Jim Shepard

When I went looking for a tach for my B2B mostly high RPM versions is what I found. I finally got this vintage Sun (with appropriate RPM range) and had Williamson Instruments modify it to work without the original transmitter. I’ll mount it on the dash...

Latest report says chance of rain between noon and two. Drive times should be ok...

Sounds like you need to go to the BBQ just to check out Tim's "junk yard..."

There's usually a group of 6-8 of us in the Elk Grove/Wilton area that caravan down. We meet on Clay Station Road and Stablegate Road in Wilton (just south of the canal) and try and leave about 9am. Takes about 30-40 minutes to get to Tim's. You're more than welcome to go down with us...

Can someone remind me how to remove the lease on the dome light?

Hey! You're within driving distance of the tailgate BBQ. How 'bout it?

Wow! 12 already? Seems like yesterday I met Tim and we did the first one. I'll be there for number 12...

Don, surely you have a newer phone, maybe a Jitterbug?

Yup. I bought it when restoring the Pilothouse, intending to put it in. As I got closer to finishing the truck I felt I just couldn't do it. My truck was really in great shape before the restoration and since there weren't that many made nor many survived, I decided to save the hemi for another project...

A couple of years ago I started slowly converting my barn (which my kids used for 4H animals and I for my horses) into a garage/man-cave. Put in a concrete floor, replaced doors and windows and installed a roll-up door. Then I moved anything automotive-related in there. Been "decorating" it over the years with road signs, both old and reproduction. One of my prized possessions is this banner the local Dodge dealer gave me...

Forgot this one...

I have these two in the house so I thought it would be ok to have one in the "cave..."

Pink who? It'll play Elvis, Roy Orbison, The Shirelles, Gene Pitney, Paul Anka, Jimmie Clanton, The Ames Brothers, The Andrews Sisters, The Angels, April Stevens, The Association, The Lovin' Spoonful, TheBeach Boys, The Beau Brummels, The Drifters, Big Bopper, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, Bobby Rydell, Bobby Lee, Brenda Lee, Brook Benton, The Browns, Buck Owens, The Byrds, Carl Hopkins, Jr., Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Clint Black, The Coasters, Connie Frances, Conway Twitty, Cowboy Copas, Creedance Clearwater, The Crests, The Moody Blues, Smokey Robinson, Muddy Waters, Nat "King" Cole, Neil Sedaka, Pat Boone, Patsey Cline, Patti Page, Pee Wee King, Peggy Lee, Perry Como, Peter, Paul & Mary, The Beatles, The Platters, The Pointer Sisters, Randy Travis, Ray Charles, Ray Price, Hank Williams (Jr. & Sr.), Reba, Richie Valens, Rick Nelson, The Righteous Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Roy Rogers... well, you get the idea.

Just started working on this...

It does hold beer...

Are the push rods different? How ‘bout the part numbers?

Got mine from Vintage Power Wagons.

I’m pretty sure Roberts has them. Also, any good shop should be to re-shoe your’s.

The lesson here is that no matter how long you’ve owned your truck, no matter how much history you know about it, no matter how correct, original and “stock” you think it is, it ain’t necessarily so...

Check the archives. I posted some photos of my installation.

Just had a very nice conversation with Gary Roberts, who called me in response to my email. As it turns out, the rear wheel cylinders are not factory stock/ correct for my B2B. They are the same as used on the front wheels of the same vintage Chrysler auto. The difference is the innards. The truck cylinders are completely different on the inside - a difference I did not notice and that is very obvious in the manual, as pointed out by Gary. Apparently at some point in my truck’s life the innards were changed for whatever reason. Anyway, Gary is sending me the correct “cups” for just the shipping cost. Great guy!

I received the wheel cylinder kits today that I ordered from Roberts. While I didn't expect exact reproductions, I was taken aback by what I received. As you can see, the inner seals I received from Roberts on the left do not appear remotely close to the originals on the right. While they appear to be the correct diameter (11/8"), the hole in the middle is a little baffling. Additionally, the new seals do not provide a recessed area for the spring to properly seat. Has anyone used these kits? Have I ordered the wrong ones? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I have sent this photo to Gary and await his response...

Finally got into mine today. One cylinder came apart pretty easily. The other not so much. The piston is stuck. These are the back wheels so I'm wondering if they take to honing since they're not a double sided design. Anyone out there ever buy a new unit? Also, for those who have not cracked open your rears yet, the top and bottom cylinders are different. I guess I'll try Napa and see what they say...

I need to deal with a leaking wheel cylinder on my B2B. Are kits still available? What's the recommendation out there for suppliers for either kits or new cylinders?

It's in a antique store near me. I think I'll pass on it. Thanks for all the info.