I have a 52 dodge B-3 1/2 ton pick-up(close as I could get to a Fargo). I am having trouble finding the proper nut for the line to the oil pressure gauge. It looks to be the same as on my P-15. Does any body know what size this is? It appears to be a ferrel type nut. Thanks, Mark
Hi Mark i don't know what size it actualy is , but it will be the same as what is on your P15. i HAVE A 54 Diplomat and a 39 s6 desoto and the oil line is interchangable between the two . virtually the only differance between the dodge and the fargo was ornementation name badges etc i think they were even built on the same line. but the fargo purely for export. where are you
Mark:
If the Fargo was built in Canada it is virtually idential to the Dodge except for badging. Canadian models, however, had the big block engine. In terms of oil pressure lines I believe they were all interchangeable from at least 36 forward. The only possible problem I can think of is tube length, but that can be spliced.
I am in Maple Valley, Wa. It is in the greater Seattle area. Mark
The line to the oil pressure gauge is a 3/16 tube, available as a brake tubing at any auto supply. Before going through the firewall there is a flexible hose, then a steel line goes to the gauge, and here is where your problem will be. The gauge fitting nut comes as a new part, with a ferrule (olive) attached. When it is first inserted into the gauge, the ferrule tears off the nut and is compressed by the nut onto the tubing, where if will stay for re use if needs be. These fittings were once available but rarely needed and I have not seen a new one for years. Your best bet is to find the correct line out of virtually any Chrysler product with a direct reading oil gauge and splice it as needed with double flare nuts and a coupling just as you would any brake line. As you are in the Seattle area and I am just north of Victoria BC, if you wish to contact me directly I can supply you with what you will need (used). Neil Riddle ( Mr Plym) of Shoreline WA could also help you. My address is in the POC roster. I am restoring a 52 Fargo and have several others. They are just Dodges in disguise.
There is a 49 Dodge in my area that has the long block but it is a US version that has had a Desoto engine swap. The current owner says it was that way when he got it years ago. I Have left a message for Neil Riddle, I have bought parts from him in the past. Last thing I bought from him was an overdrive for my P-15. I would have liked to use it on my 52 B-3 but it looked like I might have to do some cutting to get clearance. If I don't hear back from Neil in a couple of days I will contact you. Thanks, Mark
It is possible to put a Plymouth overdrive into a Fargo or Dodge light truck with a 3/4 thick adaptor on the bell housing, some minor modification of the upper transmission mounting holes and a slight trim of the crossmember behind the transmission. The column shift needs a significant but not impossible rework and the driveshaft must be shortened 71/2 inches. The part I have not yet worked out is how to hook up the parking brake. The bell housing adaptor holds the throwout bearing collar from the truck transmission and is grooved to retain the pinion bearing on the other side.
I was thinking the crossmember would have to be cut. Latter Dodge trucks offered an overdrive option. Did they change the bell housing and the transmissions on later models? If so would a swap solve the problem?
To the best of my knowledge later US built trucks say 54-60 used a bellhousing which accepted a passenger car transmission, but my information is based on a one time observation. The truck transmission as I know it uses a straight cut low gear slider, therefore the splines on the mainshaft have to be straight. The overdrives use a helical low slider so their mainshafts have helical splines.