1938 Dodge D8 4d sedan project

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

RE: 1938 Dodge D8 4d sedan project

123pugsy · MARKHAM, ONT

Looking good Hannu.

Thanks for the update.

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Very nice looking clean up.

34guy · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Hey Hannu

Do you have to rent or buy the sunglasses

Looking good buddy!!!!

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks guys!

I use welding helmet Joe, I can loan one to you if you stop by. Good thing is that I don't need lights in the garage anymore

Gazoo · BADEN, ONT

That is bright, looking good, steady progress. smile
And great job on the engine strap to the hoist, nicely balanced. wink

-- Edited by Gazoo on Wednesday 21st of May 2014 05:07:36 PM

slab · BRANT COUNTY, ONT

I like this build. Thanks for post'n.

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks guys!

Went back to welding... my Princess Auto mig welder stopped working immediately... bought a Everlast mig welder now, seems to be a bit better and more power even if 120V version still...

What a pain in a butt the whole front cab corner... like a big puzzle... didn't come up that nice but I'm tired of that already so will need to do... it will be under the fender anyways so no-one will see it but still...

34guy · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Nice work there Hannu , Looks like you have been busy!!

54vicky · OAKVILLE, ONT

I love the use of grinder wrench.it adds a new use for it that lends to the the saying building it with what you have on hand.you are doing a hell of a job.very good that is in case my statement gets taken the wrong way

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

Your moving along very nicely..You will driving that car by the end of the month..Good work and thanks for posting..

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Lot of work Hannu, your'e getting there, thanks for the update.

bmw2002e3 · ST MARY'S, ONT

That flathead looks great!

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks guys, I only see the positive feedback

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Well, it's been really slow progress with the driver side rear door opening/post and inner fender... here few pictures what I started with:

And here it is when I cut it open and where it is now, quite happy how to door fits now, still need to figure out how to get the hinges to the right place and add some structural strength...

So, still a lot of things to do...

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Some progress with the welding, I have problems posting the pics now so updates in the flickr account

3rd try...

I also did some pre-fitting of the fenders and my only running-board template, well, I need to spend some time on those but that will be later once I get the car back to it's feet - well tires...

I got that bumber jack earlier from my neighbor and was thinking what to do with it, well, I needed also a engine stand to my old original engine, after some blocks of wood voila...

I tried to add some structural strength similar to original, and some 1/4" round bar inside the door post where the hinges are attached

After some corrections on the rear corners I'm quite happy how it turned out, a comparison to the old "before" picture reminds me easily that this is going to right direction...

I also added some seam sealer and bondo trying to hide the ugly welds...

-- Edited by dodge38 on Friday 8th of August 2014 12:17:04 PM

slab · BRANT COUNTY, ONT

I always like doing the metal work stage of the project. Looks like your making good progress. Tons of work there for sure. Thanks for the pics.

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

slab wrote:
I always like doing the metal work stage of the project. Looks like your making good progress. Tons of work there for sure. Thanks for the pics.

Thanks Slab, for certain extent it's fun, too much rusty and thin sheet metal and it was kind of difficult to weld anything together, now it's getting a bit easier, only some small areas left on the body and frame.

Well, then the fenders are a bit different story... and no running boards...

Chris Stapley · CAMPBELLFORD, ONT

Very good progress Hannu, I am impressed with your ability to drive on and just get it done..

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks Chris!

It helped when I decided that I just want to get it solid and functional for now, and next time I try to make it pretty

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Finished some more welding and finally some paint, rust converter first to areas I didn't replace this time... followed by some Tremclad primer...

and added also today some Tremclad semi-closs black but no pics yet... floor not done yet so that's next...

Gazoo · BADEN, ONT

Hannu,
This is all looking awesome! It's coming along nicely...
Keep it up...we all know it'd be to easy to small block Chevy it.

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks Gilles, much appreciated!

There won't be any Chevy engines in my cars unless it's a Chevy... and nothing beats a nice n' shiny "new" mopar flathead 6 engine, well maybe an early Hemi would do but don't have one

I already have slight thinking to do whether I can install a Ford master brake cylinder in the Dodge, I bought that from the Mississauga swap meet and it's a perfect size so maybe I can since it will go under the floor...

51 Styline · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

I am just always amazed by the metal work and finishing on these sites. This Dodge is going to be a tribute to your attention to detail and your craftsmanship. I wish I had the patience to get in to body work and metal work . Well done and keep up the good work.

123pugsy · MARKHAM, ONT

It's coming along nicely Hannu.

A warning about rust converters. They turn the top of the rust black only. Below the black surface, there will still be nice red rust ready to eat thru the coating and your paint job. Ask me how I know.

It's OK inside the car and stuff, just please don't use it on the outside of your car or your paint job will be toast.

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks Larry ans Jari!

Well I just use rust converter once I get tired of grinding the rust out, it's not perfect I know but I guess still better than just painting over the rust

Mostly black now, should paint a second layer but won't be seen so will have to do... maybe some touch up with a spray can later on...

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Painted the floor during the weekend:

Lifted the body off the frame a bit, added some 2x4 between so I can clean and paint under the floor and rest of the frame, some welding to do as well on the frame so will spend next few weeks under the car...

51 Styline · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

She is looking good . Keep up the good work.

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks Larry

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

September 2014

Okay, finally all the welding on the frame and the body done, painted both the frame and under the body as well, after that couple of times in the massage and my head is turning a bit again... bolted the body back to the frame with some frame webbing, started to bolt on some of the suspension pieces, what a nice and clean job... next plan is to get the rear end and the suspension ready...

wolfman1 · ST GEORGE, ONT

Wow, great job, looks like things are coming together nicely

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks Howie, it felt like a never ending story, rust more rust and some more rust... but now it's getting more interesting...

cheyenne · VIENNA, ONT

Fantastic job Hannu !! That is real dedication to say the least,... Great work you are doing.

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks Wayne!

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Cleaned the rear end and painted it among some suspension pieces, installed the rear suspension and the rear end. I have now the original 9 leafs and looks like it stayed quite high when I changed the jack stands under the rear end, but will wait until I have all the weight (doors, interior, class etc.) before removing any of the leafs.

Painted also the engine oil pan so that I can continue with the front suspension and steering.

Don · PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

This is going to be a very nice ride!
don

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks Don!

Once I get this thing running first I need to read all your posts again about old school Mopar power... I had a slant 6 Duster earlier which I converted to 318 and further to 360 but didn't really understand anything on that time (so even less than now) and I never was really happy with the performance... so, now I'll stick with the flathead 6 and try to improve on that

51 Styline · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

Excellent job. Well done.

Don · PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

A flathead done would be fun! I used to do mild ones for Muskoka boats for my older brother. They were Chrysler Crown engines . The larger of the early Mopar flatheads

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Great big bunch of work, done nicely!! Thanks for the interesting pics!

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Thanks guys!

Well, was hoping to get the front suspension done as well this weekend but seems like I'm missing some small parts and needed to paint some others, so later...

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

I got the front leafs and the front axle finally installed, need to still try to figure out how to align the front end and some of the hangers need some fine tuning but that will be somewhat later, I guess next the king pins and the brakes...

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

I added the king pins (need some extra shims since a bit loose in up/down direction), no honing needed so that's good, put the disk brakes on (just a mock up) and happy that the disks cleaned quite nicely, so the disk setup is from 74 Charger and modified steering knuckles... added the wheels just to see what it looks like...

However, got a small problem now, the tie rod ends don't fit the steering arms, the taper is correct but the tie rod end doesn't go far enough (not even close) that I could get the cotter pin in, seems like dodge had two different sizes... I already replaced the tie rod ends once since Canadian model uses male threaded piece to connect to the tie rod and the ones they sent me earlier were US models which has female threaded piece...

bmw2002e3 · ST MARY'S, ONT

dodge38 wrote:
Thanks Don!

Once I get this thing running first I need to read all your posts again about old school Mopar power... I had a slant 6 Duster earlier which I converted to 318 and further to 360 but didn't really understand anything on that time (so even less than now) and I never was really happy with the performance... so, now I'll stick with the flathead 6 and try to improve on that

You and me both. looks like Don knows all about that flathead stuff. :)

I've been watching your progress. Awesome.

I've got to take a bunch of crap to get sandblasted, but I'm going to mill down my spare head to bring up compression a bit, split the ehxaust and squeeze a little more power out.

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

bmw2002e3 wrote:
I've been watching your progress. Awesome.

I've got to take a bunch of crap to get sandblasted, but I'm going to mill down my spare head to bring up compression a bit, split the ehxaust and squeeze a little more power out.

Thanks Karel, that's a very nice Edmunds intake!

How much you plan to mill of the head and what's the compression ratio you are targeting? 49 engine is about 7 to 1 comp now?

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Well, it's been a slow winter, too cold to do much in the garage, anyhow got few things done... got the pedals/trans/driveshaft installed...

Also made the alternator bracket and pulley shim, also installed the exhaust...

dodge38 · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

A little update here for the 2015 activity, it's been a bit slower than I was hoping but that's okay - not in a hurry...

So, spent quite a lot of time with the nose piece, sides were really rusty and took a while to make all the pieces, quite happy how it turned out.

Also the battery box needed some attention

And finished the floor board which was made earlier in Pugsy's metal workshop, compared to old one it's quite a lot better

Decided anyhow to keep the original brown color scheme, and painted the dash brown instead of woodgrain, I like the original gauges - hope I get them work...

Some engine clean up work, and got the 12V alternator in place

Some work with the steering wheel, trunk lid, got the radiator bracket attached (thanks Joe), welded the door bottoms and test fitted the hood etc. It's mostly black now - not pretty but black

That's all for now, I try to continue with wiring (Speedway kit) this spring once the weather warms up a bit.

123pugsy · MARKHAM, ONT

Looking good Hannu.

Thanks for the update.