early Dodge Bros. cars were dependable, but not too servicable!

-
Bill Crowell

Bill Crowell

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
1,170
Reaction score
805
Location
Diamond Springs, CA
Dodge Bros. collectors Harry and Debbie Redding discover that it's not too easy to replace the water pump on their 1915 model:

1915 Dodge Bros. Touring

"I wanted to pull the water pump and the oil pan. In the process I discovered that to pull the water pump shaft you need to remove the engine’s front chain case, to remove the chain case you need to pull the engine, to pull the engine you need to remove the transmission, to remove the transmission you need to move the rear axle with torque tube back several inches (basically remove the rear axle). To then lift the engine out it would be easier to first lift the body slightly. To remove enough body bolts to lift the body you need to remove pieces of the running boards and the rear fenders. I didn’t lift the body!"
 
There's engines out there that to change the plugs. You have to put a ratchet strap around it. Unbolt it. And "ratchet" it towards the rad. Spark plugs. Something you change pretty often. Engineers just don't think about what mechanics have to do. That's why they are engineers!
 
So much of early design was done on the bench then the assembly was put in the chassis just like today.
 
Friend of mine owns a 68 Mustang..... with 390 FE(AR) Engine.... no way to change the plugs...or to adjust the steeringbox.... ( you have to pull the engine... )
Greetings Juergen

P.S he still has OEM cast manifolds.... also
 
brasil said:
Friend of mine owns a 68 Mustang..... with 390 FE(AR) Engine.... no way to change the plugs...or to adjust the steeringbox.... ( you have to pull the engine... )
Greetings Juergen

P.S he still has OEM cast manifolds.... also
Click to expand...
Done a set,not a fun job....FE's are worth it,(at least to a Ford guy...)
 
huh, my 1929 Dodge Brothers water pump is easy to change

DSC00023_zps2164fe61.jpg
 
I owned a Mitsubishi Diamante, great car but the section on "special tools required" was almost as long as the procedures. That tells me there was a lack of thoughtful engineering or sign offs when you put a stud under a cast protrusion and have to get to both sides to cinch up the nuts as a standard bolt cant fit. They had about 6 different bent up box end wrenches needed. Pretty soon they will be building cars like Funny cars with the hinged body (cool!) or on the other end of the spectrum, sealed hoods with a sticker...
no_user_serviceable_parts2_thu.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top