WC Dodge Enthusiasts - Please Help

Pedr · #1 08-04-07, 19:04

The Dodge WC51 that I was supposed to take to Corowa has a few serious problems that I am slowly working on for a mate.

The radiator died and is apparently beyond repair - so looks like a new core is required.

But the other problem is to do with the fuel system ( I think )

She runs like a dream on the open road ( except for the loosing water problem ) but taking off and changing up can be a bit of a problem. Almost like a flat spot.

John Biddle, somewhat of an expert on antique automobiles, says that his Dodge ( the one that Lang drove to Europe ) had problems with take off originally too. He fitted a perfect NOS carb. but the problem didn't stop - He found that it was a stretched timing chain.

However, it could be that the carburettor might need rebuilding as it is a bit of an unknown quantity. Herein lies the problem. I know from the manual that there were 2 types of carb. Zenith and Carter. But we can't identify the one that's fitted to the truck. It doesn't have any numbers on it at all. Can anyone help?

Then, the air filter doesn't seem to fit properly. It looks like it should come off easily, but won't. Instead it fouls on the firewall. Can anyone advise as to the reason. Obviously I could cut the firewall to fit, but there must be a reason ( i.e. incorrect parts fitted ) as to why this would be occuring.

Finally, does anyone know where I can get the special alignment tool for the crankshaft pulley when removing the timing chain cover.

Thanks Mates

Pedr

Pedr · #2 08-04-07, 19:07

different view of carb

Pedr

Pedr · #3 08-04-07, 19:13

The Air filter

This truck probably looks a bit rough to most of you. My friend has only just purchased her. Its been at least 15 years since her last restoration and she has done quite some miles since that time.

I think that it was on the original '95 back to the track, then the 2000 trip, then the 2005 trip from Adelaide to Perth to Kalgoorlie and on to Alice Springs via the Gunbarrel Highway. Plus various jaunts around the city and surrounds on club runs. So just a few miles.

So she needs a scrub up again.

Pedr

Pedr · #4 08-04-07, 19:21

Another view of the air filter

Thanks

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Pedr

Richard Farrant · #5 08-04-07, 20:09

Pedr,

I see you have a manual laying on the bulkhead, if it is the TM 10-1531 that I am looking at now ,then your carby is different to that shown in the Fuel section. It is described in there as a Zenith series 29, no mention of a Carter, but my book is dated 1942, so maybe that came later.

A point worth think about is that the carb may look like a correct one, but could be set up/ jetted for a completely different engine, for example, I am rebuilding a Austin 900cc 4-cyl. engine for a customer, he brought in a brand new carb to use on it, externally and bore size is identical, but something made me check the specification number stamped on it, seems it is actually for a 3,500cc 6-cyl. engine. As the carb on your Dodge does not quite line up with the bulkhead there is every chance that this carb was not intended for that vehicle and this is possibly why there is a flat spot.

Hendrik van Oorspronk · #6 09-04-07, 00:06

Hello,

The airfilter looks more like a GMC one, a bit bigger then the Dodge one, the problems on the feul line of the Dodge are often old flexable hoses, I also had problems with them, same as a freind of me had, so first thing I would do is replace all 3 of these old hoses.

Green Greetings Hendrik

Lang · #7 09-04-07, 00:33

Pedr,

From what I can figure out from my parts manuals the standard on the Dodge was the Zenith carb. It is a bulbous round thing compared to the square Carter. Supposed to be non-flooding on hills.

I think your aircleaner is non-standard. If you had the standard one it is not so wide and clears the firewall easily. The photo in the parts manual shows a cleaner with no mesh on the sides. If your cleaner is a later standard possibly the use of your present carb with the Zenith air intake pipes pushes it further back to foul the firewall.

I have a Stromberg fitted to my WC-53 Carryall off a Bedford. Runs really well. I have seen a few Dodges with Holden carbs fitted and they also run well with more response and better fuel economy than the originals.

I would be checking the accelerator pump and galleries on your carb.

Lang

Robert Farmer · #8 09-04-07, 08:37

I was of the understanding that there were two different air cleaners fitted. An early one that was a bit smaller in diameter to a later one which is what you have in your photos. The firewall was shaped diferently to accomadate the diferences. To me it appears you have an early fire wall with a late air cleaner, and hence the missmatch. Could be wrong!

Robert Farmer · #9 09-04-07, 08:56

here a picture of mine, looks like the same carby and filter. Can't tell you which one it is though.

Keith Webb · #10 09-04-07, 09:16

The rest of the engine is looking a little flat, Rob!

rampant rivet · #11 09-04-07, 10:07

Looks like a carter carb to me, as to problems I would rebuild carb making sure to replace accelerator pump as this causes flat spot, though it may be that carb body is worn this happens a lot with Zenith carbs, maybe carter too.
Air cleaner should be ok but make sure its cleaned and full to the level with clean oil.
Check fuel lines especially rubber ones as they can perish and allow air into system.
Service engine, new plugs, leads, points Etc check timing and compression.
All these operations should be carried out as routine to enable you to eliminate suspects one by one and to give reliable operation.
hope this has been of some help.

RR.