1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
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- G-Sergeant First Class
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Thanks!
I had been thinking how great it would be to restore this truck for several years now, but never committed to it. Dave gave me the kick in the pants needed to get started, and I'm glad I did.
Chassis is out in the light of day now...still need to order tires. Got out the motor today that was planned to be put into this truck if it ever got restored. It came from the '34 donor chassis, and is a complete original T6 code 1934 1.5 ton truck motor. Ran this motor in the chassis before pulling it....no smoke, no knock, good oil pressure and running on all six. The plan is to tear it down to a long block, re-seal, repair or replace anything that needs it, then paint and run as-is, ....that's the plan, anyway. Thanks, David
I had been thinking how great it would be to restore this truck for several years now, but never committed to it. Dave gave me the kick in the pants needed to get started, and I'm glad I did.
Chassis is out in the light of day now...still need to order tires. Got out the motor today that was planned to be put into this truck if it ever got restored. It came from the '34 donor chassis, and is a complete original T6 code 1934 1.5 ton truck motor. Ran this motor in the chassis before pulling it....no smoke, no knock, good oil pressure and running on all six. The plan is to tear it down to a long block, re-seal, repair or replace anything that needs it, then paint and run as-is, ....that's the plan, anyway. Thanks, David
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Began dis-assembling the 1934 motor today. No bad surprises yet, but this engine is different than what I am used to seeing on a typical Dodge flathead six:
The water jacket only cools the upper half of each cylinder. You can see the lack of a full length water jacket on the left hand side of the engine....the lower cylinder castings are exposed.
The thermostat housing and thermostat are odd also. The hinged thermostat allows coolant to bypass the radiator when cold, then blocks the bypass in the thermostat housing when warm. This type thermostat is not available anywhere I can find, so may have to go with a "newer" type thermostat and bypass housing to keep things flowing properly.
Thanks, David
The water jacket only cools the upper half of each cylinder. You can see the lack of a full length water jacket on the left hand side of the engine....the lower cylinder castings are exposed.
The thermostat housing and thermostat are odd also. The hinged thermostat allows coolant to bypass the radiator when cold, then blocks the bypass in the thermostat housing when warm. This type thermostat is not available anywhere I can find, so may have to go with a "newer" type thermostat and bypass housing to keep things flowing properly.
Thanks, David
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
I love how these boys are still wearing Cavalry Boots and Breeches. Instead of riding Horses, they're riding trucks. Nice truck, nice work David!Jeff L wrote:Here is a good shot of the 4x2 showing that some did have a grille guard. This photo is from the Life Magazine Collection and was taken at Ft. Warren, Wyoming in 1938.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.
My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.
My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Thanks D.R.H.,D.R.H. wrote:I love how these boys are still wearing Cavalry Boots and Breeches. Instead of riding Horses, they're riding trucks.
Yes, I'm sure it was a period of major changes.... Thanks, David
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Hi David,
This truck and thread of yours is really interesting and the period photo's are amazing.
Going back to the first page, Can I bother you to explain what a "dedicated 2:1 under drive box" is? I have never seen one before.
Thanks!
This truck and thread of yours is really interesting and the period photo's are amazing.
Going back to the first page, Can I bother you to explain what a "dedicated 2:1 under drive box" is? I have never seen one before.
Thanks!
Kelley
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Hi Kelley,
The underdrive unit and transmission are manufactured and assembled to be one complete working unit. I guess my term "dedicated underdrive" really doesn't describe it very well. From the photo, you can see that the input shaft for the underdrive is actually the output/mainshaft of the transmission. The transmission had water in it and has to be rebuilt, but the underdrive had clean gear oil in it, and the gears look great. Spent the day doing a "spray can rebuild" on the motor. Only real oil leaks evident were in the valve side cover gaskets and the draft tube was loose and had leaked a lot of oil . Scraped and wire-brushed everything good, gave the motor some new gaskets and two good coats of "cast aluminum" engine paint. I hope this motor turns-out to be in as good condition as I remember....an engine rebuild is not in my budget right now. Thanks, David
The underdrive unit and transmission are manufactured and assembled to be one complete working unit. I guess my term "dedicated underdrive" really doesn't describe it very well. From the photo, you can see that the input shaft for the underdrive is actually the output/mainshaft of the transmission. The transmission had water in it and has to be rebuilt, but the underdrive had clean gear oil in it, and the gears look great. Spent the day doing a "spray can rebuild" on the motor. Only real oil leaks evident were in the valve side cover gaskets and the draft tube was loose and had leaked a lot of oil . Scraped and wire-brushed everything good, gave the motor some new gaskets and two good coats of "cast aluminum" engine paint. I hope this motor turns-out to be in as good condition as I remember....an engine rebuild is not in my budget right now. Thanks, David
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- G-Major General
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Take a look at this page guys. It may help some understand more about the transmission that David has.
http://forums.aths.org/PrintTopic31310.aspx
http://forums.aths.org/PrintTopic31310.aspx
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.
My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.
My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.
- Gordon_M
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
The under drive transmission is one of the reasons why I thought the truck may be an original dump truck, as a 2:1 under drive is exactly what I would expect to find on a dump truck - or a two-speed back axle.
Gordon
1941 Highway Trailer K-38
1944 Iron Fireman T-36 Snow Tractor
1986 Nolan Road/Rail trailer
1941 Highway Trailer K-38
1944 Iron Fireman T-36 Snow Tractor
1986 Nolan Road/Rail trailer
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Looking good Dave.
45 Chevy G7107 SOLD
45 MB Completed SOLD
48 CJ 2A Parts or maybe restore?
M151A2 1973 Completed and being driven.
M151A1/A2 Conversion to A2 Future Project
M37B1 1962 Restoration in progress
45 MB Completed SOLD
48 CJ 2A Parts or maybe restore?
M151A2 1973 Completed and being driven.
M151A1/A2 Conversion to A2 Future Project
M37B1 1962 Restoration in progress
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
David,
Although I am not a Dodge guy, I have enjoyed watching your build. Thanks for taking the effort to post images and your findings. It appears that few KH31's survived. Do you know what happened to the four wheel drive version of your truck that was sold somewhere in the Atlanta, Georgia area?
Paul
Although I am not a Dodge guy, I have enjoyed watching your build. Thanks for taking the effort to post images and your findings. It appears that few KH31's survived. Do you know what happened to the four wheel drive version of your truck that was sold somewhere in the Atlanta, Georgia area?
Paul
1941 G4112 Chevrolet with Hercules dump bed
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Thanks everyone for the replies and kind words,
Paul, I spoke by e-mail to the new owner of the 4x4 within the last month. He has bought a bed and better sheet metal for it, and has future plans to restore.... I will contact him again, and make him aware people are asking about it.
Thanks, David
Paul, I spoke by e-mail to the new owner of the 4x4 within the last month. He has bought a bed and better sheet metal for it, and has future plans to restore.... I will contact him again, and make him aware people are asking about it.
Thanks, David
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- G-Sergeant First Class
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 5:18 am
- Location: Plano, Texas
Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Hi,
Got the transmission and under drive box sorted out this week. The original transmission internals were so rusted they were unusable. I had a nice donor transmission here which had gears and bearings with virtually no wear, so I cleaned out the original case and swapped over all the guts, and installed a NOS parking brake band I had.
There was only one perishable seal on this entire trans assembly, and it was on the output shaft housing of the under drive unit. I took measurements of it to the local auto parts store, and luckily they were able to find me an exact match. Got another throw-out bearing which used the original type grease hose. My original hose was shot, but I found a great fix for it at the local auto parts store. A hose for a grease gun had the exact length and fittings size to replace the original... Stabbed the trans unit onto the motor and was able to get the whole assembly back in the frame today. Still have a problem to fix on the trans shift tower before I can install it...
I've been very lucky so far that one small hard-to-find part hasn't brought this whole project to a screeching halt.
Thanks, David
Got the transmission and under drive box sorted out this week. The original transmission internals were so rusted they were unusable. I had a nice donor transmission here which had gears and bearings with virtually no wear, so I cleaned out the original case and swapped over all the guts, and installed a NOS parking brake band I had.
There was only one perishable seal on this entire trans assembly, and it was on the output shaft housing of the under drive unit. I took measurements of it to the local auto parts store, and luckily they were able to find me an exact match. Got another throw-out bearing which used the original type grease hose. My original hose was shot, but I found a great fix for it at the local auto parts store. A hose for a grease gun had the exact length and fittings size to replace the original... Stabbed the trans unit onto the motor and was able to get the whole assembly back in the frame today. Still have a problem to fix on the trans shift tower before I can install it...
I've been very lucky so far that one small hard-to-find part hasn't brought this whole project to a screeching halt.
Thanks, David
- Gordon_M
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Good stuff. You can see where the later engines evolved from - full water jacket, sealed throw out bearing, that sort of stuff.
Gordon
1941 Highway Trailer K-38
1944 Iron Fireman T-36 Snow Tractor
1986 Nolan Road/Rail trailer
1941 Highway Trailer K-38
1944 Iron Fireman T-36 Snow Tractor
1986 Nolan Road/Rail trailer
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- G-Sergeant First Class
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- Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 5:18 am
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Finally got a transmission top shift cover completed and installed today. The original top cover was completely worn out, rusted and unfortunately unusable. From the photo you can see that the hole where the shifter alignment pin is inserted was broken out, and the ball socket in the housing for the shifter was totally ground away.
Thanks, David
Luckily, the top cover from my donor transmission was still serviceable. Only problem was it didn't have the casting for the pin to mount the under drive shifter linkage to it...
Made a bracket from plate steel to go between the ribs in the housing, welded a nut to it and rounded the edges of the nut.
Pressed bronze bushings into the under drive shifter to remove the wear in it, and to match the size of the bolt I was using with the new bracket.
Installed the shifter and linkage, and it works smoothly and sits in it's original location. I'm glad to get this finally worked out, as I certainly wasn't looking forward to the hunt for another good original housing...Thanks, David
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Re: 1935 Dodge KH31 restoration
Now that's what I call good old plain and simple American Ingenuity !! Nice work Dave. I really am enjoy this thread of yours.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.
My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.
My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.
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