Plymouth PT50 Overhaul - March 2020
Upon delivery to the UK it was clear a number of jobs had been budged Stateside. Perhaps the most dangerous was the terrible design and welding of the transmission cross member.
I therefore decided to strip pretty much everything off the truck and go over all the suspension, steering, brakes and wiring.
I replaced the following for brand new items:
Engine mounts
Transmission mount and cross member
Carburettor Holley 1850-9
Help front suspension coil overs and shock
Steering UJs
Rear Brake cylinders
The truck did not have any wipers, so I installed a micro motor and switch.
The truck did not have a handbrake, so I installed a handbrake from a 1968 Mustang with a lot of modifications.
There are a number of timber components to the underside of the cab. These were all rotten and with the aid of a CNC machine I replaced all the timber.
Many of the nuts and bolts I undid would snap off - even substantial ones - well I guess after 82 years I would be a bit stubborn.
I therefore decided to strip pretty much everything off the truck and go over all the suspension, steering, brakes and wiring.
I replaced the following for brand new items:
Engine mounts
Transmission mount and cross member
Carburettor Holley 1850-9
Help front suspension coil overs and shock
Steering UJs
Rear Brake cylinders
The truck did not have any wipers, so I installed a micro motor and switch.
The truck did not have a handbrake, so I installed a handbrake from a 1968 Mustang with a lot of modifications.
There are a number of timber components to the underside of the cab. These were all rotten and with the aid of a CNC machine I replaced all the timber.
Many of the nuts and bolts I undid would snap off - even substantial ones - well I guess after 82 years I would be a bit stubborn.
Mopar 360
Engine Number 4006860-380.3
date Stamp 1976
5.9l 360 V8 4.00 bore 1971*1989
Engine Number 4006860-380.3
date Stamp 1976
5.9l 360 V8 4.00 bore 1971*1989
Chassis No: 8856494
4000 LBS
4000 LBS
As you can see the chassis might be covered insight rust, but there structure is solid with no repairs to the chassis, body and deck. Quite remarkable and a huge relief when you buy a truck blind over the internet.
All the underside was treated in 'Metal Prep', which converts the rust and forms a primer barrier. The whole underside was then treated to a coat of POR15, Top Coat and then wax in the most vulnerable areas.
All the underside was treated in 'Metal Prep', which converts the rust and forms a primer barrier. The whole underside was then treated to a coat of POR15, Top Coat and then wax in the most vulnerable areas.
These floor board outriggers normally rot after 10 years or so. Well these are 82 years old and still near perfect. I now this, because hey still have the original substantial rivets holding them in place.
Two of these 4 sections had disintegrated and therefore nothing to photograph.
New rear brake cylinders and sprint set. The introduction of the handbrake lever for the newly designed and installed handbrake system.
I replaced the original Helix II suspension set-up with coil-overs from Helix. Quite a simple job as the kit is really good. As you can see below the tie rod ends were replaced.
This timber block was replaced on both sides and this is effectively a support for fixing the cab to the chassis. The metal work was also treated with wax.
I sourced a new sender unit for the newly refurbished tank.
And below is the refurbished fuel tank in place complete with new sender unit and gasket.
ABOVE: Headlamp rubbers replaced.
BELOW: Voltage regulator replaced as failed test.
BELOW: Voltage regulator replaced as failed test.
These pics are of the cab behind the seat. As you can see there is no rot and the area was treated to a good dose of wax treatment.
This was sets semi-hard and is the best rust treatment even if it is a bit ugly.
This was sets semi-hard and is the best rust treatment even if it is a bit ugly.
Video of completed works (except exhaust)
Engine Rebuild (December 2020)
Unfortunately, despite messing around with the timing, fuel etc I couldn’t get the engine to run properly. I therefore elected for a complete engine rebuild. I had hoped to do an engine swap, but Mopar 360’s are super rare this side of the pond.
