Day 67 - 28 Chev Ute Restoration (14th November 2015)

Very happy with the progress made today.

New bearings were pressed onto the tailshaft, pinion and then the whole setup was fitted and locked with a split pin

Next task was cleaning out the old congealed grease and muck from inside the torque tube. This is where an extension for the rotary wire brush and an extension for the extension comes in handy

The diff adjustment threads were cleaned as was the gasket face.

A liberal spraying with degreaser followed by a high pressure wash left the inside of the torque tube as clean as a whistle

Day 66 - 28 Chev Ute Restoration (13th November 2015)

Sometimes a lot of work can go into something with not a lot to show for it, but very important all the same.

Stripping, cleaning and reassembling the differential carrier is one of them.

Over the last few nights I measured, checked and selected the best internals of 4 diffs. Side gears were ok, but replaced the spider gears and shafts with ones with less wear.

All parts were wire brushed, soaked in petrol for 24 hours to dislodge any stubborn grease and grim, pressure washed, then the whole process repeated.

 The carrier was reassembled, shims were fitted behind the side gears to reduce slop, 20 thou on the crown wheel side, 10 thou on the other side.

New bearings were fitted and the diff was put into the cupboard for a few days till the torque tube and tailshaft are ready.

Tomorrow we tackle the tailshaft, torque tube housing and pinion.

Day 65 - 28 Chev Ute Restoration (9th November 2015)

Today was about sorting out a good tailshaft, crown wheel and pinion.

The original ute crown wheel has been replaced at some stage, and with new carrier bearings will be very serviceable.

For the 3rd time in my 43 years working on 1928 Chevs, I will try my luck at using a mixed crown wheel and pinion, as the ute pinion has a chipped tooth.

As a 20 year old I was told by several old timers, that using a mixed crown wheel and pinion will either lap in, but most probably not, and will get progressively worse, turning into a howl.

I am prepared to try it again as I got away with it in 73 and 97 on the Red Chev, and if not I have a couple of new sets that can be put in.

I swapped a 29 tailshaft for this 28 with Steve from Bittern, which is in very good condition.

The pinion taper is ok as is the key way, sharp edges with no spreading.

The uni joint spline is very good with only the slightest hint of wear.

The tailshaft bush surface is very good, and with a new Billy Possum Tailshaft bush left over from the Red Chev 2007 restoration, all is well here also.

I am a big fan of Billy Possum, their parts are first class, and I have never had any dramas

The next few days should see the diff, torque tube housing and tail shaft become a combined unit.

Day 64 - 28 Chev Ute Restoration (7th November 2015)

Today was all about steering and brakes, sorting out what parts I have, what are good and what need to be sent out for machining or relining.

Stripped 2 steering boxes, should be able to make 1 good one from the 2 with a bit of machining

 

 

 Front brake shoes, rear brake bands inner and outer will be sent away for relining

 

The front brake actuators are not too bad but will need the original die cast blocks that hold in he brass adjustment nut replaced.

 

 The four chassis mounted brake rod hangers are in very good condition. This is a set I purchased from the States back in 2009. Never under estimate the importance of spare parts.

Day 63 - 28 Chev Ute Restoration (3rd November 2015)

Today we have steering, well ................. we have 2 wheels connected and waiting for the drag link and steering column, but man what a struggle it was to get this far.

I decided to do the steering with the original open tie rod ends, and once on the road will convert to the modern type tie rod ends as per the Red Chev.

As a slight diversion thought I would fit tie rod ends that looked the same but had a factory fitted grease nipple and multiple split pin mounting holes.

Seemed like a good idea.

MISTAKE...... opening for the tie rod ball was about 20mm further out, which resulted in no possible chance of aligning the wheels, as there was not enough adjustment because the tie rod was too long with the different tie rod ends.

After about 3 hours of mucking around trying to get the tie rod thread further into the tie rod end, chucked them both in the corner and very quickly fitted standard tie rod ends.

Alignment done, job finished, wheels aligned, lesson learned.

If I wanted to fit the "non standard" tie rod ends, I would need to cut the tie rod back about 25mm on each end.

All is well, job done, peace has returned to the restoration shed.

At last I catch up with the man from Tallahasse

I have known Jerry from Florida for the last few years but we have never spoken a word. All our conversations up until now have has been by emails or facebook.

Tonight for the first time, using Skype we were able to chat face to face, planning my visit to see him and his wife Linda in January, when we will be in the States to visit my son and daughter in-law on the occasion of  the birth of their fist child due early in the month..

Jerry is another Chev man, and has a beautiful 1928 Chev truck, which I affectionately call  "The Green Jalopy"

You can see the full story on the Green Jalopy at

http://jerrys1928greenchevtruck.blogspot.com.au/?zx=243debe5cc3380c4

Day 62 - 28 Chev Ute Restoration (2nd November 2015)

Brake backing plates and steering parts, primed and with two coats of full gloss black, ready to be fitted tomorrow.