HWade

The front and rear wheel stations are now biult up, just pipe work to the rear and brakes will be complete, apart from the hand brake.Also got the exhaust to fit.

Well a little bit more done on the Dodge, all the wheel cylinders have been bolted in place. I also made up various new brake lines and got the front end of the truck all plumbed in up to the master cylinder.Howard

Hello Bill Just a tip get a straight edge and run accross the manifold ports from edge to edge with the intake manifold bolted up, make sure all the ports are flush, if they are not all flush then it would pay you to get it machined level. also if this is done find out what they take off, your need to reduce the depth of the 3 seating rings for the manifold, other wise when you come to nip it up the manifold it wont do up as tight as it should, it will stop on the rings and not the gasket. Hope this helps Howard.

As promised afew pics of the rebuild in progress. Howard.

Its been a while since the WC51 has been worked on but, its now come out of hibernation for some more work, various bits have been painted and can now be bolted on. The engine has been gone through and run up, and is now back in the chassis, I plan to get all 4 braking stations rebuilt and make up all the new pipework,I also have the protective shiefing that goes over some of the pipe work this is in stainless steal.A big thanks to Paul for help sourcing that. I also have all the new brake unions required to make up the pipe work. I have quite a large stock of the Unions so if anybody requires them I can supply, I have short and long.I will add a few pics later.Thats it for now. Howard,

Looks like you have another nice project there. Howard

Hi if you are able get a pressure pot and connect to the master cylinder will save you stopping and filling the master cylinder up.Pump up to 10-15 psi. my pressure pot holds 2 litres of fluid.

Hi yep that would be the plug to undo, The other thing that may not give you a good pedal would be brake adjustment, ive known brakes to be out of adjustment,and this can affect the pedal. But as deadline says start at beginning and work back. Howard

Ian If there is smoke from the exhaust then your dumping fluid into the hydrovac, there is a small drain plug on the back of the hydrovac undo this and see if you have any fluid come out. If there is fluid then this would suggest that a seal has started to fail.I repaired one the other day,and I took almost a litre of brake flid from the hydrovac.If there is no fluid, then it might just be the big leather plunger seal is not seating or the leather has dried out. Try spraying a bit of WD40 in there from the small drain plug. The one I repaired was a type 3 single piston. could also be a split pipe or a pipe sucking in on its self. There are 3 types. Hope some of this helps. Howard

Here you go Duncan Hubs all done ready for collection, and heavy hubs they are to. Oo Oo my back. Howard

If you have a problem locating a fifth wheel over here try this chap John Ferrie, at vintage military Vehicles, he managed to supply me with a fifth wheel for my GMC tractor unit, it was not a dayton wheel but looked the same, and it was in very good order. He is in Colarado. Johmferrie@vintagemilitaryvehicles.com Good luck with the restoration. Howard

Hi Yes soda is Ok, but ive found it dont like heavy rust or corrosion, it works different to grit in that it explodes on impact and thats what removes the paint ect. Where as grit wares it away. Soda is not cheap either. Howard

Hello Sean, I have not had any problems yet, its a case of masking up really well and using correct bungs or making them to fit the hole. I think what ever media you use your going to get some sort of dust. Regards Howard

I fitted electric braking to the trailer so KT worked off a pressure switch I fitted to the GMC. Worked really well. Howard.

Heres a few pics of my trailer, we use to use it for the Suffolk MVT meeting point at shows.Howard

Hello Simon I converted one of those trailers into a living van some years ago, and a great living trailer it made to, are dig out some pics if i can find them, I also had all the awnings as well with the end doors and it also had the porch that went over the back door of the trailer. Sadly I sold it on. I do however have another one of those trailers coming in very soon for a conversion and this to is going to be living trailer,this one does not have windows down the side so I am going to have to fit some, it also needs to be relined and insulated. Good luck with the project. Howard

Hello Sean, I use a crushed glass medium, you can get it in 3 grades, fine, medium, course.I always use fine and then if i want a real smooth etch I reuse it again, my only complaint about it is that its dusty, as a visitor found out a while back, left his car door window open and it was a windy day. I think theres a few people selling it on ebay.Howard

Hello Duncan Thanks for that, I would like to get all the brake station built up next Ive had all the parts come back from past parts,also get the wheels blasted and painted. so thats the next plan.Howard

Well the prop shafts were blasted primed and top coated in gloss black today, the hand brake lever and high and low range lever was also blasted and primed, will top coat these in dark bronze green as and when the wheels get done. If my apprentice is up to it the wheels may get done tomorrow, once these are done the truck will go on the back boiler for a while.Howard

Thanks Guys, well in between jobs I managed to fit the transfer box back into the chassis, good old block and tackle, also got some of the linkage arms fitted. I also got the fuel tank fitted. I also got the bottom cover to the bell housing painted, along with some other items even a chevrolet Bonnet. All being well the prop shafts are going under the blaster tomorrow. Well thats it for now. Howard

Just for you Terry a couple of pics of an RL AFS control unit I restored, these pics dont show with the red and white Chequers but this was done later I had the company that do my stencils come out and wrap them on, a lot easier than painting them. Howard

Hello Terry thanks for that, Mmm for some reason I attract RL,s ive got an AFS wrecker coming in very sood are post some pics when it arrives. As promised a few more pics of various painted bits and bobs.I may fit the fuel tank today are see. Ive fitted the brackets to the chassis.Howard

Hello Robin That was an interesting bit of film, bit of an eye opener to the number of vehicles they were using. I have done a bit more today, the fuel tank and some of the linkage arms were blasted primed and top coated in gloss black. Are get these fitted tomorrow early first thing, then its take a break time. Are post a few more pics tomorrow. Howard

Sorry the way the pictures have appeared not really in the order they should be. Howard.

Heres a few more pics. Howard