Does anyone remember the '29 Durant Depot Hack on Ebay?
Well, it's now at home in Texas. It's in remarkable condition, even for it's age, and needs very little to go driving. I'll get it unloaded tomorrow and take a couple of pics to show it off.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? And Now, A 1929 Durant D60

We got it unloaded today and started looking closely at what may need attention. I'll contact the original owner's nephew and try to get some more detail. A story is in the making for the Durant magazine.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? And Now, A 1929 Durant D60

Hi Don......

Great looking truck!!!

Cathy & I had the pleasure of seeing it up close when Don stopped at our place on his way back home from his "road trip"..

Amazingly solid truck, should also have a neat history.

Looking forward to the rest of the story........

Frank ---

Where Are You From? Hookstown Pennsylvania

Do You own a car built by Durant? Some

It looks better now than in the eBay pics. Was the wood body actually from the M. Co. in PA? Have fun.

Where Are You From? Kokomo,IN

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1925 Star F, formerly a 4 dr. sedan

Don=--sure looks good. You will be in competition with Frank soon to see who can find the most durant product cars --

Where Are You From? Kamloops B C Canada

Do You own a car built by Durant? Yes

Cool. Those drum lights make it look even older.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1932 614 sedan

I dissembled the engine today and found what seems to be a factory short block. There are new pistons, rings, babbit in the rods, new main inserts, fresh crank journals, and new guides and valve seats. The cam, valves, and springs are reused. This engine has never been started since assembly.
All I need to do is clean the parts, paint, and find all the missing parts, assemble, and go driving,,,,,,,,
If I say that real fast it sounds more simple.
This engine was assembled 21 years ago with just the crank, rods, pistons, valves, and cam. I have the head, manifold, carb, flywheel and clutch, fan, and oil pan. Some rust is evident and can be easily cleaned up before painting.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Another thing was curious on dis-assembly. The pistons and rods would not remove outward thru the bore as the rod big end was too wide for the bore. Also, for clearance reasons the pistons would not remove past the crankshaft. The crank had to be removed before the pistons could be removed from the bore thru the crankcase.
Question: How are the rings compressed for insertion in the bottom of the bore? And are the pistons installed before the crank is installed?
Did I do this right or am I missing something???

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Stick the rod up from the bottom, install piston and wrist pin, compress rings, and install.

Dave

Hi Don
I am thinkin in your case you might put the pistons with rods in their bores from the bottom withought the rings installed, then lay the crank, then lift each rod/piston assembly until ring glands are above the block, put a block or rags between crank throw and rod eye, install rings and ring compressor remove blocking/rag and install one at a time.. (something along those lines)...Hey, Nice looking depot hack you got there.

Where Are You From? Yuma, AZ / Leavenworth , WA

Do You own a car built by Durant? A-22 / D 40 / 25 Flint

That's dinky but it does make sense. Who was it that said "Two heads are better than one"?

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

I removed the front wheels today to repair a flat on one of them. Probable cause was from not using a tube flap. I replaced the flat tube and reinstalled with flaps in both wheels.
Brakes looked great and will operate smoothly with lubrication. The wheel bearings had corrosion on the races and all will be replaced.





I finished sandblasting the block and sent the cam to San Diego to be reground. I'll have the block deck lightly shaved less than .010" to give a clean gasket surface.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? And Now, A 1929 Durant D60

I would check out a ring compressor used for motorcycles it is a band type that uses a pair of plier hold the piston, rings, rods to be put in from the bottom when in you just release the band and take it off.
Look at Auto Barn, KD Tools, Aircraft Tool, Jim's Piston Tools, and Cal-van Tools

Where Are You From? Utah

Do You own a car built by Durant? '29 M4

That's exactly the tool I used back when I built aircraft engines. Still use it these days.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? And Now, A 1929 Durant D60

Don, What are your thoughts on your head studs, are you going to replace with a modern grade, If so what and where is a good source...I will need to deal with this issue on the 6-W Continental that is in my '25 Flint when I get back to WA.

Where Are You From? Yuma, AZ / Leavenworth , WA

Do You own a car built by Durant? A-22 / D 40 / 25 Flint

I just ordered a set from Dorman #675-067. The original stud is 3 1/4" and the replacement is 3 1/8" long. Otherwise, the same and are made as head and manifold studs.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Today, I wrestled with the front wheels to install flaps. This is one job I'm glad I don't do for a living. The new wheel bearings for the front wheels will be in on Monday and I'll get all that put back together. In the meantime, I'll lube the squeaky points and replace the fluid on the transmission, rear end, and universal joints. Next week I'll replace the missing floor boards and maybe start on some wood finish repairs.
The engine is at the machine shop getting some details looked at. About all I need for the engine is 6 exhaust valves and a timing chain.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

i used plenty of talcum powder to install flaps and tubes...it helped greatly to make parts slide for positioning

Where Are You From? Penna

Do You own a car built by Durant? 3

I received the fuel level sender today from KM Lifestyle Mfgs. It's a strange name for a quality outfit but the result of their work is exceptional. A little pricey but well worth it for a quality job.
The fuel tank is clean and I just need to repaint it, install missing filling spout, and check the wiring.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? And Now, A 1929 Durant D60

Done I think they are the same that repaired mine and did a great job, but they were called Atwater Kent Manufacturing in Mass. I also had them make a temperature sending unit for me which looks great. Again like you said, pricey but their work is good.

Where Are You From? Oviedo, Florida

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1928 Durant Model 65 4 door

OK, I have all the engine parts gathered into several piles so it's time to start building the engine.
Here's the block being cleaned and scrubbed. Close attention is given to all oil passages.



The crankshaft may be a new unit as it is a super clean standard with a set of new standard bearings. There is even a new rear seal assembly. The crank set in with .001" clearence, (measured with plastigage), and rolls smoothly.



Another oddity I found with the 14L engines is the flat plate with the riveted on engine mount feet. There seems to be two separate designs of this plate and they do not interchange. The one on the left is from a known 14l for a '29 Durant. The one on the right I got from Dave Schulte and I'm not sure which engine it came from. Anyways, I removed the corroded mounts from the left one, removed the mounts from the right plate and re-riveted them on the left plate.



And here's the time honored tradition of making gaskets when there are none to be had.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? And Now, A 1929 Durant D60

I got all the pistons installed and the rods set up with .001" clearance. This is the strangest engine I've ever assembles where the rod would not install thru the cylinder. I had to slip the rod thru the bottom of the cylinder, install the piston on the rod, (not an easy job for one person), install the piston into the bore, and then attach the rod to the crank. If I do another one I think I'll install all the pistons and rods from the bottom and then lay in the crank.
Here's the lifter blocks ready to install. I found replacement "tappet alinement plunger springs" at the hardware store. They are Century Spring Corp. C-562. They measure 1/4 dia X 1" length with .036 dia wire. and there 6 to a package.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Cleaned and reassembled the oil pump. I made the cover gasket out of typing paper, .004", still tight so made another, now gears now work perfect.
Different oil pumps between the Star and Durant 14L.
Star used straight cut gears, a ball bearing relief valve, and a flat gear cover. Durant uses helical cut gears, plunger relief, and a ribbed gear cover. Pumps will interchange between engines if needed.
Adjusted the valves, In. .008 cold and Ex. .010 cold.
Installed new Dorman head studs, new gasket, and .100 milled head. Since I also dressed the head stud bosses, I used some Chevy head bolt washers under the stud nuts.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Wow Don! Sure is looking purdy. I have to tackle my engine later this year and will probably pick your brains some. Mine has a 15L engine, but there probably isn't much difference. Keep the pictures coming it's a motivation factor for me.

Where Are You From? Oviedo, Florida

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1928 Durant Model 65 4 door

Been working on the D60 this week. Got the engine painted, gas tank reinstalled, and modern seals on the rear axles.
I removed the left rear shackle because the pin was destroyed on the spring. All the rest were in excellent condition. I will order a new pin from the Willis/Overland Club. Any ideas on replacement side links?
I'm getting a new water pump shaft and bushings from Phil Peters and decided to build the pump myself.
I bead blasted and painted the vacuum fuel pump and removed the electric pump.
I received a replacement front vibration damper from Gary Kauffman. I though I had a couple in my parts pile but I found out there are three different crankshafts for the 14L engines and with different dimensions for the front pulley.
I'll get some more goodies hung on the engine tomorrow and take some pics.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Hi Don,

On your Tryon Shackles, I ran across a site that lists aftermarket side links that you might check out.(probably Australia) http://www.abouttimespares.com.au/showpartslist.asp?cat=33

Chrysler for '30 and '31 also used Tryon, I believe that most applications will have a shorter link in the front and longer links on the rear....I have changed my 31 Chrysler over to the rubber bushing type with no modifications, however, you may want to stay original....On the shackle pins that the WOKR are machining I am not sure but they may need to be hardened, I know that the original pins are so hard that a file won't touch them.
Anyway, a couple of thoughts. Bill

Where Are You From? Yuma, AZ / Leavenworth, WA

Do You own a car built by Durant? A-22 Touring / model 40 Coupe / 25 Flint

Bill, I emailed the Australian store about the dimensions on the shackle plates and emailed the WOKR guys about the heat treating on their pins.

The engine is looking better. I have the aux oil line routed to the timing chain cover. For the nozzle I used the fitting found on a Wisconsin V4 engine governor. It has a tiny hole to provide an oil mist on discharge.

This paint color is the Bill Hirsch Lincoln Grey.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1923 Star C touring, 1927 Star M coupe, 1929 Durant D60 Express Wagon

Don, that engine sure is pretty.
What did you use on the exhaust manifold?



Rick

The exhaust manifold paint is Bill Hirsch Hi Temp cast iron color. Just brush it on and when you fire it up it cooks in place. I've had it on my '49 Dodge for 15 years.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1923 Star C touring, 1927 Star M coupe, 1929 Durant D60 Express Wagon

Don, a true artist! The engine looks great as well as the rest of the truck. Keep us posted with pictures, it motivates me to keep going on mine.

Where Are You From? Oviedo, Florida

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1928 Durant Model 65 4 door

Hey Don,

I noticed that you added an oil line to cam chain cover.
Good move, that'll extend the life of the chain and sprocket.
I've only had to adjust mine once in the last four years.



Rick

I decided to go the home grown route on the water pump so I obtained a new shaft and bushings from Phil Peters. I installed the bushings with a press and reamed with a piloted 5/8 ream, .625. The chrome shaft is .624. After hand reaming, I chucked the reamer in the lathe and power burnished the bushings for a minute or so.
The only problem I ran across was that the impeller was not drilled on center. The impeller pin hole in the old shaft was noticeably drilled off center. I aligned the new shaft hole in the impeller as best I could and ream drilled after alignment. The securing pin drove in tight and ought to hold OK.
Three pieces of 1/4" packing rope made for a nice seal and a fresh 1" expansion plug over the end of the shaft finished up the assembly. After a coat of black engine enamel, I'll mount the pump tomorrow.

Now, what do we use for water pump grease these days?

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? And Now, A 1929 Durant D60

Got a few more things taken care of this last couple of weeks. I started to drain and refill the transmission when I found the input shaft extremely limber. This indicates, at least, a bad front bearing. I'll take care of that later. In the meantime, I used the already built tranny from my '27 Star project.
Now, I'll clean and relube the driveshaft and reinstall it.
I replaced the rear spring shackles with 35-42 Chrysler style and they turned out perfect. If I can find a set for the front springs, I'll replace those also.



Work has halted on the engine until I can get some parts from Uncle Gary later this month. I have a roadtrip planned after Thanksgiving to Gary's house and then to an undisclosed location for a pile of Star parts.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1923 Star C touring, 1927 Star M coupe, 1929 Durant D60 Express Wagon

Shackles look good Don...The rubber bushing style will give you a firm quiet ride.

What did you end up doing with your front and rear crankshaft seals? On my W-6 I was able to do a little machine work and use a small block chevy seal (offset style), the front seal was already changed over to a lip seal.

Where Are You From? Yuma, AZ / Leavenworth, WA

Do You own a car built by Durant? A-22 Touring / model 40 Coupe / 25 Flint

I had a brand new rear seal assembly so I used that. The front felt seal was replaced by a Timken seal #471870. This was the only seal that would fit in the chain cover.
See pic, I carefully cut the spot welds on the felt seal retainer. That left a formed retainer that the Timken would fit snugly into. To secure the seal I spot welded three equal places on the new seal to keep it in place.
This seal is sized for a 2" shaft so the vibration balancer journal, which is 2.086" must be cut down to 2" on the lathe. This will give a perfect sealing surface for the new seal.
I can't believe I don't have a pic of the new seal installed. Anyways, anyone performing this modification will know how to orient the seal for proper operation.

The driveshaft universals are in great shape so a cleanup, beadblast, and repaint is all that is required.
I crawled under to lube all the brake linkages and found everything getting stuck or rusted so I'm pulling everything, beadblasting, painting, and relubing and trying to keep it all flying in the same order as original.
After 21 years of sitting idle, my joints would be getting a bit stiff too!

Where Are You From? Texarkana, Tex

I am a member of the Saskatoon Antique Auto Club. Our club has undertaken a restoration project for The Western Development Museum. The car is a 1926 or 27 Derby. It is actually a rebadged Davis, shipped into Canada in subassemblies and assembled in Saskatoon. Only about 30 or 50 were completed before they went out of business. Others had started the restoration project in the early seventies, some of the wood framing was replaced in the cowl area on the doors etc. also the engine was rebuilt but never started or finished. The project was shelved for approx. forty years when we became involved. One of the areas I am working on right now is the engine. It is a 20L Continental very similar to the engine shown on your site. The engine was taken out, we removed the oil pan, inspected everything before we attempted to turn it over. We ran oil through the system using an external pump and oil supply. Everything was in order and it turned over, but with some effort. One item that was incomplete was the oil pump. It was in pieces in a box. The woodruff key was loose on the shaft and the gears were worn badly. The key was repaired and we assembled the pump with the old gears. We started the engine this past week but we have no oil pressure even after priming the pump with my external pump. We are now looking to have gears made at a local shop ( these are straight cut ) or we're trying to source some on line. We are wondering if you can direct us to a source.
I can send you some pictures of our project or direct you to a site if you are interested. Please reply to lvangool@shaw.ca

Where Are You From? Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada

Do You own a car built by Durant? No

She's quite the stately old square car ... hopefully someone in DMAC can point you in the right direction.

http://www.thederbycarproject.com/index.php/photos

http://www.wdm.ca/artifact_articles/derby.htm

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

Where Are You From? Finland

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1930 Durant 614

They are fitted between pairs of tappets. The springs are capped with plungers that contact a flat spot on the side of the tappet and help to prevent the tapped from rotating. If you ever disassemble a tappet rack, it will become evident how it all works.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, TX

Do You own a car built by Durant? Several

Where Are You From? Finland

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1930 Durant 614

But the 1929 Durant model 60 with 14L engine does have the springs.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, TX

Do You own a car built by Durant? Several

If these springs break terrible rattle occurs. Different front engine plate in previous post is 15L
Sid

Where Are You From? australia

Do You own a car built by Durant? yes

I was able to get a set of springs from Mac Irvine. He is a DMAC member.
He said he had extra sets made so you might check with him

Mac Irvine

Where Are You From? Kamloops BC Canada

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1926 Star Delivery Van

Could these springs be something in the pre 30 engines ? Not seeing anything in the US or Can aftermarkets for "tappet alignment plunger springs".
Just says to stop Valve Tappet Chatter, replace the tappet assembly. Very common trouble and only remedy to stop it is to replace entire value guide and tappet assembly.

There is "all models"
Valve Tappet Guide Plug 07 cents
Valve Tappet Guide Spring 05 cents
Valve Tappet Guide Screw lock 07 cents

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan