C8A HUW: body dimensional data needed

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Jerry

Just so we/us HUP owners can start feeding you measurements, can you give us a photo of the damaged area with any particular measurements you need marked. Also if you can give us any bench marks like hinge points, particular bolt holes then we can start posting measure for you.

I'll measure the window post angle in the morning, my angle level is good too about 1 degree.

Cheers Phil

[Jerry Hill]

Hi Phil

Thank you for your really helpful reply.

I've taken several photos which should help. I've just got to figure out how to load them onto the forum.

The angles I'm after are: the A post (windscreen pillar) back edge to the underside of the roof gutter. And the angle of the forward edge of the A post (windscreen pillar) to the vertical section below (to which the front Bonnet/wing assy attaches).

Any help much appreciated.

Best

Jerry

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Jerry

Ouch.

Will start measuring tomorrow, I've printed out your photos and will try and plug in some of the angles and measurements that might help to get started.

From the photo bellow it looks like it pushed the grill in a good eight inches. Did it shift the body back on the frame as well? Do you have the frame measurements to check that it is square?

C8adamage3013 Jerry Hill.jpg

Obviously this crunched the radiator and fan does it look like it moved the engine back?

Now what year is your truck and does it have middle doors on both sides?

Are the front doors still operable or do you need opening measurements?

If someone else could confirm the measurements from another HUP or HUW as a double check of my measurements that would probably help.

Cheers Phil

[Jerry Hill]

Phil

I haven't checked the body mounts, but will after we complete work planned for the coming weekend.

I've opened the bonnet (hood) and the rad is wrapped around the fan blades/water pump. The top tank looks good. I'll see the lower tank situation at the w/e alongwith the bottom pulley situation. At this stage the engine does not appear to have shifted.

It's '43 HUW and has two central doors (pre-dating the spare wheel variant). The B posts have both been slightly pushed by the doors distorting at the striker plate. We can pull both b posts out without too much difficulty.

The front door inner panels have both de-formed. We will remove the outer skin (which is OK) and correct the inner panel deformation and refit. The critical alignment therefore will be those angles you're looking into around the A posts.

This w/e we'll remove the front panel assy and probably remove the radiator. We can then look at the remaining issues of body mounts, engine movement etc.

Of the nudge bar mounting bolts (which were modern metric) all but one sheared, resulting in the bumper drooping to one side and deforming the chassis rail as it twisted downwards.

I'll send you some pics once we've got the front panel off. The front panel will be rebuilt with new sheet metal and re-aligned angle iron framework. Mercifully one of our group is a retired blacksmith/welder of great skill & experience and can work miracles. The radiator will be replaced/rebuilt.

So as you can see I have a project for next winter!

Jerry

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

You must feel awful!! I'm so glad you are going about fixing the old gal. I have one in the garage and can help out if you still need it.

[maple_leaf_eh]

What damage do you do to the other vehicle? When I was a kid, the neighbours had an Edsel (a BIG 4-door V8 Detroit car from about 1962, with a characteristic horse collar grill). There was a collision between his car and a 1970's Japanese import. Which one lost? The smaller one with less substantial bodywork.

[Jerry Hill]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

You must feel awful!! I'm so glad you are going about fixing the old gal. I have one in the garage and can help out if you still need it.

I do feel awful Bruce. But it's got to be a case of onwards and upwards and repair her to the condition she was before my misdemeanour. Jerry

[Jerry Hill]

Phil

We got the front end dismantled today. Pics attached for your review. The rad bottom tank is very poorly. The genny has been pushed back and is fixable. The fan can be recovered. The water pump bearings feel alright. Ran up the engine minus belt, there is minor foul I'm assuming in the timing case,s o we'll pull off the front pulley and have a look. The engine has not moved. Haven't checked the body mounts as rain stopped play. All the removed components are in my car and trailer ready for a start on Monday. We'll take the rad off for reworking. Have a look at the pics.

Jerry