42 chevy

All;

I need some help here. The wood in my wrecker bed is pine, I know it is supposed to be hardwood. How is the wood secured. It looks like mine just lays in-between the openings, however, before I attempt to take it out I am asking for some guidance.

John G

All;

Last Wednesday I flew into Excelsior Minnesota to help Jeff J launch the Minnehaha. I have previously posted pictures from a past years launch but these are a little more up close and personal.

A little background: The boat is a lake boat, along with 2 others, that was used in it's previous life as a ferry on Lake Minatonka. it was intentionally suck many years ago and a historical society raised it and refurbished it over many years. It is powered by a triple expansion steam engine, originally fired on coal but now uses fuel oil. During the season it runs excursions on the lake. Jeff is tasked with launching it in the spring and retrieving it in the fall. Gross weight of the boat and trailer is 132,000 pounds.

The boat is stored in a building next to Jeff's shop. It is towed down to the marina on an old railroad bed that is now a hiking/biking trail. The trip is a few hundred yards. The truck is in first gear in low range at around 900 rpms. It tows it with ease. As some of you may know, these trucks we're rated to tow 50,000 pounds. It was an enjoyable experience to be part of this as the truck was in it's element and had no trouble in the mud in the marina yard. The pictures are self explanatory. I was the spotter for Jeff. I am the guy in the desert camp rain coat and Jeff is in the driver's seat.

A special thanks to his son Danny for taking the photos.

John G

Kevin told me that the truck I have was his father in laws "personal" wrecker. Jeff J and I bought the last 2 wreckers that Kevin Kronlund "reimported" from his father in laws place. Kevin did tell that a lot of parts were sold for scrap. Oh, to be a buyer in the 1990's when these were still around!!

John G

Thanks John, but back in the UK now. It would have been great to get inside as I could see lots of interesting stuff in the distance. The other side of the river looked a little dodgy to me when I was driving around getting lost.

I will let you know next time I am coming over, but that might not be for a while.

Thanks

Tim

No worries, I work in the police complex across the river from the Navy Yard.

John G

All;

Jeff J. in Minnesota set me these 2 youtube links. I wonder what happened to all these trucks, anyone have a clue. Jeff and I each have one from the collection. Kevin Kronlund told me his father in-law Jaap DeGroot (owner, now deceased, of Army Cars Holland) had 75 Ward LaFrance wreckers at one time. Talk about being a kid in a candy Store.......

Enjoy

John G

Are you stillin the area, I work right across the river from the Navy Yard. I could have gotten you in the muesem, some very nice pieces inside. Sorry I missed you.

John G

Jack;

I have plenty of the oil filter and crankcase breather decals left. I will need to have more air cleaner decals made.

John

Jack;

I wil have to check on that.

John

Another update;

The seat pan is in. Tabs fitted and repaired for the header panel. A assembly was fabricated to "box in" the header glove box, so I would not lose anything behind the header. Repairs where made to the doors. The mirror brackets were fixed and the rusty meal was removed from the bottom of the passenger door. New trim pieces were fabricated for the hinge pillar. So all that is left is to test fit the windshield frames and some touch up welding, then media blast the cab again, sealer primer apple and some body filler is on the list for next week.

John G

Mike;

I am impressed, you could never accelerate in 5th gear ( or for that matter, any of the gears) like that with the 22R like you can with that Cummin's!

John G

Tom Warren who now owns the business "Diamond T rubber parts" will be manufacturing the rubber piece that goes on the bottom of the doors on the closed cab trucks. I am sending him a sample off of my truck, so hopefully, within a month they will be available.

John G

Synder's website states that the 600w is comparable to 250W today.

John G

Bernard;

Here in the US, the Model T and Model A suppliers carry that grade of oil.

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/190

John G

New patch panel was fabricated for the upper rear roof where it meets the rear cab panel. The seat base was repaired and test fitted. The under seat brace was straightened. Next is to repair the rear cab support crossmember.

John G

More cab pictures. The holes on the rear of the cab have een filled. The "A" pillars (the pillar that holds the door hinges) are almost done. Around 20 pounds of lead were removed from a previous repair where the roof joined the rear of the cab. New metal will be installed. We are going to make up studs so the the rear window guard can be removed to clean the window.

John G

Am I providing a link when I did the air compressor

Diamond T wrecker bed air compressor

John G

I am attaching pictures of the cab repairs. All rusted metal is being removed and repair panels fabricated by Allied Forces (Jim Clarke) are being installed. I believe everything is self explanatory.

John G

Disregard;

I see Tony Graves answered my question when I asked it awhile ago. Webbing it is.

John G

I can disregard my previous question on the cab, as I checked this forum and Tonr Graves answered my question, webbing it is. Thanks. Progress pics later today.

John G

All;

I need some input and suggestions on this. We are close to mating the cab to the cowl. Any ideas what was used to seal the joint where the hinge pillar mates up with the cowl. I removed a cotton.duck canvas when it was then apart. I know some people have used seam sealer. Any input is appreciated. The truck is a 1942 closed cab.

John G

I agree with Mike on his comment to this being an interesting engineer build. Weak points I am thinking are the axle shafts and the transfer case. As R Cube has fabricated a new mounting point for the transfer case there might be less of a worry at the mounting point as original, however, might have to a keep a close watch on the mounting bolts as the originals were prone to loosening up.

John G

Just wondering if you have taken into consideration the increased torque the driveline will be getting. Tooltallmike has done several conversions on Ward LaFrance's with this engine, however, the driveline is heavier duty than the one on a GMC. I do not know if the transfer case and axles would take it as you are introducing a a couple of hundred more pounds of torque into the equation.

Your thoughts?

John G

Mark; (G506)

I have tried to reply to your PM twice but it is not showing up in my sent message folder. Did you get it?

Everything is boxed up and ready fo rshipment

John G

All;

I had the cork seal that seals the sector shaft on the G506 steering box made up. The seal is for the chevy box that has a shaft diameter of 1.25 inches. If your seal retainer is in good shape this will work just fine. I have some extras. I do not have the retainer available. PM me if you need one.

I used PENRITE steering box lube for my steering gear.

John G

pictures attached:

As always, your skill and ingenuity never cease to amaze me. Great work. Always look forward to the updates.

John G