C8 progress in Texas

David DeWeese · #1 29-08-10, 18:11

Hi Gordon,
Yes, the Dodge is sitting on a 1992 Chevrolet 1.5 ton P30 delivery van chassis now. I installed a new fuel injected 350 crate motor and a rebuilt automatic overdrive trans in it last year for my neighbor's kid who was a handyman.
Well, he got drunk and wrecked it, then went to jail and I ended up with the van for near nothing. Chassis works perfect under the narrow COE fenders, plus it is already set up for a COE configuration.
Will be able to stop on modern disc brakes ang go as fast as one wants with this combination. Must still remember though that with the cabover-engine design, you will always be the first at the scene of an accident!

Thanks, David

Phil Waterman · #2 29-08-10, 20:31

Looking at the photo and my truck I thing that the holes are for the hood hinge pin brackets. See if they look like they are similar location to those in my picture. Though the Pattern 12 has four rivets wonder if the Pat 11s just had rivets two on each side.

I had a similar problem with the front fender and the cab frame on my Pattern 12. Only real fix was some kind soul from the North Country found me replacement parts which I am now in the process of installing.

jaap de wit · #3 30-08-10, 20:37

hi david about the hood, there are 2 groups of 2 holes on the window side of the hood for the hinge strips. these are bend strips that hook under the window/ dash part of the big arge.
on the other side there are 2 holes to close the hood with wingnuts. (to the nose panel)
the 2 countersunk holes will fit 2 rubber hood bumpers I think.
keep u the good work david.
cheers jaap

David DeWeese · #4 31-08-10, 03:11

Thanks Phil and Jaap for the help!
I think now that maybe someone had drilled and installed a hood ornament or the like in those front holes at some point. Will weld them up.
Looking at the hood today I noticed an interesting feature about the clips that hold it in the rear next to the windshield. They are actually springs that raise the hood up a little in the front when the front bolts are removed. That way you can get hold of it without having to pry it up. Was getting annoyed with the hood not staying closed until I realised that's what it is supposed to do!

And Bob, it's the fender that is the real problem with the alignment, as you said. Looked good from the front, side and top, but if you look at it from the back foreward, it still has a weird slope downward on the damaged part that I hadn't noticed yesterday. Will take the washers back off and keep on beatin'!

Thanks again, David

David DeWeese · #5 11-09-10, 02:18

Hi,
Can anyone show me what the original gas pedal for a cab 11 should look like? Made an M-series Jeep pedal fit and work OK, but still may interfere with the clutch and brake operation.
Any help appreciated!
Thanks, David
p.s. Are the clutch and brake pedals supposed to have rubber pads on them?

Ganmain Tony · #6 11-09-10, 02:50

G'day David,

Just going over this amazing thread of your's. I think youve managed to override just about every bastard obstacle you could run into restoring one of these trucks. Very very well done!

My two cents and limited knowledge of Chev's, there are no rubbers for the brake or Clutch pedal so you wont have to expend any time there.

That accelerator pedal youve fitted is very similar to the one in a 13 Cab 2WD Chev. I know its not original but you can always change it at a later date if you come across the right one.

Great stuff, great info, great effort!!

Bob Carriere · #7 11-09-10, 03:20

Hi David

No such thing on a typical cab 11/12....... all they had was a round button about 1 3/4 inch diameter..... in fact there is little room for anything else.

That does not mean that a cab 13 cannot be installed if it makes it easier to drive....... and that can be a serious safety consideration. I have a cab 12 that has the foot well widened by about 4 inches by addition of a steel plate that extends the area into the wheel well...... without interfering with the tire....... strange thing is I had not noticed until about a year after I brought it home......certainly a practical modification.

I know for a fact that I cannot drive mine with safety boots (size11).... there simply is not enough room.... I have to use track shoes or may revert to an older pair of pointed dress black shoes like civilian motor pool drivers would have used in Canada.

Hey if the pedal (shoe) fits use it.....

Bob