DID YOU KNOW/

[joel gopan]

That Post War, the Army installed the Hydra Matic in the CCKW to test?
That they tested wheel brakes on same that were located outside the hubs?
That when you buy a Civ 302 engine to install in the CCKW that you cannot use your original Flywheel on it, as Civ 302 has 6 bolt pattern, and your old 270 had 4 bolts attaching te flywheel, and that original 270 intake manifold will not work on the 270s/302s of the 50s (can of Worms them ideas you have when you think the job should be easy) I will not touch on mods, as the availability of parts to do the job is questionable. It is sort of a junkyard thing, but I will warn you and tell you "I told you so".
Joel

[dr deuce]

Well I have to disagree Joel:

I have 2 CCKWs on the road with civy 302's in them. The 6 bolt - 4 bolt thing is actually MUCH better! I have a 1974 Corvette 11" clutch in them and I can buy it at any autoparts store and will be able to for as far out as I can see! It bolts right in with the CCKW bellhousing and the 50's 270 6 bolt flywheel. You take the flywheel to a machineshop and have them put the stock 6 volt ring gear on the later flywheel. No can of worms here or for the 50's 270. There is more room in the bellhousing too.

As a matter of fact, if some entrerprising person could get flywheels made, you could put a Corvette clutch behind your stock CCKW 270 engine and be done with that POS stock clutch forever!

There is no way you can redrill the existing flywheel to change it from 4 bolts to 6 bolts.

The difference in both power to do hills or tow trailers is quite remarkable and you can go a little faster because the governed speed of the 50's engines is faster then the WW2 270.

There are differences between the earlier 50's 270-302's and the later 50's 270-302 engines. The earlier ones had the mounting foot for the front motor mount like the stock WW2 270 engine. On the later engine, they changed the front mount and you need to change the front plate behind the timing chain cover to one that has a foot. Other than that it bolts right in! Truck from the 40's with a 50's engine with a 70's Corvette clutch! Gotta love compatibility...


Steve AKA Dr Deuce

[joel gopan]

I kinda like the CCKW to feel like it did when the WWII GI drove it, it was tested at Detroit Asenal, Camp Hollabird , Aberdeen PG, and was found to be suitable for duty as it was. The collectors are not going to use them in Combat, they may not get strict Military PM, some may over speed and burn them out (the Military has laws about being stupid), but overall, they will lead an easier life, What is the big hurry? To keep it stock, is to know what you have, and it will command a better price when it leaves your hands.
Joel

[armydriver]

Interesting discussion. I will keep mine as is as long as it runs and when it quits I will turn her into a monument.

[dr deuce]

Actually, I keep all the parts that I don't use like the original 270 (set up for long term storage) the generator etc. In a day or so I could convert it back.

People use there CCKWs in different ways and have different needs.

I tow trailers a lot: 57mm AT gun (3000 lbs), Buffalo Springfield water buffalo (3495 lbs), Searchlight trailer with Airborne Dozer in it (~9000 lbs). In addition, I have a set of Canadian deuce ramps and can and do carry the GPW in the back. So for me, having more power is important in addition to living on a hill that climbs for exactly 1 mile from the lowest point on the road.

I drive my cargo CCKW 2000-3000 miles a year. Many times a single trip will be over 100 miles round trip and as I live in a more built up area with more and more residential construction on the back roads, I have to do more highway driving. Going 45 mph for an hour to me is not a good thing to do with a WW2 270 engine. You are running at the factory/army red line. I tell people with HMVs to take 5 mph off of whatever it says on the dataplate and it will last a long time. A lot longer than if you push it.

The military had lots of spare parts and lots of people to work on these vehicles. Many people probably don't know that the manual says that engine would be removed at 10,000 miles and sent to be 'freshened up'.

When I bought my cargo CCKW, it had 28,000 original miles on a government rebuilt (at some point) engine. I took it from that mileage to about 65,000 miles with just a valve job. Running it slower, not pushing it and changing the oil with Castrol is credited by me for the longevity. The engine when taken out still did not burn any oil but was gettin tired.

As far as value for selling, two things apply:

1. Some people would pay more for a slightly faster more powerful CCKW, some people would pay less.

2. It assumes that you are trying to make money on this vehicle or want to sell it. Neither apply to me. All my HMVs are for my and the publics pleasure only.

Steve AKA dr Deuce

Steve AKA Dr Deuce

[joel gopan]

Where is the profit? I am a MV Historian, and why drive a stump jumper, or a sky rocket, when I can experience a piece of history in its original configuration. There is no profit motive in maintaining an MV in top condition but one should realize realize that if a military vehicle is being kept in its issue configuration and in top mechanical condition, there will always be a buyer that is looking for that vehicle. As time goes on, it will be harder to find one of these that is maintained as GMC and the Army specified, I am sort of lucky, having been exposed to these since the end of WWII in a family Surplus Truck business, and trained free of charge by Army Ordnance types. A lifetime in the automobile business gives me confidence that there will always be a collector wanting a MV kept in "turn key" issue condition. Collecting is fun, and each MV owner/restorer rises to his own style and experience level, money is a factor also. Some have limits they will invest, others will spend whatever it takes to maintain their vehicle. What is fun, is to own these trucks, and be able to take them to shows and parades , to trade stories, and help each other have a vehicle that is fun.
Joel

[dr deuce]

Original 270 with my 11,000 lb CCKW = 120 lbs per hp

My 302 with my 11,000 CCKW + SL trailer +dozer = 125 lbs per hp

Hardly a 'stump jumper'....

45 mph is the minimum speed on the interstate around here

[joel gopan]

Shhhhhhhh, you're going to give my CCKW a complex, it doesn't know it is underpowered, but that is what makes the hobby great, as we all still love our trucks no matter what we do to them. I guess I could get out and give my tailgate a dab of turpentine each time I come to a hill.
Joel

[Degsy]

I feel that it is very much up to the individual owner and the depth of his or her pocket on how original the truck is ,after all they are a piece of living history and as long as they are not vandalised and are still basically a 'Jimmy' that is the important thing.The majority of CCKW's in the UK are from Europe and as such have been rebuilt/modified, before being cast, with items made locally but which are similar but not necessarily identical in design to the original.Our SWB served with French army and is fitted with a French body, fuel tank , wipers etc and it would be impractical and prohibitively expensive to return it to original.We feel very lucky and priveliged to own it and hope that in the future it will be cherished by a later generation ,the way that a farmer will say that he does not own the land but he is merely its temporary guardian.