The GMC CCKW

Just because one was an Army mechanic in WWII or Korea, does not mean that they took up the same occupation in civilian life. I am just short of 60 years non stop contact with those who served and either stayed in, or those who served and pursued civilian careers after serving their country. Many of the Veterans went on to every career imanageable, and never really lost their touch or lost their mechanical ability. I have listened to hundreds war stories, and over the years heard little tips that were unique to good CCKW maintenance. Some were learned in service school,and some were from those who served in WWII. Cyril Morrison who ran Morrison's Brake Service in Bangor from the 40s thru 80s advised me to pump the CCKW Brake pedal after shut down in order to relieve any residual vacuum. During WWII he was a Motor Seargent in the Pacific, and there could be problems with the Master Cylinder going dry after engine shutdown. This was due to the Relay Rod seal leaking and the brake fluid would be drawn from the Master Cylinder into the Vacuum Chamber of the Hydrovac.(it will hold over a gallon) This is more common today as the Hydrovacs are 60 years old and wearing out. It was even an occasional problem in WWII when the trucks were relatively new.
My friend Cyril Morrison starteted his career in 1933 working for Bendix Brake, he was involved in the design of Hydrovac brake boosters and Aircraft Disc Brakes.
Cyril also told me of techniques he used to resurface the bare spots on M-1911A1 Pistols while serving overseas, it involved heat, engine oil, and beach sand.