Its infectious

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Great info Cliff once again. Sorry about my faux pas with the cmp/chev bits. Does this mean the truck has a four speed box & that I just could get it in the gate?

Incidently - how difficult is it to get 18 inch tyres & tubes to suit??

Is that your truck in the first picture - it looks fantastic.

G'day Tony,

I just checked what my truck is shod with as it is the same style as the Chevy only a year older with a different grille. It had Olympic Trojans on it which are 17 X 20 it has five stud front wheels and 10 stud back dual wheels.

The dash area looks in very good nick which is a bit of a surprise.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Ganmain Tony]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

The Chev 10 stud pattern uses smaller dia studs on a smaller PCD than the regular "wide 5" pattern used on other trucks. And 40's Fords have a different stud PCD to the more common Dodge/Inter truck wheels of the 60's and 70's.

Bob McNeill has raised a pertinent point regarding the spacers for the hubs (or spacing of the rims).

The pre-war 20inch wheels used on Fords and Chevs generally ran smaller tyres such as 6.00-20 or 7.00-20, while later trucks went to sizes such as 7.50-20 and 8.25-20. There are specific rims to suit each of these tyre sizes, and in some cases hubs too. The obvious reason is that wider tyres will require a wider rim, and dual wheels will need greater offset so the wider tyres dont foul each other when "bagged" out under load. But a more specific reason is that the centreline of the front tyre must be in a particular position in relation to the Kingpin Axis for it to steer safely and acheive optimal tyre wear. Putting a large dia tyre on a rim with offset for a smaller tyre will have the contact point in the wrong place. With the contact point in the wrong spot, steering effort will be increased. There was not a lot of camber and caster adjustment built into the design (ie: Nil!) of the front end, so it is critical that the correct combination of bits is used to set it up safely.

Thanks Tony... again and to you Bob. Critical info to stop me finishing up over a Cliff or as paintwork on the bull bar of an oncoming Kenworth.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Critical info to stop me finishing up over a Cliff

I'd rather you did not finish up over me thank you!

[Ganmain Tony]

Two other questions I'll pester you Chev lads about..

Does the truck have a four speed gearbox?

Has anyone got any photo's of the metal bits of an old timber back? Meaning recent shot's of one that's an original. (Ambitious I know, but here's hoping)

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Two other questions I'll pester you Chev lads about..

Has anyone got any photo's of the metal bits of an old timber back? Meaning recent shot's of one that's an original. (Ambitious I know, but here's hoping)

you mean like these? Photos taken by Tony Smith so he may have high Res one's you can beg

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by cliff

Photos taken by Tony Smith so he may have high Res one's you can beg

If you're willing to beg, I can do better than the same 'ol pics. I could get detail pics of that tray and measurements.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

If you're willing to beg, I can do better than the same 'ol pics. I could get detail pics of that tray and measurements.

Tony, Tony can do the begging but can I have a copy of the detail photos plus measurements for my records as well please? You just never know I may decide to trade my present 'Truck' in on an MCP one day and will require a few details like that

I wonder if the measurements would be the same as the decks fitted to the similar wheelbase Fords, International and Dodge trucks?

[gjamo]

Heres a variation on the design. I guess from a different manufacturer. Although this body is a tipper also.
Graeme

[cliff]

Originally Posted by gjamo

Heres a variation on the design. I guess from a different manufacturer. Although this body is a tipper also.
Graeme

It may have some original fittings used on it but it is not an original WW2 body.

[Ganmain Tony]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

If you're willing to beg, I can do better than the same 'ol pics. I could get detail pics of that tray and measurements.

That would be sensational Tony - a timber suggestion would be extremely helpful as well. Ill take Max's idea & go old cattle yard raiding probably.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by cliff

Tony, Tony can do the begging but can I have a copy of the detail photos plus measurements for my records as well please? You just never know I may decide to trade my present 'Truck' in on an MCP one day and will require a few details like that

No worries, Cliff. Being a Nth-Sth truck and an Aust built body, I thought there might a high possibility of you making one in 1/35, so you will be on the pic mailing list.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

That would be sensational Tony - a timber suggestion would be extremely helpful as well. Ill take Max's idea & go old cattle yard raiding probably.

I'd certainly like to find a suitable species of replacement timber. Unfortunately, the prime hardwoods of days gone by are not so easy to come by these days. There are still hardwood stocks available from mills, but they seem to be in "floorboard" dimensions, which are too narrow for sides or underfloor support beams. Finding 14ft lengths of 6"x3" without warps twists or blemishes could well be an impossible task. Max's truck "Tickets" (a SWB F15A with 7ft body) has a very fine body that has stood the test of time well (ie no warping, splitting or rot) with minimal surface treatment. I wonder what timber that might be?

[Jeff Gordon]

Tony,
I am sure I have a set of tailgate latches. They are on a long piece of plate and twice as think as the ones you can buy these days. They are olive drab and have counter sunk holes so you would presume that they were screwed to timber.
I can take a photo of them if you are keen.
Cheers
Jeff

[Ganmain Tony]

For sure Jeff, any help much appreciated.

[Rob MacDonald]

It's a four-speed - if you look you can see the 'reverse' lever on the side of the shift rod.

[Ganmain Tony]

Originally Posted by Seaforthpiper

It's a four-speed - if you look you can see the 'reverse' lever on the side of the shift rod.

Thanks Rob

Just to clarify what I meant - does the gearbox have 4 forward gears & 1 reverse. Or 3 forward gears and 1 reverse?

Is the box the same as what was used in a Chev Blitz (CMP)?

[Dinty]

G'day All, A 4 speed box is just that '4 forward gears' + reverse cheers Dennis
ps reverse is never counted in the 'speeds factor' unless maybe it's a 'Champ',,.

[Rusty]

Hi Tony, mills will still cut good quality hardwood for you. From the south coast you can get spotted gum, in the past used for bullock drays and ship frames or Iron bark is also available if you want to soften the ride due to the weight of the stuff. You should be able to get Red gum from near your place I belive there are still small mills operating out your way only last week I spoke to a chap with a Lucas mill from Wagga who was selling red gum at a swap meet.

If you order from the mill allow 25% shrinkage and machining waste, stack your wet boards with one inch spacers and let sit for a year in a dry stable temp enviroment. I have a cellar space were I stack and rack timber and it alays dries well without splitting.

[Ganmain Tony]

Originally Posted by Dinty

G'day All, A 4 speed box is just that '4 forward gears' + reverse cheers Dennis
ps reverse is never counted in the 'speeds factor' unless maybe it's a 'Champ',,.

Thanks Dennis,

I repeat my question - does this truck have a four speed gearbox & one reverse gear or is it a 3 speed box with one reverse gear.

Does this vehicle have the same gearbox as the Chev Blitz?

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Thanks Dennis,

I repeat my question - does this truck have a four speed gearbox & one reverse gear or is it a 3 speed box with one reverse gear.

Does this vehicle have the same gearbox as the Chev Blitz?

Tony I am fairly certain the blitz has the same box as this Chev and as the 4 speed bit has been answered twice above in obscure ways I won't obscure the answer anymore

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

I repeat my question - does this truck have a four speed gearbox & one reverse gear or is it a 3 speed box with one reverse gear.

Does this vehicle have the same gearbox as the Chev Blitz?

Drawing on my vast Chev knowledge ( ), the gearboxes available at the time were similar to the options offered by Ford. That is, there was a 3 spd synchro box in Cars and a 4 spd crash box in trucks. The crossover point was in around the 3/4 to 1 ton ute range. The GM 4 speeds will be broadly the same, with small variations like clutch/bellhousings, input lengths, spline counts, output shaft types and ancillaries such as handbrake locations.

There may be a chance that the box is identical to a Blitz, but more likely to be similar with interchangeable parts. The only way to tell is to have the two boxes on a bench side by side, or to have the PROPER parts books and compare part numbers.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

The only way to tell is to have the two boxes on a bench side by side, or to have the PROPER parts books and compare part numbers.

Tony, are you saying there are "IMPROPER" parts books out there?

[Ganmain Tony]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Drawing on my vast Chev knowledge ( ), the gearboxes available at the time were similar to the options offered by Ford. That is, there was a 3 spd synchro box in Cars and a 4 spd crash box in trucks. The crossover point was in around the 3/4 to 1 ton ute range. The GM 4 speeds will be broadly the same, with small variations like clutch/bellhousings, input lengths, spline counts, output shaft types and ancillaries such as handbrake locations.

There may be a chance that the box is identical to a Blitz, but more likely to be similar with interchangeable parts. The only way to tell is to have the two boxes on a bench side by side, or to have the PROPER parts books and compare part numbers.

Thanks Tony succinct as always. Much appreciated as it is very helpful.
To Cliff & Rusty thanks fellahs also.

Had a Gecko climb out from under the valve train when I took the rocker cover off. So Im off to a wreckers to look for a replacement engine.

[Max Hedges]

A couple of photos showing a cab 12 door with the water bag holder for you Tony

[Robert Farmer]

Hi Tony,
The gearboxes are the same, except for maybe some brackets bolted to it for stuff like transfer box shift mechanisms etc. Thats my opinion from looking and working on my two trucks anyway.
Should mention the actual gear stick is diferent. The Blitz bends forward, while the truck bends back or nearly straight

[Ganmain Tony]

Thanks Robert & Max...fantastic info.

And to Rusty for the info about the Hardwoods.

Still out at my brother in-laws fixing an old inter AA160. Got her spinning like a top today. Got no brakes.... but one step at a time.

Interestingly enough it has a Military tow hook on the back. Looks like a dodgey add on but Max tells me the army did have some of these trucks.

Anyway it had not run in ten years but she's been revived for a bit of farm work. Going to put a roof on a shed to keep her out of the weather as well.

[Ganmain Tony]

Just to update everyone on the progress on this truck - Ive got a motor & am in the process of putting it in. Thanks to John Stokes for the motor and to Keith Webb for the delivery of the engine to Mighty Max's place.

Just in between jobs I pulled the 18inch drum off with bearings & attempted to fit some civilian drums - they do not fit properly.

The civilian drums have different bearings....... they have a ball type bearing not roller bearings like the 18's drum.

They will go onto the 18's stub axle but without the piece that goes over the balls & normally runs on the smaller diameter - civilian stub axle.

Hence the balls are running on the stub axle. I dont think this'll be healthy for the sub axle over the long term.

Also the civilian outer bearing sits too far in on the 18's stub axle for the nut & washer to provide any pre-load.

You can imagine I feeling disappointed & frustrated . I need some good advice from someone who has been through this. I'm doing this truck for my brother in law & I guess I dont want to accept the fact I may have to go & find some civilian truck stub axles. Fitting them & removing the other ones looks like a pain in the proverbial.

Help!!!

[Ganmain Tony]

Does anyone know where to get kits for the Carter W1 Carburettor??

[mafiamike]

Just reading an old thread. It seems that 18 in tyres are available from the states at 375$ea
but the freight to oz would be a killer

[gjamo]

I reckon this would go close.
Ebay # 290396015493