So my employer wants me to restore this.
 

http://s43.photobucket.com/user/sdun...de263.jpg.html

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psbeb0c26c.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps94c2ac09.jpg

So where do I start. The truck is running. But I need manuals and other pertinent information on it. Where would I find such things? I realize the recovery set isn't original and this should be a fifth wheel as well.
Any help is appreciated.
Oh and everything is there. Doors interior etc.

Sean
sdunnage@rogers.com

Portrayal Press for the manuals.
 

Clean it, straighten it, paint it, wouldn't look too bad at all.

The one thing NOT to do incompletely dismantle it, unless you have a lot of time /money / resources.

She's a beauty! Beautiful in her ugliness!.......So ppssstt!,..... what is it!

1250 lump
 

The engine alone is what, 1250 lbs?

The shadow area on the grille where you would expect the maker's badge is shaped like the Autocar badge but one of the pictures has an International badge (3 diamonds with "International" on the horizontal stripe) within the shadow area. The general shape of the cab does resemble some of the Autocars shown in the Observer's Fighting Vehicle Directory (one of the first MV references I bought and still a very useful general book). The Autocar U-2044 is listed as using the Hercules JXD engine. Aginst this suggestion - most sources show the U-2044 as having an oil servicing tank body on the rear. I have no evidence of Canada using the U-2044, likewise no proof that it wasn't used here.
This is a first guess, certainly not a firm identification.

How about an autocar 5044. Photo is stolen from olive drab website:

Edited to say it will not be a 5044 since they had an autocar engine in them. But Grant is right on about it being an autocar. The grill and body lines are a perfect match.

I would start with a photo survey to find what is present and what is missing. Pick out the leaves and sweep out the windblown dirt to look at the sheet metal. Then decide if the missing parts are worth the effort to locate, or if you can substitute or ignore them. Things like gauges can be replaced with parts from the aftermarket truck parts suppliers, but chrome or distinctive bits will be frustration. Glass can be cut as long as it is flat and not too complicated a shape.

The other advice Bob Carriere here gave me was to walk around with a can of penetrating oil and squirt every nut that you think you might have to remove. It might help later on.

The Hercules JXD engine is 320 Cu In displacement and weighs a little over 600 pounds. They were a fairly common power plant and were used in the Studebaker US6, White M3A1 Scout Car, M8 Ford Greyhound Armoured Car and Sperry search light generators to name a few applications.

Most parts are still available. The most problematic area would be the gear driven water pump which commonly had an exposed shaft with adjustable gland that is prone to leakage in the long term.
You will quite likely find that gearbox, transfer case and axles are not peculiar to the vehicle either. Identification is the trick. Being built for the military (assumably) there would have been a nomenclature plate identifying the vehicle and also an applicable publication plate listing relevant manuals and parts list attached in the cab somewhere.

You'd better ask the boss how much he is prepared to spend or how long he expects the job to take to get some idea of the level of restoration.

David

I contend from the photos and motor that it should be an Autocar U2044 which was the 2-1/2 ton tanker. This model utilized the JXD 5.2 liter engine.
By calculating and converting the bore and stroke (4"x4-1/4" x 6 cyl) I come up with 320cuin or 5.2L respectively.
The U4044 was a 4 ton version used as a semi tractor.
The tanker model was particularly used by the USAAF in WW2.

She looks like it would be fun to do. Vic keeps asking if I have gone to see her but I haven't made it yet.

I went to see her the other day. First truck I seen with a wooden floor. She is a 41 2 1/2 ton Air Force oiler. Sean if you are going to do it I gave Vic a parts manual for it. I have a bunch of photos that I will post when I get a chance.

Here's some photos for everyone

More photos.

And four more