Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

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Tankdriver
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by Tankdriver » Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:09 pm

BATMOBILE1 wrote:
Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:49 am
I wish i could weld,would make things a lot easier.

Got the inner tubes and flaps in today so i have 3 wheels all made up ready to go once i finish the front steering and brakes.or maybe i swap over the rear wheels and strip them down ready for blasting,just worried about jacking the rear up when the front end is on axle stands..could go horribly wrong.

Started to sand the front end down ready for spraying,and taken all the old fuel / brake pipes off and the old wiring.

Had to hammer the brake pedal off the armature the thing had seized ,so I'm now looking for a new bushing for that.That was hard work..

Will add some pictures later.
I'm a certified welder on Nuclear Reactors (Chicago Bridge and Iron). If you'll pay transportation, I'll weld it for free...... :D
1943 WC63...1942 M3 Autocar...1944 M3A1 Diamond T...1942 57mm Anti-Tank

Have owned...M5A1 Stuart

Have Restored...M20

MVPA Member...President West TN Military Vehicle Collectors... https://wtmvc.shutterfly.com/


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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by BATMOBILE1 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:36 am

Thanks for the offer Tankdriver,lol,

I'm thinking i will try welding it myself,I've been looking at different types of welding machines,mainly mig welders ,not sure if my garage electrical circuit will hold up to it though i will have to check first.
94 locating Regt RA,57 Bty B troop 1982-1985.
32 Heavy Regt RA,57 Bty D droop 1985-1990.
M38 1952 ,restoration project
Dodge 1/2 ton WC-24 Chassis WC-6 body..combo.
Dodge 1951 M43 ,SOLD
Harley Davidson WLA.type IV. SOLD

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Tankdriver
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by Tankdriver » Sat Jul 22, 2017 7:39 pm

It's simply one thing to do.......

Get it and Practice ......Practice .....Practice

Well that's 2 things, but you get the idea. The more you do it, the better you'll get.

Save your 1st weld where you can see how much better your getting as you go along.
1943 WC63...1942 M3 Autocar...1944 M3A1 Diamond T...1942 57mm Anti-Tank

Have owned...M5A1 Stuart

Have Restored...M20

MVPA Member...President West TN Military Vehicle Collectors... https://wtmvc.shutterfly.com/

BATMOBILE1
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by BATMOBILE1 » Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:45 am

Hi been a while since i posted anything here,I've been away camping at the War and Peace show here in the U.K. very good show but a bit on the wet side..
IMG_2635.JPG
War and peace rain BBQ
IMG_2635.JPG (166.16 KiB) Viewed 7495 times
IMG_2636.JPG
Huey back
IMG_2636.JPG (183.14 KiB) Viewed 7495 times
IMG_2629.JPG
Having a beer at the bar
IMG_2629.JPG (134.35 KiB) Viewed 7495 times
Bought some very nice paint from Jeffrey Engineering,probably the closest colour match to the original Matt paint from WWII..
IMG_2646.JPG
Matt paint job
IMG_2646.JPG (72.09 KiB) Viewed 7495 times
IMG_2645.JPG
running board new paint,Jeffrey Engineering Matt
IMG_2645.JPG (90.03 KiB) Viewed 7495 times
Sold my chassis after taking what i needed,so my garage isnt so cramped any more,I've had the wings and inner splash shields in for blasting started to look at the starter and brake master cylinder ,and started to re-enstall the front wheels,so i have been busy .
Had a look at the oil dip stick on the spare engine,i think someone had to repair it a few times LOL...
IMG_2644.JPG
oil dip stick
IMG_2644.JPG (115.98 KiB) Viewed 7495 times
94 locating Regt RA,57 Bty B troop 1982-1985.
32 Heavy Regt RA,57 Bty D droop 1985-1990.
M38 1952 ,restoration project
Dodge 1/2 ton WC-24 Chassis WC-6 body..combo.
Dodge 1951 M43 ,SOLD
Harley Davidson WLA.type IV. SOLD

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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by 70th Division » Tue Aug 08, 2017 5:22 am

Hello ,

Great pictures ,
You are making super progress, and that bar looks nice as well !
The paint color is very good looking.

Keep up your great works on this Dodge,
Looking forward to your progress and pictures!

Ray

BATMOBILE1
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by BATMOBILE1 » Wed Aug 09, 2017 8:19 am

Cheers Ray,

Yes good colour indeed,just come back from the paint shop.im having a batch of engine paint made up for me,taken from the breather tube of the side of the engine,its a sort of mid to light grey,and from what i can see its been that colour from the start.
Got some 6 ton axle stands the other day,so the Command car is off its wheels and supported entirely on the stands ,so i can now concentrate on getting the axles off as well as the springs,I've managed to take the drivers side rear axle mounting clamp off the springs but the off side rear is seized good,so I've left it with penetrating oil to see if that might work,I've tried heating it up with my blow torch but that didn't work..so I'm going to get back to that later..
IMG_2658.JPG
on the axle stands
IMG_2658.JPG (107.35 KiB) Viewed 7437 times
Also picked up my wings and inner splash shields from the blasters so i can spray them green soon.
IMG_2657.JPG
Wings blasted and primed.
IMG_2657.JPG (102.78 KiB) Viewed 7437 times
Ive been going through the seat springs that Bob sent me with the truck,the front seat looks good,and is still on its original wood board ,still has some of the foam and leatheret covering,but will need replacing ..lol.
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front seat
IMG_2660.JPG (74.45 KiB) Viewed 7437 times
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Leather remains.
IMG_2662.JPG (161.3 KiB) Viewed 7437 times
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front seat profile
IMG_2661.JPG (111.9 KiB) Viewed 7437 times
The seat back springs all look the same and I've got three of them,? confused,I've measured them some are narrower on one side than the other,but I'm not sure that through use,but i suppose they could be that way for fitting to the seat back,i.e. wider at the top than the bottom?
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all three seat backs.
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seat back depth
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seat back width
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seat back thickness.
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another seat back thickness
IMG_2666.JPG (113.07 KiB) Viewed 7437 times
If someone out there can tell me what I've got i would appreciate it,and also how it all goes together,i guess the are fitted to some kind of wood board then screwed to the seat frame?
94 locating Regt RA,57 Bty B troop 1982-1985.
32 Heavy Regt RA,57 Bty D droop 1985-1990.
M38 1952 ,restoration project
Dodge 1/2 ton WC-24 Chassis WC-6 body..combo.
Dodge 1951 M43 ,SOLD
Harley Davidson WLA.type IV. SOLD

BATMOBILE1
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by BATMOBILE1 » Thu Aug 10, 2017 10:01 am

Today i managed to get the rear axle off,the mounting bracket didn't want to budge ,so i got the front spring mounting bolt out and slid the bracket over that ,then hit it a few times with the hammer and it came apart,i will be putting it back with a good amount of ant seize grease ..
IMG_2672.JPG
rear spring clamp.
IMG_2672.JPG (71.7 KiB) Viewed 7420 times
So once that was off i could start grinding the brackets someone had welded on,a lot of cutting and grinding and got this side off i still need to do the other side though..
IMG_2673.JPG
rear Bracket.
IMG_2673.JPG (63.39 KiB) Viewed 7420 times
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Front bracket
IMG_2681.JPG (63.12 KiB) Viewed 7420 times
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getting there
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front done
IMG_2682.JPG (53.89 KiB) Viewed 7420 times
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rear done
IMG_2683.JPG (54.15 KiB) Viewed 7420 times
I found what looked to be a small pile of mud on the chassis,so i knocked it off only to find it had two burrow holes in it,broke it open to find the remains of two bug shells..not sure what it was but i hope it went before it came over.
IMG_2677.JPG
bug home on chassis
IMG_2677.JPG (86.88 KiB) Viewed 7420 times
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Bug holes..!
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remains of bugs.!
IMG_2679.JPG (149.65 KiB) Viewed 7420 times
My Mig welder turned up today so i may try it out tomorrow,not sure how good i will be..watch this space..
Last edited by BATMOBILE1 on Wed Aug 23, 2017 7:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
94 locating Regt RA,57 Bty B troop 1982-1985.
32 Heavy Regt RA,57 Bty D droop 1985-1990.
M38 1952 ,restoration project
Dodge 1/2 ton WC-24 Chassis WC-6 body..combo.
Dodge 1951 M43 ,SOLD
Harley Davidson WLA.type IV. SOLD

BATMOBILE1
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Posts: 229
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Location: Hereford,U.K.

Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by BATMOBILE1 » Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:00 am

Taken the rear axle off now after a small hold up with taking the bracket off that holds the springs onto the axle,i could then get the half shaft out of the drivers side i couldn't get it out before because i had parked the truck too close to the garage wall..dohh...!
I then removed the brake drum off and found a few critters inside including a scorpion shell..yeeek..!
IMG_2685.JPG
Brake drum off
IMG_2685.JPG (82.27 KiB) Viewed 7398 times
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Scorpion shell
IMG_2686.JPG (57.54 KiB) Viewed 7398 times
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Close up of scorpion shell.
IMG_2684.JPG (135.87 KiB) Viewed 7398 times
So hopefully thats it for any more hidden creepy critters.

Having said all that i still need to get into the fuel tank to fix the rust spots..i wonder whats hiding in there..?!
94 locating Regt RA,57 Bty B troop 1982-1985.
32 Heavy Regt RA,57 Bty D droop 1985-1990.
M38 1952 ,restoration project
Dodge 1/2 ton WC-24 Chassis WC-6 body..combo.
Dodge 1951 M43 ,SOLD
Harley Davidson WLA.type IV. SOLD

70th Division
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by 70th Division » Fri Aug 18, 2017 7:04 am

Hello,
Wow great progress !!
Are you sure that Command Car wasn't in one of the great Sci-Fi movies from the 50's with all those creatures :D ?
Those mud things are built by Mud Daubers !!
You do not want them in England !
They are big wasps, that build them with spit and mud, quite effective constructors.
Very common here in Florida.
But, they and others like them put hardened mud in many orifices, open holes, fuel lines and oil lines that are
open to access.
They can build those mud adobes in air cleaners and hoses, and if one doesn't check they could break loose and go right into the engine and
ruin things with all the sand. I saw that happen on a Kubota tractor ! My friend had to rebuild with new rings, etc.
That bug residue that you see, are because they stuff the nests with captured insects.

I don't know about the seat springs, it is great you have them !!
It may be possible that the tapered, thinner side of the cushion might go on the bottom,
with the taper to the rear, then the top back cushion sets on top of it.
Modern Ford Crown Victoria rear seat bottom cushions are like that.
thinner at rear, thicker at front.

Looking great all around, keep the updates coming, greatly anticipated !!


Ray
USA

BATMOBILE1
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by BATMOBILE1 » Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:04 am

Thanks for the info on the bugs Ray,lets hope they where all gone before it was shipped .
Hopefully the seat springs will come in use when i get round to getting them recovered,it does like you say look like the narrower side would go lower down on the seat back,makes sense.
Started to strip the engine down,a lot of the valves were sticking so i used some penetrating oil on them to free them up,took the free plugs out to reveal how clogged up it was ...WOW...!
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rear fees plug hole.
IMG_2701.JPG (137.7 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
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Rear of engine block
IMG_2702.JPG (110.88 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
IMG_2699.JPG
Side rear freeze hole
IMG_2699.JPG (130.96 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
IMG_2700.JPG
Middle freeze hole
IMG_2700.JPG (150.43 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
Managed to scoop most of it out from the back freeze hole with a scrapper and a wire coat hanger.and ended up with a pile of goober on the garage floor.
IMG_2728.JPG
After cleaning
IMG_2728.JPG (99.99 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
IMG_2726.JPG
Pile of goober on the garage floor
IMG_2726.JPG (108.33 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
Drove to the Spring shop today with the springs ,I'm hoping they are going to de some magic on them,most of the bolt holes where worn oval.
IMG_2725.JPG
Front spring rear
IMG_2725.JPG (57.09 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
IMG_2724.JPG
Front end work in progress
IMG_2724.JPG (112.17 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
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Rear spring bolts
IMG_2695.JPG (106.4 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
IMG_2696.JPG
Rear spring shackles
IMG_2696.JPG (97.97 KiB) Viewed 7331 times
Picked up the last 2 wheel rims from the blasters this afternoon ,so i have quite a bit that needs spraying now.
Will be looking at taking the sump off the engine to see what the cam shaft is looking like,shells etc,it will need a rebuild so i will be talking to a workshop nearby about that.
My MU winch is now in the country so i need to organise picking it up,unfortunately it was delivered to a Dealers a few hours drive away,so that will be a day just to pick it up,at least its here though..
94 locating Regt RA,57 Bty B troop 1982-1985.
32 Heavy Regt RA,57 Bty D droop 1985-1990.
M38 1952 ,restoration project
Dodge 1/2 ton WC-24 Chassis WC-6 body..combo.
Dodge 1951 M43 ,SOLD
Harley Davidson WLA.type IV. SOLD

70th Division
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by 70th Division » Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:40 am

Hello,

Making great progress !

That engine looks real gunky, but the hole cleaned up really nice .
When you do the engine rebuild, have them put the engine block in the dip tank which clean away all that sludge.
It should clean up really good, just by looking at what you cleared out.

The plan is coming together :D

Best Regards,

Ray

BATMOBILE1
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by BATMOBILE1 » Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:10 am

Yes Cheers Ray,it does need a really good de-gunk..i thought i had cleaned out the sump until i took it off,there was a whole swamp in there...
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engine gunk
IMG_2767.JPG (114.16 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
IMG_2766.JPG
oil filter gummed up
IMG_2766.JPG (61.09 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
I had my MU Winch turn up last week,thank you to Robert Sroczenski for sorting out the shipping and boxing for me,it has found its home here on my WC-7. Luckily i had my engine hoist on hand,there was no way i was getting it out of my truck without it,it took 3 of us to get it in there ..
IMG_2755.JPG
Winch attached to the hoist
IMG_2755.JPG (130.72 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
IMG_2756.JPG
Winch out of the car
IMG_2756.JPG (91.8 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
IMG_2754.JPG
winch out of the car part 2
IMG_2754.JPG (145.55 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
IMG_2753.JPG
winch out of the car part 3
IMG_2753.JPG (142.29 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
And into the garage..
IMG_2757.JPG
Winch into the garage
IMG_2757.JPG (70.05 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
It was expertly boxed up for its journey .
IMG_2749.JPG
Winch in the box
IMG_2749.JPG (66.77 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
Took a while to get it out of the box as well,it was screwed in.very well packaged..
IMG_2758.JPG
Winch out of the box
IMG_2758.JPG (89.91 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
And finally on the front of my truck
IMG_2759.JPG
Finally on the front of the truck
IMG_2759.JPG (93.44 KiB) Viewed 7290 times
Well worth the effort to get it sent over from the States,just needs a good rub down and respray and it will look great.
94 locating Regt RA,57 Bty B troop 1982-1985.
32 Heavy Regt RA,57 Bty D droop 1985-1990.
M38 1952 ,restoration project
Dodge 1/2 ton WC-24 Chassis WC-6 body..combo.
Dodge 1951 M43 ,SOLD
Harley Davidson WLA.type IV. SOLD

70th Division
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:18 am

All Right !!

Christmas in August :D :D :D :D

The winch looks at home on your Command Car !

The engines on these Dodges hold up well, and looks like the water in crank case didn't get to the crank .
Also when you go to take the engine apart, don't bang the pistons too hard at all as they will shatter .
The valves tend to rust in position and lock the engine, pull them first !!!


Great progress pictures ,

Best Regards,

Ray
USA

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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by 17thAirborne » Wed Aug 30, 2017 7:17 am

Very nice work. Congrats on the progress. I can't wait to see it running, although you know I'm in a similar boat. It is a fun and rewarding experience. Nice winch BTW.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

BATMOBILE1
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Re: Dodge WC-24/WC-7 Command car -project

Post by BATMOBILE1 » Wed Aug 30, 2017 10:10 am

70th Division wrote:
Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:18 am
All Right !!

Christmas in August :D :D :D :D

The winch looks at home on your Command Car !

The engines on these Dodges hold up well, and looks like the water in crank case didn't get to the crank .
Also when you go to take the engine apart, don't bang the pistons too hard at all as they will shatter .
The valves tend to rust in position and lock the engine, pull them first !!!


Great progress pictures ,

Best Regards,

Ray
USA
Hi Ray,

Yes Christmas came early,i was told by the guy that sold it that i got it a good deal,and has had a few guys after it since it was sold..

Lets hope the engine is good,so far it looks good,i still need to take the crank apart ,i want to see what the shells are like.

The valves were sticking but don't look too bad,i need to buy a valve compression tool first then i can have a look.Fingers crossed.

Cheers.

Paul.
94 locating Regt RA,57 Bty B troop 1982-1985.
32 Heavy Regt RA,57 Bty D droop 1985-1990.
M38 1952 ,restoration project
Dodge 1/2 ton WC-24 Chassis WC-6 body..combo.
Dodge 1951 M43 ,SOLD
Harley Davidson WLA.type IV. SOLD


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