Where to find CMPs?

[r.morrison]

Derek: Couldn't agree with you more.....Robert

[Alex van de Wetering]

I intend to go the stock route with my CMP, but I have seen a number of upgraded CMP's over the years, and although not my cup of tea....some looked really smart. Fitting a more modern diesel is something that has definately been done before, and I think I remember one or two for sale in the UK. But, as David mentioned, you have to avoid going from one mod to another. I think David did a clever job on his 8cwt, but I have also seen less succesfull attempts with bad nose jobs on cab 13's as a result.

A bit more speed would be nice...better braking and handling would even be better.....but you don't really plan to drive 100.000km in a CMP??

Also check the forum, as the subject of Nissan (?) diesels and other engine upgrades have been discussed here before.

Alex

[cletrac (RIP)]

For what you want, take a Chev CMP 13 cab (more interior room and easier to get in and out of) and put in a 261 Pontiac engine. (150 hp) Adapt a T5 overdrive 5 speed or the like onto the Chev bellhousing and you could drive it at 65 mph or so. Put some soft modern non military 16" tires on it and remove a few spring leaves from each corner (the shorter ones make the most difference) and the ride will be greatly improved. Rebuild the stock brakes and you won't have any trouble stopping. If driving in the mountains use the gears for engine braking like truckers do so you're not totally relying on the brakes. Restore the body and nobody will know the difference. It'll be kind of noisy and the cab will be kind of cramped and it'll ride a bit harsh and you won't win many races but you'll be able to go on those back mountain roads without much trouble.

[Marauder_Pilot]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Interesting discussion.

Too each his own after all it will be your truck..... if you want a old looking vehicle that will handle, perform and generally drive like our modern pick em up truck I would suggest you get a wrecked modern pick up.....strip the body work and transplant a CMP body box on the modern power train...

I'm not above that, either-while I'd never dream of 'rodding' a CMP, I'd love to have one that I can drive on modern roads. It's something I may have to put some rese

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Welcome to the forum.
Have you a name?
I might be a bit old fashioned, but I dont usually bother to talk to people who dont have a name with their post.( there are others here)
I guess after you've found one (a CMP, not a name), done it up, repowered it with a 350?, and given yourself a fright. Then we will see how you deal with it.
Along time back I met a bloke over here, that put a 350+auto in a CMP. He said it was great! Back then, when I was younger, going was more important than stopping, so I never asked about brakes.

I'm not looking to make a CMP that'll drag race and smoke tires, just be able to cruise safely at 55-60 MPH.

Also, added my name up there-I didn't really notice that this is one of those forums more oriented towards using real names when I registered.

Originally Posted by sapper740

M_P, why don't you look at acquiring one of the many bobbed M35's that abound on ebay? One of those sounds like it's right up your alley. They'll run 60mph all day on the highway and have the brakes to safely bring them to a halt, plus they can tow anything you want. Most purists aren't interested in seeing a rat-rodded CMP and other than installing a more modern 235, 261, or 250 cu. in. six for better dependability, they're best left stock for a better resale value and greater historical value. My 2 cents worth.

Cheers, Derek.

I've looked into bobbed Deuces before, and they're certainly an option-I just like the CMP better.

And, again, not trying to rod it, just to make it a bit more practical.

Originally Posted by cletrac

For what you want, take a Chev CMP 13 cab (more interior room and easier to get in and out of) and put in a 261 Pontiac engine. (150 hp) Adapt a T5 overdrive 5 speed or the like onto the Chev bellhousing and you could drive it at 65 mph or so. Put some soft modern non military 16" tires on it and remove a few spring leaves from each corner (the shorter ones make the most difference) and the ride will be greatly improved. Rebuild the stock brakes and you won't have any trouble stopping. If driving in the mountains use the gears for engine braking like truckers do so you're not totally relying on the brakes. Restore the body and nobody will know the difference. It'll be kind of noisy and the cab will be kind of cramped and it'll ride a bit harsh and you won't win many races but you'll be able to go on those back mountain roads without much trouble.

Now this is pretty much exactly what I want to do. Maybe find an engine that can be adapted for fuel injection, although there's still something to be said for carbs...

Tires would be replaced, at least for long-distance travel, by some modern all-terrains (I'm a big fan of BFG TA K/Os, myself)-I'd keep a set of military tires for show and fun, though.

I'm not all that picky on the ride. I've owned nothing but Jeep Wranglers and CJs all my life, and driven almost nothing but them and service vehicles.

[Jim Price]

MP,
A couple of years ago (and many dollars as well!) I completed the restoration of an F8, Cab 11. I can honestly say that a project like this is not for the faint of heart! This site is the best for getting advice and feedback. The members of it were most helpful in aiding me with suggestions and answers to my questions. I strongly recommend that you maintain the integirity of the vehicle as a whole as you are restoring a part of history, something that nobody likes to have rewritten.

Now, having said that, I did install a '46 Mercury flathead (15 more horsepower) and did install an automatic transmission. BUT, I pinned the clutch pedal to the brake shaft so that the pedal set-up looks just like the original. One can press on either pedal for braking. And, I installed a Locar shifter which comes up into the cab in the exact same location as the original shift arm. Both of these do make driving the vehicle much safer due to the very limited foot space for the pedals. I might add that neither "adjustments" affect the authentic look of the interior. As for driving at speeds over 60, I wouldn't recommend it. Mine drives fine up to that speed with the hard tires but at 45-55 MPH one does feel much more secure!

Best of luck in your search for a vehicle!

Regards,
Jim

PS I did remove those "crab eyes" turn signal indicator fixtures and installed a pair in holes on either end of the bumper.

[Bob Carriere]

Jim..... Congratulations......

...... you took an ugly orphan that no one would touch in Canada and you turned it into a jewel that a lot of us would love to own..... you are a tribute to the CMP hobby and a tribute to what MLU stands for......

.... a lot of us followed attentively as you progressed in your restoration and learned from your experience....... that's what it is all about !!!!!!

Bob C.

[Jim Price]

Bob,
Thanks for the kind words! As you well know, those are the only real recompense we restorers receive for our efforts!

Regards,
Jim

[Local Chap]

Originally Posted by Jim Price

I can honestly say that .... you are restoring a part of history, something that nobody likes to have rewritten.

Now, having said that, I did install a '46 Mercury flathead (15 more horsepower) and did install an automatic transmission.
Regards,
Jim

Jim, if you're not into rewriting history, don't suggest the '46 Mercury has more power than a '41 CMP engine. They are identical engines of 3 3/16" bore for 239ci. Ford rated the later engines higher due to better quality fuel available postwar (95hp vs 100hp), not due to any redesign or improvement.

[Jim Price]

Originally Posted by Local Chap

Jim, if you're not into rewriting history, don't suggest the '46 Mercury has more power than a '41 CMP engine. They are identical engines of 3 3/16" bore for 239ci. Ford rated the later engines higher due to better quality fuel available postwar (95hp vs 100hp), not due to any redesign or improvement.

LC,
You're absolutely correct. I inadvertently used the stats from the Flathead Specification site and not my Ford Special Pattern Vehicles Instruction Book (Second Edition) which clearly shows that the original engine in my F8 did have a 3 3/16 bore and 95 hp. My bad!

Regards,
Jim