Build thread 37 Dodge PU

[Mike P]

“....There's really only one person you don't want to know.
I can quickly type this as she's having a nap right now....”




“......Thats good when you have alot of stuff accumulated for a build and you don't spend much for the actual build. I'm not knocking that. I just wanted to clarify that, I don't want to sound negative, I might have come across that way, after rereading my post. It's when they lead you to believe that you or anyone else could build the same project for that low cost.....”

Dlotraf, I didn’t take what you wrote as negative, I know exactly what you mean, especially when someone is bragging about how cheap the project was (when you know differently).

As I mentioned I’m not keeping track on this build BECAUSE there is so much that I have for it that was either traded for, a really good deal at the time or donated (in some cases deals that were done over 20 years ago).

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about, (and what you’re referring to) I wrote this post back in 08 shortly after I got the HEMI for the Dodge running.

“.......Well I took a deep breath and sat down the other night and figured out how much it cost to build the 331 Hemi that’s going in the 37 Dodge. I was a very pleasantly surprised, but I really don’t know how to list it.

Keep in mind I’ve had the engine for 15 years and only started putting it together a couple of years ago. It was originally going to go in a 54 Studebaker1/2 ton short-bed but that changed when I picked up the 37.

Even at the time the engine was a good deal to begin with at $500, and I traded out labor doing an engine swap for it.

I traded a pair for $50 swap meet carburetors and set them up on a friends engine for a lot of the machine work.

I got a deal on a bunch of early HEMI parts from a guy that was moving ……$50 for: a 53 extended block Hemi, heads, valve covers, 392 dual point distributor, Tri-power intake (now on the 57 Plymouth) and set of new Jahns .060 pistons (in the 331). I then sold the block, heads and dual point to a friend for $160. So a $110 net profit?

I sold the original intake from the 331 on E Bay another $110.

I picked up the 6 X 2 intake at a swap meet 12 years ago before they were popular or E Bay was so big for $100 and the carbs were either free take-offs or $3-$5 swap meet units with $15 dollar kits in each one.

The windage tray was free……. the guy I got it from didn’t know what it was (it was laying behind a 52 (?) Chrysler that had been a Hemi car and was parted out). Even after I told him what it was he said just take it.

As it sits on the stand right now (less the 4 speed adaptor) it figures out to right at $2500 out of pocket or $3200 if you add the labor trade for the engine and don’t subtract what I sold the spare parts for.....”

That $2500-3200 cost includes all the s listed above plus chroming a set of valve covers and all the new parts (cam, lifters, pushrods, bearings. Gaskets etc etc) required to put the engine together.

It’s what it cost me, but it in no way reflects a realistic cost for someone else to build one.