New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by signsup » Tue Nov 28, 2017 2:33 pm

Just thinking out loud here, but on a Model T that I have, the previous owner had a 12v batter in the 6v system, but had a resistor wired into a terminal block. The 12v went direct to the starter for fast starts (jury out on how much stess that puts on bendix and spring and ring gear) but everything else "downstream" of the terminal block got 6v like the lights and horn. Thre are no gages but the ampmeter and it stays correct regardless of volts.

So I may look into keeping the 12v starter and alternator, but resistorizing the gages and lights to keep them 6v.

While I got you... what are those fasteners called that attach the brush guard. It feels like a rivet head to me, round, not hex, a star washer to get good ground for the ground straps to the frame, and a nut. But the head feels like some sort of hourglass or black widow type slot in the head for a fastener tool. New to me. Don't know if it shows up in the ground strap remnant brush guard photo at the top of this thread, but I want to know what sort of tool I need to remove and replace them. Am I making any sense?
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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by signsup » Tue Nov 28, 2017 2:37 pm

It is my understanding that no G506's had a heater, either factory or field mod during the war. Is that a fair statement? This unit did have a CD unit sticker on the windshield and was used at a civilian airport, so I'm presuming the heater was added post war, but probably still late 4o's or early to mid 50's. And, probably still 6v. I'm also guessing that someone tried to run it on 12v and fried it.
But it will be a neat rainy day project to go through it.
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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by forestry4evr » Tue Nov 28, 2017 3:55 pm

The fastener is called a "clutch head", seems to be a Chevrolet thing in both the military and civilian worlds. Some trucks had clutch head screws in different places than others depending on the year of production. Straight slotted screws were also used for sheet metal, mostly 1/4 fasteners if not clutch head. I have a parts truck that seems original that has clutch head fasteners on the passenger side fender and slotted on the drivers side...one of life's mysteries.

You may be committed to 12 volt due to your later model engine. Chevy went 12 volt in 1954 or 55, and the starter and flywheel are functionally different than the 6 volt versions. Converting to 12 volt is a slippery slope as many other components will need to be replaced or stepped down.

No G506's with the exception of perhaps some rare arctic versions had heaters from the factory. Installation of post war aftermarket heaters was quite popular especially in the cold climates, but there are military era depot add on heaters. I find the heat from the engine quite adequate in North Carolina.
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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by 1943Willysgpw » Wed Nov 29, 2017 6:30 am

forestry4evr wrote:
Tue Nov 28, 2017 3:55 pm
The fastener is called a "clutch head", seems to be a Chevrolet thing in both the military and civilian worlds. Some trucks had clutch head screws in different places than others depending on the year of production. Straight slotted screws were also used for sheet metal, mostly 1/4 fasteners if not clutch head. I have a parts truck that seems original that has clutch head fasteners on the passenger side fender and slotted on the drivers side...one of life's mysteries.

This is correct. I had to buy a set of screwdrivers for my 1948 Chevy pickup and panel truck. You will notice the drivers fender for my 1945 that was just getting started when I took this picture.
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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by johnwaz » Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:26 am

I've been told the 6 volt starter will work fine on 12 Volts. I'm converting mine to 12 Volt because my truck has been converted to a Wrecker, so to run more lighting and accessories it'll be easier than overtaxing an already limited 6 Volt generator. I've been looking into voltage convertors to where you can run 6 volts to the original stuff that needs it, and still get the benefits of running more modern 12 Volt ignition and lighting. I'm in the same boat you are, the truck has enough of the "factory correct" parts missing or changed to where it's not feasible to do a "Concours" type of restoration, but it will still be enjoyed by yourself, and all who sees it "out and about" as the cool old truck it is.

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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by 1943Willysgpw » Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:44 am

The starter will work fine. The field coils, brushes and armature pathways in those are huge plus by increasing the voltage (electrical pressure), the amperage (which causes heat) will be lowered. Voltage X amperage = Wattage (Power). The increased voltage will actually make it spin the motor faster and start quicker which causes less "wear and tear". However, you are correct in reducing the voltage for other components.
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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by signsup » Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:08 am

Ordered my set of clutch head sockets so I will have them disassembly. I want to take one off and clean it up a little and pass it around our affiliate meeting in January. I'm sure half the guys know exactly what it is and half the guys will have never heard or seen of one, like me. I've ordered the complete bundle of manuals as well.

Merry Christmas to me!

ps, there is a G506 on eBay right now from a guy in AL. Not factory class, by his own admission, but I'm saving the photos and video for a frame of reference.

Man, the tires for this thing are expensive! My truck came with three extra wheels and I was toying with the idea of mounting up a spare tire and two extra wheels for front duals, just for a display or two, not for driving around, since I had the wheels anyway. Don't know if I need special lug studs, one thread I read said they will just bolt on the existing front hub. But at $260 a tire plus tube and maybe a flap, it's a chunk of change. I see someone is selling current military tires in the 9.00 x 20 size that should fit the wheels and they are used take offs or new for less than $100 each, but they are in Phil, PA and I'd have to make a road trip.

What do you guys run for tires?
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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by johnwaz » Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:40 am

Thru ebay I found a guy in Kentucky who bobbed an M35A2 and sold me all 10 of his decent used 9.00 x 20 tires with rims. They're the same Budd 6 lug bolt pattern as the G506, but the wheels are wider for the wider tires. I figure I have 6 good tires and 4 spares, tho I don't know if they'll clear the rear wheel arches in the wrecker body yet, as I've had other projects going myself. I'd be a little leary of mounting 9.00 x 20's on the stock G506 wheels, (especially with them being split rims) as there is quite a difference in width from the rim to the tire. Just my $0.02.

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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by signsup » Wed Nov 29, 2017 3:23 pm

John, do you think your tire and wheel set up will fit on the stock dual lugs? I would think a wider wheel, unless the offset makes up for it, would need longer lug studs to accomidate both wheels.
But a wheel and tire set up might work for me as well. Or just keep scratching off lottery tickets!
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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by kelley » Wed Nov 29, 2017 3:47 pm

The stock M35 wheels and 9x20 tires bolt up just fine, no issue with that. The problem I had was when turning left, the LF tire rubbed on the leaf spring, M35 rims have a deeper offset than the WWII Budd rims. I've read on this site of other guys using 9x20's on WWII Budd rims without any clearance problems.
9x20's are cheap and plentiful compared to 7.50x20's.
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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by 42cargo » Wed Nov 29, 2017 3:50 pm

As far as I know, mounting duals on the front is just like mounting them on the back. On my truck, I fastened nuts to the lugs, which is how I think they came from the factory.

Image

Sorry, I don't have a better photo of this, but try zooming in on the front wheel and you'll see what I mean.

Sincerely,

John

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Re: New To Me G506 Cargo 12/42 What Do I Have?

Post by johnwaz » Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:12 am

Yes, to run duals on the front, they use the same 2 part lug nut setup as on the rear axle. I had heard of the wheel clearance problem in the front, so If I have to, I'll make a spacer for the front, or just be careful on tight turns.


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