M216 Cdn

[Grant Bowker]

I'm glad the distributor is working out.
When I saw the hood/bonnet I admit to thinking it might be possible for an amateur to fix it. One of the cardinal rules is stop and think before beating away on the metal. Then decide what order the damage happened in. Last damage in is the first you take out - reverse the damage process.... Use enough force to do the job, but no more than absolutely necessary. Both to save your arms and to avoid causing accidental damage you will have to fix later.
The thicker metal of the older trucks does take more energy on your part - I spent a large part of a summer fixing a CMP roof (both dent removal and rust repair). I'm a slow, amateur bodyman but can live with the result.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Really glad to see the results of the panel beater's skills. That big complex rounded curve is distinctive.

[Ken Smith]

Floor plate out and I gave the transmission a scrape and was amazed to see that it is painted deep bronze green. It is the brighter green that I have seen on some Australian vehicles. So I don't know what that means, transmission rebuilt in Australia?

You know the old saying if you don't want to know the answer don't ask the question. I decided to ask anyway or drain in this case. I dropped the transmission oil and the rear housing oil both had a small amount of water. The magnetic drain plug only had the normal amount of fur on it that I have seen on most other transmissions I have worked on. I am looking forward to checking the front band adjustment.

Talked with the panel beater today he is very polite and I could see he isn't pleased with the quality of the job I want done, sorry I should say half done. The manager reckons that for the amount I offered they could turn the bonnet/hood over and get 5 blokes to jump on it.
I will see what he can do for the amount offered, and then get him to do little bits as I can afford them.
Panel beater told me of a 1956 F100 that had the roof caved in the same as my bonnet/hood and he had fixed it. I have seen that truck and it is perfect.

Ken

[Ken Smith]

I have had some contact with the previous owners family, the news wasn't good. Money was not wasted on maintenance on any of the machinery in the fleet. I think I already worked that out, going by the colour of the engine oil and the amateur painted sign on only the right hand door.

A few photos,
The deep bronze green Hydramatic.
Looking across the floor to where the dump lever was repositioned.
The original shaft with the RH extension shaft and the LH shaft stub where the dump lever had been gas axed off.







Ken

[Ken Smith]

Two nice things happened today, my Baldwin P52 engine oil filters, made in USA arrived. I ordered 4 as they will also fit my WW2 US trucks.

My problem with fitting the M211 dash grab handle to the M216 sorted out. I bead blasted and undercoated it, immediately it became obvious that the bar was bent just a smidge in the middle. It wasn't obvious when it had the rust and paint on it. I worked out a complicated system to press it straight, then didn't get time to do it at work. I was a bit annoyed, so I stuck it between the rear wheels on the M216 gave it a pull and it bent back to straight, didn't mark the bar and when I put it up to the dash both bolts went straight in.
Ken