C8 progress in Texas

[David DeWeese]

Got the C8 back from the sandblaster last week, and luckily had only a few minor spots of rust-through show up in the sheetmetal. I did try for a few hours to retrieve any original markings through the many coats of paint before it went, but the thick brush-applied top coats of red made it virtually impossible. Did notice today a steel manufacturers mark on the rear cab section after it returned blasted.
Have major issues now in the drivetrain, though, as the transmission case is busted. About 1/2 of the casting that constitutes the ball fitting for the torque tube on the transmission is also missing.
Thought the rear end looked odd in that the rear wheels had a lot of negative camber. Turns out that the rear axle housing is bent beyond reasonable repair. Plus the U bolts on the aftermarket overload springs that were installed wore completely through the axle housing! Someone beat this truck like a mule.
Having found all of this, I will not be discouraged, but my wallet is thin! Did a lot of soul-searching on this, but here's what worked out for me:
PURISTS MAY WANT TO COVER THEIR EYES NOW!
Engine was going to be replaced with a 235 anyway. Have a nice four-speed top-loader from a '41 1.5 ton Chev G506 here for a while from a previous conversion project. Have a rear axle assembly here from a six lug '90 model Chev Blazer 4x4 that will fit perfectly according to measurements.
This will give me a good engine and transmission, open driveshaft, and a rear end with decent gears that will still accept the C8 wheel adapters and wheels.
I am now ready to accept my punishment!
Thanks, David

[Jim Price]

David:
Be of strong heart! If your wallet is thin now, you ain't seen nuthin' yet! Just remember that the best rationale for what you spend if that you're saving a piece of history, something few people are in a position to do.

Regards,
Jim

[aj.lec]

camber for high speed cornering (very low speed cornering more like)
someone must have tried to use it as a 30cwt instead of 8cwt to bend diff housing
With the intended combo it should pick your top speed well past the usual 40mph mark

[David DeWeese]

Thanks for the replies!
These modification were certainly not in mind when I originally received the truck, but all are reversible in the future if correct parts do come around. My front axle assembly had also been changed from original, so wasn't starting with a pristine truck to begin with. I am still absolutely thrilled to own it, and am looking foreward very much to restoring it!
Another cab back panel came with the C8 that was in much better shape than the original. I planned on using it until I noticed a difference on the upper section where the roof assembly would be bolted. The top angle had what appears to be indentions for the seat backs, where the original did not. Is this a cab 11/12 difference, or a Chev/Ford thing?
Thanks, David

[Barry Churcher]

Dave, just do what you have to do to "get er done". You have a good choice for a rear axle and the Chevy tranny should work okay. As for the purists I think they can appreciate the work you will have had to do just to restore the truck. Anyway a lot of the purists are old and can't get up if they get down to look underneath.
Barry

[aj.lec]

David there is a difference in the 11 and 12 back panels and is as you have mentioned the rebate for the seats
not hard to notch the 11 cab one to suit the 12

[sapper740]

Before you proceed any further Dave, a MLUer from Manitoba, Bill MacKenzie had the complete frame and running gear, sans body for a C15A for sale. If you're interested, I can dig up my emails to him and see if he still has it. Derek.

[cletrac (RIP)]

Derek, the C15A and C8 frames are quite different. The 4x4s have a wider frame at the rear and the rear ends are different too.

[David DeWeese]

Derek, I really appreciate the offer to check on the chassis in my behalf. Although there is going to be some major mechanical changes from stock on this truck, they may turn out to be for the better in the end. The truck will still look the same to the casual observer, but with the higher revving engine and rear axle with higher gear ratio, I could actually drive the truck instead of trailering it.
Have finally acquired another 13" 8cwt wheel I needed, so now I have four if Wally Wade ever gets around to making 9.00x13" tires. If he doesn't, I have also secured a set of 15" aftermarket wheels that fit the 8cwt bolt pattern. Several interesting tires made in that size.
Either way, the C8 will remain a C8, (with some differences).
Thanks, David

[Jim Price]

David:
What are these rims from? Where do I find them?

Thanks,
Jim

[David DeWeese]

Hello Jim,
PM sent.

[David DeWeese]

Slow progress on the C8 in the last few weeks, but squeezing in a few hours here and there.
The rear axle from the late-model Chev Blazer fit like a glove after cutting off the tube shock mounting brackets. Was able to reinstall most of the original C8 rear axle hardware and cast knee-action shock brackets.
This is the set of aftermarket 15" wheels I bought from another MLU member recently. The extra-thick centers are welded into tubeless rims. Have bevelled stud holes on both sides.
These wheels don't appear to be home-made. Have one nice, continuous weld bead on each side. One would have to really know what he was doing to get good penetration on the thick centers without burning through the much thinner rims. Any thoughts to their origin?
Thanks, David

[David DeWeese]

Hi all,
Does anyone have a photo of what the parking brake linkage is supposed to look like on a Cab 11 C8 from the cables to the lever? Here's what I have now.
Thanks, David

[aj.lec]

sorry about poor quality couldnt get a decent shot from floor level
first = where linkages attach
second = linkage between actuator and cable ends
third = front linkage between hand brake lever and actuator

[aj.lec]

I think this is what you are after

[David DeWeese]

Andrew,
Thank you very much for the photos! Is all your linkages solid rods, or are there cables involved?
Thanks, David

[aj.lec]

Both the ones i have
All solid adjustable rods from hand brake lever to actuator assembly ,then assembly to point where it attaches to the final flexible handbrake cable near front of the rear springs

[David DeWeese]

Andrew,
Thanks again for the good information! Do you think any of this linkage was borrowed from the 1940 civilian units? I have two cast parking brake cable holders, rivetted to the frame close to the front mounts on the rear spring hangers. Not much else looks original. May have to fabricate from those foreward.
Thanks, David

[cletrac (RIP)]

The emergency brake linkage has this cross shaft mounted on the fuel tank bracket. There's a rod that goes ahead to the lever and the cables go back to the rear brakes. If you want I'll take a few better pix.

[David DeWeese]

Thank you, David!
Looks like someone has gutted my original parking brake linkage for an "improved" version.
All photos very welcome!
Thanks, David

[David DeWeese]

Pulled out my fuel tank brackets that came with the truck today. They had been shortened to mount one tank under the 2B1 bed that was installed when I got it.
Enlarged all of the photos posted,(thanks again), and got my head around the linkage layout.
Was the linkage mountings welded directly to the front fuel tank bracket? Neither of my brackets have any evidence of anything being cut off. The frame doesn't have the mounting holes circled in David's photo. Am I missing something else?
Pulled out a 4-speed synchronized transmission today from a '57 Chev truck being sent to the scrapper. Figured if I was going to 'pimp my ride' with a later model 235 and high speed rear axle, might as well go all the way!

[aj.lec]

From the pictures I cant see if the holes are there or not, possibly a ring in
Here is a few pictures of the front one of mine
1st -overall
2nd -from bottom
3rd -closer look at actuator bracket where it bolts on to fuel tank rail
4th - from top