How To: 1944 Chev HUW restoration

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Bruce

On the later HUPs that hole is one of two mounting studs for the splash shield on earlier trucks this shield was held in by 5 bolts the later ones are a slip in and turn latch.

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Yes you can just get the shield out without removing the expansion tank. You turn the latch pull out on the panel and scrape your knuckles. The two mounting post/studs are a source of rattles and squeaks.

My expansion tank is fabricated about 40 years ago still good, and yes it works very good to collect the over flow and have it drawn back into the engine.


Hope these help. Also took some photos of the map light and how the wire is routed if you want them. Along with the wire route for the dome light.


Cheers Phil

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

That's it Phill. If you ever want to sacrifice a little skin I'd love details on that panel so I can make one. Mine is long gone.

What was confusing me is that my hole was not a clean punched oval like yours. It looked more like an irregular torch cut. Anyway, simple to correct as the cowl is off and accessible.

I have some of those access covers that came off a 60cwt Chev but of course they will be different...

I would appreciate any info on the map light (HUWs don't have a dome light). It has its own switch so the power must come right off the ammeter? I expect it would be before the ignitions so it could operate all the time with no worries.


One additional question, that turn latch at the front, I assume it attaches to the left side of the rad carrier?

[Phil Waterman]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

That's it Phill. If you ever want to sacrifice a little skin I'd love details on that panel so I can make one. Mine is long gone.

What was confusing me is that my hole was not a clean punched oval like yours. It looked more like an irregular torch cut. Anyway, simple to correct as the cowl is off and accessible.

I have some of those access covers that came off a 60cwt Chev but of course they will be different...

I would appreciate any info on the map light (HUWs don't have a dome light). It has its own switch so the power must come right off the ammeter? I expect it would be before the ignitions so it could operate all the time with no worries.


One additional question, that turn latch at the front, I assume it attaches to the left side of the rad carrier?

Hi Bruce


For a while my help will be limited to taking photos, or finding photos I've already taken. Right now I'm waiting to have back surgery, my ability to bend, extra, is limited as is my time at the computer.



But keep posting on your progress, reading all the post in MLU is one of my favorite activities, that I can do on tablet when laying down.


Cheers Phil

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Sorry to hear that Phil. I hope you're up and about quickly.

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi Bruce


For a while my help will be limited to taking photos, or finding photos I've already taken. Right now I'm waiting to have back surgery, my ability to bend, extra, is limited as is my time at the computer.



But keep posting on your progress, reading all the post in MLU is one of my favorite activities, that I can do on tablet when laying down.


Cheers Phil

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I found this pre-restoration pic of my HUW. You can see the rectangular impression where the map lamp was along with the holes on the left for the wire and switch. You can also see the oval hole below for the filler panel pin, and the four holes for the radiator overflow can. Second pic is of the tatty but recoverable map lamp.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

A couple to give Phil something to follow...

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I test fit the front cowl today (before I go on, two points: asking your wife to help with something like this risks divorce, and it's amazing how the neighbour from two doors down offered to help "any time I needed him" but only after he watched the wife and I wrestle the cowl into place).

Not all that satisfactory as the years and moving the cowl around have obviously warped it a bit and it will take some doing to get all the holes lined up.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I'm doing a hundred and one little things in preparation for ***THE BIG PAINT JOB***

I've already painted the cab interior and engine bay. Because the rear interior is white, the floor brown and the sliding roof hatch a little of each I've been agonizing over the order to paint things and how much masking it will take. Lots, no matter which way I go.

Anyway, after tomorrow the exterior should have 100% of its widgets and be ready for paint, likewise the interior.

I installed the dash finally. The gauges are all correct CMP and the switches/switch plates are original, not reproductions or decals. I shall baby them.... I left the temp gauge out because I don't want to risk damaging its cable during the engine install.