MTFCA Forum

I have been looking for another T and can't seem to find anything that isn't junk or overpriced in my area. A fellow recently offered me what seems like a fair price on a 23 DB coupe. The car is pretty much original but the engine was rebuilt a few years ago and started up but then they never did anything else with it. I love T's, I generally can sort out whatever comes up with one and if I can't I always have all of y'all to help out. I have never considered anything else until now. I don't know if parts are readily available, but I doubt it. I don't know if I could reliably keep it on the road and trust it on long trips. I have had some pretty worn out T's but after getting the basics sorted out I have never had an issue that stranded me on the side of the road. I have always been able to fix whatever on the road and make it back. I don't know if you could do that with anything that old except a Ford. Of course if you had the money for a full restoration you could drive most any early car with relative confidence. I don't guess that I will ever be able to own anything that is perfect and will always drive the ugly old cars that are survivors. If you have any advice or know of any good T's near Southwest Virginia please let me know.

Thanks and God Bless

Here's me in my 1929 Dodge Brothers DA.



Yes, later and a 6 cylinder, but the pre-Fast Four in the '23 is a very reliable and underrated engine. Top speed is close to a comfortable 40-45 MPH, you can push it higher, but I wouldn't. Compared to the Model T, definitely a more "sturdy" feeling car and smoother riding, but not too much faster. Parts are available, not as many vendors and sources as a Model T or Model A, but parts are available and there is a good club with a news letter and guys that post regularly on the AACA Forum. The most difficult/troublesome thing that I ever had to contend with on a DB 4 cylinder is the starter-generator. A combined unit that works well, it is just getting it to the "well" point. The only other issue might be the radiator, but that is an issue with just about any antique car though.

Any trip you would venture in a Model T would be no problem for a '23 DB. If you are looking for something a bit faster, look later. The later Fast Four cars have a better engine, but are heavier and top speeds are about the same. Dodge Brothers started with hydraulic brakes in 1927. Any repair that you can do/undertake on a Model T, you can do on a Dodge Brothers as well. The DA in the photos will comfortably do 50-60 MPH (open flat road) with a 6 cylinder (60+ horsepower) and 3-speed transmission. The most difficult/expensive things on this car is the ignition (North East, right before the switch to Delco-Remy, a lot of one year only stuff) and the carburetor, pot-metal Stromberg U-2, we won't talk about that.

Hmmmm, well my father once owned a 1929 Wolseley Colonial. This was a large straight 6 engined car made by Wolseley of the UK (which was actually an off shoot of an Australian sheep shearing equipment manufacturer) with things like high ground clearance, large fuel tank, folding front seats (to make a bed in the car) and roller blinds on each window - all you need for long distance travel off in the colonies.

AND it was built around a '29 Dodge DA body..........

(The smaller car is a 1936 Wolseley which have owned since 1989)

My grandparents (married in 1908, died in 1960) owned six cars in their lives, a 1915 Dodge, a 1928 Dodge, a 1936 Dodge, a 1941 Dodge, a 1950 Dodge and a 1956 Chrysler. I think it's safe to say they would approve your buying the Dodge.

For his "modern car", my dad was a Dodge guy, until the parking lot guard at Ford Tractor, Highland Park, started to make him park at the very back of the lot. Big lot... long walk. He then bought a new 1969 Ford LTD.

Nothing wrong with owning an antique Dodge, as long as there are clubs & tours available to you so that you can enjoy it. I have a 1924 Buick Sedan. It's a great car that I really like, but there are no Buick clubs in my area that have activities. (There actually is one I guess, but nobody has anything older than the 60's) Years ago, I took the Buick on a couple of T tours... but they made me park at the back of the lot

I live in Portland Oregon, our Model T Club is inclusive of all brands makes and models of collector/vintage/antique cars. Non collector cars, AKA moderns, do have to stay in the back on tours but are welcome to join in.

I am going to try to make a deal on the 23 Dodge, I think. Is there anything that I should be sure to look for or look out for? Any red flags that I should be aware of?

Thanks

colonelpowers wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:42 pm

I am going to try to make a deal on the 23 Dodge, I think. Is there anything that I should be sure to look for or look out for? Any red flags that I should be aware of?

Thanks

I know in your original post you said that the engine was "rebuilt" and started up at some point, does it start and run? A '23 would be a 12 volt system and the starter-generator system turns fairly slow, should be about 60rpm. This is one of the issues I was talking about when getting the starter-generator system to where it runs well.

If you have never run/used a vacuum tank fuel pump, read up a bit on it and watch some Youtube videos. So long as they are not rotted out they are fairly easy and straight-forward to work on and rebuild. The carburetor (Stewart) is also pretty straight forward.

The oil pump can be an issue if the drive pin is worn and in need of replacement. It would not be a bad idea to take the oil pump off and give a good once over, so you know where you are with it. Not a high pressure system by any means, more of a volume based system, similar to a Model A. The pressure should be about 4-5 lbs. The pump has a ball and spring check valve to regulate the pressure, some times it can stick open, sometimes it can stick closed, but if the car is being run/driven with regular oil changes, a non-issue.

Check the front axle (king pins) to see how tight it is. The king pins are available, but more expensive than a Model T, and for some guys they would put them off until later. Last time I bought a set, I think they were about $225, but if you look at Dodge Brothers production numbers that is not too bad and they are available.

Aside from that, plugs, points, cap, rotor, condenser, coil, you know, the more "modern" stuff compared to a Model T. I can't for the life of me remember how to grease the throw out bearing on a '23, my DA has grease cup and tube outside of the bell housing. I have included a link to Myers Early Dodge, you may have come a cross them already. There is another supplier, but I personally do not Recommend them due tO Multiple bAd expeRiences

https://www.myersearlydodge.com/

https://forums.aaca.org/forum/38-dodge-dodge-brothers/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DodgeBrothersMotorCars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dodgebros
https://romardb.com/

colonelpowers wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:42 pm

I am going to try to make a deal on the 23 Dodge, I think. Is there anything that I should be sure to look for or look out for? Any red flags that I should be aware of?

Thanks

Were you able to work a deal?