Home Hello Everyone,
Another "Newbie" just joined.
I live in Kingston, Ontario Canada and just purchased a 1954 Dodge M37CDN model.
The serial number is 91403380 (on the glove box door). It has a flathead 6 Cylinder (I assume it is the 230) ?
It is a complete truck and the engine rolls over. I plan (and hope) on getting it to start and run tomorrow.
I'm hoping to receive information on this truck. I'm not sure how rare it is. Is there a way to confirm it was a Military vehicle originally?
I saw a picture of one online that was called a "line truck". The picture had a spare tire on the driver side door.
This truck I just purchased has the nuts and bolts in front of the driver's door hinges and has a very large pin on the quarter panel beside the door handle area (no brackets or rim attached).
I'm looking forward to any information that anyone can share with me!
Thank You for your help!
John Nizman
Last Chance Auto Restore.com
john@lastchanceautorestore.com
Phone 613 358 5353
Decode & Information on a M37CDN
Moderators: Cal_Gary, T. Highway, Monkey Man, robi
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lastchance
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2016 5:00 pm
- Location: Yarker, Ontario Canada
- Contact:
Re: Decode & Information on a M37CDN
Hi John and welcome, I am not an expert on the M37CDN but I do have one and know a little.
About 5500 M37CDN's were built for the Canadian Armed Forces. Unlike the American trucks the Have a Flathead 6 251 rather than the 230. Your serial number is in the range of Canadian numbers I believe. Other Canadian differences are the Acme Canada T98 transmission which is a License built Borg and Warner T98 with a couple changes. The door spare tire rack sounds like its missing from your truck but the attachment hardware sounds like it is present. Canadian trucks also came standard with an insulated hard top. If you have a winch it is a Braden LU-4 which came on about 700 Canadian trucks. The idler gear is different from US trucks so check carefully if you need to replace it.
I'm just in the process of learning and tearing mine apart too but the community is very helpful here and full of knowledge.
Cheers,
Warren
About 5500 M37CDN's were built for the Canadian Armed Forces. Unlike the American trucks the Have a Flathead 6 251 rather than the 230. Your serial number is in the range of Canadian numbers I believe. Other Canadian differences are the Acme Canada T98 transmission which is a License built Borg and Warner T98 with a couple changes. The door spare tire rack sounds like its missing from your truck but the attachment hardware sounds like it is present. Canadian trucks also came standard with an insulated hard top. If you have a winch it is a Braden LU-4 which came on about 700 Canadian trucks. The idler gear is different from US trucks so check carefully if you need to replace it.
I'm just in the process of learning and tearing mine apart too but the community is very helpful here and full of knowledge.
Cheers,
Warren
In Progress: 1952 M37CDN Teardown
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lastchance
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2016 5:00 pm
- Location: Yarker, Ontario Canada
- Contact:
Re: Decode & Information on a M37CDN
Our truck has a large winch between the 2 piece front bumper.
It also has a hard top roof. There is a large blower motor (appears to be original) ? on the passenger side firewall inside the cab.
Would it have been a solid green or camo type paint?
Is there a way to post photos of the truck?
Thanks!
John
It also has a hard top roof. There is a large blower motor (appears to be original) ? on the passenger side firewall inside the cab.
Would it have been a solid green or camo type paint?
Is there a way to post photos of the truck?
Thanks!
John
Re: Decode & Information on a M37CDN
You can post a photo. The easiest way is to use an image hosting site like Photobucket.
Congraulations on the truck. Paint schemes varied throughout their service life. From the factory they were green. Mine ended up with a black/green/tan or white scheme.
Here is mine.
Congraulations on the truck. Paint schemes varied throughout their service life. From the factory they were green. Mine ended up with a black/green/tan or white scheme.
Here is mine.
In Progress: 1952 M37CDN Teardown
Re: Decode & Information on a M37CDN
easy way to post pics is to host on a photo sharing site. hot link by right clicking on a pic and selecting copy image then past between [ img ] [ /img ]
lots of studying there Warren.
if your canadian truck is stock the block will be stamped t249on the raised boss on the drivers side of the block. the Canadian t249 251cid "Long block" L head has 21 head bolts and a 25in long head. weighs in @ 610lbs bare and 845lbs with accessories. the 251cid has a compression ratio of 6.6:1 a 3 7/16th bore with a 4 1/2inch stroke and a rod ratio of 1.75 to 1. four mains support the 31 1/32nd long 90lb high carbon drop forged crank. a six blade fan, sodium filled valves, bronze guides, stellite seats and a brass water distribution tube. the 251 is equipped with a higher heat range plug the auto light ar7s. this engine was not as common as its cousin from the south and very few cars in the USDM ever saw one. they were only fitted to high end Chrysler cars, heavy trucks, industrial applications (like pumps, threshers....) and marine.
the catch pin for the spare tire carrier works well as a bottle opener
because of the long duration at tdc the timing is very conservative. the book says 2deg after tdc but it should be 2deg before tdc it can be pushed to 6 but will have a tendency to want to work back on its self around 36~38mph on the speedo.
if she has spark and fuel but wont catch, crack a fitting low on the pcv system (Douglas valve) to check for pooling gas in the manifold..... throttle pump works off vacuum... a quick blip of the choke is sometimes better than full choke.
your truck would have been delivered in a dark green then painted a million times ending its service with a cow pattern.
lets see some pics
lots of studying there Warren.
if your canadian truck is stock the block will be stamped t249on the raised boss on the drivers side of the block. the Canadian t249 251cid "Long block" L head has 21 head bolts and a 25in long head. weighs in @ 610lbs bare and 845lbs with accessories. the 251cid has a compression ratio of 6.6:1 a 3 7/16th bore with a 4 1/2inch stroke and a rod ratio of 1.75 to 1. four mains support the 31 1/32nd long 90lb high carbon drop forged crank. a six blade fan, sodium filled valves, bronze guides, stellite seats and a brass water distribution tube. the 251 is equipped with a higher heat range plug the auto light ar7s. this engine was not as common as its cousin from the south and very few cars in the USDM ever saw one. they were only fitted to high end Chrysler cars, heavy trucks, industrial applications (like pumps, threshers....) and marine.
the catch pin for the spare tire carrier works well as a bottle opener
because of the long duration at tdc the timing is very conservative. the book says 2deg after tdc but it should be 2deg before tdc it can be pushed to 6 but will have a tendency to want to work back on its self around 36~38mph on the speedo.
if she has spark and fuel but wont catch, crack a fitting low on the pcv system (Douglas valve) to check for pooling gas in the manifold..... throttle pump works off vacuum... a quick blip of the choke is sometimes better than full choke.
your truck would have been delivered in a dark green then painted a million times ending its service with a cow pattern.
lets see some pics
.............................. use it ...............
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lastchance
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2016 5:00 pm
- Location: Yarker, Ontario Canada
- Contact:
Re: Decode & Information on a M37CDN
I have pictures to share and an engine serial number!
The serial number on the engine is T311 86130.
There is a tag on the firewall driver side (I assume the original body cowl tag) ? The number is 49202-2785.
I converted several photos of the truck into a YouTube slideshow, here is the shortcut for you to see...
https://youtu.be/U33Zyu9jCzM
The front lights look different than photos I've seen searching Google.
There is a large electrical "plug cover" on the driver side lower panel in front of the door, what was that used for?
I sure appreciate the information about this truck folks!
The serial number on the engine is T311 86130.
There is a tag on the firewall driver side (I assume the original body cowl tag) ? The number is 49202-2785.
I converted several photos of the truck into a YouTube slideshow, here is the shortcut for you to see...
https://youtu.be/U33Zyu9jCzM
The front lights look different than photos I've seen searching Google.
There is a large electrical "plug cover" on the driver side lower panel in front of the door, what was that used for?
I sure appreciate the information about this truck folks!
Re: Decode & Information on a M37CDN
i believe the electrical connection just in front of the driver's door is for jumping the down vehicle.
Re: Decode & Information on a M37CDN
looks like your motor is a 25in 228 or 236 dodge truck motor with3 3/8 boar x 4 ¼ stroke
.............................. use it ...............
Re: Decode & Information on a M37CDN
Nam Vet is correct: that's the slave receptacle.
And welcome aboard! Glad to have you with us!
Gary
And welcome aboard! Glad to have you with us!
Gary
Cal_Gary
1954 M37 W/W
MVPA Correspondent #28500
G741.org Forum member since 2004
1954 M37 W/W
MVPA Correspondent #28500
G741.org Forum member since 2004
Re: Decode & Information on a M37CDN
When you are looking over your truck, you should be able to find the CAR/CFR number stamped into the left front frame just ahead of the grill. Canadian Army Registration and later Canadian Forces Registration was assigned at delivery and stayed with the vehicle until disposal. That number(YY-#####) was stenciled in 2" white numbers on both doors. Unfortunately for those of us who have CDNs, the records were destroyed and subsequently the numbers were reassigned to newer acquisitions. If you care about your trucks history, you should look for markings as you sand or otherwise remove paint. They can be deciphered to show you which unit(s) your truck was assigned to. The original issue was all dark green and there are lots of photos around that show this, camo patterns were added later and many are either what I came to know as 'forest' cam or 'prairie' cam. I have one that has a lot of white under other layers of paint and wonder if its past was UN service or 'artic' cam. Some research will produce the documentation on these and the changes over the years. Those documents are worth collecting all on their own.
Look for the serial number to be stamped into the left side of the frame, just around the rear cab support. It should match the one on the data plate if the date plate is original. It is also the one that is used to identify the vehicle for licensing purposes if an new one isn't provided depending on your province's rules. As already mentioned, the primary differences in the CDN trucks are the standard hardtop, larger 251 engine, Acme T98 trans and the Acme pto that uses a different and impossible to locate idler gear. CDN trucks also had a 'convoy' light that would shine on the rear diff pumpkin which was painted white and made it easier to follow the vehicle ahead during blackout driving operations. Most lamps were removed but mine still have what is left of the bracket on the right rear near the taillight and the switch mounted below the steering column on the dash. Be aware that is you have documentation such as the RCEME Repair Manual that many of the photos are direct copies of the US TMs and are not correct for things like the pto idler gear, which is cut different in CDN trucks to match the T98 design transmission gear. Other than those few things, US TMs will be correct for most of the rest of the truck. Door mounted spares were not original on M37s but ordered on later deliveries and added at depot rebuilds. The M43CDN and M152CDN were standard equipped with drivers door mounted spares. Some suspension mods on the front springs were added to compensate for the weight. Many options like fender mounted engine coolant heaters, cab heaters and defroster ducts etc are worth looking for if you like the add ons. US parts suppliers have most bits but the exchange and shipping add up quickly. I have had good success with John Bizal at Midwest Military for what I couldn't get locally of from swaps with other enthusiasts.
RMS is our subject matter expert on the west coast and a source of unobtainium parts. Out east, your chances of locating parts are better and there are quite a few enthusiasts around if you look for them.
Have fun with your truck and see if you can get your pictures linked to show up here so in the future, they will still be available for others to view and benefit from you experiences. We like pictures!
Look for the serial number to be stamped into the left side of the frame, just around the rear cab support. It should match the one on the data plate if the date plate is original. It is also the one that is used to identify the vehicle for licensing purposes if an new one isn't provided depending on your province's rules. As already mentioned, the primary differences in the CDN trucks are the standard hardtop, larger 251 engine, Acme T98 trans and the Acme pto that uses a different and impossible to locate idler gear. CDN trucks also had a 'convoy' light that would shine on the rear diff pumpkin which was painted white and made it easier to follow the vehicle ahead during blackout driving operations. Most lamps were removed but mine still have what is left of the bracket on the right rear near the taillight and the switch mounted below the steering column on the dash. Be aware that is you have documentation such as the RCEME Repair Manual that many of the photos are direct copies of the US TMs and are not correct for things like the pto idler gear, which is cut different in CDN trucks to match the T98 design transmission gear. Other than those few things, US TMs will be correct for most of the rest of the truck. Door mounted spares were not original on M37s but ordered on later deliveries and added at depot rebuilds. The M43CDN and M152CDN were standard equipped with drivers door mounted spares. Some suspension mods on the front springs were added to compensate for the weight. Many options like fender mounted engine coolant heaters, cab heaters and defroster ducts etc are worth looking for if you like the add ons. US parts suppliers have most bits but the exchange and shipping add up quickly. I have had good success with John Bizal at Midwest Military for what I couldn't get locally of from swaps with other enthusiasts.
RMS is our subject matter expert on the west coast and a source of unobtainium parts. Out east, your chances of locating parts are better and there are quite a few enthusiasts around if you look for them.
Have fun with your truck and see if you can get your pictures linked to show up here so in the future, they will still be available for others to view and benefit from you experiences. We like pictures!