So many problems! My 1951 Dodge Power Wagon needs help

Whether you know anything about carburetors, transmissions, or any of the other challenges I have left to tackle I need some some advice. While this old farm truck has come a very long way there are still multiple hurdles in place that prevent me from driving it around the way I envisioned. Thanks for watching!
#dodgepowerwagon #mopar

[@hutchjohnson2184]

Hi, I'm also the owner of a "tarp queen" PW. If you don't already know, you need to understand that no matter what year PW you have, it's for all intents and purposes a 1938 technology Dodge truck with 1946 technology 4WD pieces. The entire drive line is very rugged when things are right, and very finicky when things get "out of spec". I'd say the carb needs rebuilding, but the amount of fuel coming out of the throttle shaft may indicate the carb needs rebushing as well. Clean the fuel tank out, and reseal. If you are up for it, tear down, inspect, and reassemble the transmission and transfer case with any needed parts. It will last the rest of your life if you stay below 40-45 mph.

[@DIYSCOTT]

That's awesome. Yeah on the transmission/driveline I think I made too many assumptions on everything just going to work properly after a tough work life and then sitting for so long. I was hesitant to reseal the fuel tank thinking a lining may fail over time but I probably just need to find a trusted product and put in an inline filter ASAP. 45 mph is as fast as I'd ever want to go in it hahaha. Thanks for the advice!

[@comfort_in_discomfort]

Carb rebuild for sure. Once that's complete, you may want to double-check your ignition timing. Echo the transmission and x-case comments. If you intend to drive the truck, a rebuild is surely warranted. You might be able to get away with a full "flush out the old gunk, put new gunk in" method, but if bearings and wear surfaces are done, it will only hide issues. This is a part of the game with old tech. Maintenance is a learned skill that many have forgotten in the face of disposable vehicles. Remember, in the old days, the instruction manuals used to give you valve clearances. Today, the instruction manual says "don't drink the battery acid". Just fix one thing at a time. You've come a long way.

[@DIYSCOTT]

Thank you for the tips! I completely agree with your point on acquired mechanical skills. I wish I had more exposure at a younger age but still got lots of time to learn

[@JDawghasaTruck]

1. Fix your oil leak. It’s a brass fitting on block, be very careful not to cross thread! 2.fix gas leak, carb needs a rebuild, I did mine but get a pro if you’re not confident. 3. Drive the truck every day to get used to it’s peculiarities. It was not designed for city streets, it was designed for off-road. 4. Don’t be in a hurry to update your gears! Get it safe to drive at 40 before you do anything else! 5 not sure if your trans is a mechanical issue or your shifting skills😉 6. The biggest thing is to get comfortable driving very old technology in the 21st century. 7. Bring it out to Indiana and I’ll help you😁

[@DIYSCOTT]

I wish I could do step #7 first haha. Thanks for the help!

[@DoctorWonka]

These old vehicles do need constant maintenance (that is normal). But they are usually relatively simple to repair and maintain, and designed to be worked on. Don’t let mice in! They will destroy it and stink it up! Remember, EVERYTHING has a grease fitting on that thing. Even the throwout bearing. It may need grease.

[@FlyingHighVeteran]

I have really enjoyed this ole trucks journey back to life. Sounds like quite a bit of work left to get her to 100% but it’ll be worth it once you get there. I certainly will be tuning in for the remainder of its restoration. Wish I owned it, I’d use it at my sister’s farm. Perfect place & small community to run it daily. Take care and wishing you a blessed holiday season.

[@DIYSCOTT]

Thank you! Glad you've enjoyed watching it. Merry Christmas!

[@OhYeahAboutThat]

Hey, fellow north county SD here! We would love to see your Power Wagon or Raptor at Escondido Cars and Coffee! We meet each Sunday, 8am at Kit Carson Park! Let me know if you want more details. I subbed!

[@DIYSCOTT]

Hey! Yes I have heard about Cars and Coffee before. Would love to get the DPW up there sometime. Thanks for subscribing!

[@eric1985elcamino]

Glad to see the journey on this rig, I'm in Northern California and I can't find a first gen Power Wagon to save my life 😢 I've been looking for my perfect project for 10 years now

[@DIYSCOTT]

Thanks Eric! I was looking for multiple years too and had a deal fall through on me before finding mine. Facebook marketplace is a good resource because you can change the search area. Good luck!

[@gregoryclark3870]

Don’t give up their is one with your name on it

[@eric1985elcamino]

@@gregoryclark3870funny enough I finally found one about two weeks ago! It’s a 1951 Dodge Power Wagon and it’s in great shape! No rust at all and the engine isn’t stuck 😁

[@fingerbear3537]

As I see it, you do need a new gasket on the carburettor, also do up or put thread tape on the connections where the pipes from the engine block to the oil filter. The Clutch Gearbox and or Transfer Case certainly need an overhaul.

[@DIYSCOTT]

Yeah put a new gasket on it and got it rebuilt (it's 100% now), I stopped most of the oil leaks (just needed to be tightened ), but your right the transmission and transfer case need to come out and I think the drive shafts also need to be replaced

[@mustycheese5606]

If you don't know yet, the heater is always on, however can bypass it to deactivate it

[@DIYSCOTT]

Yeah it's not in right now so I just have the hose going to the back of the block

[@marjannescheltema9193]

Pull the carburetor off and s😂end it to a rebuild shop. Looks like there was no gasket under it. Just tighten up that oil fitting and it will stop leaking. That truck will take off in 2 gear no problem, give that a try. And make sure you have gear oil in the transmission. Probably needs 80/90 gear lube

[@DIYSCOTT]

Yeah I bought the Carb rebuilt but its been through too much already I guess. I think it's missing a gasket somewhere too. Yeah I agree with starting in 2nd. Thanks for the tips!

[@lunchbox2784]

I would Start buttoning up everything in the engine bay (carb, oil leak, wiring, etc.). What temperature thermostat are you running? Maybe try a 165*? Then I’d tear apart the transmission, it sounds like you need bearings. The “rubbing” noise you hear when you press the clutch would be your throw out bearing. They wear out over time. After it’s running better without leaks, I’d concentrate on finishing the body and interior.

[@DIYSCOTT]

Thanks for the tips I agree!

[@daveandmarlenemartin5532]

I kinda think you might need to adjust your float, it’s flooding your fuel bowl

[@DIYSCOTT]

Okay good to know thanks!

[@georgekeats1478]

@@DIYSCOTT Thats exactly whats happening. The float valve is not closing and the bowl is over flowing,

[@sa3key]

Need one of those in my driveway next to my 2022 PW

[@DIYSCOTT]

Yes.

[@gregoryclark3870]

don’t ever sell her if you do you will regret it

[@dudewheresmycar908]

7:23 That driveshaft 😲

[@DIYSCOTT]

Uhhh mmmhh how am i just seeing this for the first time

[@BigAlsautoupholstery]

Rebuild the carb and the transmission sounds like needle bearings are going out

[@DIYSCOTT]

Yeah the carb is relatively new (bought it rebuilt) but maybe all the bad fuel clogged it up. Good to know on the transmission I'm imagining the whole thing might need to be gone through. Thank you for the tips!

[@jefflilyea4669]

Shorts are too short. Biggest problem.

[@karlk6860]

Hey Scott the old girl is looking pretty good! On the oil return line leaking you have it cross thread or you did and buggered up the connection those are tapered fit connectors and yes they are a bit difficult to connect but if done correctly and tightened they dont leak. That noise you heard when you pushed in the clutch is going to be your throw out bearing you are going to want to at least take a look and see what your working with there. I know you are NOT going to like to hear this but TIME NOT MOVING is the absolute nemesis to these trucks! My PW is a 50 and when I did my tear down it became sadly obvious my truck had sat for a long period of time in its life. What I found started in the differentials on disassembly the half of the ring as in ring and pinion was pitted from being only half in the differential oil, and the front was exactly the same way I ended up replacing both ring and pinions. Lets move onto the trans and transfer case, again from so much time not having moved I needed to replace all the bearings both caged and non caged inside both, and yes that means an entire teardown, very good cleaning and reassembly with all the new bearing, and I suggest since you have it down this far replace ALL the bearings in both. I wont tell you its easy because its a lot of time and work to get them done and done correctly! The main benifit to you will be that you only do this once and its good for as long as your caring for this truck and you are now driving it every day as you desire! These trucks are old work horses they will do their job every day all day without any complaints, but when guys like us want to restore and get them 100% reliable and usable again and I learned a lot about my trucks past in working on it most good and some not so good. I had a whole lot of maintenance time to catch up on with my truck. As far as your carb goes just overhaul it and be done with it, it needs to happen Scott! Good luck and just tackle one piece at a time and do it right and you will be done! Karl

[@DIYSCOTT]

Hi Karl! Thanks for all the tips! I think mine definitely sat for awhile too. I got the driving gears from VPW for the front and rear so that should help to put those in. I agree with you on tearing down the transmission and transfer case once and getting it correct. 10-4 on the carburetor. Thanks again!

[@karlk6860]

@@DIYSCOTT Scott I do know how far you have come with your truck and you are almost there, just take your time and finish these last few items and you will be golden my friend!!!

[@avatar5419]

Por que não pintou as rodas ?

[@DIYSCOTT]

Eu provavelmente farei isso no futuro

[@Moparornocar74]

Sounds like a throwout bearing to me

[@DIYSCOTT]

Thanks! Yeah that's what a couple people have commented

[@donaldcampbell5277]

For sale?

[@DIYSCOTT]

Yeah first person with $12,000,000 in cash gets it