Gustaf

Sadly I am a bit far away to help.

Thanks Tim,

I inquired about the one in California, but it was not available, and my financial adviser (that would be Maggie, my wife) told me that I had better finish a few other projects before starting on a new one. I manage to get my emotions in control and then I see photos of your project, it really looks great.

Best

Gus

I hate this forum, everytime I get myself in control, some one posts photos of something I really want to have, that is a nice looking FWD.

Hi David,

I am afraid this will be disappointing, but here are a few photos, it is only the frame and axles.

Here are some photos to give an idea of the condition of the tires.

Best

Gsu

I am unsure if Goodyear will still stand behind the guarantee to carry 4000 pounds, but the time you mount all the tires on the truck I think you will probably be over weight anyway:)

Hey Mike,

I will get some photos posted later today, shipping to New Zealand would be pricey as the weigh about three metric tons each (I am not sure how much that is but it sounds like a lot)

Best

Gus

Good information from Richard, the 4WD B has tires that measure 31 inches on the inside of the tire rim, but the 40x6 measure just under 34 inches, were these used on the Liberty trucks?

Best

gus

Good point on the 4WD size, I will have to check, they are 40 inch outer diameter as that was how tires were measured at that time, I have a B chassis that still has the tires on it, and I will have to measure to make sure the steel rims that the rubber is bonded to is the same.

I have acquired a pair of new Goodyear 40x6 solid rubber tires, I was looking at a restoration of a 4WD model B chassis that has one tire missing, but there is so much else missing that I think that I might do better to save my energy for another project. If that is the case, these might be looking for a new home.

Best

Gus

ps they are located in the north west USA

It is great to see this project being continued after Jack's passing, it would have been a shame to have his work lost.

Best

Gus

Leanne,

He will be missed around the world, I wish you and your family, especially your Mum, the best.

Gus

Jack will be missed, and that reminds us that we need to do the things we have been putting off, as none of us will get out of this alive.

When I first took the T ambulance to a museum open house, my wife asked if I was going to wash it first. I told her "no, that way people do not have to ask 'does it run?' because they can see that it has been driven". a lot of jeep restorations are not realistic, when the paint is so well done that you can not see the ripples in the edges of the fenders from the forming process, you know that filler has been used to make a smooth finish. Among Model T people there is the same problem, many purists will critic a car that has some modern improvement that does not show, but let a high gloss paint job win first prize.

Best

Gus

The $99 Lucas tires are for the newer Ts with the 21 inch wheels for the balloon tires. I have had a great deal of experiance with asian made tires on irrigation equipment, we had on pivot that was installed in the 1970s that still had a few original tires. When we had a tire failure, it was seldom one of the older tires, but one of the tires replaced in the past 5 years. The sidewalls break down quickly and cracks will also develop in the tread area.

Best

gus

Hey Jack,

Most bulk .303 ammo is Pakistani, and is of dubious quality, but then we are not firing over the heads of our mates, and an occasional jam is not something that is life of death.

It is true that it is a puzzle as to why the US military was so slow to embrace advancements (some could argue that the aeroplane was an American invention as well, and no American aircraft were used in the war either). I think the biggest reason was because the military was controlled by elderly soldiers that wanted to keep war a game rather than admit it was serious.

I do not think we are getting too far off topic, as this is all history that is related to your Motor. With out the history, these old machines are not nearly as interesting.

Best

Gus

Hey Jack

There were politics involved in not adopting the Lewis. The Chauchat was adopted because it could be produced qheaply and in enough numbers to equip a large force. Unfortunately, the 30'06 version was a failure due to poor machining, but the 8mm Lebel version in properly trained hands changed the nature of warfare. The Chauchat was the first assault rifle, and assault tactics employed with it caused the Germans to rethink their tactics. The poorly constructed 30'06 version and the lack of proper training of US soldiers in the use of the Chauchat is the main reason for its bad reputation, but in trained hands it was a very effective weapon. It is interesting that many of the complaints that naysayers put against it are shortcomings of the P'08 as well, and the Pistole Parabellum is considered to be a fine weapon, when it cost considerable more to produce than the Chauchat.

My friend's only complaint about the Lewis is that it makes it difficult for him to keep .303 ammo on hand.

Best

Gus

Gustaf,

 

The possession of any weapon has become much more difficult here in Australia - but I do have access to a Lewis on the rare occasions when I need it.

I have a firend woth a live Lewis, I am sure he would let us play with him if you want to bring the car over:)!

...it starts to look better an better :-) About the tires - are they still manufactured today?

Yes, the tires are still available, but they are made in the orient and do not have a long life, so for a static displayed car, old tires will last longer, if you are going to put new tires on the car, then it should be driven as much as possible to wear the tires out before they disintegrate from age.

Glad to hear that the correct one is going on, it would be like having a Bren in stead of a Lewis:)

Hey Jack,

Your signature line "I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure." pretty much covers my understanding of the wood issue. My service manual is a later one.

A question about the radiator shroud, it looks odd, but maybe it is just the red paint.

This is going to be a fun machine to run around in.

Best

Gus

Hey Jack,

The only wood blocks on the running boards were the ones between the running boards and the support brackets. I have heard talk of blocks being between the boards and fenders, but do not think that Ford did that, as it is unnecessary and adds the risk of corrosion. The Ford service manual does not mention anything about blocks other than the mounting bracket blocks, so I do not think there should be any others.

Best

Gus

Hey jack,

I thought the in car method of recharging couldn't possibly work, and the way you did it is better, but I did not want to disassemble the engine. I was suprised how well it worked, the T starts easily on mag now, and before it was difficult to start it cold on mag. I think I will remove the hidden battery, as it just adds weight to the car. My headlights work better too.

Gus

Hey Jack,W

hat condition is your magneto in? Mine was a bit weak and was hard to start on mag as well as barely giving enough power to make the head lights glow. I just finished recharging the magnets in the car, it took about 45 minutes and only required a compass, 3 12 volt batteries and a bit of wire.

Best

Gus

Hey Jack,

I do not think they did anything to standardize until the M1918 ambulance which had demountable rims. I have seen a period article about two people getting together with Fords and exchanging wheels so one car has all 30x3 and the other has 30x3 1/2, but this was a civilian effort.

Best

Gus

Kuno,

 

 

 

It must have been a bit hard to predict which tyre size you should carry as a spare, though I guess either would do in a pinch.

 

Jack

The US ambulances carried two spares, a 30x3 1/2 and a 30x3 as the tires are not interchangeable, the diameter was measured on the outside like on bicycle tires and the rims were a different diameter, the 30x3 being larger than the 30x3 1/2