1941 Chevy G-4112 restoration

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forestry4evr
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1941 Chevy G-4112 restoration

Post by forestry4evr » Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:52 am

Hello all,

Well she is finally home! After nearly 4 months since buying my 1941 YP model G4112 (DoD date February 1941), the transportation saga of this project is over. Thanks to the capable hands of Ray Patton, the truck made the 2,000+ mile trip from SW Utah to North Carolina in good order.

Having more time to inspect the truck, it seems to be in relatively original condition and for the most part complete. With the exception of a 1954 235, my intentions are a complete restoration. With parts from Bob Chell in Arizona and 2 parts trucks here in NC, I have most of the pieces for the restoration. It is currently stock for the most part with the exception of a 1978 350 and SM420 transmission. Many areas associated with the engine transplant were also altered in a somewhat crude implementation. The radiator support, support braces, most linkages and worst of all the rear motor mounts were cut and rewelded. All of these parts will be replaced.

With lots of scraping and pressure washing/degreasing last weekend the truck is most likely cleaner than it has been in 60+ years! It looks like the truck was originally OD green, air force blue, navy gray, then the current green. I have not attempted to get any unit descriptions from the hood/bumpers yet. The interior was once painted red but not the outside?

This weekend, the truck is going to be jacked up onto cinder block piers in order to safely disassemble the brake system. While rebuilding the brakes (they currently don’t work), I am going to reseal the axles.

I am counting on everyone’s collective knowledge to help me bring this 72 year old girl back to her former glory!

Paul


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Last edited by forestry4evr on Sun Aug 06, 2017 5:28 am, edited 2 times in total.
1941 G4112 Chevrolet with Hercules dump bed


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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by Sleeve » Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:28 am

That truck looks to be worth the effort of getting it all the way to the east coast! I doubt if many of these trucks have survived that much intact after 70 some years. It looks great and I look forward to following your restoration as you post pictures of it.

Oh and your dog seems to be taking it all in stride. :mrgreen:
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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by 42cargo » Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:42 am

Hi Paul,

Congrats on getting the truck back east. I'll be looking forward to seeing photos as you start working on it. Given the production date on this truck, I'd venture to say you probably have the earliest, most complete example of the vehicle.

Quick question. You mentioned the assembly date was Feb. 1940. I'm presuming you meant 1941, correct?

From a quick search online, multiple sources indicate the 235 was introduced in 1941 as a replacement for the 216 in large trucks. Depending on exactly when that happened, your vehicle might have originally come with a 216. If that was the case, that would certainly increase your chances of getting a 216 from December '39 or Jan. '40 that could go in this truck.

John

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by Zack Magnusson » Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:23 am

Nice truck Paul. Transportation is often the biggest headache of the whole deal. Glad you got it worked out. it took me about 4 mos to get my Chevy to Alabama from Colorado.

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by forestry4evr » Sat Jul 21, 2012 4:33 am

Hey all,

Thank you all for the words of encouragement and support.

I think this truck is worthy of a quality restoration. I am certain it will take time and persistence. The transportation part was a personal test of patience.

Yes Tara the dog has accepted the new truck. If you recall the old Nissan commercial slogan saying “dogs love trucks”, for her it is definitely a true statement. Unfortunately she expected it to arrive in running condition. Perhaps she will have a test of patience as well.


I don’t think any Chevy 1 ½ ton 4X4 trucks came with a 216. The early parts manual describes a 235 only, and I recall information (forgot source, some Chevy site on the internet) stating that the 235 was “new” in the military vehicle. All first run Chevy deco model trucks were released as 1941 while actual production certainly preceded that date.

Since I don’t have the original engine or transmission, I lack casting date supporting evidence. The only original window has a mid-1942 date, so it probably was replaced at some time. Are there any casting numbers on the differential/transfer case/steering box? If so, where are they? Perhaps I need to call History Detectives to do a show on this!

Zack, your truck was the very one that got me interested in these vehicles. I suppose I sat on my hands just a couple of weeks too long and you beat me to it. Jumbo looks like a great truck, and it has true provenance. You are fortunate to have that truck, I hope you conserve it well.

Paul
Last edited by forestry4evr on Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1941 G4112 Chevrolet with Hercules dump bed

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by 42cargo » Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:14 pm

Hi Paul,

I took a look at my Chevrolet civilian parts book today regarding the engine block. (The version I have runs from 1929 to 1949.)

It confirms the 235 block was introduced for the Y series trucks in 1941. Y was classified that year as 1.5 ton regular chassis or cab-over, of different lengths.

I think I remember my dad saying Chevrolet started selling the '41s in October or November of 1940. I don't know how long the lead time was on block casting, but I'm guessing they must have started making the 235s in August of 1940 or thereabouts.

I realize this information isn't particularly helpful, but I thought I'd throw it out there to see if anyone comes up with a block in this range for you.

John

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by retro-roco » Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:34 pm

Paul, John,

I just got back today, to find a new book in my mailbox. It is the Chevrolet Master Parts Price List, and is a supplement for 4 x 4 1 1/2 ton trucks, 1941-1942 (is actually a 1944 edition of the price list).
It confirms exactly what John indicated above. It lists parts, very much like an SNL G506, but differentiates between those parts which are common with civilian 1-1/2 ton trucks, and those which are unique.

Under group 0.000 engines it says:

"All detail parts of engines used on all 4x4 vehicles are the same as those used in Chevrolet regular heavy duty (235 cubic inch piston displacement) engines shown in the Master Parts Price List as "(235 engine) 1941 - Model Y", or "(235 engine) - 1942 - Model "M", except for those few special parts used exclusively on the 4x4 vehicles as listed in the groups immediately below." Most unique parts listed are external bolt on parts such as engine mounting brackets, fan, water pump, oil pan, radiator, etc.

I was a little disappointed that there were few new unique illustrations, but soon realized the wealth of information presented concerning civilian part compatibility....
Kirk Gustafson
359th Infantry Regt. 90th Div. WWII HRS

1942 Chevy G506 1-1/2 ton 4x4 Cargo
1943 Ben Hur water trailer

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by forestry4evr » Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:22 am

Yesterday I started working towards getting the hubs off the truck. I decided to clean up the drums/hubs before disassembly as they were covered in bearing destroying oily sand. A 15 minute job took most of the afternoon. After backing off the brake adjusters, 1 wheel rotates freely while the other 3 turn but have resistance. I haven’t tried to get the hubs off yet, but from past experience on old vehicles this can be difficult. Any words of wisdom?

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As for properly determining the age of this machine, what do you make of the serial number description sent in an earlier post? Are there any date castings on other iron foundry parts, and if so where? Unfortunately the 6 wheels on this truck are a mixture of dates. Two are stamped ‘40’, two ‘42’ one ‘44’ and one ‘45’. All are military, and I would assume the first two are original. The two later year rims were once painted red with silver trim so I would assume they came from a donor fire truck. All look in good shape, but they don’t definitely help me in properly determining the age of this truck.

Kirk, good to hear that you have a reference for civy/military parts interchange. Is the transmission the same as a civy? Also how about other drivetrain parts interchangeability?

Paul
1941 G4112 Chevrolet with Hercules dump bed

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by retro-roco » Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:18 am

The transmission parts are all listed with an "*", indicating they are essentially "civilian" parts. The transfer case, conversely, has nearly all "military only" parts. The rear axle internals are "civilian", while the axle housing, hubs, backing plates etc are "military". the front axle, knuckles, etc, are not surprisingly all "military only". Rear brake hardware are "civilian", while the front brake hardware is nearly all "military"...
Kirk Gustafson
359th Infantry Regt. 90th Div. WWII HRS

1942 Chevy G506 1-1/2 ton 4x4 Cargo
1943 Ben Hur water trailer

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by 42cargo » Tue Jul 24, 2012 2:05 pm

Hi Paul,

When you have the chance, could you post a close-up photo of the rear helper spring stoppers? I'm curious if they are cast or stamped. I've always thought the early trucks had cast and the later ones stamped, and I'd be interested to see if your truck confirms this or not.

Thanks,

John

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by 40 Chevy » Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:24 pm

Paul;
Stricyly going by your bed, you have an early dump, your bed is the same as my 1940. Open stake pockets, angled supports on the outside of the bed. Also your tailgate only pivots from the bottom, unlike the later dumps that pivoted from the top and bottom, however, since their were a few bed manufactures, some early dumps had tailgates that pivoted top and bottom. The data plate for my bed is missing. Your hoist should be HERCULES or PERFECTION. Also your truck should have civilian gauges. I see your fuel filler neck has the block of wood on the attachment point. You have the early grille. Is your battery under the passenger floorboard? If so your truck probably did not originally come with a hydrovac booster.

John G
1940 G4112
1942 G509 969A
1942 G116 series 2
1944 G116 series 5
1942 Sterling HC 165 tractor
1944 Autocar U7144T

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by forestry4evr » Wed Jul 25, 2012 3:06 am

John,

I was hoping you would post, as your truck looks the closest in age to mine. This truck does have the battery under the floor, no hydrovac, has civy guages, and the tailgate pivots only at the bottom. The bed is a Hurcules, and fortunately I have both ID plates. I can send you an image of the plates if you are interested in making reproductions.

Is your truck a YP model? If so, would you be willing to post the serial number and describe how you interpret the 4th an 5th digits?

Thanks,

Paul
1941 G4112 Chevrolet with Hercules dump bed

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by 40 Chevy » Wed Jul 25, 2012 3:32 am

Paul;

I will have to get my serial number later today. I have the HERCULES data plate on the rear of the hoist frame, but I am missing the body tag for the bed. It should be attached to the left front corner of the bed


John G
1940 G4112
1942 G509 969A
1942 G116 series 2
1944 G116 series 5
1942 Sterling HC 165 tractor
1944 Autocar U7144T

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by 42cargo » Wed Jul 25, 2012 3:19 pm

Hi John,

Do you still have that early 235 that you pulled from a '40 or '41? I remember it was too early for my application, but it might be of use to Paul.

John

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Re: G-4112 restoration

Post by 40 Chevy » Wed Jul 25, 2012 5:55 pm

No I do not
1940 G4112
1942 G509 969A
1942 G116 series 2
1944 G116 series 5
1942 Sterling HC 165 tractor
1944 Autocar U7144T


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