Builds "WY-REE-KA" A Ground Up 45LPB Restoration

[ClemsonCruiser]

Last cylinder

All stripped down and ready for the machine shop. Hope I get good news

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

I forgot about the gas pedal. I am sorry. I will make a note and check tonite.

No worries Jack. I'm in no hurry. Thanks!

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Anybody out there have any experience/ recommendations for a company that restores and rebuilds alternators or starters? I've always in the past just bought new but I have both originals and would like to use them to keep the resto as close to original as possible.

 

[JackA]

Is this the correct pedal?

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Yes it is and looks to be in far better shape than mine! PM inbound.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Well apparently my untrained eye is just that because as it turns out my engine was in bad shape. It’s going to have to be bored, crank turned, all new valves and springs, etc. I was pleasantly surprised the machine shop was able to source all the new parts from their vendors and for a much better price than the SOR kit I was planning on using.

Good news is I’ll have strong smooth F when I’m done and likely with a few more ponies than it left the factory with

 

[wngrog]

Is that all the parts? How much is labor?

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

It's $1815.85 for parts and labor. I will still have to assemble the bottom end but luckily I have Trollhole to help me with that.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

My stock height springs from Alcan have arrived along with some goodies to compliment them 7.00-15 Power Kings, OEM shocks, bushings, and rims thanks to Onur and finally some nice repo acorn hubcaps. Hoping to have the chassis back on the ground and rolling around by the end of next week!!

Also spent a lot more time with the blast cabinet prepping parts to be plated..... gave everything a quick polish with a wire wheel on the buffer. The old parts sure look good all cleaned up. Can't wait to see them plated!

 

[wngrog]

Alcan springs.

Can you share some insight on this?

Did they have the stock formula?

Price?

Anything else I should know?

 

[subzali]

Have you tried looking for an old time electrical shop around where you live? Might be the best bet for alternator rebuild. Some small storefront in the industrial part of town with poorly defined parking down the street from a truck stop with a grumpy old codger behind the desk could be a good bet. Seriously that is the description of the place where I had mine done.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

I've found a few interesting things so far on this project that I haven't stumbled across on any of my other early cruisers.... First is the front windshield on this 45 doesn't have holes for the defrost ducts to come through even though the LPB was equipped with a heater. The windshield from every indication is original so it is a bit of a head scratcher. Anyone else ever run across this??

Second interesting thing is of the 10+ early cruisers I've had this is the first on to have still have these...

They are the washer/spacer that goes between the trans tunnels and the floor. I believe to keep the tunnel from contacting with the floor as the body flexed? I assume the reason these have been missing from all my other Cruisers is the fact that they must be a PITA to get lined up and likely the first time the trans tunnel is removed in the life of the Cruiser they become discarded out of laziness Curious if others have found these little gems under there trans tunnels?


And just for fun one more picture of shiny parts, mainly because I wasted so much time getting them this way

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Alcan springs.

Can you share some insight on this?

Did they have the stock formula?

Price?

Anything else I should know?

I really wanted a stock height and look to the springs. Alcan seemed to be my only option.... They said they had the stock formula for 45LPB springs. I was skeptical but so far everything looks spot on, the OEM bushing slid right in. Price was steep compared to say Old Man Emu, $1200 for the springs and custom u-bolts then about $300 for shipping I'm anxious to get them test fitted to the frame.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Have you tried looking for an old time electrical shop around where you live? Might be the best bet for alternator rebuild. Some small storefront in the industrial part of town with poorly defined parking down the street from a truck stop with a grumpy old codger behind the desk could be a good bet. Seriously that is the description of the place where I had mine done.

As obvious as that would seem no I haven't I'm going to now though

What I was originally hoping for was some one that "restored" as well as rebuilt the internals, but now I just want it working again. I can take a stab at restoring the outside.

 

[megolfer]

I have the spacers on the tunnel of my 1967. Kinda thought it was interesting

 

[cppilot]

JP, "Sage" had those on her. Per parts book, They are called:

"Plate Transmission Set" 16 per vehicle.... Which is correct...
Part number: 58279-60010. Wonder if they are still available?

I could also see these being tossed.... Another part only found in one place on all cruisers. My books show FJ40,43,45, and maybe others.

Not listed in the Standard Hardware Index however...

 

[wngrog]

700-15’s look so perfect on these old trucks. Good call on the stock springs.

Looking forward to getting some measurements once you put the weight back on it.

 

[kunzma]

Hard to tell from the diagram, can you post a pic of the plate transmission set in place?

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Hard to tell from the diagram, can you post a pic of the plate transmission set in place?

My body is at the sand blasters till next week but I believe the washer went in dome side up between the trans tunnel and floor or at least that is how they were on mine. Maybe Mark can verify what he found on Sage.

Also unfortunately they are discontinued and have been for a while. I know Poser was looking for some years back wonder if he ever found a suitable substitute?

 

[cppilot]

JP is correct, I think the dome is up just under the lip of the trans hump. I have the parts books for all units 40,43,45 etc but unfortunately they don't give a clear picture at all. I'm not near sage at the moment. You can't really see them with the hump on.

Not really sure of the purpose other than what JP stated. Maybe a vibration thing....With that said, I don't think I would be to concerned if I couldn't find them. Sage is the only one I have with them on and probably not many others out there.