Ford GP (series 1) slow build

[Jim Gilmore]

Mike,

Great photos....looks very nice!

You listed the Vehicle number as GP-8920 and the Date of Delivery as March, 1941....

Does your main data plate have a day as well?

Ford motor Co. records show the original motor GP-8920 as being assembled on March 17, 1941. I would guess the DoD to be March 20 or 21.......am I close?

Did you sand the hood and rear panel down to see if there was still a USA number? If so, can you share it with us?

Jim Gilmore

Jim Thorpe, PA. USA

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Jim,

Venturing over to the light (CMP) side from G503!!

In short, the original data plate was long gone, and no number presented itself on the hood or original body so the 'March 41' date was as close as I could come from the available on-line data. I'll have to wrestle with deciding what hood number it should have: any suggestions?

Been a while since I updated, been busy completing a bunch of book text and articles. So here goes:

Had a major setback with the engine , which meant removal, a complete tear-down and line-bore of the main bearing caps, then re-assembly. Test run on an engine test stand, then re-assembly to the transmission, etc. Tested all the gear train during static running, clutch adjustment and so on, before mounting the body tub. Also discovered my expensive reproduction GP fan belts were just standard Mitsubishi belts with the maker's details covered in black ink with a red GP part number stenciled on - which all rubbed off in no time. Oh well, live and learn: it still fits.

Connecting and adjusting the steering is next, then connecting the accelerator and choke links. I'll also complete the wiring and dash installation before mounting the seats, fuel tank, and so on - much easier to access under the dash with an un-cluttered body. Purchased a roll of thin insertion rubber to make floor mats for both vehicles - it helps preserve the paintwork from usage scuffs and scrapes.

Current status can be seen in the images, along with its 'stable mate', the now-registered '44 Willys MB 'recreation drive'. Having timber walls in the workshop means I can 'store' panels and parts up high, safely out of the way, until it is time to install them - you can see the transmission cover and engine bay side panels wrapped in plastic high up on the wall to the right of the overhead gantry.


Mike

[Jim Gilmore]

Too bad the data plate was missing.....

As for a DoD.....

Ford motor Co. records show the original motor GP-8920 as being assembled on March 17, 1941. I would guess the DoD to be March 20 or 21, 1941.

Motors were usually produced 3 working days before being used in the assembly line.

For a USA number ...It would be somewhere between W-2017810 ( DoD 3/18) to W-2017893 ( DoD 3/21)

Hope this helps....

Jim Gilmore

Jim Thorpe, PA.

[Mike Cecil]

Thanks, Jim, I appreciate the data as I am well aware of the amount of effort that goes into compiling it in the first place.

Regards

Mike

[Mike Cecil]

My progress on the Ford GP is at a leisurely pace. A couple of views of where it is up to.

The GP hangs from the overhead crane as I had to dismantle part of the front suspension to take examples of the bush and pin to the machinist to have a few sets made for a friend in the UK, and a set of bushes for another GP restorer who lives nearby. Like me, he had purchased a set of pins & bushes from Australia, and now finds the bushes don't fit - the outer diameter is too large for the suspension hangers and the inside diameter is much too sloppy on the pins. The ones I have had made locally are a 'push fit' with a couple of thou clearance. They are nice and tight upon assembly. This time I'll have an extra pin and bush made to keep as the reference, for the next time a friend wants a set made.

I'm sure we have all been down this path: you know you purchased an item, and now it is time to install it, it cannot be found! I have a carbie air horn, which is a casting on the GP, somewhere nice and safe. Too safe, as I don't seem to be able to locate it! I'm sure it will turn up, probably after I buy another to replace it.

The lighting system worked fine when I installed it, but the light switch seems to have developed a fault so has to come out. Two steps forward, one step back!

Mike

[Peter Duggan]

Mike,

Nice looking jeep. Had to comment, I can can well relate to your comment "one step forward, one step back". It's become my personal motto.

Peter

[Mike Cecil]

The Ford GP serial 8920 reached another milestone last evening when I took it for a short drive along our nice quiet street. Krystii made a couple of videos with her i-pad, but they are way too large to post here, so you'll just have to see the stills instead.

Not a perfect job, and a long way to go yet with many small details to be attended to (fitting nomenclature plates, bleeding& adjusting brakes, tucking up and securing wiring, etc etc - you all know the drill!). The hood/bonnet & windshield/windscreen assembly are headed to Indianapolis, Indiana for some restorative work. I don't expect to see those again until next year. The canvas set is by Beachwood Canvas - Dan's team does an excellent job and worth the money. The set I have on the Willys MB (in the background) is also great - the canopy does not 'flap' at 45 mph.

The big red switch visible on the left of the engine bay is a temp battery isolating switch - always use one in a handy position during the resto, then move it to a more discreet/less accessible position upon completion.

And the carbie air horn I mentioned in the previous post .... I purchased another, still cannot find the first one!! Fits nicely on the (repro) Holley 847D carbie.

Mike