HWade

Re Austin 8 Staff, you have a nice little car there to do, there a nice little car to work on, heres a pic of one that I did earlier this year, It had a full repaint and we fitted new head linings as well as door panels and carpets, as well as new running boards, the head lining is not to bad to fit. Regards Howard

Heres the pictures of engine and fifth wheel now fitted Regards Howard

Here is a quick update on the GMC 353 tractor unit, the chassis has now been blasted and painted, i have had spacers made so that the fifth wheel can fit on the chassis with out fowling up on the rivets, once i got the spacer plates on i lifted on the fifth wheel and marked out the holes to be drilled. I then set about drilling out the holes using a magnetic drill. The fifth wheel is now fitted to the chassis, I have also now got the engine and gear box also installed. I have attached a couple of pics of the chassis I shall get a pic of the unit with the engine in. Thats it for now. Howard

Hello Jeff and Richard sorry for late reply, its all fine here in suffolk and the weather has been been great a few spots of rain but nothing to speak of, although the farmers could do with it. Heres a pic of the 352 cargo so far.Its coming togeather well, I should have had it finished but I have had other work in so have had to fit it in when I can. As for the 352 tractor thats on the back burner just untill i get the other jobs out of the way, as you said Richard it will be quite a rare vehicle. as you say though the trailer is going to be the hard bit to find, I would like a box trailer to convert into living quarters and a small step frame trailer. But the box trailer can come first. Cheers Howard

Just a quick update on the 352 restorations, The 352 cargo truck is going well, all of the electrics is now done and the interior of the cab is just about finished. The cargo body is going under the blaster on Tuesday next week, and should be primed. As for the 352 Tractor unit the chassis is now free of the winch,thanks to some help from another GMC owner and all of the brake pipes are now removed togeather with all earth wires ect. This now is also ready for blasting but this will be done as and when I get some free time, thats if I get any.I will post some more pics of the trucks tomorrow. Regards Howard

Hi Clive Its having the 352nd fighter group markings. thanks Howard

Hi Clive Yes thanks I got the glass fitted in yesturday, I was quite suprised how easy they both came apart so thats a big result.I have had a set back on the fuel tank but nothing a bit of brazing cant fix,heres a pic of the truck so far.Since the picture all of the lights are now wired up and working, And it starts on the button good oil pressure ect, The interior of the cab is just about finished and fitted. Just got the floor pan to fit. Thanks Howard

Hello Paul I have not done a great deal to it, but I sat the 5th wheel on the chassis just to see how it looked and I think its going to work out well. I have worked out how to do the braking on the trailer so that wont be a problem. Just got to find a flat bed trailer to plant the living van on.Dont think it will be on the circuit this year. I will let you know how i get on with the paint if the colour turns out ok I will put in a order for 50 litres. Regards Howard

Hi Clive I was a bit sceptical about using that paint, but after using it on a certain Dodge Carryall I had no worrys about using it.I think the formula for the paint has been improved it sprays very well. I am taking a tin to a local paint supplier so they can can match it up, this way should get a saving on postage, and the cost of paint. I dont suppose you have a spare glass for the windscreen the drivers side in this one has a crack. I had the truck running and it started up straight away, sounded very nice but these old GMC's always do sound nice. Thanks Howard

Hi All I have been working on a rebuild of a GMC 352 non winch modeL and an early one its fitted with Banjo axles and has the early braking system. The body is in the blasting bay waiting to be blasted and painted. The other Gmc 352 is still being stripped down in readyness for blasting, this is going to be something a bit different I am putting togeather a tractor unit. I sourced the fifth Wheel from the US, the fifth is made by a canadian company by the name of Dofasco, there are some cast numbers on it and possibly the year it was cast this being 11.6.40 but i am yet to see if I can find this out. here are a few pics. Howard

Well I finally got started on the Bedford MK today, both seats removed along with middle panel in cab, remove part of the gear linkage and disconnect all water pipes. To make it easier I plasma cut a section from the rad Fan cowling, this made it alot easier to remove the fan and the waterpump. The pump being the three bolt fixing and not the five bolt fixing. Just got to order the new pump and get it fitted. Regards Howard

Here is a couple of pics of a customers QL that I have had in for some work, chassis blasted and repainted along with the body and cab, I will see if i can get a pic of it now the body is back on.I also had to fit a new hip ring that was obtaind.it was handy that the original hole was still in the roof and that it had just been covered with a alloy plate. This was removed and all holes welded up, leaving just the hipring fixing holes. Howard

Yep know problem, tool box will be avaiable, but I dont know about a fluid drive, I may well get the Carryall there as well,I would like to drop the Ruskie mobile off a day early if thats ok along with the Bofors. Howard

Well it all sounds like this is going to be yet another great event, really looking forward to this one, Clive will there be somewhere I can hide the Camper?. Do you want the Bofors Gun brought along. Howard.

Lucky old you.I seem to be attracting Bedfords at the moment, I have a Ql thats just had all of the body and cab off chassis reblasted and painted, plus all the body and cab and more. I have the MK to do work on. and to top it off a Bedford RL AFS control vehicle to totally strip and rebiuld, and thats just the Bedfords. Howard

Any idea what it sold for, i hope it didnt go for scrap. Howard

Thats a nice looking piece of construction kit, come on then wheres it off to then? Howard

Hi Your right there a tilting cab would save alot of time and effort, I dont really know how long this job is going to take, i have not replaced a water on one of these before so we will have to see. But you can bet that some problem will crop up, but then again i may be wrong. all the best Howard

Hello Richard Many Thanks for that, just wanted to make sure that was the way to go, thats my job sorted out for some of tomorrow then. Cheers Howard

Hi, I have a bedford Mk that I need to fit a new water pump to. Can this be done from the inside of the cab removing seats and centre panel, or is there another way. Thanks Howard

Hello Paul, Its was nice to see the dozer back over here and a result sorting out the gears ect, heres a picture to be getting on with, looks like this chap has it all under control ! Howard

Hello Davey You could send a pm to listerdiesel he may be able to help, some parts i bought in from the US, i dont really have to many spares. I do have a block if you need one but thats about it. Regards Howard

Hello Davey Looking at the photos the unless you have taken it off the air breather is missing, so are the spark plugs, also the rad cap is missing.The two wires that come out of the side of the panel are your 230 volt supply. The two connections that are on the side panel are your dc connections for a 12 volt battery electric start.on the other side of the panel should be the start and stop buttons. From the pics your rad looks ok but you wont know till you fill it with water, the exhaust is not right but i have seen that type fitted to others, the correct exhaust is like a pancake but I have never seen these available, i recon they run quieter with whats on there.If theres anything else let me know. Howard

Hello Davey What bits are you looking for then. Howard

Hi you can drive on car licence, but i would imagine that it depends when you passed your test. It certainly drives nicely but you are limited to 37mph, there quite a slow vehicle.The windows in the radio body wind down like standard windows, i would like to make an awning for one side, and do a few other bits and pieces, thats when I can find the time. I got a friend of mine who is very good at wood work so he will be doing the worktops ect.I will post pics when work begins, ive been told there are not many of these in the UK but this i cannot confirm, there not everybodys cup of tea, but its something a bit different. Howard