1953 M37

[52 M-42]

Thank you very much, f18hornetm! That is great information to have. I have the original filter these trucks were equipped with, but I've wanted something more modern (better) with out sacrificing the proper "look". Those filters look great and have the bleed valve on the bottom which is nice.

Thanks again for the information!

52 M-42

[F18hornetm]

Oh your very welcome. I have learned tons from posts and ideas on here. Its a pain to take pictures and post them but I've picked up so much information from this web site its well worth the trouble.
So, thanks to everyone !!

Question: has any one seen front fender, rear mounts anywhere?? Its the formed angle iron part that bolts to the frame bracket then to the fender. Both sides are very rusted and need replacing. Have an idea for making new ones but if were available would consider cost vs time making them.

[T. Highway]

Nice progress on the truck. I agree with not using the Teflon tape, I have found many tape worms causing problems in hydraulic systems over the years.

Look in our Swap Meet section, I've seen plenty of trucks getting parted out lately.
If you can't find them there I would call VPW or MWM for the brackets that you are looking for. I saw a couple of good ones on Flea bay a while back but I don't know if they are still for sale.

Bert

[F18hornetm]

Thanks for info about swap meet. Haven't looked there yet. I need to call those guys for a few other things so I will ask them as well. I can make them but would have to be 2 piece I think. Its a basic 90 deg bend, like angle iron, but its curved and varying widths. But if reasonably priced not worth a couple hours making them.

[F18hornetm]

Had engine running today. Made some new fuel lines and mounted some new breakers on the fire wall. Only wiring so far is starter to battery and 24v to regulator. I just ran jumper to dist, to get it running so I can move it around. Hopefully tomorrow will make heat shield for fuel pump. Old fuel line ran right next to exhaust manifold so I made new one and gave it plenty of room. Will try to post some pics tomorrow of breakers and fuel lines. After heat shield I think I'll work on parking brake band. After that [except for wiring] everything under truck will be done mechanically.

[F18hornetm]

Made a heat shield for the fuel pump today from 14ga sheet metal. Also re-routed and made new fuel line further away from exhaust. Mounted 2 new breakers on firewall inside engine compartment instead of a single one under dash as original.

[F18hornetm]

Worked on re-lining parking brake today. Got new linings and rivets. Linings did not come drilled for rivets so came up with a way for that. Cleaned off old lining and glass beaded/painted steel band. Rivets need to be countersunk. Clamped linings to shoe and drilled hole size of rivet through metal shoe into linings. Then put linings on drill press, and used drill bit the size of the head of the rivet to counter sink. Clamped lining in drill press and inserted a piece of square tubing under the lining, but narrower than the lining. This allowed the clamp to hold the lining and the square tubing created a consistent height. Drilled half the thickness of the lining for rivet head. Found best way to set rivets was clamp a long punch in the vise the size of the rivet head. Then using ball peen hammer set the rivets. Went pretty easy and will install band back on drum tomorrow

[F18hornetm]

Couple more pictures on in the drill press vise and setting the rivets

[T. Highway]

Very nice job on the heat shield and gas line routing.

I know that when I did my parking brake lining, I needed a second pair of hands to help balance things while I set the rivets. Great job and thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

Bert

[F18hornetm]

Thanks a lot and yes would have been much easier with second set of hands. Dogs aren't much use...
Got a little more done today. Installed the parking brake band and adjusted up. Had to make one of the adjustment screws as old was wore out and found a compression spring that would work under the anchor bolt. Had to make that too as old bolt was wore out and loose, so drilled the head of a new bolt for the safety wire.
Made the front fender rear mounts. The long ones. Will work on the fender mount to frame bracket tomorrow maybe. Little heavier than what is needed. I measured the old brackets at 3/16" but I had some 1/4" in the right width. Could have used 1/8" probably. I bent the first piece to match the contour of the old bracket. Then laid on top of flat bar and traced. Cut out with plasma cutter. Then I cut all the all the slots for bolts holes and then welded the two pieces together. Where the seam is will rust so will fill in with seam sealer before painting. No real reason to weld the whole length.

[F18hornetm]

2 more pics

[F18hornetm]

Moved a little further along today. Made the front fender rear mount, frame brackets today and the inner fender tabs and got all painted up.

[F18hornetm]

Learned something yesterday about the parking brake release button. It does NOT screw on. It has a very small roll pin in it well hidden by 61 years of paint. Pair of pliers and I easily twisted it off. Didn't want to wait and order new one so cut rod back an inch from roll pin hole and tig'd a piece of 3/16" cold rolled in its place. Drilled new roll pin hole and reassembled. Also found out that teeth on rack are hard. A file wouldn't touch them. Used a 3/32 cut off wheel in die grinder to dress them all up. Works well now with nice sharp clicks or ratcheting action. Just thought I would mention my mistake so if any of you guys run into it, you wont do the same thing.

[T. Highway]

Very nice looking fab job on the brackets.

Bert

[Cal_Gary]

Nice progress on the truck. I agree with not using the Teflon tape, I have found many tape worms causing problems in hydraulic systems over the years.

Look in our Swap Meet section, I've seen plenty of trucks getting parted out lately.
If you can't find them there I would call VPW or MWM for the brackets that you are looking for. I saw a couple of good ones on Flea bay a while back but I don't know if they are still for sale.

Bert

Yep nice brackets! By the way Bert, I'm the guy who bought those on eBay-about 18 months ago, and they sure are hard to find!
Gary