Fargo truck-made in Canada by Chrysler

SDE · Dec 14, 2015

My co-worker's Dad, wanted the engine re-built in his 1950s Fargo truck. He stopped after finding that the first two pistons had broken rings and that the grooves are about .03 over sized. He is not finding much info on this engine. If I understand it correctly, the engine is stamped with a 307 number and he found info for 305, 306 and 308 but not 307. He found a list for bore and stroke for other engines, but not for this engine. This Canadian engine is 2 inches longer than the American counterpart, which is what he will replace it with if he can not find any more info.
Can anyone share some sites for info on Fargo truck engines and or parts?
Thank you
SDE

Denny K · Dec 14, 2015

IIRC the Chrysler industrial (combines ect) were about 2 inches longer than car or pickup engines. I know a fellow that put an ind engine in a car but had to rework motor mounts.

Grampy · Dec 14, 2015

Do a search for "allpar.com" go to 'tech' then 'engines' then 'Vintage' and there is some pretty good info there. From my limited knowledge concerning the Chrysler corp. flathead sixes, there were two basic blocks. the 'short' block was used in Plymouth and Dodge cars in various displacements, the largest one I know of was a 230 CID. The longer block was used by Desoto and Chrysler cars. Dodge and Fargo trucks could have had either block depending on truck size / options. The most common long block was a 251 CID in trucks. To keep this 'farm' related, LOTS of these old flathead sixes were used as industrial engines. We have an old Massey Harris combine and and old sawmill with the 251 CID industrial. Parts shouldn't be an issue, lots of these old engines still running today.

JOCCO · Dec 14, 2015

Ok here goes there was a 23 and 25 inch head the 23 was a 218/230 the 25 was a 237 251 265 (caveat there are many other versions of these) Next there was a 281 306/307 331 377 and 413 flathead 6 (a giant version of regular flathead) 331 was best and most popular. PARTS FOR THESE ARE A RARE FORM KNOW AS UNOBTAINIUM!!! THE OTHER 2 PARTS ARE PRETTY COMMON If you go to a chrsyler antique specialty place The 281-413 was used in very large trucks 2 1/2-4 ton those engines are 30-32 inch long at the head. People that restore them have to just about have parts made custom job. I have a 307 parted out and have worked on many of the smaller ones. Oh the numbers like 331 is the cubic inch My email is open

GregCO · Dec 14, 2015

If push comes to shove Jahn's pistons in CA can make whatever you need. A little pricey, but they can do it. I had a set made years back that were no longer available through normal channels. You can give them the specs or supply a used one and they can reverse engineer it as long as you can tell them what the bore size needs to be. They probably already have all the specs needed to build whatever you need. They can do forged or cast. Top quality stuff.

Greg F.

J.Wondergem · Dec 14, 2015

Another thought is to have it dry sleeved.

SDE · Dec 14, 2015

An important piece that I left out is that it is an Ind. engine. I think he said that the number was TIN 307. T for truck and IN for Industrial and the 307 is the model of the block. Thank you
SDE

Bob · Dec 14, 2015

If ring groove wear is the only thing wrong with the pistons, the grooves can be trued up in the lathe and wider rings or ring spacers installed.

Check out the various links at the site linked below.

"Custom Made Piston page"
"Tips on piston ring fitting"
"Information on piston ring groove spacers"
Dave Reeds excellant site

Duner Wi · Dec 14, 2015

Here is some general info about Fargo
http://www.allpar.com/old/fargo.html

This guy deals in old Dodge robertsmotorparts.com I would call him

polot-house.com also should have info.

I looked at Fargo engine parts and they seem to be the same as Dodge.
Bore and stroke varied but many models shared many internal parts.
I could find nothing specific to Fargo as Dodge used the same internal engine parts.

rusty6 · Dec 14, 2015

Far as I know Dodge and FArgo engines were the same flathead six. It was not unusual to swap in a combine engine as they were pretty much the same thing. Cockshutt (Oliver) was still using the flathead Chrysler six up into the late sixties. I think it was the big one,265 cubic inch. Used to be lots of those around here in farm and wrecking yards but they are getting a little old now.

rusty6 · Dec 14, 2015

It won't let me edit but I meant to say Cockshutt and Oliver combines. Specifically the model 542 had the flathead six.

JOCCO · Dec 15, 2015

SDE go measure the length of the cylinder head best you can if it is 30-33 inches long you have the large 307 cubic inch. Reed is an excellent source for ring parts. And yes pistons can be regroved as one other said. As I told you parts are hard to get bearings might have to be sent out and rebuilt/coated. ALSO LOOK AT THE TAG ON THE DOOR JAM IT SHOULD GIVE WEIGHT AND HP. Those engines were like 130 hp and gvw was like 18000-22000 and let us know what it is.

dr sportster · Dec 15, 2015

jahns has been out of biz for awhile now. Venolia can make to your specs too.

Fargo truck-made in Canada by Chrysler

SDE

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Denny K

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Grampy

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JOCCO

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GregCO

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J.Wondergem

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SDE

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Bob

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Duner Wi

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