Cel

Looks like the trip has come to an end in Verdun, after 800+ kilometers. His goal of arriving there on 11-11-2011 at 11 o' clock seems to have been reached. As I understand it one of the reasons for stopping the journey is the bad weather. I cannot find more details at the moment, but he says he will complete the blog when he returns home, I will post a brief translation here. Hats off!! So how about the convoy, have any plans been made yet? It would be nice to drive down the Voie Sacrée with as much vehicles as possible. Regards Marcel

Thanks for the responses! Steve, I have considered these methods as well, and if I don't find suitable rings I will indeed fabricate them myself. Will contact the UK suppliers first though. I have asked the supplier that sent the wrong rings if he can eventually deliver two rings of each 3mm per groove, what do you guys think of this? Here are the pictures that I couldn't upload yesterday: Gearbox cover, what a shame that it will disappear under the floor:-D: Frame before disassembly: Regards Marcel

We finally completed the Hanomag project and rolled the Peugeot into the workshop so it can be disassembled further. I had the piston rings delivered last week, but they sent me the wrong ones and now say they cannot deliver what I need. The groove depth is 3,2mm so I need rings with 3mm thickness, they tell me that they can deliver 3,6mm and I would have to cut the grooves deeper. The piston wall is about 7mm. I would rather not do that and continue the search for the right rings, any ideas on this? The remains of the exhaust damper are in good condition, only need a new shell The propshaft coupling will receive a new shaft and bushings I can't seem to upload the other pictures I wanted to post, will retry tomorrow. Regards Marcel

Here's another one in France, unfortunately I don't have more details. Marcel

Give me one more year, and I'll join the convoy as well! Marcel

Yes, they were built in Antwerp and used the Knight slide valve engine. My grandfather used to have one but during WW2 the germans took it and drove it in a ditch after 2 miles, total loss. In the fifties Minerva made the licence Landys. Marcel

Very nice picture! It is post-1918 as the tractor has the full radiator sides instead of the ladder style ones, and 7 spoke wheels instead of 6. There is some interesting reading on the early Fordson MOM (Ministry of Munitions) here: http://gasengine.farmcollector.com/Tractors/The-REAL-Fordson-Part-III-MYSTERIOUS-MOM-MYTH-September-1987-1.aspx Marcel

Tony: yes it is sprung, leaf spring under the axle. David: I wrote a letter to the army museum a few months ago but haven't received a reply yet. Maybe now I have it home I can try it again with better pictures. 79x100: I have no idea but will ask my uncle who was in the army for over 30 years. If I find out more I'll keep you all updated! Regards Marcel

Wheel diameter 1,3m Case L x W x H = 2,7 x 1,2 x 1,1m Marcel

It might indeed be later than WW1 and even WW2, but I am sure that it is original. The condition of the wood does not say a lot to me when speaking of age. I have a horse powered threshing machine that is 100+ years old in original and condition, the wood is even better than this cart. Sure hope to find out more about it! Thanks, Marcel

This cart was delivered yesterday. The nametag reads: ARMEE BELGE VEHICULE TYPE B.3 ARRIERE TRAIN N°25 ARSENAL DE CONSTRUCTION It is almost in original condition with a lot of the original paint still there. The booms for horse traction have been replaced by a drawbar, as it has been used by a threshermen in France. Can anyone confirm whether it is WW1? Thanks for any comments. Marcel

With an impulse coupling it will start right away. I had troubles with my tractor a while ago, took the mag off and found out that the impulse did not snap. It is a Bosch DU2 mag so different from the Simms, and is has two sliding plates with 90° edges that were worn. I welded up these and filed them down to the proper size again, and after installing the mag it started without troubles, see this movie: This engine has a decompressor but even then an impulse is needed. The same problem happened to the donkey engine of my Cat D8, and after I got the impulse working properly my troubles were over! The Bosch mag has the same type of spring, you might look out for a 'cheap' mag and use the spring, but looking at the outstanding work that you guys have done, the fabrication of this tiny spring will just be a piece of cake! All the best Marcel

Besides working on the Hanomag that my dad is restoring, we split the engine in two halves yesterday. It will be taken apart completely and cleaned. Not sure yet how the oil gets in the grooves for lubricating the centre crank bearing, but I will find out. In my evenings spare time I am cutting the grooves for the new piston rings. That's all for now! Marcel

Apparently this type of Paves only came out after WW1? Can anyone tell the difference between a military and an agricultural Pavesi? I came across this one, which has a good chassis and transmission, but the engine is smashed. It would be an interesting project, and I am waiting for more pictures before I go and check it out myself as it is not around the corner. Thanks Marcel

The manifold is removed and the studs in the block were removed by drilling and tapping without damaging the threads. The threads are standard M10 metric. Tomorrow I will clamp the manifold on the mill and drill the studs out. If needed it will also be skimmed but it looks like that will not be necessary. Next job will be the grooves of the cylinders so I can order the new rings. All the best Marcel

Most of the exhaust manifold stud bolts are rusted solid, only two came loose without problems. I tried boring out the other ones as they broke off when trying to loose the nuts, but that is rather difficult. I will now cut them with a 1,5 mm disc so the manifold can be removed without forcing. This can be done without problems as the seals are 3 mm so no damage will be done to either block or manifold. I will then remove the remaining piece by welding a nut to it. The manifold will be set on the mill to remove the rusted studs. Best regards Marcel

From what I have heard, it is a lot heavier than its agricultural equivalent.

Got the crankshaft back last Friday, and it looks good.

I have seen it working 3 years ago in Holland, very impressive machine! As for the value, there was a similar machine sold (I believe in Kent) some 8 years ago that stayed in the same barn since the 1920's. I think it sold for £ 65K, with a full restoration to carry out. Marcel

Thank you! I am talking to a local machine shop, they have done these kind of jobs before. But I will ask to quote me a new one as well. Marcel

I continued taking the engine apart yesterday and found a (not so pleasant) surprise. I let the pictures speak for themselves. But it could have been worse, one never knows but if it did not have had this problem it might have been worked hard and scrapped afterwards. Now it has been put aside and forgotten, and has survived in a quite good shape. This must also have been the reason that they took off the flywheel and clutch assembly. Otherwise the engine is in a great shape, pistons and bores look to be in excellent shape. One piston has bad rings so I think we will renew all four. One conrod had lost the oil scoop, the parts were found in the sump, no bearing damage at first sight. And the crankshaft is repairable, I'll post pictures as we are progressing. Marcel

Here are some pictures of the engine which I am taking apart. Crankshaft I wonder if this is also the serial# for the truck? Water pump with magneto drive This is how they compensated the wear Underneath the top cover Casting date? 1918 More to follow next year. Best wishes for 2011! Marcel

Thanks, I am looking for an Zenith carburetor like the one in the picture. It now has a Solex fitted. The mag has already been gone over and is like new again. Marcel

Looks great, another masterpiece finished! It is incredible how much work is needed for a 'simple' square hole. Thanks, Marcel

Restoration has finally started. I took out the engine last week and put it in the workshop so I can spend some winter evenings to take it apart. I took off one crankcase breather, and at a first glance the inside of the engine looks quite good. Before the winter we tested the radiator and it holds water. I did not find a flywheel or clutch yet, so the plan is to fit another flywheel with a normal plate clutch until we find a good one. Regards Marcel