As many of you know (or not) I picked up a super solid 51 1/2 pick-up (non-running). Owner said he couldn't get any spark, but didn't try very hard. I ordered the usual stuff, cap/rotor/wires/plug/coil/points and battery (6v). I removed the cap and there was no rotor and the wire that connects the points was broke, so I'm guessing that is were the spark issues comes from. So today I'm going to do the tune-up...is there anything unusual about these old engines? I know it is Power to ground on this truck. It also looks like the vacuum advance is a hard line. It's the original flat head 6 if that matters.

My 38 Plymouth required a rod of predetermined length to set the timing, you couldn't use a timing light. Dunno if that's still relevant to the here.

Basically, to set the timing on my 38 you had to pull a pipe plug atop the head on a cylinder, I think it was #1, and rotate the engine till the marks on the rod lined up with the top of the hole, then using a test light rotate the distributor till the points just opened. Some where I still have the FSM for that 38, dunno where though. My suggestion, if this method is still relevant for your 51, is to mark the pulley and fab up a pointer so you only have to do this once.

My dad mentioned make sure you get it at TDC.... I'll make sure before I start. It sure doesn't help that there's black overspray everywhere.....jeeesh would it kill people to use a little masking tape?

BTW, love your truck. Had one similar for sale near me, he wanted $7500 though. I passed. One day I'll get one.

got this one for $2500. Needs work thou.

Yeah, $5k buys a lot of parts for them though.

www.oldmoparts.com has the original headlight stuff if you need it.

oh yeah no kidding... this thing is straight and rust free. The int is SHOT and it needs a re-wire. Tried to fire it but the starter will not engage. Motor turns easy so I'm guessing the starter is toast.
It came with 3 extra head light assemblies.

I'm guessing here, but seems one of my old flat head 6s had a mark on the flywheel that could be seen through the side of the engine where you could see the back of the flywheel. There was a hole with a plug. Whatever, I'd sure engineer some kind of mark on the dampener and a pointer so I could do this easier.

I know the old Chevy 6 had that kind of setup, not sure if the Mopar flathead did.

no place to see the flywheel. I took the starter off the housing is broken. It will not allow the plunger to go deep enough, hence it will not engage. I found the piece on ebay, i hope it solves the problem. re-manned starters for these (if you can find them) are like $400.

Time to find a $375 318 engine and transmission.

Cool link rick, and pollack, this will be a boosted V8 at some point. I'd like to do a Gen III Hemi, however I just got word on a fresh well done 354 Hemi w/ Turbo 350 trans I can have for 4k.... I want to do a "gasser" type truck. Those old Hemi's love boost.

You're very welcome....If given the chance and if it fits the budget I would choose the blown old hemi route before any other option....no brainer The new hemi's are boring IMHO

Rickster

Don't forget the P15-D24 site for helpful tips on the flatheads.

Thanks Rod, I'll check it out. Master cylinder is shot, good thing Rockauto stocks them. Might as well go thru the brakes. I'll try and get some pics up as soon as I get it out of the garage.

anybody know if this will work?
http://p15-d24.com/store/product/29-truck-starter/