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bobs1918

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Everything posted by bobs1918

  1. Moving along Fenders are from the Canadian truck.
  2. anyone tell me how to share a video? I am unable to do so
  3. As luck would have it I managed to locate a second GMC chassis . It was a true barn find . It lacks an engine but there is an original cargo truck body on it . And it has the elusive radiator . The plan is to take the best components and build one truck. The second vehicle has the roof and the upright and horizontal supports along with the cargo box. Should be here in about 48 hours Updates to follow
  4. Chassis painted with rust encapsulating paint
  5. I really do not expect to find a radiator any time soon so I am repurposing one for a 1920s Dodge brothers. So far I have the shroud widened about 2 inches and shortened about 1 inch. Than I will insert the DB radiator and add some trim to the shroud to block out the expected size discrepancies. Not perfect but it will enable me to run the engine and beats having a big gaping hole in the front
  6. I know that I last posted on this thread 10 years ago but I thought I would resurrect it. Well I did find a US GMC ambulance chassis here in the US . Lot of work to do but it is now running and on newly made wheels and new rubber. . I do need the radiator assembly. Presently I am modifying an early Dodge radiator to do the job. I wonder if the three in France are still there and would the owner sell any parts. Anyone have any contact information for them / I have long lost whomever was selling them
  7. No Data Plate for the chassis Does have engine data plate. The motor is original 4 cylinder continental, Here is a picture of the plate and the GMC marked rear diff
  8. Still looking for frame number I will get some motor pictures soon There is a serial number on the brass plate of the motor.
  9. I thought i was finished with WW 1 vehicles. I had finished my FWD, got my 1918 Cadillac up and running , The dodges were put to bed for winter but then I got a message about a 1918 GMC Chassis not far from home. It had been a farm truck in New Hampshire and then later used to power a saw mill. The guy that now owned it had no clue where to begin so I was able to get it for a very reasonable price. I picked it up and will soon clear a spot for it in the barn, It needs a radiator , one rear wheel will need rebuild and rims and new tires. The engine is not stuck and the gears work. Frame is straight with only one area weakened by rust. Thin metal areas need some sectional replacement. Fortunately front bumper with hooks is present as are the brackets for lights. At some time in its past a windscreen was added which makes it possible that the chassis once sported a different livery. My goal is to see a completed ambulance in 2 years. It is very probable that the chassis once carried a Columbia built body as evidenced by the absence of rear fenders. OR of course they could have simply been removed . Any way with the data plate missing I will proceed with the Columbia body style. I am adding a picture of an original GMC/Columbia ambulance
  10. And here is a video of an early run. This was the first time I attempted to back it into the shed with the body on it. I'm getting better as we have also worked on the steering linkage which was semi fluid at first and now has been disassembled and fully lubricated I can now start it either by the added starter motor or by the crank IMG_5168.MOV
  11. The 1918 FWD Model B with the Ordnance Repair shop body has passed anther hurdle as the body was reunited with the chassis. The truck starts stops shifts into all gears. It has been a hard four year project certainly harder than any of my other smaller vehicles. Here is the before and after
  12. Thanks Terry....I solved the starter issue with a non period set up but boy does that make my life easier! Thanks for your help. As I remember you had to fabricate the bronze fittings that screw into the jug and the spark plugs screw into them. Not sure of the term. A few of mine have been mangled over the last 100 years and are misshapen and may present with blow out. Is this something that could be fabricated at your end perhaps? If not I may go with a second copper crush gasket to improve this
  13. 1918 FWD update....rolled it outside and filled the radiator. Good news water system is tight . no leaks!!!. AND appears to run cool. Newly installed starter works perfectly. (small period momentary switch mounted below the mag cut off). Fuel line has some issues with the old petcocks not closing properly and the newly installed fuel filter may be too good and not allowing the fuel to enter the carb fast enough. (this is a gravity fed engine meaning no fuel pump) These issues are hopefully easy to correct. Here is a good picture of the beast outside in sun light and a longer run up of the motor . Oil pressure is good as well. Getting closer every day. Also a picture of the starter motor and bracket we made for the truck. IMG_2575.MOV
  14. Hello I bought the largest gear ring that would fit the flywheel thereby needing the least machining. It was 12 thousandths undersize .Dropped right down after heating and no pinning was needed. I would have used a ring that extended beyond the flywheel diameter but there was minimal clearance with the frame rail making that impossible.
  15. Installed a gear ring on the flywheel and will next fabricate a mount for the starter motor. Reading FWD history they did offer a starter as an option although the army did not opt for them. I like to be totally original but in this case if I cannot reliably start the truck then it will never leave home.
  16. Thanks Terry I personally did not start it I had a BIG guy here and he made it happen....My plan is to install a gear ring on the flywheel and a starter motor . I won't always have a BIG guy around. I think you mentioned that your plan on the BIG Wisconsin was to install a starter. I don't know how you could crank that monster over by hand.
  17. Big hurdle cleared as finally got to hear the engine run. Everything was good except that the timing was advanced to far. Retarded it back further and the beast came to life....A very good day IMG_1220.MOV
  18. Also had time to restore the seat bucket. I Cot off the bottom 4inches all around except for 3 inches in the front on both sides. I I had a replica of the rusted missing metal fabricated with an offset at the top. I used blind countersunk rivets to attach and then did the appropriate body work to hide the repair
  19. I think I figured out the purpose of the wooden sections on the side of the body. I believe that these prevented the chains from making a lot of chatter when they slam against the side.
  20. well finally got the body sand blasted again. I was never able to prep it last year so I had it redone and then within 48 hours I epoxy primered it and got it painted
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