C8 progress in Texas

David DeWeese · #1 21-11-11, 03:23

Hi,
Had a problem with the '41 Dodge truck radiator I had modified and installed to fit in the C8 a while back. The clearances all looked good until the front sheetmetal was aligned and bolted in tight.
Well, turns out there wasn't even enough room between the radiator core and the fan to install the fan belt.

To me, with the economy here so slow, this is a real show-stopper. I simply can't justify buying a new $500 radiator for a toy, plus then having to pay someone to modify it with a long custom made filler neck to fit a cab 11 Chev.
Had to keep the project going, so...

Looked around at my shop and found a couple of nice late '70's Jaguar XJ6 radiators up in the attic. I used to install lots of small block Chev V-8's in these cars back in the '90's using a locally made kit, and saved back a couple of good radiators.....
The radiator fits very well, with a 1 1/2" upper hose and a 1 3/4" lower hose that fits my 235 exactly.
Made some side mounts for it and a custom filler neck and...

disclaimer: no actual CMP parts were harmed in the installation of this radiator.

Thanks, David

David DeWeese · #2 21-11-11, 03:42

Refurbished the headlight hardware this weekend also.
Had only the bare original headlight buckets to work with. The headlight bezels and inner holders I used are from a '40-'42 1/2 ton Dodge WC military truck, and fit without any modifications.
Used hardware store copper plumbing fittings to replace the missing wiring connectors on the buckets, and 14 gauge, three-wire service cord for the wiring.
If I am offending anyone with my modifications from the original equipment, please let me know.
It's either this, or leaving it to sit and rust.....
Thanks, David

The Bedford Boys · #3 21-11-11, 04:46

Excellent work. I love seeing what people come up with to tackle a problem. You have made the best of what you have and as you say, it's better to have her on the road, than in a paddock, or in storage doing nothing. You can always swap out the parts with the genuine article if you happen to stumble across them.

Keep up the good work

Bob Carriere · #4 21-11-11, 04:59

Kudos on both the radiator and the headlights....... keep it running that's the spirit.

The wiring you did looks the part and is probably better and more dependable than the original arrangement.

The secret is making sure you do not chop off good parts in the process so that if you happen to stumble on the original parts you can always redo it..... but I doubt that would be necessary.

Cab 11 can be nasty to source parts for.......

Bob

cletrac (RIP) · #5 21-11-11, 05:31

Here's a factory photo of the thumb screws. In the spare parts list it says trucks before serial # ending with 4001 had the thumb screw type hood. My C8 with cab vents is serial # 2673 so it falls in that range. I think over 4001 was the hinged hood on the cab 12. The three cab 11 hoods I have (Who says cab 11 parts are hard to find?) have spring clips on the rear held on by those two back bolts so you slide the hood back towards the windshield then put the two thumbscrews in the front.

gordon · #6 21-11-11, 09:26

Far better to have it up and running as long as everything is reversible.

Even if you did find the correct bits at the right price it is easier to recondition them and just swap them onto a running vehicle I"m sure.

Gordon

still at work ( yawn )

Ganmain Tony · #7 21-11-11, 09:36

David, your thread is one of my favourites. Reading about how your overcoming every obstacle to getting her on the road is something everyone on this forum can learn from.

These things are meant to be driven and driving them is enjoying them. Believe me they are bloody good fun to drive.

Outstanding effort with the lights and Radiator

. Did I mention your tenacity and commitment to the task is inspiring as well? No?

Your commitment to the task is inspiring as well

Full Marks from me

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #8 21-11-11, 11:44

Hi David - what you are doing is crisis management field modifications. This happened with these vehicles throughout their military service and whatever the military could source they used. Yours are just latter day contingencies using available materials. These modifications would make interesting reading on your accompanying story board.

Bob

David DeWeese · #9 23-11-11, 04:32

Thanks everyone for the kind words and encouragement!
I am aware that this project has unfortunately turned into a "resto-mod". That was certainly not my original intention.
I am very fortunate, however, to be a part of a forum whose members strive for historical accuracy on their own restorations, but also understand or at least tolerate those who take a different path in getting their trucks on the road again.

I probably would be tarred and feathered on any other MV forum...

Thanks again! David

Phil Waterman · #10 23-11-11, 23:28

Hi David

In no way should you feel your efforts are not a restoration. For they are most definitely are a restoration the CMP in spirit. For in looking at the history of the birth of CMP concept, they where very much making do with what parts could be found at hand.

I've got three CMPs and only one has any claim on being an "original" truck and it has collected its share of later replacement parts. The other two the best you can say about them is CMPs with locally supplied bodies.

Keep up the good work, just remember to tell people the 327 Corvette engine is not stock, but come to think of it the first Corvettes had engines not far descended from those used in Chevy CMPs.

Cheers Phil