I could have taken the easy way out and just thrown a small block chevy in it and it would have been like 3 other old trucks around here. The Hemi especially with the induction are what sets this apart.

Honestly if it would have been a chevy like yours it WOULD have gotten a small block the (72 LT1 corvette with Tri Power), had it been a Ford it would have gotten the tri-power FE because it's was a MOPAR it's getting the engine it is.

Mike the white pick up is nice and sweet but it won't hold a candle to this one for sure . You have me in the theater seat and watching this build since you do so much great work .

it will be hard to hide that hemi your not thinking of putting the hood on it the engine that has the biggest valve cover wins.. that would be a hemi BUT i still like my BBC.but heim are in my DNA wish i keep all that hemi stuff

Having the motor running is really getting me fired up on the build, but I'm looking at about a year before the new shop will be ready to move in to. I told myself I WOULD NOT start any major projects till the shop is built......let's see getting it back in the shop and fabing the new fire wall and floor isn't major is it ?

I'm kind of thinking of running the hood top but no sides.....of course the top is easy to completly remove so it might get run both ways Pat.

"....the engine that has the biggest valve cover wins.. that would be a hemi..."

This is one of my favorite pictures, makes the old FE in the center look kind of petite don't it.



Just looked at the picture again and realised I heard all three of the run this last weekend, the FE is now living the in 64 Ford, that Hemi is in the 57 Plymouth and the small block was on the engine stand (with a single 4 BBL). I rebuilt all carbs on the Hemi and FE AND all six on the other HEMI at the same time a couple of years ago.......man I got burned out on 2GCs

I'm not big on naming cars and such, but considering the induction maybe "Project Half Rack" would be appropriate.

Here is a 36 that my budy just finished. I think these trucks are very cool.

Man that 36 sure looks alot like my 37. Paint is almost identical. What rims and tires are you running?