After getting the lucky special wheels for the ’51 I determined that the truck was too narrow.  Clearly the problem was not with the wheel width.

 The proper course of action at that point was to make the truck wider.  The problem was that I had already welded the cowl to the frame.  I got to use my plasma cutter to remove the beautiful cowl mounts that I had recently fabricated and installed.  The plasma cutter is quick but not neat. 

After I got the cowl cut loose I noticed that the rear of the cab was still held on with the C clamps.  I coulda sworn that I had welded it down in its proper position relative to the cowl.  Oops.

This discovery resulted in a pleasant afternoon in the garage with the “tape liar” and early photos of the cab that I took before cutting the cab up.  In the “before” photos I had placed tape measures on the various parts of the cab for reference.  An ounce of prevention, etc.  I was really glad to have the pictures so that I could get the rear of the cab back where it needed to be.  The cab rear is now securely tack welded onto the frame in the “correct” position.  What is correct anyway?

I guess that this is now a “frame off” nonrestoration.

 I then cut the cowl down the center.  This was complicated by the fact that in a previous incarnation of the truck I had welded the cowl vent shut and filled the gap with the dreaded Bondo.  Say it isn’t true! 

There are a couple of problems with plasma cutting in this situation.  One is that the edges of the vent and vent hole are turned down resulting in a very deep cut for the plasma cutter.  Not knowing in advance exactly where those edges are is also a challenge.  There is also the small problem of the plasma cutters inability to cut nonconductive materials, like Bondo.  I did manage to get the cowl cut in half while only using a couple of nasty words.

 I then fabricated new cowl mounts and reinstalled the cowl halves in their new wide track position.  These mounts are pretty heavy duty since they are supporting the front half of the cab and I don’t want a repeat of the “self channeling” situation that I experienced with the Studebaker. 

I also found that I could see through the passenger side lower cowl without using my X-ray vision.  I’m beginning to wonderif the whole cab will be made of patch panels.

 Note that I did not widen the rear of the cab as it was already 5 ½ inches wider than the front.  I am hoping to have a “square” cab when I am finished.  The front fenders should also be parallel to the doors, I hope.

 After getting the cowl halves installed there was quite a gap between them.  I got out the lower front part of my spare parts cab.  Everyone has one right?  I then removed enough of the center of the cowl to make a patch panel/extension.  I carefully lined up the three parts and welded it all together.  Then I noticed that it wasn’t straight from side to side.  Argh!  Cut out the weld and take another stab at it. 

The top of the cowl still has a gap because I am planning on modifying the windshield opening.  After the windshield position is established I will be able to complete the cowl top. 

I was so jazzed about the cowl that I got the front quarter of the roof out and started getting ready to weld it on.  This is when I discovered that by moving the front of the cab out the front of the roof no longer lined up with the rear of the roof.  I shoulda seen that one coming. 

Tune in next episode for “a dogleg in the drip rail” or “a twist in time”.

Norm

Tags: 1951 GMC

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