Re: [A/S] vintage Dodge truck

["Maurice Riggins" <maurice.riggins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here are a few thoughts to put it into perspective...

A flathead is a pretty low-compression, inefficient engine.  That 109 
hp was rated in the days when gross hp was published (i.e. the engine 
run on a dyno with no air cleaner or exhaust system, no belt on the 
cooling fan, water pump (water was externally pumped through the 
engine) or generator (in those days).  It might make 85-90 hp by 
today's net hp ratings.  But the hp referenced in the 60's A/S manual 
was also in the days of gross hp.

Yes, the roughly 125 or so ft-lbs of torque it has by todays 
standard, at 3,600 rpm, will be multiplied by the 4.10:1 gears, and 
what appear to be rather short tires, compared to those of us with 
3.73:1 or so gearing and tall tires.  And I'm sure the torque is 
probably a little higher at maybe 2,400-2,800 rpm, but the low 
compression keeps it from being as strong as a 4 cylinder Ford 
Ranger...  which BTW can run all day at 65-70 mph with 4.10:1 gearing 
because it has about a 6,000 rpm redline and an overdrive gear.

With that gearing and those tires, the engine will be spinning at 
quite some rpm even at 55 mph for an old flathead.  The engine 
redline is probably 4,000 rpm or less.  That 4-speed is a probably a 
1:1 3rd gear 3-speed with a granny low... not an overdrive.  Have you 
driven it on the highway?  4.10 gears are fine on a lower rpm (4,000 
rpm) engine with 31"-33" tall tires AND an overdrive.

It's 5100 lbs GVWR... about the same as a long bed Ranger.  Had it on 
the scales with a full tank and two passengers?  How much is left 
over for cargo and tongue weight?  It's probably as heavy or heavier 
than the Ranger, even though the latter has all the safety stuff and 
air-conditioning, power steering, power brakes, etc.  

It's only 116" wheelbase... four more than a standcab/shortbed Ranger 
and 4 less than a standard cab/long bed Ranger... a coupla more than 
an Explorer.  I guess some people tow a 26' with an Explorer.  I 
probably wouldn't.  A 19-23' is probably okay for the wheelbase.

What we don't know is how much weight the clutch, and tranny and rear 
gears can pull (GCVWR - loaded truck and loaded trailer).  The 
metallurgy then wasn't as good as it is now.  If you burn it up, can 
you find replacments?  (same question for the engine) Or should you 
just drop out the whole drivetrain and go back in with a Chevy small-
block V8, modern tranny (it's got a hydraulic clutch so options are 
open), and heavy rear axle?

Being a D100, the springs are probably pretty light (and tired by 
now) so you may want to change them out too.

Finally, as someone pointed out on another list... if something 
breaks on a trip, are you going to be able to get parts for it and 
continue?  Or have to have both it and the trailer towed home?
--
Maurice
WBCCI 5446