37 Terraplane Doodlebug

Uncle Josh

Several years ago, I heard about a Terraplane around here. Having bought my 36, I concluded, as rumors go, that I owned it.



Then at Uncle Josh’s Meet one year, Jeff showed up and announced he had a 37 Terraplane.Doodlebug. The 2nd tranny and rear end is 4-sp Ford, with custom military wheels. Not being sure what to do with it, I suggested we get it running and use it on his 100 acre woodlot. We did, but the engine had an awful clatter.



Jeff just retired from teaching, and his son Ryan, now in college, studying to become a State Trooper, was home for the summer so we got after it. They did most of the dirty work.



A bent rod hitting the camshaft, no cam washer and a broken valve spring accounted for the racket inside. The camshaft was badly worn and we got a replacement from Bill Albright. A nice gentleman responded to my plea on this forum and brought a used 37T rod to Auburn, no charge. (Thank you!)



We also installed a NOS Tillotson carb I had in my stash since the idle circuit was gone in the Carter. It runs sweet.



Jeff and Donne, who writes for Adirondack Life, among other things, and Ryan will become members soon.

Unknown

Glad I Could Be Of Some Help With This Project; Bill Albright

[Deleted User]

Glad that rod went to something more useful than a parts bin.



Looks like fun!

[Deleted User]

KOOOOOOOLLLLL UJ!



Thanks for showing me the BUG when I was there last month. U and Jeff prevailed and the BUG will get to work again... Congrats to the both of U. Now U need to get Jeff to help U rebody that 40!



Have a great week.



KC in the HOT

Jon B

Here's a front view of same, taken 3 or 4 years ago. Owners of 1937 Terraplanes will note the styling cues...

Uncle Josh

Update. The water jacket has been giving us fits. There was a leak at the back and when we got it cleaned up there was a 2 inch slit. Also, the $10 gasket only lasted for 2 changes. Also, the bolt holes kept deforming due to a soft gasket and thin washers I believe.



Cleaned it up good, soldered the slit, and JB Welded a bead all around the inside. Got rid of the wimpy washers and got some hardened lock washers and flattened them with the vise and an adjustable wrench. Made a new gasket from 1/16 sheet cork. Easy. Punched the holes with a 5/16 drill rotating it left hand.



No leaks with water, then replaced with antifreeze. Took it around the field this afternoon. Gotta build me a doodlebug.



Now if I can figgure out why the generator isn't putting out. Don't really understand the one terminal arrangement. My 36 has 6V from the gen terminal to ground, but this one doesn't.

mars55

Uncle Josh wrote:

Now if I can figgure out why the generator isn't putting out. Don't really understand the one terminal arrangement. My 36 has 6V from the gen terminal to ground, but this one doesn't.

You have a three brush generator which is a generator in which a third, movable brush is used to control current output. You probably have bad brushes.



Here is a rather folksy explanation on how they work.



http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint4.htm

Uncle Josh

UPDATE! Just got this email from Jeff today.



Hey "Josh" - after several mis-starts and almost-starts...Ryan's buddy Eric and I drained the bowl under carb, added some fresh gas to what was already in the tank (w/stabil) and fired her up. Turned the idle up one turn and took her up the hill to get some firewood (twice). She started each time we asked her to............truly a beautiful experience...........many thanks o "Healer of the Hudson's"........Jeff



Note: Ryan is now a Vermont State Trooper. Watch yourself in that neck of the woods.



Larry

RL Chilton

O.k. I must've missed this thread first time around.



I don't get it. What is it? I see the similarities to a Terraplane, like the hood. Did this used to be a car that was converted for farm work? What's the story?



Pretty cool, nonetheless. New engine looks really fine.



Also, where's the term "doodlebug" come from?

RL Chilton

I guess "Doodlebug" can apply to a lot of different vehicles:





doodlebug motor vehicle, automotive vehicle

Amphibian, Amphibious vehicle - A flat-bottomed motor vehicle that can travel on land or water

Bloodmobile - A motor vehicle equipped to collect blood donations

Car, Auto, Automobile, Machine, Motorcar - A motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine; "he needs a car to get to work"

Doodlebug - A small motor vehicle

Four-wheel drive, 4WD - A motor vehicle with a four-wheel drive transmission system

Go-kart - A small low motor vehicle with four wheels and an open framework; used for racing

Golfcart, Golf cart - A small motor vehicle in which golfers can ride between shots

Hearse - A vehicle for carrying a coffin to a church or a cemetery; formerly drawn by horses but now usually a motor vehicle

Motorcycle, Bike - A motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame

Snowplow, Snowplough - A vehicle used to push snow from roads

Truck, Motortruck - An automotive vehicle suitable for hauling

[Deleted User]

A "doodlebug" is basically what you see - a (usually) non-street-legal vehicle built for farming, snowmobiling, logging or other uses. Model Ts were probably the most prevalent to be converted like this. My uncle in MN had a Model T that had been converted once to a wood saw, then to a tractor-like rig, then to a fart-around car for the kids and grandkids. I think my cousin still has it, and I know it has been in the family since new!

junkcarfann

Check this out...a Doodlebug club!



http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/doodlebugs/

Uncle Josh

I dunno. I grew up with the word 'Doodlebug', and lots of people had them.

Uncle Elwyn had one he made from a 20s-something Dodge. I well remember 'Dodge Brothers' on the instruments and going forward in double reverse.



When I was in college, Dad converted the Model A I learned to drive on to one. Added a tranny from a 35 Ford truck and a worm-drive rear end from a Model T truck. He was literally pulling stumps with it when the teeth came off the worm-gear.



A couple of years ago, a friend of mine came upon one built from a 26 Chevy and I was priveledged to get it started while he was towing it with a tractor.



If I live long enough, I'm gonna build one out of an extra 4 wheel drive 62 Jeep truck I have.



There is a Doodlebug club some 50 mi from here South of Oneonta NY.