F15a steering knuckles

[Dave Schindel]

Rob, I am guessing that the 1/2 in. studs were used where the steering arm attaches to the knuckle and the others were 7/16. Later they were all tapped to 1/2?

[rob love]

It would make sense, in the interest of carrying less spare parts in the supply system, to make the left and right the same. So to that end, you would have to go with 1/2 inch, since that was required to handle the load of turning 2 wheels. The left side only had to handle the load of turning one, so in that case 7/16 studs would have sufficed engineering wise.

Checked a 44 Chev 15cwt Sigs van that is apart and sitting about 30' from me. Sure enough, 1/2" threaded holes on the left side and the C01Q-3348 part number on the casting.

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Rob,

After reading about your part C01Q-3348 on A Chev CMP and my C01Q-3358 off a Ford CMP perhaps Ford assigned different numbers to parts earmarked for Chev truck production? Can anyone shed any light on that as I don't have any Chev Parts manual to check.

Have looked in my GM MB-C1 Maintenances Manual but no reference there to part numbers in the front axle section. GM seems to avoid part number in their Maintenance Manual whereas Ford seems to often quote them.

Cheers,

[rob love]

Sorry about the part number...I'll have to confirm tomorrow. It is likely the 3358 number you quoted and I hit one digit off.

It would seem as though Ford was the primary designer/supplier of the knuckles, brakes and hubs for the bulk of the Ford and Chevrolet CMPs. You will often find Ford's name on bearings, and Ford part numbers on castings.

There was a great deal of co-operation between the two during the design phase, as is documented in Blueprint for Victory by Bill Gregg. Some of it went the other way too. The Lynx armoured car had Chev brake system on one of the axles.

Remember that when it came to brake systems, companies like Bendix would provide the various models of braking systems, and companies like Marmon-Harrington would provide the various 4 wheel drive systems, Timken the axle systems, so there would have been some commonality just from the limited number of providers of engineering back then.

Often the Chevrolet parts manuals listed the FOrd part number as the primary part number, then after the description in parenthesis, would give the Chevrolet part number.

I am no fan of the chevys, so have to say that by putting Ford parts on a Chevy, you can only make things better.

[Bob Phillips]

Now Rob..lets not get carried away..
While I accept that each of us has his own peculiar tastes..and that there is a strong, committed and even delusional body of enthusiasts who collect Fords ...the unkind slight you have dished out..by suggesting that a Chev is improved by bolting on Ford parts is simply hitting below the belt.
One of my earliest CMP vehicles was a Ford gun tractor. It was the most difficult, tempermental and unreliable vehicle I ever owned. To get it running with sporadically stuck valves, a fuel system that vapor locked routinely and a front mounted distributor clearly designed by someone with a bent and twisted sense of humour strained even my patience.
There can be no more reliable a powerplant than the 216/235 series of engines. I have owned MANY since the Ford days and (aside from a equally tempermental UC) have never returned to the dark side !! B.P.

[rob love]

Bob, methinks you doth profess too loudly. This is not uncommon amongst Chev owners, who by their very nature have a inferiority complex trying to compete with the Ford V8.

Bob, Bob, Bob....facts is fact. The Ford Flathead engine itself is a work of art and engineering. Sure, it requires proper tuning, as does any engine. But done by the book, the engine will idle so smooth that you won't hear it running. I know I have hit the starter at times thinking the engine has stalled.

The only Chevs in my yard are when there is no alternative. Had they made a Ford HUP, then I would have one. There are 3 in total: the HUP, the Deuce, the 5/4 ton, and there is a 8.2l diesel in the MLVW. There's also the wife's corvette. Fortunately I have a drain pan for each.

[Bob Phillips]

Well Rob, they say no opinion needs changing, more than the other guy's so we have to leave it at that..however given your enthusiasm for Windsor iron I do have a boat anchor you need..how about a 331 flathead v8 (biggest built) you could mount it in the back of the HUP. oh and some Caddy v8 parts for your penguin if you need bits...B.P.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by rob love

This is not uncommon amongst Chev owners, who by their very nature have a inferiority complex trying to compete with the Ford V8.

Rob, you're a great guy and I love you like a brother, but ya really got to take that one back. The leaky, cantankerous one in my garage is a Ford and the only reason the concrete floor is safe is because the oil leaks and pools INSIDE the hull. My Chev's love me. They start and don't crap out in the middle of, and require being inglamorously towed home from, EVERY STINKIN' PARADE.