Posted by Mike McBeath on May 13, 1999 at 08:16:18:
In Reply to: W300 *SPCL* ?? posted by Grant on May 10, 1999 at 18:29:10:
Grant,
I recently purchased a 1964 Dodge W500 where the ID tag shows SPEC for the front axel, transmission, and engine. I started researching to determine what I had purchased and will pass along what I have found to date. After some searching, I was able to locate and purchase a service manual that included all light and medium duty trucks. The manual was for the S Series trucks for 1962. Your truck appears to be a 1965 or older so some of the information I have is dated.
The actual equipment on my truck that have been identified as special are:
Front axel: FDS750CHX10
Engine: 361
Transmission: 5 speed (unable to locate any markings yet)
While my service manual has all three of the above covered in the manual, neither the 361 engine or the 5 speed (NP540/541) are shown as standard or options for the W500. I have therefore concluded that because they were not standard or options for my vehicle, the "special" indicates these items were special options for this series truck. The problem I am having is with the front axel as the service manual shows the correct axel to be the FDS750, which appears to be what I have. Finally, in my copy of the Standard Catalog of American Light Duty Trucks, under 1964 Dodge, Historical, it indicates that the 361 and 413 V8s were available in medium and heavy tonnage models and that Dodge opened a series of truck branch offices specializing in trucks over 10,000 GVW.
Specifically as to my engine, I located a 3"x5" ID tag revited to the front drivers side of the block that has a substantial amount of information about the engine. I will detail this information as it is possible that any one of these items may make an engine "spec" without changing the base engine displacement:
Chrysler Industrial Engine
Model - 75M Type 1407 Serial 9099
Part No. CC2121148 ORD 876 3101
Bore 4.12 Stroke 3.38
Disp 361
Governor Setting at no load 4000
Engine Equipment Radio Suppression yes
Military Spec No. MIL S 10379
Fungus Treat. Elec. Equip. yes
By Pass Type Oil Filter no
Spark Plugs - Name Champion Type XMN - 12
200 hp at 4000 rpm
I hope this information will be of help to you. Maybe one of the readers could help us determine what the "SPEC" designation covers.
If you would like any further information please give me a call at home 702-645-7965 as I am using the work computer and do not have email capabilities.
Thanks, Mike.