Vulture

LOL what century was this in ?

Tony and NOSThanks for your thoughts guys, using a motorhome cover really does sound a good idea. I shall contemplate over the coming month. I had thought about stripping the entire back down (see other thread on this topic about removing the metal and wooden side panels off the cargo bed, and storing them in the garage. This idea however has run into opposition from Mrs Vulture who has pointed out the small issue of a lack of storage space in the garage... (sigh)Vulture

WarriorWhere abouts has yours failed ? Mine is incredibly rusty, but has yet to fail. I can see me getting a stainless one sometime in the next couple of yearsCheersVulture

Gentlemen Last week due to my inexperience with my GMC CCKW 352 I misjudged how the suspension would handle a particular rubber sleeping policeman, and went over it a bit fast. The old girl was mighty offended (believe me I will be crawling over them in future), and the front diff in particular, which proceeded to blow a good teaspoon full of fluid out of the breather Weather and time permitting, either this weekend or the next, I intended to check the fluid levels of all the Axles and Gearboxes (in fact I'm thinking of changing all the oils entirely). Your wise counsel is sought on the following questions: Question 1. Do I check the levels after a run, or when the truck is cold ? Question 2. What in your experience is the best method / tool you use for topping up ? My brother has recommended I purchase a syringe from Halfords, but before going this route thought I’d sound you out. Question 3. Is there any particular tool you favour for undoing the square nuts concerned ? Kind regards to all Ian

Guys Thanks for the various ideas, I shall be trying them out next weekend, weather permitting. Kind regards to all Vulture

Jonny Taken a couple of pictures this afternoon. Hopefully I've understood you correctly. Looking at the ruler I reckon its about 7.7 cm from the metal upright to the metal bow. Given that the bracket is slightly below the top of the wood 7.5 is probably the measurement your looking for. Kind regards Vulture

Jonny I'll have a measure tomorrow for you. Cheers Vulture

TonyGood to hear from someone who has been using one. If you don't mind me asking, how onerous is it to put on and take off ? i.e. is it a two person job taking 15 minutes to put it on ? Kind regardsVulture

Guys I’m looking to remove the metal frames with wooden side panels/seats from the cargo back of my CCKW 352. Initial impression is that they haven’t been out for many many years. I’m thinking about squirting copious amounts of penetrating oil / WD40 down the frames as pre-cursor, and getting at least three people to heave / lever away simultaneously. I obviously want to avoid damaging the metal work, so am interested in any hints / tips you can share. Kind regards all Vulture

DeadlineThanks for your thoughts. Yes I intended to take the vehicle out at least twice a month, and give the TM9 a good read through. I want to try and avoid stuff seizing up if at all possible ! :-)Kind regardsVulture

N.O.S.Great idea about the motorhome cover ! I shall look into this.CheersVulture

Guys A question for those less fortunate souls like myself who have to keep their vehicle outside. With the bad weather encroaching upon us here in the UK, should I keep the canvas on the cargo body on my CCKW 352 over the winter, or should I back strip the body down to just the bare structure (removing canvas, ribbing and wooden sides/seating) ? (I have an old tent that completely covers the cab so I don't have a problem there)Your experience and thoughts would be appreciated. Kind regards to all Ian (aka Vulture)

ferretfixer Hope it turns out to be a quick and easy fix for you. Kind regards Vulture

Success at this end !! After almost a weeks delay the Generator and Regulator were ready for pick-up, so I despatched Mrs Vulture and to go and collect them. Refitting last night, I went for main engine start and....Oh Yes, we have a positive reading on the Amp-meter for the first time. Beautiful Vulture

My friend with the vice managed to get the adapter off, but even with the right tools it was a struggle it seems. Anyway, late yesterday afternoon fitted the new hose with re-used adapter, reconnected the brake pipe, and then bled the system. In the process I found I couldn't stop the joint between the adapter and the hub from weeping Eventually the 'penny dropped' that I hadn't put a washer in there..... :eek: :mad: :banghead: Sooooo I had to take it all apart again (deep sigh) (lots of swearing at this point). Rex hadn't given me one the right size :shocked: so I had to go the local garage and beg one. Even with a washer, getting that joint to stop weeping took some time :sweat:, and reminded me why I HATE MESSING WITH BRAKES ! Anyway job done, lots (re) learnt. I have the other five hoses to do now, and shall attack those over the coming months. After a fortnight off the road it will be good to take the truck out this weekend :drive: Kind regards to all Vulture

Deadline Thanks for the hint about white vinegar. I haven't heard that one before. I shall remember it for the future. :-) Cheers Vulture

bradcckw and ferrettkitt Thanks for the advise. Without current access to a vice and blowtorch I'm somewhat hamstrung, so a friend who has both of these has taken it away today to have a go at it tonight. I'm going to pick up a blowtorch myself this weekend, and my brother has sourced me an old heavy duty vice from his work for £11 so hopefully I'll be better prepared when I attempt the passenger side front brake hose. Kind regards Ian (aka Vulture)

An update guys. Set yesterday afternoon aside to get the drivers-side front brake hose off. Access to the locking nut on the inside of the chassis rail is 'poor' it is fair to say. Good thing the Generator is off otherwise it would have had to be removed. Also found it necessary to remove the protective (?) metal plate that sits on the chassis near the Generator. That allowed access from underneath the truck. Everything came off okay, including the old bleed nipple, although that was so rounded I had to wrap some it insulating tape round it to get a socket to grip. Small snag however.... At first I thought Rex Ward had given me the wrong hose, or alternatively the hose had been manufactured wrong, because at first glance the thread for the end of the hose that goes into the hub was so much small. Then I spotted that the old hose has an adapter on the end to increase the thread size. Ahhhhh simple I though, just transfer the adapter across. But........here's where work stopped for the day.... :embarrassed: I just can't get the adapter off, not with the tools I have anyway. I shall be dropping by my local garage on Thursday (away from home until then) and asking them to have a go for me. The general question is though, I'm not missing anything here am I ? It should just come off shouldn't it ? It's not a reverse thread or anything like that is it ? Kind regards to all Vulture

Richard Thanks for the link and threads very interesting. Bit of an update on the position at this end. A friend of mine who is a RAF Electrical Engineer (with some experience of Generators) came round this afternoon, and we removed it for a closer inspection. Although his Multimeter showed all three connections on the Generator are fine and the brushes are in excellent condition, it would not turn when we tried to use it as a motor connected direct to the battery. He declared himself defeated by it, and there must be something else going on inside it all. Anyway, I've tracked down a company in Peterborough called C F Parkinson Ltd. Giving them a call it appears they have an oldish experienced chap called 'Ron' who has dealt with 353/352 Generators before. I am taking it over there on Monday for Ron to have a look at and provide an estimate for the repair. Vulture

Signed

With my limited mechanical experience I must confess I would not have been brave enough to take on the 352 if it wasn't for the fact that forums such as the HMVF exist. After dropping by to see Rex Ward this afternoon, I have some nice new shiny parts to fit over the coming week Kind regards Vulture

John I'm with Adrian Flux Recovery. I get Homestart, Roadside Assistance and Recovery for £32 a year on my CCKW 352 . Must confess I was amazed at the price, and said so. The reply was that it is a fixed price based on the age of the vehicle. £32 a year works for me . That said they do limit the payout in any 12 months to £3,000. I have no idea what that equates to in terms of fully recoveries, but it must be a couple I would have thought. Kind regards Vulture

Tony, thanks for that advise, and the excellent link. Much appeciated. I'll pick up some new contacts from Rex Ward tommorrow, to eliminate that potential problem area.Cheers Vulture

Steve, I had some difficulty with the cover plate screw which was slightly corroded, so I slackened the adjuster off to move the generator so I could get better access. My 9 year son was watching, so I had to bite my tongue and curb my language when it looked like I was going to have a problem LOL The belt is a new one, and the tension had been fine, and no slipping had been occuring.

Psychoman, I suspect that he didn't realise the problem was there, as he bought the battery in Jun before deciding to sell. However the vehicle had barely moved in the previous 2 years, and hadn't been started for 3 months before I went to see it for the first time. That said of course, you may be right, and he sold the vehicle on knowing there was a problem...