1938 Fargo Pickup.

good to hear back from you and keep us posted

Paul

Hi Guys,

Well, Im back with some news. I have found the issue with the tight spot in the engine. It turns out the only cylinder I didn't check was the one that was tight due to corrosion in the ring lands that made the rings tighten up in the bore.

I have disassembled the engine now and cleaned up everything and other than worn cylinders its in really nice condition. I have the block at a machine shop now, and after a clean up I will determine the route and extent of repair.

I'll have more news hopefully in a couple weeks.

Well, this is the result. From standard bore to .040 over just to clean up the cylinders enough for new pistons. Everything was done except the cam, lifters and valve guides which were more than acceptable. Going to get it running in the next few days hopefully, but most of my time line predictions have been way off.

Hopefully I'll find the magic combo to get a pic on here

We'll see.

I did it! I left the oil filter unrestored to show some old brazing repairs my grandfather did years ago.

I'm quite chuffed with the result. Hopefully start up won't be a huge chore.

Here is the full Canadian (which would include Australian) ID for all Chrysler products from Day one to 1953. Engine, chassis, dates and models

The engineering code includes the engine type eg T3, T26, T34 etc, the T being for Truck which is followed by the individual engine numbers. D for Dodge, P for Plymouth etc. You can Google the engine specifications if you have that initial number - they are known as a T4 or T212 etc motor





I have the American one up to 1946 as well.

Lang

Sorry, it is a big PDF file which will not take. Can someone tell me how to put it up?

WOW! Thats a great resource, Thanks Lang!

There was some confusing info I got from my machine shop.
When we ran the numbers/measurements, it turned out to be
a 1942 Desoto 237.
Nobody in my family ever recalls the engine being replaced so this
may answer some questions.

Much appreciated.

When you say Desoto do you mean just the engine or the whole truck. I have the Canadian Desoto truck and car numbers plus the US Desoto car numbers (does not look like they built Desoto trucks in USA but either used Canadian models or rebadged Dodges)

What is your engine prefix number?

Lang

Only the engine was suspect of being a Desoto, the truck is definitely a Fargo.

T118G 288920 Got it running on the stand today! Ran like a champ!

Dodge T118 engines were in the civilian style light WF model Dodge Trucks (1 1/2 to 2 ton) of the WW2 period. Of course most of these went to the military with several thousand being sent to Russia, see photo below. You can see the Russian Army truck is right hand drive so probably out of the Canadian factory built alongside the British orders.

Many of these light Dodges or Fargos, badged depending on where they were assembled either USA or Canada, were used by the Australian Army. Being non-tactical vehicles they were released to the public very quickly after the war.

From the Chrysler book it looks like various WF model types of T-118 trucks were built in serious numbers - over 100,000 from 39 to 45

Lang

British Army Dodge/Fargo. Note British Blitz type wheels.


USA Civilian Dodge WF


Russian Army Dodge/Fargo WF

Here is the page.