VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans flat face cowl

in perusing the parts book, I have come across descriptions that state "for use with flat face cowl....All exc. COE"...to what truck style are they referring?..


epi

"COE" = Cab Over Engine.

hi bob,

I'm confused because it states all EXCEPT cab over engine...


epi

Unless you have a COE truck you want to use the part in You are ok. Go over to Mothertruckers website. he has some pics of a COE, also JYD has a COE "Diesel Dan" The engine in a COE is under the cab, ie the Cab is Over the Engine!

hi guys,

thanks for the replies...I know what a coe is...but, I'm confused per the original post:

"for use with flat face cowl....All exc. COE"

this part is usually followed with a similar part that might say "for jobs w/windshield"...

so my question is, what style has a "flat face cowl, but ISN'T a coe?..


epi

A flat face cowl is a chassis complete with engine etc. and no body.Just the front fenders hood and cowl.Would typicaly be used for a school bus.It was also available with the windshield with usual metal area around glass.

makes sense, now...thanks, gene...


epi

epi, Gosh, So that is what you wanted to know! Why didn't you ask ....What is a flat face cowl? Ok, we will let you slide this time.... I know what a white face cow is! We have a bunch of them here in Texas.

hey macky,

mooooooooooo...


epi

Chevrolet, I wonder why Chevrolet had to confuse the issue, they could just as well have called it a school bus chassis w/ windshield etc, etc.!



Mac Wac

Because it was used for other bodies as well..--such as moving vans,milk delivery (milk man) trucks, dry cleaners,etc...

There were special school bus chassis...They often required heavier axles and springs,larger brakes etc.....and longer wheelbase's were required.Some of the items were required by LAW.

There are parts mentioned in the book as being for SBC and/or Sch. Bus Ch.

thanks again, gene...


epi

Chev Nut, I hate to burst your bubble but there is a distinct difference between a FFC and Cowl & Chassis. The school bus uses a Cowl and Chassis whereas as walkin van, ie, UPS or bread truck uses a Flat Faced Cowl. It has no hood, fenders or any sheet metal forward of the firewall. These are both sold to bodybuilders to be completed as roadworthy vehicles. Cowl and chassis come complete with the chassis manufacturers sheetmetal front end as was pointed out.

That is good to know...

Perhaps my description of the trucks was confusing--i.e. milk truck,etc.....plus parts book really dosen't explain them.

Using the 1941 Salesmans Truck Data book perhaps I can describe better
On page 108-09 it shows the 3/4 ton flat face cowl truck with just the cowl and also with the W/S posts.Description says "Flat face cowl is standard.Obtainable with windshield and pillar posts (as illustrated)...at additional cost".
Its also shown for a 1 1/2 ton truck.School buses areshown with hood and front fenders and the body builder cowl also with Chev. cowl.Even the COE is shown with just cowl and W/S.Two be technically correct Chev. describes the 3/4 ton as "flat face cowl as model 3622 Mfg. symbol CLCHS and with W/S model 3632 CLCWS .

There was also a 1/2 ton package delivery shown.The hood was about 1/2 length with rear of fenders shortened ..listed as a Dubl-Duty Package Delivery.The driver was positioned farther forward but not over the front axle-body was supplied by Chevrolet but probably not made by them.

1948 shows FFC in the same way but the package delivery was discontinued.In its place is a "Forward control chassis" or listed in parts book as an FC.((Not FFC))The steering gear is mounted forward of the front axle.The driver was positioned over the axle. No sheet metal was furnished and the "walk-in" type body could be fitted.The bodies usually had no or a very short hood.In 1949 Chevrolet also sold them with a body of their design and was discontinued in the '60's......today they are refered to as a "Step Van" with various builders installing their bodies.

The FC or Forward Control chassis is no longer made by Chevrolet. It was last built as a "P" series and sold mostly to Union City Body Co. who built the Chevrolet step vans. That company is now owned by Workhorse who builds the P series chassis and motorhome chassis used by a lot of builders besides UCBC. The shortened hood/half fender unit that Chevgene describes is very much like the old Divco-Wayne milk trucks. All of these special chassis were built and sold for further manufacture by outside body builders and upfitters. It is surprising how many people are under the impression that GM or F*%# or whomever built these trucks because they were mostly sold by Chevrolet dealers. F*%# doesn't make one any longer either nor does Chrysler except as the Freightliner chassis, availalble as both a school bus chassis and the FC chassis (Mercedes)in Dodge and Freightliner brands. Just a little additional info for what-it's-worth.

I owned a Union City P van and an Olsen P van.They also merged at one point.....They were my Mobile Tool trucks (Matco Tools).........My first life was in a Chevrolet parts dept. from 1950-77 and sold tools from 1977-97 full time-now part time.

If I remember correctly (getting to be more difficult :>) the Olsen body was aluminum. There was also a Boyertown Body Co and they may have been the F*%# supplier. To my knowledge the Olsen Co. became a part of Grumman Corp. Never heard anything about UCBC joining Olsen but very possible.

I think that you are correct.I had a
Grumman and an Olsen body and they are the two that became one...Both trucks had aluminum bodies but they were also available with steel bodies-which had a disadvantage as they were heavier and when they got older they rusted out.We did have a Union City Body catalog in the parts dept. as most of the Step Vans we serviced had the U.C. Body.Just haven't thought back to those old days lately.

I have Seen a 41-46 style School Bus which used the flat face cowl. This was obvious because it used the 37-39 style dash and gauges. It always seemed to me that the SBC reference was used when identifying mechanical items such as steering an suspension parts. These were often the same as 2 ton Conventional Truck components.
Mike