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bobfett

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  1. bobfett

    Withams

    WTF? :nut: These are the ones listed under "direct sales", right?
  2. Have posted your message on the champ yahoo group on the vanishingly small chance someone knows the vehicles. No contact details listed on the champ register (only one of the champs is on there anyway).
  3. That I'll have to leave to the real experts on here- I'd missed that bit when I typed my reply!
  4. If I've understood your question properly, I think this is what you're asking about? Cyl Bore/Mains/Throws sounds like it refers to the size of various surfaces within the engine. Cyl bore is how "oversize" (compared to a brand new engine built to spec) the cylinder bore is. On a brand new engine it's 0.000" oversize (hence your 000) As the engine wears, the cylinders start to get fractionally larger (usually in an oval shape IIRC). Eventually, come overhaul time, the cylinder is rebored back to a completely circular shape but slightly oversize. Usually something like +0.020" (020), then +0.040" (040) as a second step. Matching fractionally oversize pistons/piston rings are fitted to ensure a good seal. Similar principles apply to major bearings within the engine- Mains are the bearings which the crankshaft rotates on, and throws are the bearings by which the connecting rods connect to the crankshaft. Again, these surfaces wear as the engine ages, and again they are machined to remove wear. However, in this case the bearing journals on the crankshaft are machined fractionally (0.020"/0.040") smaller (undersize) to remove any uneven wear, and slightly thicker bearings are fitted (in the case of replaceable shells) or the bearing is relined and ground to the new size.
  5. I would suspect the Austin Champ owners club would be interested in the BE ones (if I'm right in thinking the BE numbers all belonged to Champs).
  6. It's pretty common knowledge (amongst FAC holders) that even FEO's knowledge of the myriad firearms acts is occasionally "somewhat patchy" and they rarely admit "I don't know". It's also not unheard of for licensing departments to "make it up as we go" (see Durham Const. and medical letters). I presume that for "fire arms officer" you mean ARV crew/AFO type- I can't imagine he has an intimate understanding of the firearms acts and their subtleties (not a dig, but he has no real need to, anymore than a beat copper does). I also imagine (from what I've seen of ex-police firearms crew) that he's also not one to admit "I don't know". I believe the MOD "I have no live rounds or empty cases [...] in my possession, Sir!" is more about people stealing MOD property (aside from live rounds, obviously). You can walk into any gunshop in the land and buy a tub of blanks (usually .22 or 8mm, but that's semantics) without any paperwork, other than ID if you're fortunate enough to look anywhere near 18. My kitchen knives can still seriously injure someone at close range (unlike (new?) blank firers that have to be top venting). It doesn't mean I'll be surrendering them any time soon.
  7. No, the ignition switch has 3 positions- On, Off and Locked. The switch is currently movable between on and off (i.e. unlocked). These sound promising- I will try and get it ASAP (the champ is stored elsewhere and I don't have much time to get to it at the moment).
  8. My champ came without its ignition key (the barrel was unlocked so it can turn on/off). Bearing in mind that AFAIK this is the standard ignition lock as per other FVs of the era, is there anywhere that can cut keys to the code on the front of the lock barrel (as per http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Austin-Champ-NOS-military-ignition-locks-CVRT-Daimler-Ferret-Humber-1-Ton-etc-/281520877139?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Other_Vehicle_Parts_Accessories_ET&hash=item418bf3ae53) or is the only option to have a punt on the ebay listing? Had a brief nosy around last night, found places that will cut keys to "FV" but their code ranges don't match these. The champ is stored elsewhere so I haven't checked the code yet, but I presume it's the same format as those in the ebay link.
  9. The rear axle was my first thought too, but it seems odd it's only in fifth (not the top end of fourth where the rear diff would be at about the same speed as the initial engagement in fifth) and to be clear it disappears as soon as you take your foot off the throttle, clutch in or out. Despite this I suspect the rear axle is the mostly likely culprit; just as well I got a second one with it!
  10. So, having bought an Austin champ (but yet to pick it up) my mind has turned to working out some fixes. The most pressing issue is a "thrumming" sort of sound when driving. Based on the demo drive, this only happens when in top gear (direct 1:1 through the gear box) and only when "on" the throttle. Come off the throttle and it immediately goes away. Definitely not a problem in any other gear. Only a noise, no vibration or wobble apparent from the front or rear seat. Difficult to tell where it's coming from. As daft as it sounds if it wasn't a "lever directly on top of the box" arrangement I'd be inclined to look for something fouling the linkage in the fifth position. Few thoughts I've had: Internal gearbox fault- seems relatively unlikely as it's a constant mesh box and top is the "simplest" gear? Universal joint- one of the more likely culprits I suspect although it seems a little odd it's only in top (and seems to be as soon as you engage fifth, no evidence seen at the top of fourth). Tyre imbalance (one or between axles)- seen it suggested somewhere that it's possible to get tread "skipping" if there's a difference in rolling circumferences front/back or it's simply a wheel out of balance. Seems unlikely due to the noise stopping when off throttle. Reading it back now maybe it is a gearbox fault. Any other ideas?
  11. So, as my search for a Ferret continues, an important question has appeared- who do I use to transport it? Bearing in mind it'll be a non runner most likely, and will be being moved to Gloucestershire. Is there anyone that particularly springs to mind for such things or is it a case of enquiring around van-type transportation companies (i.e. people that move vans, not that I think it'll go into a van!)
  12. Bit of a lurker finally joined up. Currently I'm the owner of a 1954 AJS 16MS motorbike and a 1949 TEA-20 that I'm finally pushing the restoration of after a very long break for multiple reasons. The Fergie is in rather a sorry state cosmetically but I think underneath it's a generally sound vehicle. Very optimistic schedule is to have it running by the new year, presuming I don't open the sump and find horror (I suspect heavy neglect from the PO given what we found when we opened the gearbox- combination of water and what looked like hydraulic fluid :shocked: ). Anyway, on the MV side of things I've been loosely interested since being a member of the local cadet force who had a (long since carted away) ferret stashed in the corner of their parade ground. Allegedly it was carted off to be sectioned but from some recent info that seems a very unlikely story indeed. Restarting the work on the Fergie has spurned me to look at acquiring a project Ferret, sod me the prices have shot up! Guess everyone wants one! So, briefly, I'm on the lookout for a Ferret that needs some TLC. Not convinced there's that many out there anymore in that sort of state- no shortage of 15 grand ones though. :undecided: Alternatives considered have been/are Dingo (even rarer/more £££?), BRDM-2 (not too keen on Russian stuff I have to admit and perhaps a little large), Fox (see Dingo) and in moments of lunacy something like an FV432 or CVRT (a Very Bad Idea I think!). Lurking on this forum has seen me pick up some good hints/tips. Guess I'll be a fairly light poster until I find something.
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