M43B1 1963 Ambulance

[mikeM43]

Hello all!

My name is Mike and I live in Poland. My dad and I have recently purchased a 1963 M43B1 Ambulance. Im new to these trucks although I already own a M151A2 but a Dodge truck is a totally different story. The tag on the glovebox shows a date of delivery of 11-63 and it matches the truck's frame number. I drove the truck home and did around 70 miles with it. It ran great with no misfires or lack of power although I had some troubles with shifting from 1st to 2nd gear - still need to practice double clutching. 1st gear is extremely low and I figured its best to start with 2nd gear when driving on the street. Anyway I already changed the oil in engine along with the oil filter. Still need to change all the fluids in diffs and transmission but I guess its more tricky. The truck needs a fresh coat of od paint and new markings. I have tons of questions in my mind that I would like you to answer to help me out but for now I just wanted to show the truck itself. By the way, what would be the correct hood number for 1963 ambulance? Im not sure if there are original us army markings under the old paint since the truck came out of the Austrian miltary. The tires need to be changed as well. Im planning to keep it as stock as possible since Im a Vietnam war reenactor and will take part in shows and parades.

Best regards,

Mike

[NAM VET]

wow Mike, that is one nice looking truck! And welcome to the forum.

NAM VET

[RMS]

boy is that clean looking ! can we see the inside ?

welcome to the board Mike

[mikeM43]

Hello Gentlemen!

Thank you for a warm welcome! Here are some pictures of the inside.

Mike

[mikeM43]

Im trying to figure out a way to decrease the size of other pictures to post them. Everything in the truck works fine, ventilator fans, dome light, surgical lamp. I havent checked the gas heater yet but it all seems complete and in good condition.

[mikeM43]

I dont know whether the engine was rebuilt but it runs very well and starts right up everytime. The voltage is good and my meter shows around 28 V when running.

[m-37Bruce]

Welcome mikeM43, very nice catch, she is a looker!

[ashyers]

Mike,
Nice truck! I think you're going to enjoy it.

Is that a siren on the fender?

Andy

[rickf]

Really nice and the pictures are perfect, we click on them and they open to full size.

[PoW]

Sweet. Cool Pinz map light addition.

I make a similar passenger grab bar for all my G-741's---every rider loves them.

PoW

[T. Highway]

Welcome to the site Mike and it looks like you have picked up a very nice truck. I know that we all look forward to helping answer your questions and please make sure to enter the truck into the registry.

Regards,

Bert

[just me]

Very cool machine. You got a nice one from the start! Sure saves a lot of time and money if you can get one like that.

[mikeM43]

Thanks for the comments guys. Im glad you like the truck The siren is an original 24 V Federal. I know it is not stock but Im glad its there - it makes a cool add on and it works! Same thing for the passenger grab handle and map light - its all very practical and doesnt stand out at all. The upholstery on the passenger seat is some kind of fake leather and some day I would like to replace it with canvas. I will try to post some pictures of the underside as well although it doesnt look that pretty. There is a lot of surface rust, old grease, oil and something that looks like anti rust coating that peels of easily showing healthy metal underneath.
Some of the questions I had in mind:
1) How to determine the correct hood/registration number for a US Army ambulance? I know its probably impossible to track down the original number but I would like to get as close as possible here.
2) I would like to replace the flex brake lines. I dont see any leaks and the brakes work fine but from what I have noticed the previous owner replaced only one of the front flex lines. How many sections of those are in a Dodge? I thought 1 for each wheel but it looks like on the rear axle there is none - the lines that run to both wheels are steel... In the front there are 2 flex lines for each wheel plus a third flex line that runs from a fitting and under the radiator towards the front... Does that make any sense? I have a shop manual printed out but the scan is bad quality and I cant really tell from the pictures. Is there a brake line diagram available online?
3) What is the purpose of the goveronor in the Ball and Ball carburator? How does it work exactly?
More to come.

Thanks!

[ashyers]

Mike,
For the brake hoses you have a total of 4. 3 front and 1 rear. The front pair that go from axle to wheel are the shorter of the 4 (~15"). The ones from the frame to the axle are a few inches longer. They are available.

For the governor do a search and you'll find plenty of info. They work well when adjusted properly. Start here:

http://www.g741.org/PHPBB/viewtopic.php ... nor#p54198

Andy

[m-37Bruce]

Hey Mike,
If your planning on painting, gently sand your hood on the round edges in the middle where the lettering would have been? If the truck has been painted, the info is gone, more then likely? I think if you request a build card, your original hood applied factory #'s are on the card, do a search here and you should get many hits/replies. Tom Wolbolt has Beau-coup info on these as well.