CGT Restoration - Update

[Walde Libera]

This CGT had no brakes when I got it, no surprise, but once I sandblasted the shoes they came out just like new as they were not being used. No reason to replace shoes as they are the old asbestos type which work better and can take more heat with out damage not like the modern carbon fiber type. Changed all 4 brake slave cylinders with new 1 1/2" brand name jobbers still commercially available.Both differentials were inspected, but I re-torqued all bolts; but great condition otherwise. The only issues were sourcing seals which I usually substituted for modern neoprene seals. These vehicles don't get a lot of usage tend to sit for months and will dry out leather type leaving you with little reminders every where you park. I used a vernier to measure old seals ID and OD measurements and bring the old seals and bearings to the bearing and seal suppliers for match up. The only bearings that I changed were all 4 wheel bearings as they showed signs of water damage and brinelling from sitting in one spot parked for a long time I guess? Kept a list of all jobber part numbers for seals and bearings for the future. This is a 6" front axle set up. I used a heavy coating of Lubriplate brand grease as it has good properties like rust prevention and won't absorb water as much.The rear drums were turned and I had to replace both fronts with NOS ones which I found locally as they were egg shaped.
Gaskets were usually eliminated with a top quality silicon based gasket eliminator at the hub mating flanges, differential covers.I found this prevents most leaks.

[gordon]

That's really good work, you are obviously up to the mechanical work.

I'd never have bought it without a body though. I could see the logic if you had found a body, then went out to buy a cab and chassis to go with it, but I'm assuming Canada is the same as the UK and Europe at least - there are five chassis cabs sitting for every original body you could find.

[Bob Carriere]

..... Doing a great job Walde. What was the date you actually got it home..?

I started mine during a one week power failure in August 2004....feels like last week..... and probably have another two years to go.

Do you have the brake power booster....... we have not been able to source parts for them this side of the pond...... fortunately Dirk has the parts and may have to get them in to finish the job.

I envy the cab space in your cab 13........ I may have to stop drinking beer to loose enough weight to fit in my cab 11...... hihihi

what have you done to the engine yet..... will you run the 216..???

Keep showing us pictures.... most of us can't read......

Boob

[Walde Libera]

I managed to locate a correct partial body at the same time as I bought the CGT. It was at least the important part, the bottom 1/2 complete with doors. The problem was they were 5500km apart. I bought it at the same time as the Chassis with pics sent from the Elliot Bros. in Newtonville Ontario They said I could pic it up later so I restoration of the chassis and front body.A couple years or so later I flew to Toronto on business and made arrangements to ship the body to Vancouver. The Elliot brothers let me spend a day with there own FAT so I drew and recorded measurements the necessary missing portions and took tons of photos after all its mostly sheet metal. Also one of the local Western command members was finishing a cab 11 FAT so I had some access to body configuration details as they are very similar especially at the back. I attached a few pics, this is 15th field CGT just about finished about 4 years ago.

Originally Posted by gordon

I'd never have bought it without a body though. I could see the logic if you had found a body, then went out to buy a cab and chassis to go with it, but I'm assuming Canada is the same as the UK and Europe at least - there are five chassis cabs sitting for every original body you could find.

[gordon]

Well as long as you had it all planned. I'd hate to get a good job done on the mechanicals and be left without a body.

One further problem - what's that cabover down the side in one shot? It looks like it should be a GMC or the like, but I don't recognise the type or the headlight position - got a good image of it?

Gordon

[Bob Carriere]

....but.....but...... I thought you were working on a cab 13.......

did you get a whole cab 12 body from Elliott.......

Boy that generates a whole bunch of questions..... and hopefully more pictures....

did you use a later 13 frame and swap the cab 12..... ??

What kind of problems did you run into with the floor plate of the cab 12 and fitting the levers......

Oh .... by the way... when you have a nice sunnt day and take out the COE inside the lean to..... can we have some pictures....pleeeeze! and its provenance... looks unusual.

Bob

[Walde Libera]

No, the CGT cab 12 is not mine, it belongs to 15th field, just another west coast FAT. Mine is cab 13!
I was just making a point the rear end configuration of both CGT's is almost identical. Also a shot of 15th fields, limber and 25 pounder a couple years ago in a very wet Remembrance day parade. I rebuilt my booster from 2 parts boosters , not sure if it works right, it kills the engine when I press the brake pedal, probably due to a massive vacuum leak. I also used a 235 instead of the 216.

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

....but.....but...... I thought you were working on a cab 13.......
did you get a whole cab 12 body from Elliott.......

[cliff]

Originally Posted by gordon

One further problem - what's that cabover down the side in one shot? It looks like it should be a GMC or the like, but I don't recognise the type or the headlight position - got a good image of it?

Great minds think alike Gordon I was just about to ask the same question about the cab over Chev in the second photo as well

[Walde Libera]

Its a 1941 GMC wireless, a Western Command members vehicle, I don't have a lot of pictures of it right now, just a distant shot at last years Arlington air show. Also a shot of my CGT cab 13 rear body after I stripped it of the rusty bits, its much further along now.

Originally Posted by gordon

One further problem - what's that cabover down the side in one shot? It looks like it should be a GMC or the like, but I don't recognise the type or the headlight position - got a good image of it?