RamCharger.net

Jeez Ron, why didn't you ask me about that axle? Its a Chrysler corporate 8.75 full floater, if I remember correctly. I have another one under a dually 58 parts truck. They are kind of an odd bird. They came with 4.1:1 or 4.89:1 gears.

The 9.65 you referenced is used in flat fender Power Wagons and military trucks only (3/4 ton WC's and M37's, the earlier 1/2 ton WC's are a little bit different). And only ever came with 4.89:1 or 5.89:1 gears.

You should be ok bolting an LA engine to the NP420, but you will probably need a different bellhousing. The bellhousing in the truck is the same bolt pattern as an LA, and will bolt up, but the indexing of the crank flange and flywheel will be different, so your clutch won't work. The 315 poly you have is the tall deck Dodge hemi block, and while that flywheel and bellhousing will fit any early hemi engine (because for some reason those are the only things they all have in common) the A and LA stuff is just different enough to be a pain. A 60's era hydraulic truck bellhousing is probably the ticket, at that time they were still using the NP420, as well as the NP435 and the NP540 and shared a common bellhousing throughout. Some of them even fit small block, big block, and slant 6.

Hey Noah, he's interested in those engines... assuming there's enough parts to build one good one out of the two. Definitely wants the four barrel intake, but doesn't need any of the transmission plate/bellhousing stuff. What kind of price would you need to get? And do you have any more details on condition, etc.?

In case you're wondering, here is the story of the car the engine would be going into.

http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=1952_Spohn_Palos

Thanks man, I'll pass the info on and let you know what I hear back from him. That sounds like it might work.

On a side note, I got to test drive my 58 with the fresh 354 hemi in it yesterday, its loud and rowdy! Hopefully will have it all buttoned up this week. Hemis make everything better...

Hey guys, I'm just asking around for a friend, but if you happen to run across anything please let me know. He has a custom car that was built in the 50's, and needs an early Dodge or DeSoto Hemi engine for it. A Chrysler is too big to fit. Displacement doesn't really matter that much in this case. A Dodge (short deck 241/272 or tall deck 315/325) would be ideal. A DeSoto will fit, but they're harder to get parts for. It doesn't have to be a runner, but it needs to be a complete core engine with good bones. Y'know? This fellow is serious and will pay for the right engine.

I might be able to make that. I may even have a running truck to bring instead of just the Rokon. Weather should be nice...

Looks fun!

It's been like two weeks and I haven't rebroken it yet, so I think it'll take. Should be in one piece by June, in the meantime I am learning to be more left handed than ever before.

Were you the one talking about Trees Ranch? I've been out there, its pretty cool but when they say come prepared they're not kidding. It's like 40 miles to the nearest gas at Garvin Store, and there's nothing else out there. I'd be down for a run out there sometime, those folks were pretty nice.

The issue is less about the pain and more about I just spent a lot of money having a plate screwed onto the bone to straighten it back out... I really don't want to ruin it.

It is reminding me that I need to get an RC put back together so that I have one vehicle with an automatic transmission... its a good thing my dad has a spare truck he is letting me use.

Y'all take pictures. I have a broken collarbone so no wheelin' for me for a while.

I'll probably be there late afternoon. Between three and five o'clock if nothing else breaks. Looking forward to seeing everyone again, its been awhile. Looks like I'm just bringing the Rokon, but at least if I break it I don't have to worry about driving it home...

I will be trying to get there before dark on Friday. If my fuel pump gets back in time I might even have a truck, otherwise I'll just bring the Rokon... its got a West Bend 820 two stroke so it's kind of a Chrysler. I do have a small plasma torch/welder I can bring, which might be a good idea. It's electric though so if its needed we'll have to find a place to plug it in... will run 110 or 220.

Well, this week has been freaking awesome. The engine in the '58 seized up on the way back from my folk's place on Wednesday. No warning at all. It was running perfect, then it started squeaking like a failed u-joint. I pulled of the road to check it out and before I could even coast to a stop the engine was locked up tighter than a nun's chastity belt... then the idiot lights came on. So Friday I drove the yellow truck over to Brutal to talk with James about rebuilding the 354 Hemi I have for the '58 (that has always been the plan for that truck, but I didn't think it would be happening so soon). Then on the way home the FASS lift pump on the yellow truck died... I was at least able to cripple it back to the house on the injector pump.

I was planning on bringing the '58 on this run, that is not happening now. If I can get the yellow truck going in time I will bring it, otherwise I'll just throw the Rokon in the back of the pickup and see if it breaks too... then park employees can gripe at me for not wearing a helmet because I don't own one.

At least I can still look forward to going to the dentist this week. Oh, wait...

I don't know that I'll be bringing a guitar, I'm in full on electric mode with the band now and haven't played my acoustics for a few years, literally. Its a whole different thing. I might bring a few pre release copies of our album though...

I will have either my 58 W300 Power Wagon or my flatfender Power Wagon 6x6. Either one only seats two, but I'll have a passenger seat open.

That sounds good to me, Ron. I appreciate it.