Replace Dodge engine

[Joris]

My Dodge WC 51 engine is dying on me, seems to run on oil (lots of blue smoke) and have extensive oil leakage at the bottom front end where the crankshaft powers the belt for the fan.

 

I have been talking to a number of other owners and revising the engine is not something I can do myself. So have to let a company do it and this means it will probably be very expensive.

 

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a replacement engine? Does anybody have any leads or can share experiences when buying a new engine? What to look out for, common mistakes etc.

 

Oh I have a gas system fitted, might that complicate matters?

[G506]

My Dodge WC 51 engine is dying on me, seems to run on oil (lots of blue smoke) and have extensive oil leakage at the bottom front end where the crankshaft powers the belt for the fan.

 

I have been talking to a number of other owners and revising the engine is not something I can do myself. So have to let a company do it and this means it will probably be very expensive.

 

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a replacement engine? Does anybody have any leads or can share experiences when buying a new engine? What to look out for, common mistakes etc.

 

Oh I have a gas system fitted, might that complicate matters?

 

Joris,

speak to RMS (on this forum), he rebuilds Dodge and Jeep engines

[GoranWC51]

Hi Joris, I feel with you. I don't have the facilities, the tools & machines, or the knowledge to undertake a engine renovation, either.

 

I'd try to find a good restored engine, a short block, i.e. an engine without the auxiliaries such as water pump, carburetor, intake/exhaust, oil pump, distributor, etc. and move those items from the old engine (if they're all in good condition, that is). I suppose you can move the LPG parts too.

 

Good luck, let us know how you're doing.

 

Goran N

Sweden

[Tony B]

Hey Joris, I'd agree a short engine is the best way to go. All the complicated bits are done you just spanner the bits on. The best way would be to try and find a Factory Exchange, you send your lump back to the supplier they send one ready re built. The joy of a T-214 is that they are simple well built engines that don't need a lot of specialist equipment to rebuild. If you have the lifting equipment to take it out and somwhere under cover to work I'm sure you could take it apart get the crank, block, head or whatever needs doing by a specialist machine shop, then reassemble. The problem there is time, it will take a lot longer than bolting a short in. If you have the time though that may work out a lot cheapear.

I'd find out the cost of reboreing etc, then the cost of a short engine. A lot depends on what you feel confident to do and where you have to work.

[Joris]

Factory exchange, that sounds very promising! Any ideas where to find those or which companies are in that business?

 

The other parts on and around the engine are all fine so a short block sounds good.

[mash]

Factory exchange, that sounds very promising! Any ideas where to find those or which companies are in that business?

 

The other parts on and around the engine are all fine so a short block sounds good.

 

i have just got a replacement engine for my wc 52 as the engine that was in it would of cost me more to rebuild than replace, i used a company in holland ( http://www.armyparts.nl/shop/product_info.php?currency=GBP&cPath=17_66&products_id=815 ). im not sure if they take old engines for exchange as i didn't ask. It came complete with clutch assy, manifolds etc.

[Tony B]

They do look like the answer Joris. Try your baraganing skills. I'd try and avoid a 'take out' engine, you don't kniow where its been. A garrunted short of FE engine might be more expensive, but you know its going to work. If nothing else they may be able to put you in touch with an enginnering place that would rebore yours.

[mash]

Finally got round to fitting my engine today, came across one problem and that was the bellhousing is of a different one to the one fitted to my old enigine and the bolts didnt line up for the gearbox, also there are a few things slightly different to my old engine (oil filler, statrter), thankfully i had kept all of my old engine so a simple swap over of parts and everything was good. Hopefully will have it running over the next few days so will be able to tell you how she runs.:cool2:

[Tony B]

Funny how every mass produced vehicle is diffrent to the next one. :-D There were two versions of the T 214 engine, one is longer, but at this time of night can't remember the diffrences, ask Gordon M, he'll know.