Cowling Needed

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I’ll go dig around in my pile, I might have a cowl.

I also might have a steering wheel for your S81 steering column.

Your steering box is not the S80 type with the pot metal bushing, your’s is a much better box.

It is interesting that the engine and chassis are S81, yet the fenders are definitely NOT Series 81, but more likely S80 fenders.

And, cooling vent doors started with the 1930 cars. Series 81 cars had groups of 3 louvers in the hood sides. Series 80 cars had continuous row of louvers. 1929 had groups of 3 louvers.

Greg Long

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Greg, thanks for the information. This truck seems to be a bit of a mystery. The cab and chassis seriel numbers match (1001378) but the engine is one digit off (1001377). The cab appears to be original and in the original position but if I put a cowl on the front of the firewall the hood will not fit. It almost looks like somebody modified a cowl and attached it directly to the firewall. Check out the picture.

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another pic of the firewall.

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It doesn’t appear the cab has been moved forward because I don’t see any holes in the frame where it would have been mounted.

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From the front side of the firewall.

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Greg,

I don’t have much documentation or even pictures of the original fleet arrow trucks. Paul J. is sending me some pictures and other possible information so I will be able to see a bit more. I really appreciate all this information, it is somewhat like solving a mystery. I look forward to hearing if you have a steering wheel and cowl. Oh yeah, as for the fenders, I have recently located the only other remaining 1928 pierce arrow and it appears to have the same fenders as mine. I wonder if they used the series 80 fenders on these trucks for some reason?

Thanks,

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This other truck also appears to have the series 80 hood.

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Hi Charles, how long is your hood? I think it is off of a ’30 car. which is an 8 cylinder car, Meaning the hood is about 9-12″ longer than on a S80 or S81.

I think the Series 80 fenders were used because the S81 fenders were currently in use for production cars. The S80 parts, the fenders, headlights, splash pans, running boards etc were leftovers or in the parts warehouses.

I just measured some hoods: A Series 80 hood is 36″ long, A 1929 hood is 45″ , a 1933 836 hood is 48″ long.

I do have a S81 coach cowl, all the wood is long gone. I also do have a steering wheel you can use for a pattern, I’m not sure if I have an extra steering wheel or not.. I have more than one car apart. I don’t want to sell a part intended for one of my cars.. I’ll have to do a head count.

Greg

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My hood is 36″ long, it’s kind of a mystery. I do have some parts of my steering wheel and did get in touch with Stuzmen’s and he will build one for me at a reasonable price, thanks for offering to use yours for a pattern though.

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Here is a pic of what I have for steering wheel parts.

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Hi Charles, a few thoughts on the cowl and cab for your S81 Fleet Truck.

If you can get measurements from the other S81 Fleet truck, get the length of the cowl. From the rear edge of the hood, to the front of the body, just under the windshield. Also, get the measurement of the door opening, and the total length of the truck cab.

I think your truck’s cab is at least 12″ -18″ shorter than the other truck’s cab. Your cab appears to have very long doors, and the steering wheel would be at least 2′ from the windshield, in the cars, the top of the steering wheel is about 4-5″ from the windshield. In order to use a cowl, and dashboard, you will need to move the rear bulkhead of the cab back at least a foot or two. Your seating position in the existing cab is very upright, and appears that it would be awkward at best. I believe the other truck’s cab with the cowl and S80 hood/fenders looks to have a seating position very near to that of S80 Sedan.

Did you get the aluminum steering wheel hub off the steering shaft yet?

Greg Long

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I haven’t had a chance to work on the steering wheel yet. I will get those measurements and get back with you.

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Gents, I’m enjoying this exercise unfold. Charles, welcome to the PAS.

John

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Thanks John, it is an interesting project and I am very excited to finally get started on it.

Greg,

I got around to removing the hub this morning. I had recently removed the entire column to free up the steering because it was locked up. I took it apart again and removed the worm gear on the lower end and worked backward. Once everything was removed I easily got the hub off by using an oversized pipe to pound from the bottom side. This is a picture of the bottom side of the hub, I slid the oversized pipe over the shaft and it came off rather easily.

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I polished it up a bit.

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Bought a couple new bolts for it and sent it off to Stutzman’s with my other parts. Noah said he may have one already built but if it doesn’t fit will make one.

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I have requested some measurements from Tom, the other truck owner, but in the meantime measured my distance from the would be steering wheel location to the windshield. It was around 12″ as you can see in the photo. My steering wheel measured out at 18″” so I measured up 9″” from the center of the hub using a clamp to get the correct angle.”

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The one thing that concerns me a little is the amount of threads that are left on the main shaft. There really isn’t enough to put a keeper nut on it. Does anyone have a picture of the details for and beneath the horn above the hub?

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Great project! Just to be nit picky, those hardness markings on the bolts wouldn’t have been there originally, and the heads and nuts would probably be “heavy”, which is higher than new ones. I’m putting together a 1910 Buick, and the hardest part is finding good heavy bolts and nuts.

Thus, don’t throw the old ones away!

I’m really enjoying this thread, really didn’t know what a “Fleet Wagon” was! Nice!

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