crash325
Elite Member
A little over 2 years ago I quit using the old Dodge 500 / D500, flat bed. Brakes had gone out. I worked it for a while with no brakes. Had been starting it about once a month, but about 2 years ago just sort of forgot about it. A couple months ago, started thinking I should get it road ready, just in case something happened to my 1997 Chevy 4WD PU.
Old Dodge is sort of an odd ball, not very many made and this on is Gov. Issue, delivered to the Air Force. It has 39,000 actual miles on it. No power steering, AC, or Radio. Transmission is 1 step up from a crash box, better match RPM & speed before shifting. Clutch is also a little tricky, no feathering it in, All In or All out. Little 318 Engine, 4 speed trans. First gear is only used if you want to go straight up, Even overloaded 2nd gear is fine. Rated for a 2,500 load, I've had almost 3 times that on it, takes almost that much to even see the springs compress.
Yesterday I put in a good battery, 3 gallons of gas in it and poured a little down the Carb. Cranked fine, not a hint of starting. Tinker & Futz, nothing. Let it rest start over this AM. Climb up under the hood, ( about 5 feet up), lots of room in there. Test light says there is juice going to the coil. other side dead. AH! points must be stuck. It ain't got no points, 1 one of those magnet things. Must be the coil??? Check a few other little things,. Nothing has been fixed.
I know it is not going to work, but what the heck. Pour a cap full of gas in the carb. Hit the key, as I let go it sounded like it may fire. Get in so I can work the gas petal, It fires off, lots of missing but its running. It always needed to be choked to start, but once running, time to ease it in. In 3 or 4 minutes it cleared and started purring (OK Growling as the muffler is shot.) just like it always did.
Me One Happy Camper.
Now the real work begins. Tires weigh about 100 pounds each, brake drum is even heaver & Axel has to be pulled. Not having a helper it may not be too much fun. Not going to kill myself getting it done, slow & easy is my way.
At some point may restore it to near new condition. I Love the Old Beast.
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Old Dodge is sort of an odd ball, not very many made and this on is Gov. Issue, delivered to the Air Force. It has 39,000 actual miles on it. No power steering, AC, or Radio. Transmission is 1 step up from a crash box, better match RPM & speed before shifting. Clutch is also a little tricky, no feathering it in, All In or All out. Little 318 Engine, 4 speed trans. First gear is only used if you want to go straight up, Even overloaded 2nd gear is fine. Rated for a 2,500 load, I've had almost 3 times that on it, takes almost that much to even see the springs compress.
Yesterday I put in a good battery, 3 gallons of gas in it and poured a little down the Carb. Cranked fine, not a hint of starting. Tinker & Futz, nothing. Let it rest start over this AM. Climb up under the hood, ( about 5 feet up), lots of room in there. Test light says there is juice going to the coil. other side dead. AH! points must be stuck. It ain't got no points, 1 one of those magnet things. Must be the coil??? Check a few other little things,. Nothing has been fixed.
I know it is not going to work, but what the heck. Pour a cap full of gas in the carb. Hit the key, as I let go it sounded like it may fire. Get in so I can work the gas petal, It fires off, lots of missing but its running. It always needed to be choked to start, but once running, time to ease it in. In 3 or 4 minutes it cleared and started purring (OK Growling as the muffler is shot.) just like it always did.
Me One Happy Camper.
Now the real work begins. Tires weigh about 100 pounds each, brake drum is even heaver & Axel has to be pulled. Not having a helper it may not be too much fun. Not going to kill myself getting it done, slow & easy is my way.
At some point may restore it to near new condition. I Love the Old Beast.
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