GPA 12350

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GPA 12350

Post by bobassel » Tue Mar 26, 2019 12:36 pm

Hi GPA friends,
Glad to announce that GPA 12350 is now in my possession lol
Due to private circumstances I was unfortunately forced to sell my GPA 4928.
The GPA virus kept itching, and after some searching I came across a GPA project again.
The photos already showed that the project was a lot of work, and that a lot of investment and money is needed to get this GPA back on track!
GPA 12350 has been one of the last built GPAs and as I can reconstruct, this vehicle has no active military history.
I suspect that this ended up in civilian hands quite immediately after his military life, and that after a few years of private use it had been exposed to the elements for many years as a demolition / donor.
The owner, I bought it from, "Kenneth Nutt," found it in Washington state, and then brought it to Kansas.
After some negotiations, I decided to buy and restore this vehicle.
Via Houston he was transported by boat to Rotterdam, and arrived at my house via Amsterdam.
Kenneth made sure that there were front wheels underneath for easier transport.
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Some parts are still missing, which Kenneth promised to send me.
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The vehicle is in bad condition, but still has a lot of Original items.
The engine was there and it is matching with the frame number and data plate.
Al data plates are there.
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Unfortunately, somebody took out parts and used a cutting torch cry
The complete water propellor and complete rudder were removed.
Unfortunately some idiot used for this the cutting torch, so the top of the propellor tunnel, were the rudder goes trough
is now there with a rough hole cry
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The engine is there, but what I didn't know is that this engine was exposed to the elements for many years, and that is
was laying outside without cilinder head and engine sump.
So I had to struggle for a week to remove the rusted camshaft, cranckshaft, bearings.
All were rusted inside the engine.
The pistons I had to remove using a press with almost 10 tons pressure.
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Valves, valve tappets, springs all were stuck and rusted very hard.
Ignition and oil pump were rusted together and also very hard job to remove.
Now the engine is at the repair shop, and I hope it can be used again.
I brought the complete vehicle to the Department of Road Transport, to get it examened and fotografed.
Now I stripped the vehicle and brought it to a sandblast company.
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The right front spring was missing and a a temporary solution, ( a block of wood) was made for transport.
To strip the vehicle was a very hard job because 30 years of more, being exposed to the elements,
had the result that everything was very rusted up cry
When removing the rear axle, I notised that the drive shaft was broken.
When I opened the front axle, the shock was worse cry
I installed a oil bowl to collect the oil, but there was no diff. oil but......
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Here the result of 30 years water in the differential.
All and all I will need a lot of help and support from my GPA friends.
Luckely they all help me very much with advice, parts, tools and more.
So far, and the story will be continued lol
Parts, help and advice are welcome lol
Bob
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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Re: GPA 12350

Post by bobassel » Wed Mar 27, 2019 11:05 am

Hull back from sandblast company lol
No supprises, bad is bad.
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Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

bobassel
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Working on the axles

Post by bobassel » Sun Apr 14, 2019 8:32 am

Here an update of GPA 12350:
Starting with the axles.
Also still looking to get al my requested parts, and the chase is still going on.
Eventualy my "wish list" is becomming shorter, but still looking for the right side coam, dog clutch and shafts,
water propellor parts, and more!
Got some original parts from friends in Russia, France and in the Netherlands.
Disassembled the front axle, hard job because everything was very rusted.
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I removed everything and cleaned all with a solvant and degreaser.
Then high pressure water and dried all parts.
removed all rust and installed new oil / grease seals and bushings.
Using a donor axle new bearings and gears were installed and adjusted.
I installed the much better CJ5 Knuckle seals on the front axle.
Same procedure with the rear axle, but this interieur could be used.
Only some new bearings, oil seals and all new gaskets.
Need to make the correct brake line brackets.
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When the axles are finished, I want to start working on the frame / chassis.
Bob
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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Re: GPA 12350

Post by john4172 » Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:34 pm

Greetings Bob, Congatulations on your new project and the work you are doing. The photos are great. At the rate you are going it will soon be in the water!
I see in the photos that you have the tube that covers the rear driveshaft, mine is missing , I am making one and i need the length from the pivot holes at the front to the fear end. Can you please let me know the measurement ?
I have also made the adaptor that bolts to the front of the rear diff.
Our Hull is almost finished at Simon Allen's in Victoria and will be ready to pick up in the next week or two.
John Mackie
- GPA 7757 D.O.D 2-16-43
- GPW 11798 D.O.D 4-14-42
- White M3A1
- LP2A 4172
- Ford 01T Trucks X 3

bobassel
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Re: GPA 12350

Post by bobassel » Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:27 pm

Will send you a privat mail lol
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

DBarnes
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Re: GPA 12350

Post by DBarnes » Sat Apr 20, 2019 1:21 pm

Awesome job Bob, I'm already looking forward to your next up date post on the restoration of your GPA 12350. The bigger the challenge the more satisfying it will be for you when it is completed!!!

You we're saying that your GPA 12350 didn't have any military service history? I was wondering if you could check on the military service history of GPA 6263 , USA 708269 or tell us where we could look for it. Thanks

JUST KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE !

Best regards
DBARNES

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Re: GPA 12350

Post by bobassel » Tue Apr 23, 2019 8:56 am

Hi David,
I got the impression abouth the history of my GPA seen the markings I found on her and seen the condition.
I don't no abouth yours.
If you found the original USA nbr, sometimes you find original pictures of its history.
Bob
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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Re: GPA 12350

Post by bobassel » Thu Apr 25, 2019 2:57 pm

The rear and front axle are full reconditioned and painted in a very strong good primer.
Than the finishing old drab green was added.
They are now stalled away untill the moment of assembly.
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Then I started with the springs.)3 pieces and waiting for the shipment from Russia for the missing one'
The springs were full of rust between the spring leaves, so much that some clips were broken of the pressure rolley
When I removed the central bolt, they exploded of the pressure.
I removed all corrosion and cleaned them, and made some new clips .
Put some grease between the leaves to prevent rusting again.
Cleaned them, primered them, and put on the final coating.
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In between I repaired some small body parts, and sprayed them.
All are ready to assembly when the time is there lol
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

DBarnes
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Re: GPA 12350

Post by DBarnes » Fri Apr 26, 2019 4:27 am

Hello Bob,

Thank you so much for sharing all the different stages thus far of your GPA restoration project!! You have got me very interested in seeing GPA 12350 as it take's shape.
Looking forward to seeing more pictures as you continue to breathe new life into her..
Awesome job Bob on the Axel's & Springs !! I can see that you are extremely focused on getting her back to swimming again! Very Cool

Best Regards
David

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Re: GPA 12350

Post by bobassel » Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:36 am

Thank you all for your kind and inspiring reactions sunny
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

bobassel
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Re: GPA 12350

Post by bobassel » Sat May 04, 2019 11:43 am

Two weeks holiday were fine for me, and I could do a lot of work lol
I did recondition all (small) parts, cleaned them, did metal work, painted the parts and stalled them untill the time is there to install.
This give me a lot of motivation to get on with the frame and body / hull.
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I started with the missing right front spring, and thanks to my good contact in Russia, my friend send me two front springs.
Now I even have one extra ! lol
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I got less pleasant news from the company JEMAX Jeepparts for engine rebuild cry
The engine is not good after beëing exposed to the elements after so many years without cilinder head and engine sump.
The engine is sandblasted and after this it became clear that there were some cracks in it probably by freezing.
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The cylinders are to much damaged, that it will need new cylinder bushings cry
Wil Verhagen, the man in charge of the company, mentioned that if it was his engine, he wouldn't do the reconditioning.
He understood the importance of the matching GPA number for me, so he is gona repair it for me.
Wil is a very skilled crafsman, and I have full confidence in him!
He promissed me to deliver the engine in good reconditioned state in two months.
I was lucky to find a original rudder at my friend in Belgium.
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Still a lot of important parts missing, but my list is getting shorter lol
Kenneth Nutt arranged a radiator shroud for me, and I hope to receive this soon.
I found also a Ford transfer case, and still looking for a transmission.
Will be continued,
Bob
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

DBarnes
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Re: GPA 12350

Post by DBarnes » Tue May 07, 2019 11:29 pm

Hello Bob

So glad to hear that your GPA engine can be restored ! I like the way that you are going about the process of building up your momentum in the restoration. Getting all the parts that are ready to be cleaned , repaired, repainted & put up on the shelf completed until they are needed!
This process plan you have will keep you going forward in the restoration!
Great pictures and from the look of the picture with you holding your new GPA rudder with that Big Texas Smile on your face I know you must be having fun!!
Keep it up Bob!! And thanks for the up date!

Best regards
David

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Re: GPA 12350

Post by DBarnes » Wed May 08, 2019 10:18 pm

Or Bob has a" I FOUND A ORIGINAL GPA RUDDER FOR MY PROJECT KIND OF SMILE" lol

bobassel
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Re: GPA 12350

Post by bobassel » Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:38 am

So, finaly there is again movement in working on the GPA 12350 lol
Preparations and the tour for Normandy 2019, took a lot of time.
My work also took a lot of time, but now holiday, so on the right track again.
In the mean time also working on a Ford GPW, so two projects at the same time. lol
I started with the two chassis / frame beams that were totally rotten.
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I made wooden models of the best one, and made new outer and inner u frame beams.
I used brackets to weld them in the correct angle and at the correct measurements.
Now they are ready.
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The cross over beam, where the machine gun is on, was cut away with a torch,
and also the bracket for the hand cranck mechanism. crazy
Years ago a saw this beam on a trading market for sale.
At that time I didn't need it, but for 50,- euro I couln't leave it.
For years I didn't know what to do with it, and now I am very pleased with it!
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I have to repair the bracket, but than this is also fixed.
Then the two rear spring frame brackets, also rotten away, and than ready for paintning green.
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Will be continued,
Bob
Ford GPA 12350 DOD: april 4th 1943
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952
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Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

bobassel
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Re: GPA 12350

Post by bobassel » Sun Jul 28, 2019 8:24 am

The repairs are done on the frame lol
The front beams are repaired and the bracket of the cross beam is also done.
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The two brackets at the rear, where the rear springhanger is fixed, are also repaired and revetted on the frame.
A weak piece in the frame is replaced with strong material
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When all repairs where done, I painted the frame with an extra ground cover and then the olive drab.
Then I did the first installing of parts on the frame, beams and other parts.
So I can see if everything fits, and make shure there are all the correct bolts and nuts.
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Then I installed the spring hangers, springs and axles.
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My spare transmission and transfer were installed and the drive shafts to front and rear axle.
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Because the radiator is still under construction, and the matching engine is also still at the reair shop,
I decided to install my spare engine, to see how everything fits.
Now I can make all connections and fuel lines.
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I have only one original GPA generator, so on this spare engine, I will install a 12 volt Dodge generator.
Make this engine Like a GPA engine, with all 12 volt components,
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Will be continued sunny
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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