42 Pilot Model HUP Project

[RHClarke]

I had assumed the worst case scenario with this engine given its refusal to turn over - even with a pry bar on the gear from underneath!

Removing the valve cover and the side panel revealed a lot of flaky rust that was easily removed with forced air. Two push rods were bent but the others seem to be straight - we will roll them on a flat surface later to verify their trueness.

As with most aspects of the truck tear down, the engine head came off quite easily - unlike my 45 HUP that had the two center pistons rust welded to the head. One of the pistons on the Pilot Model is really stuck, but the others seem to be OK. We will see when we pull the engine and take the bottom end off.

More later!

Photos:

1 - Side shot
2 - Side panel
3 - Shot of the head - after I breathed on the camera...
4 - Block
5 - Block again

[Brian Gough]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the recent updates on your Pilot Model HUP project. Good luck on the engine teardown. When I bought it Mr. Cobban made the famous "ran when parked" comment. I'm looking forward to seeing it up and running again.

Brian

[Bob Carriere]

....showed two stuck valves.... adjoining intake on cyl. 2 and 3 are stuck open which accounts for the sludge/rust in cyl. 2

Will know more once we have the engine out of the frame and on a full rotating engine stand.

Head is stamped/casted as H 14 0 which I read as 8th month Aug. 14th 1940 ......... there is a good chance the engine is original...... Rob has the full stamped serial numbers which he will run on the web site for dating.

Lots to clean but lots of potential to save the original block.

..... are we having fun yet!!!!

Bob

[RHClarke]

Bob, Having the facilities to do this work makes it fun. I know you enjoy working on this truck as much as I do, and I appreciate all of your help. There will be plenty more fun later this summer!

Brian, I intend to restore the truck to its original state, which means that the block will have to undergo surgery. This may take some time (and money of course), but I am looking forward to it. In the mean time I will be taking on the thousands of small tasks involved in a ground up restoration. You can count on seeing more photos later.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Richard

Remember the Witches Brew of ATF and acetone it worked on my big flat head engine. Just keep pouring it in to the cylinders you think are stuck or all of them for good measure.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers Phil

[RHClarke]

While I waited for the witches brew to do its thing, I cleaned off the block to reveal the casting number and the stamped serial number. On line resources indicate that it is a 1940-45 Canadian made block.

Photos:
1 - Casting number
2 - Stamping
3 - Engine out
4 - A little cleaner added...

[RHClarke]

I am happy to report that the mix of acetone and ATF worked its magic today. The engine for the Pilot Model HUP spun over nicely. To celebrate, Bob and Grant mounted the engine on a stand so that we can all admire the thing.

Next steps - clean up the parts with gasoline and find a local engine shop that can clean and magnaflux.

Photos:
1 - Engine "before" Witch's Brew
2 - Engine "after" - note number 2 cylinder
3 - Not much left to tear down...