42 chevy

Well you are dealing with 1930's engine technology. The Hercules engines (gas and diesel) also had external waterpumps. John G

While getting the seats redone for the Diamond T 969, I had the seats for the Series 2 redone. The seats still had the original leather on them and they were recovered in "recycled" leather (thats what the upholster called it). Also my friend dropped of the new fuel tanks for the series 2 today. The pictures are self explanatory. John

I had my son fire up the compressor yesterday, everything worked well and had to address to minor issues, one was a loose fitting that was leaking air and the other was a loose sediment bowl screw the caused a minor fuel leak. So another milestone was reached on this project:) John G

Sam; I was fortunate in that the the ground anchors,spikes and tow bar clamps and axle clamps were with the truck when I bought it. I had the stakes powder coated black. The chains I got off of ebay, the shipping was as much as the chain itself. The V bar came from Tony (same place yours came from). The majority of the welding stuff was from ebay and some hand tools and the files came from Kevin Kronlund. John

Trevor; It was used to air up tires. Interestingly, there is also a fitting on the air manifold on the cowl to attach an air line to for the same purpose in addition to using a "glad hand" line to the "emergency" air connection on the front and rear air line fittings. There are very few Diamond T's left with this air tank. Whern I get a chance I will test the unit. As you can see from the pictures, the lever start arm is very close to the wrecker frame. For the sake of my hand , knuckles and sanity, I will probably use a rope start on the opposite pulley. John G

Progress update. I am now gathering all the bits "tools" for the welding kit. Files, ignitors, torches, tips, gloves, goggles, regulators etc. I will be placing them in the toolbox pictured and will use a similar toolbox for a place to put a small mechanics set in. Additionally, the lamp pictured (there will be 2) will go in the box. Thanks to Sam in Australia for lead on the make and model on that, it is real close to the original ones. John G

All; Progress update. Late last week I installed the compressor on the bed. Today, I installed the 2 plates that the engine bolts to. So the installation is complete, just some touch up painting to do. John G

Another on Ebay currently, not 100 % correct but close. John G http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ANTIQUE-PROTO-9990-MASTER-TOOL-BOX-CHEST-GARAGE-MECHANIC-FLYING-LADY-OLD-/291091381863?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c665fe67

All; Currently on Ebay, it is missing the lower flap that covers the drawers. John G http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-PLOMB-TOOL-WRENCH-BOX-4-DRAWER-LOS-ANGELES-/161240956404?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258ab5bdf4

A little patience and a lot of money!! The hunt for the tools is half the excitement, the other half is when they are placed in the box John G

I am starting to gather the tools that go in the lockers located on the bed. The ™ list what goes in each box but not how they are placed in each box. After some fiddling around with the ground anchors, I settled on way that they "fit" nicely. Pictures attached showing progress. I have the gas welding equipment, but I have not placed it the locker yet except for the hoses. John G

I have been collecting "period correct" tools for the "new" tool box. I am using the ™ as a guide. Photos attached, this is a work in progress. John G

Progress update: I had to make up an adapter plate since the feet on the new tank do not line up with the holes in the wrecker bed. I also made up mounting plates for the engine to bolt to, as this would make belt adjustment easier. First, I made a template out of plywood as this would ensure that everything would line up. The plate was made, trail fit was done and the results were perfect. I studied the TM's for the correct routing of the discharge line from the compressor to the tank. It wraps around the pulley, using the fan blades in the pulley for cooling. After the paint dries on the mounting plate, the compressor will be mounted. The pictures are self explanatory. John G

Mike; If you notice the V tow bar, removing the sideboards made loading that easier along with the rear side pull attachment that is on the other side of the bed. The Mrs gave me a sign for my shop "Garage Mahal" I politely thanked her, however, I told her the garage is what is attached to the house with her 2 cars parked in it, this is the SHOP. The Wards cannot fit inside (they are stored off site) but the Diamond T's home is the center bay. John

I recently replaced the wood on top of my toolboxes. When I got the truck, there was plywood on top of the 2 toolboxes, I used #1 pine and painted but I did not like the way it turned out, so , instead I used red oak and left it in a natural finish. John G

Here is the engine and compressor painted. John G

Today I fitted the fittings to the new tank I acquired. The original setup was a cut out switch that would kill the engine when the tank reached 150 psi. Finding that switch is near impossible so I used a 3 way "GENIE" valve, This valve has a 1 way check valve and an unloader that vents to atmosphere when the tank reaches 115 psi and cuts back in at 95 psi (these ranges are adjustable, but that is the settings it comes with). A safety valve that will vent at 150 psi was installed along with the necessary fittings to plug holes that are not used along with a drain valve and service valve. John G

Those look to be floorboard pieces. The flange should bolt to the cover piece that goes over the transmission or it could be bolted to the toeboard. Put it in and see what way it fits. Mine were fastened with sheet metal screws. I upgrade them to weld nuts (1/4-20 thread) as the holes that the screwa went into and "grown" in size. John G

I average around 200 hours per year. Where I live, the weather (cold currently) can really slow things down. John G

As requested, the dimensions are 11 inches wide, 13 inches tall and 25 inches long. The grey colored box is the new arrival. The red colored box is the existing one on the stuck. I included pictures of the contents of that box along with the contents of the other boxes on the truck. John G

It has come to the point to get the KELLOG air compressor and Briggs and Stratton engine ready for installation. When I acquired the truck it did not have an air tank, compressor and engine. Over the years, I was able to acquire a lever start model N 3/4 hp Briggs and Stratton and a KELLOG compressor. I will be using a new air tank. Instead of tracking down all the accessories like the unloader and engine cut out, I am going to use a Genie valve, so when the tanks reaches 105 psi, it will vent to atmosphere without cutting the engine off. It will not be correct but close enough. Pictures attached before tear down and repaint. John G

All; For those of you who have restored or are currently restoring a closed cab Diamond T, the "correct" filler piece is now available that goes into the trim piece that wraps around the rear of the cab. Also the correct rear window channel is available. The gentleman's name is Tom Warren. His contact info is the pictures. John G

My current box is secured by 4 carraige bolts bolted to the bed. I am guessing the box was not demountable, eventhough it has handles on the side. I am thinking they used a readily available box and mounted it to the truck . Mike, the seller only had this one listed. Just keep a look out on ebay under a search for "PLOMB toolbox" and one might turn up. When the box arrives, I will take measurements. I will do a side by side comparision of the box currently on the truck and this one. The current box is 25 inches long, 11 inches wide. The box that is on my truck is the one Army Cars Holland put on their trucks that they refurbished. Look at the photos from the Overloon museum for comparison. Also, PLOMB made had tools, so they would be period correct for the truck John G this one is currently on ebay, but it does not have the drawers. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plomb-Tool-Co-Los-Angeles-Tool-Box-Case-Toolbox-Chest-L-K-/121254354991?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3b52a02f

All; In an attempt to locate the "correct" toolbox that goes on the wrecker body located at the left front of the body, I believe I have been successful. I could say it is a dead on correct. I acquired one through ebay and the make is PLOMB, I do not know if they were the only manufacturer, as the ORD 9 does not list the manufacturer. I scanned the page out of the TM9-976 as reference , however the file is to large to attach to the thread. I posted a picture from the original listing on ebay. So if anyone is looking for the correct toolbox, search PLOMB toolbox. John G

After taking the relay valve out (again) what a pain it is on the Ward!! I located the problem. For some reason, the supply valve was not seating correctly. I installed a new supply valve, bench tested the unit before I put it back and it worked fine, after installation all is well. What I cannot figure out is how this happened in the first place. i had removed the valve to replace a bad diaphragm, bench tested the unit and it worked fine, once I installed it, the supply valve acted up. Now I have brakes again!! John G