Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "ALLEY OOP"

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Dave M38A1
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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by Dave M38A1 » Mon Jun 01, 2015 1:42 am

That is just too cool! This is a family project which will have lasting memories. What a great restoration.
I'm enjoying this thread, the history, the restoration process, and just seeing the life long memories being made.

Thanks for posting your restoration.

Dave
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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Mon Jun 01, 2015 2:35 pm

cooler king wrote:Thought i would pass this information. In your bottom photo the counter shaft gear assembly the one on top, in the tub . The 2 groves identifys the low gear ratio as 7.06 to 1 and the reverse ratio is 6.98 to 1 . Information from TM 10-1431 a later tm i have does not show this information.

Are these the grooves you are talking about?

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Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by cooler king » Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:54 pm

Yes those are the grooves.Three gears are involved to get that ratio. Early trucks did not have the grooves, different ratio. Probably civy. gearing. G-506 has grooves.

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Tue Jun 02, 2015 6:41 pm

Well, I did my chores for the week and the wife let me escape to the truck. Got a decent amount done. Finished removing all the front end sheet metal. Got the grill, radiator and radiator support out. Took the hood off, and started working towards removing the doors of the cab. I removed about 20lbs of dirt from the truck, and moved the boom poles out of the truck(OY VEY!) Might not look like a lot, but i was proud of the work.

And now.........Engine Compartment Porn.

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Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by cooler king » Wed Jun 03, 2015 6:18 am

Its great how every thing on the firewall is pretty much intacked. I noticed the oil can holder is missing. It was located right where some one ran the heater hoses threw the firewall.You can see the outline in the paint where it once resided. Perhaps it got tossed into one of the compartments? or under the seat?

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by forestry4evr » Fri Jun 05, 2015 2:08 am

Chad,

Thanks for taking the time to post pictures. It seems as though your radio suppressed truck still has all of the grounding straps and nearly all of the suppressors. What is the date of manufacture on this truck? I also noticed that your oil filter bracket has clutch head screws...all I have seen are slotted. I hope you are not discarding all of the original hardware.

Have you started the engine yet? With the exception of the Rochester carburetor, the engine looks to have all of the original components.

Look forward to future episodes where you show us the PTO and winch mechanicals. The inside of those pole setter and auger trucks have so many levers sprouting up through the floor, they look more like farm/industrial machines than trucks.

I hope you are enjoying your project.

Paul
1941 G4112 Chevrolet with Hercules dump bed

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Tue Jun 09, 2015 4:37 pm

So the transmission saga is looking to be over. Forestry4evr hand carried my "new" transmission from NC to Virginia and handed it off to a buddy of mine in Richmond who then brought it to me in PA. It took me about 5 minutes to strip it down to the case and it will be degreased and bead blasted before being built up.

Transmission Case donor...disassembled.
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Lesson learned for the day:
If you want transmission internals: get a case above the freeze line where the case will crack draining all the water and saving the gears.
If you want a case: Go south, young man, where the case will fill with water and rust the internals beyond use but not freeze thus saving the case.

Still making progress and still moving forward!
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by D.R.H. » Tue Jun 09, 2015 8:01 pm

Looks like you are making headway with a full head of steam Chad. Well done! Question for you, will you be painting the inside of your case G.M. Orange to denote the fact that your trans. has been rebuilt? This is a common practice.
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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Wed Jun 10, 2015 3:46 am

Sgt. Hancock wrote:Looks like you are making headway with a full head of steam Chad. Well done! Question for you, will you be painting the inside of your case G.M. Orange to denote the fact that your trans. has been rebuilt? This is a common practice.
I never knew that, looks like I need to get a can of GM Orange.
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Wed Jun 10, 2015 5:53 pm

Went over to the shop today with my apprentice and we degreased and bead blasted the transmission components. Tomorrow, i will begin the reassembly phase of the transmission. I will attempt to do a step by step photo essay on the build up.

And now the pictures!!!

The case going into the Cabinet
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The case primed.
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Its good to have a minion!!
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She did most of the blasting, I did the painting.
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AND Clean up.
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Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Jun 10, 2015 6:24 pm

I saw the spark plug and thought you had an afterburner. :wink:
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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Thu Jun 11, 2015 3:38 am

Ben Dover wrote:I saw the spark plug and thought you had an afterburner. :wink:

Shhhhhhh! I don't want everyone to know Joel, its my secret weapon when I take her to the track.
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Thu Jun 11, 2015 3:39 am

Paul,
DOD of the truck is December 1943
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006

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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by forestry4evr » Fri Jun 12, 2015 2:24 am

Your daughter is no minion at all as she appears to enjoy working with you. I have never seen anyone smile while media blasting...I sure don't.
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Re: Chevy K-43 Signal Corps Telephone Truck "Abner"

Post by 33rdsignal » Sat Jun 13, 2015 10:36 am

Well i am back with the Photo Essay i promised on the transmission rebuild....the photos aren't complete as my little helper got lured away to go play with her friends. So anyway here we go, and i hope this helps some people with there rebuilds. (Sgt. Hancock, i failed you on the GM Orange...I couldnt find any local and i was too impatient to order some.) The reference used was TM 10-1557 Chapter 07-4 "Reassembling the Transmission" Steps 1-7


So we started with the blasted and primed case and parts
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Then we inserted the Countershaft front bearing and retainer. I coated the mating surface of the retainer with indianhead shellac, I then tapped it flush with the case. All the bearing were soaked in light engine oil prior to assembly.
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Next the Countershaft was installed.
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Followed by the Countershaft thrust washer and rear bearing.
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Next the Rear Bearing retainer and gasket was installed to check for Countershaft end play.
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Next the Idler Gear and shaft went in. As a note here, you should measure you Idler Gear Bushings and replace them if needed....luckily mine were within tolerance(Hooray!!)
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Pay particular attention to the flat machined surface on the shaft.
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Install the Idler Shaft from rear to front
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And this is what it should look like so far.
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Next went in the Clutch Gear, Bearing and Bearing Retainer.....and this is where my camera girl left me, but i did get pictures of all the components and there stack ups....So enjoy

The front bearing retainer in place
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The rear retainer and yoke in place
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The clutch gear and spline shaft with sliding gears in place
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The proper stack up of the clutch gear. Pay particular attention to the Oil Slinger and insure it is installed in the correct direction. It should Angle away from the Bearing and towards the gear.
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The Spline Shaft with spline shaft pilot bearing. The pilot bearing is installed in the clutch gear.
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The sliding gears This is the stack up. Note, the sliding gear shifter grooves are facing each other.
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A NOS gasket kit as well as Indianhead Shellac was used to button it all up
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AND that all the picture i have...my hands were too messy and i couldnt take pictures and work at the same time. But if one wanted to rebuild a transmission, I was able to get the gasket set for $15, all the NOS bearings for $100 and the NOS rear oil seal for $35. If it weren't for the cost of the new transmission case, the rebuild would have been pretty cheap in the long run.
Chad Phillips
33rd Signal Construction Battalion
https://www.facebook.com/33rdSignal

1943 Chevy K-43 (G7173)
1944 Truck Engineering Corp. 1 Ton Trailer (Wood)
1942 Dodge WC-52
1942 Willys MB

15T UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief, US Army 2000-2006


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